July 1, 2016–November 30, 2016 Otto Saki is a lawyer with a keen interest in human rights law, health, policy, governance, regional economic communities, civil society and supra national human rights mechanisms. Otto interned with premier human rights organizations including the Institute for Human Rights and Development in Africa. In August 2003, he joined Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) as a projects lawyer until August 2009 when he had risen to level of Programmes Coordinator. After leaving ZLHR, Otto joined USAID as the deputy office director for the Democracy, Rights and Governance Office until August 2013. He joined USAID Freedom House Rule of Law project in Uganda as a Chief of Party from July 2014–April 2015. For his efforts in advancing human rights and fundamental freedoms, Otto has been recognized internationally including in 2006 by Reebok Human Rights Award and in 2007 by Junior Chamber International as one of the ten most outstanding young persons in Zimbabwe in respect of law. In 2007, Otto was awarded a Human Rights Fellowship by Columbia University Law School. In 2012, he was nominated as one of the inaugural top 35 young Africans and completed an executive course in leadership at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. Otto is a graduate of the University of Zimbabwe and Columbia University Law School.
Fellowship Project
Mr. Saki was the lead author of the Simon-Skjodt Center's report on risks of mass atrocities in Zimbabwe, titled "Scenarios of Repression: Preventing Mass Atrocities in Zimbabwe" (PDF).