The Editorial Board of the Human Rights Law Journal (HRLJ), National Law University Odisha, invites original submissions for Volume XII of the Journal, to be released in August 2027. The deadline for final paper submission is 31 March 2027.
About the Journal
HRLJ is an annual, double-blind peer reviewed academic journal bearing ISSN No. 2581-3307 and does not charge any submission fees. It is published by National Law University Odisha, Cuttack, with the objective of encouraging legal writing and scholarship in the field of human rights. The Journal started in 2016 and has received quality submissions, both doctrinal and empirical in nature, from members of the legal academia, professionals and researchers.
HRLJ encourages discussion and analyses nuanced with human rights approaches that adequately reflect contemporary challenges, the changing nature of human rights, and the expanding horizon of rights and obligations. Submissions are invited from academicians, researchers and legal practitioners.
Themes
The Journal especially welcomes submissions on contemporary issues within the broader ambit of human rights and its legal interactions. The themes are indicative and not exhaustive; please refer to the Call for Papers brochure for the sub-themes.
Climate Change and Environmental Justice
Freedom of Expression, Association and Assembly
Migration and Refugee Protection
Ecocide and Human Rights: The Right to a Healthy Environment
The Infosphere and Democracy: Misinformation, Censorship and Free Expression
The Corporate Veil: Enforcing Human Rights in Global Supply Chains
Human Rights Frameworks and Mechanisms: National and International
Human Rights and Manifestations of Injustice through the Lens of Legal Language
Human Rights of Children in Humanitarian Crises
Committed Judiciary and Human Rights: Riots, Massacres, AFSPA, Women Political Prisoners, Procedural Fairness post-conviction
Expanding Scope of Human Rights
Submissions on any other theme relevant to human rights are also welcome.
Types of Submissions
HRLJ accepts original, unpublished manuscripts. There is no restriction on the number of co-authors. All word limits are exclusive of footnotes.
• Long Article: 5,000 to 8,000 words
• Short Article: 3,000 to 5,000 words
• Case Comment: 2,000 to 3,000 words
• Legislative Comment (on a Bill or Act): 2,000 to 3,000 words
• Book Review: 1,500 to 2,500 words
Who Can Submit
Submissions are invited from academicians, researchers and legal practitioners working in law and allied interdisciplinary fields. There is no restriction on the number of co-authors.
Important Dates
• Call for papers released: 3 November 2026
• Abstract submission: 3 November to 20 November 2026
• Communication of acceptance: by 30 November 2026
• Final paper submission: on or before 31 March 2027
Submission Guidelines
• Formatting: main text in Times New Roman, 12 pt, double line spacing; footnotes in Times New Roman, 10 pt, single line spacing.
• Citation: footnotes must conform strictly to OSCOLA (5th edition).
• An abstract of up to 300 words and a maximum of 5 keywords are mandatory.
• Manuscripts must be original, fully anonymized and not under simultaneous consideration elsewhere. Submissions go to peer review only if the overall similarity index is below 10%.
• Use of generative AI is restricted as set out in the Call for Papers, and any permissible use must be disclosed in the Certificate of Originality.
• A separate Cover Page and a signed Certificate of Originality and Copyright Transfer must accompany the manuscript.
How to Submit
Abstracts are to be submitted through the Google Form (QR code available on the Call for Papers brochure):
For queries, write to the Editorial Board at hrlj@nluo.ac.in.
Address: Human Rights Law Journal, National Law University Odisha, Naraj Road, Sector 13, CDA, Cuttack, Odisha 753015.