The American Bar Association Center for Human Rights salutes the life and career of Professor Ved Nanda, who passed January 1, aged 90.
Ved was a legend in the field of international law and advocacy, especially in human rights and criminal justice. He spent much of his career at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law, where he founded the International Legal Studies program and directed the Ved Nanda Center for International and Comparative Law, which alumni and friends established in his honor. At the ABA, he was a founding and permanent member (special counselor) of the Center for Human Rights and received the International Law Section’s Louis B. Sohn Award for “distinguished, longstanding contributions to the field of public international law.”
Beyond his manifold professional accomplishments and impact, Ved was widely beloved for his unfailing personal warmth and generosity, which reflected his love of humanity and his commitment to exalting and securing human dignity. He believed in the power of a just rule of law to both reflect and protect the best of human nature, and he advanced that belief in his life and work. His enormous legacy includes throngs of devoted former students who have gone on to influential careers in international law.
We extend our heartfelt condolences to Ved’s family, friends, colleagues, and students, and will carry on in the light of his example.