Dr.Illan Rua Wall, School of Law, University of Warwick
There is a perpetual debate in human rights law surrounding the question of whether to create new human rights? On one side many bemoan the incessant rights generation. They insist that such 'new' rights may be adequately accommodated within existing frameworks, and that multiplication of international instruments and obligations merely waters down the 'core' set of demands. On the other side are those who insist on the necessity of a supple and fluid usage of the discourse that is responsive to events. The debate around 'new' human rights has focused upon making 'second generation' rights like water and sanitation substantive; and generating 'third generation' rights like development, peace or truth. Upendra Baxi insists that we must distinguish between a politics of human rights and a politics for human rights. Where the former describes the deployment of human rights in the management of the current distribution of power; the latter names an alternative, ruptural politics. The speaker discusses how the question of new rights is displaced entirely from one of conserving the established and legitimate discourse, to a strategic question of engagement with and against law.
The paper is available here.
Regime Change: From Democratic Peace Theories to Forcible Regime Change
Rein Mullerson, former Deputy Foreign Minister of Estonia, member of Institut de droit International, Professor of International Law, and President of Tallinn University.
The current series of regime changes started with the collapse and the transformation of the Soviet Union. Professor R. Mullerson examines democratic peace theories and argues that regime changes take place in the general context of a globalising world that is characterised by a transformation of the balance of power and a crisis of dominant and political institutions. Professor R. Mullerson’s latest book Regime Change: From Democratic Peace Theories to Forcible Regime Change is published by Martinus Nijhoff Publishers (2013).
Seminar Podcast
The United States and the policy of targeted killings
Achilles Skordas, Professor of International Law, School of Law, University of Bristol
The policy of targeted killings may be ‘the only game in town’, as then CIA Director Leon Panetta famously said in 2009, but there are significant legal hurdles in the implementation of the policy. The speaker will discuss the legal framework of municipal U.S. law, as well as the consistency of targeted killings with international law, including, in particular, the law of force, the law of armed conflict, and human rights law. The discussion will be based on the relevant case-law, and legal policy documents, including the recent legal opinion of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Seminar Podcast
Transforming Pain into Hope: Human Rights Defenders in the Americas
Nancy Tapias Torrado, Researcher on the Situation of Human Rights Defenders in the Americas, Amnesty International
Leonor Rebassa, Campaigner for the Human Rights Defenders in the Americas, Amnesty International
Human rights defenders in the Americas have made fundamental contributions to the advancement of human rights. However, they are systematically harassed, attacked, stigmatized and subjected to unfounded criminal charges in almost every country in the Americas to prevent them from speaking out for the rights of the most marginalized. Those particularly targeted include people working on issues related to land and natural resources; the rights of women, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people, abuses against migrants as well as those working to ensure justice for human rights abuses, plus journalists, bloggers and trade unionists. The speakers presented Amnesty International’s campaign and Amnesty International's Report Transforming pain into hope: Human rights defenders in the Americas, which are based on the analysis of around 300 cases of attacks against human rights defenders in more than a dozen countries in the Americas, primarily between January 2010 and September 2012. (Report and current public campaigning actions are available at: http://amnesty.org/en/campaigns/human-rights-defenders-americas)
Seminar Podcast
Wednesday 25th January
Women, armed conflicts and peace operations: victims, actors and agents
Ruth Abril-Stoffels, Professor of International Law, Universidad CEU-Cardenal Herrera, Valencia (Spain)
Wednesday 18th April
Nuts, Sluts and Perverts: conflict and challenges in the domestication of Human Rights law
Elizabeth Stokes, Senior Lecturer, School of Law and Social Sciences, University of East London
Podcast
Presentation
Wednesday 28th September
Human Rights: Ten Years After September 11th
John Strawson, Reader and Interim Director of the Centre on Human Rights in Conflict, School of Law and Social Sciences, University of East London
Wednesday 12th October
Doing justice or meddling in transitions? Universal jurisdiction and Spanish prosecution of crimes committed in Rwanda and DRC
Rosa Ana Fernandez Alija, Lecturer, University of Barcelona
This event is co-hosted by the London Transitional Justice Network.
Wednesday 26th October
Migrant workers and camel jockeys: a look at exploitation in the Gulf
David Keane, Lecturer, Department of Law, Middlesex University
Wednesday 9th November
Gender-based violence in war and the question of accountability: The case of Bosnia
Maja Korac, Reader, School of Law and Social Sciences, University of East London and Olga Martin-Ortega, Senior Research Fellow, Centre on Human Rights in Conflict, School of Law and Social Sciences, University of East London
Wednesday 23rd November
The Human-Rights Compliance of UK Anti-Terrorism Legislation in the Light of Domestic and International Case Law
Carmen Draghici, Lecturer, School of Law, City University
Wednesday 09 February
The Reckoning
A film following the battle for the International Criminal Court. This 2009 film follows ICC Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo and his team for three years across four continents as he carries out his work pursuing perpetrators of international crimes committed in Uganda, Congo, Colombia and Sudan.
Wednesday 23 February
After Egypt: Human Rights, Reform and Revolt in the Arab World. A Panel Discussion
Lawrence Joffe, Middle East Expert and Journalist and John Strawson, Reader in Law and Director of the Centre on Human Rights in Conflict, School of Law, University of East London.
This seminar will discuss the impact of the Egyptian January 25th Revolution on the Arab world and the wider Middle East. As revolts spread to Yemen, Bahrain, Libya and Iran the speakers will assess the prospects for human rights and democracy in the region.
Podcast available here: After Egypt: Human Rights, Reform and Revolt in the Arab World. A Panel Discussion
Wednesday 2 March
Transitional Justice in the former Yugoslavia in focus: discussing key issues, major actors and (in) voluntary consequences: A Panel Discussion
Iva Vukusic, Sense News Agency, Arnaud Kurze, Department of Public and International Affairs, George Mason University and Dr Olga Martin-Ortega, CHRC, School of Law, University of East London.
This event is co-hosted by the London Transitional Justice Network.
Wednesday 23 March
Counterterrorism, Development and Human Rights in Sub-Saharan Africa: Convergences, tensions and uncomfortable parallels
Dr Joel Busher, Research Fellow, School of Law, University of East London
Podacts available here: Counterterrorism, Development and Human Rights in Sub-Saharan Africa: Convergences, tensions and uncomfortable parallels
Wednesday 6 April
Civil Liability of Corporate and Non-state Aiders and Abettors of International Terrorism as an Evolving Notion under International Law
Dr Sascha Bachmann, Senior Lecturer, School of Law, University of Portsmouth
Podcast available here: Civil Liability of Corporate and Non-state Aiders and Abettors of International Terrorism as an Evolving Notion under International Law
Wednesday 29 September
LLM Inaugural lecture: Perspectives in International Law
John Strawson, Reader in Law and Interim Director, Centre on Human Rights in Conflict, School of Law, University of East London
Wednesday 13 October
Who cares about victims? Victim participation at the Khmer Rouge Tribunal in Cambodia
Johanna Herman, Centre on Human Rights in Conflict, School of Law, University of East London
Policy Paper on victim participation at the ECCC or Khmer Rouge Tribunal in Cambodia
Podcast of the seminar.
Wednesday 27 October
Professor Bill Bowring and John Strawson
Book Launch: Laws attack on Middle East Peace: Can Palestinian-Israeli Negotiations succeed?
At a critical stage of the Middle East peace process Professor Bill Bowring, (Birkbeck, University of London) and John Strawson (UEL) debate Strawson’s recent book Partitioning Palestine: Legal Fundamentalism in the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict (Pluto Press 2010).
Professor Bill Bowring, Birkbeck College, School of Law, University of London and John Strawson, Reader in Law and Interim Director, Centre on Human Rights in Conflict, School of Law, University of East London
Podcast of the seminar.
Wednesday 24 November
Should there be a universally established human right to a good, clean and healthy environment? Conflicts and debates
Dr. Stephen Turner, Senior Lecturer, University of Winchester
Dr. Turner is the author of “A Substantive Environmental Right” (Kluwer) (2009)
Podcast of the seminar.
Spring 2010
Monday 12 April
The Security Council and Children and Armed Conflict
Ms. Radhika Coomaraswamy, United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict
Lecture handout
Wednesday 10 February
Human Rights, Sovereignty and Military Intervention
Professor Michael W. Doyle, Harold Brown Professor of International Affairs, Law and Political Science, Columbia University
Seminar handout
Wednesday 3 March
Surviving field research: Working in violent and difficult situations; a panel discussion
Professor Chandra Lekha Sriram, Dr Olga Martin-Ortega, Johanna Herman, Centre on Human Rights in Conflict, University of East London, School of Law
Hosted by SOAS
Wednesday 10 March
Widows, War and Peace: the why, the wherefore and the how
Augustina Akoto, Lecturer, University of East London School of Law
Powerpoint presentation
Wednesday 21 April
The Reckoning
A showing of this 2009 film, which follows ICC Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo and his team for three years across four continents as he carries out his work pursuing perpetrators of international crimes committed in Uganda, Congo, Colombia and Sudan.
Wednesday 2 December
Breaking the link between natural resources and armed conflict: The Kimberley Process on rough diamonds
Jan Wetzel, Senior Lecturer, Lincoln Law School
Powerpoint presentation
Wednesday, 18 November
Islamic law in post-conflict Muslim states: Research and practice
Siraj Sait, Senior Lecturer, University of East London School of Law
Thursday, 12 November
Civilian casualties and international humanitarian law: Lessons from Iraq?
John Sloboda, Professor of Politics and International Relations, Royal Holloway, University of London and Executive Director, Oxford Research Group, and Co-founder Iraq Body Count
Powerpoint presentation
Friday, 16 October
Surviving field research: Working in violent and difficult situations
A roundtable discussion featuring Lars Waldorf, University of York, Oliver Richmond, University of St Andrews, and Chandra Lekha Sriram, Olga Martin-Ortega, and Johanna Herman, University of East London. Followed by a drinks reception.
Wednesday 7 October
War, conflict, and human rights: theory and practice
A panel discussion featuring Chandra Lekha Sriram, Olga Martin-Ortega, and Johanna Herman, University of East London
Monday 2nd March
Launch of "Just Peace? Peacebuilding and rule of law in Africa: Lessons for policymakers"
The CHRC launched the policy paper "Just Peace? Peacebuilding and rule of law in Africa" with a panel discussion hosted by the Royal African Society and SOAS. The paper provides lessons from the CHRC's forthcoming edited volume on rule of law in African countries emerging from violent conflict, funded by a British Academy larger grant. Please contact Johanna Herman for hard copies of the publication.
Chair: Chandra Lekha Sriram, Director, Centre on Human Rights in Conflict
Panel:
Stephen Brown, University of Ottawa, The Rule of Law and the Hidden Politics of Transitional Justice in Rwanda
Olga Martin-Ortega and Johanna Herman, Centre on Human Rights in Conflict, Too much, too soon? Exploring Rule of Law programming in Liberia
Sarah Maguire, Independent rule of law expert, Creating demand in Darfur - circling the square
Discussant: Ademola Abass, Brunel University School of Law
The CHRC thanks the British Academy for its support to the project and the reception.
Wednesday, 11 February
“From Global Apartheid to Global Village: Africa and the United Nations”
Dr. Adekeye Adebajo, Executive Director, Centre for Conflict Resolution
Cape Town, South Africa
Dr. Adekeye Adebajo Podcast
Wednesday, 25 February
“Britain's democratic vision for Iraq”
John Strawson, UEL School of Law
John Strawson Podcast
Wednesday, 25 March
“Too much, too soon? Exploring Rule of Law programming in Liberia”
Johanna Herman, Research Fellow, Centre on Human Rights in Conflict
Johanna Herman Presentation
Wednesday, 15 October
“Multinational Corporations in War Zones: What Role for Human Rights?”
Dr. Olga Martin-Ortega, Centre on Human Rights in Conflict, School of Law, UEL
Wednesday, 12 November
“Punishment Without a Trial? UN Counter-terrorism and the Crisis of Human Rights”
Dr. Carmen Draghici, Centre on Human Rights in Conflict, School of Law, UEL
Wednesday, 26 November
“Where Next for the International Criminal Court? Assessing Justice Challenges in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda and Sudan."
Dr. Phil Clark, Oxford University
Wednesday 13th February
Ten years after Pinochet: The future of universal jurisdiction
Panel Discussion:
Alun Jones QC, Head, Great James Street Chambers
Michael Caplan QC, Partner, Kingsley Napley
Jordi Palou-Loverdos, Lawyer, mediator, Veritas Rwanda Forum
Dr. Víctor M. Sánchez, Professor, Universitat Oberta de Catalunya
Presentation by Michael Caplan QC
Presentation by Dr. Víctor M. Sánchez
Wednesday 16th April
How to be a human rights activist
Widney Brown, Amnesty International
Thursday 21st February
Prosecuting the Media: Direct and Public Incitement to Commit Genocide in ICTR Jurisprudence
Agnès Hurwitz, ICTY
Agnès Hurwitz presentation
Wednesday 7th March
The international law of occupation: Are human rights the emperor’s new clothes?
Aeyal Gross, Faculty of Law, Tel Aviv University
In cooperation with the Refugee Research Centre:
Wednesday 23rd April
Refugee women in conflict and post conflict situations: the challenges they face and present
Professor Rebecca M.M. Wallace, Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen
Professor Wallace presentation
In cooperation with the Refugee Research Centre:
Wednesday 7th May
What kind of Liberation? Diaspora Mobilization, Women's Rights and Violence in Post-Invasion Iraq
Dr Nadje Al-Ali, Director, Centre for Gender Studies, SOAS, University of London
Tuesday 2nd October
Extraterritorial Application of Human Rights Obligations
Panel Discussion:
Sapna Malik, Partner, Leigh Day & Co
Dr Ralph Wilde, Reader, University College London
Discussant: Professor Chandra Lekha Sriram, CHRC
Chair: John Strawson, Reader, University of East London
Thursday 25th October
Peace Process in Nepal
Prakash A. Raj, Nepal Council of World Affairs
Wednesday 28th November
Preventing Ethnic and Religious Conflict
Chris Chapman, Conflict Prevention Officer, Minority Rights Group International
Thursday 8th February
Protection of human rights in the war on terror: Challenges and opportunities
Martin Scheinin, United Nations Special Rapporteur on Human Rights While Countering Terrorism
Commentators:
John Kissane, Head of Human Rights Compliance and Delivery, UK Department for Constitutional Affairs
Tom Porteous, London Director, Human Rights Watch
OHCHR website for the Special Rapporteur
Martin Scheinin's Presentation
John Kissane's Presentation
Wednesday 21 February
Selectivity in International Criminal Prosecutions: The Legitimacy Challenge
Robert Cryer, University of Nottingham School of Law
Wednesday 7 March
Muslim Women’s Rights, the Politics of ‘Islam,’ and the ‘War on Terror’
Ziba Mir-Hosseini, London Middle East Institute, School of Oriental and African Studies
Wednesday 14 March
Accountability of Rebel Groups in the International Law of Armed Conflict: Lessons from Congo’s War
Phoebe Okowa, Queen Mary University London, School of Law
Wednesday 21 March
Coming out in Arabic: Islam, human rights, and gay rights
Brian Whitaker, The Guardian, Middle East correspondent
Brian Whitaker Presentation
Brian Whitaker is the author of:
Unspeakable Love: Gay and Lesbian Life in the Middle East
Wednesday 18 April
Terrorism, National Security and the Protection of Human Rights
Professor Bill Bowring, Birkbeck College, University of London, School of Law
Professor Bowring's article in the Socialist Lawyer
Thursday 31st May
Legislative Change in the Post-Revolutionary Iranian Law of Marriage
and Divorce: Two Examples
Professor Louise Halper, Professor of Law, Washington and Lee
University, Lexington, VA, USA
Wednesday 4th October
Crimes Against Humanity: Developments in International Criminal Law
Geoffrey Robertson, Q.C.
Article about the Geoffrey Robertson lecture in The Patriotic Vanguard: Sierra Leone News Portal
News Release on Geoffrey Robertson's lecture
Wednesday 18 October
Bait and Switch: Human Rights and US Foreign Policy
Julie Mertus, American University, School of International Service
Julie Mertus Presentation
Wednesday 1 November
Islamic law and international human rights law: linkages and tensions
Mashood Baderin, Brunel University, School of Law
Mashood Baderin Presentation
Wednesday 8 November
Islam, British Muslims, and the “War on Terror”
Javaid Rehman, Brunel University, School of Law
Wednesday 15 November
Extra-territorial human rights obligations in times of armed conflict and peacekeeping operations
Basak Cali, University College London, Department of Political Science
Wednesday 29 November
The Toyota Land Cruiser as Postmodern Tank: Evaluating the Role of the Humanitarian International
Kurt Mills, University of Glasgow Department of Politics
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