Press Release

Law Society calls in ex-Guantanamo detainee for human rights drive

9 July 2009

The Law Society is teaming up with the Human Rights Centre of the University of Essex to respond to the call from Equality and Human Rights Commission for "positive leadership and visible support" for human rights.

The Law Society and Human Rights Centre is calling on lawyers to provide that leadership and will be hosting a major two day conference on Friday 11 September and Saturday 12 September 2009 at the University of Essex in Colchester to examine how the legal profession in England and Wales can bring human rights into their everyday work.

Former Guantanamo detainee Moazzam Begg will be a guest panel member at the conference and the range of activities will include tales from practitioners working in the human rights field, as well as a key note speech on the use of strategic litigation from Ayreh Neier – President of the Open Society Institute and former Executive Director of Human Rights Watch.

Tony Fisher, Chair of the Law Society International Human Rights Committee, says:

"As the Human Rights Act continues to "bed in" the development of a human rights mindset will make better lawyers of all of us."

"This conference will illustrate in detail how lawyers can get involved in human rights, and the positive contribution their professional skills can make to protecting human rights and the rule of law. It will provide the practical tools, tactics, ideas and strategies lawyers need for human rights work."

"This is not a conference just for specialist human rights practitioners. Whatever area of law you practice in, if you are interested in rights related issues, this conference has something for you."

The Equality and Human Rights Commission's recent report identified a very strong demand across all sectors for leadership and support for human rights. The Law Society conference is the latest step in encouraging and aiding its members in providing that leadership.

The Society and the Human Rights Centre has drawn together a raft of eminent experts from a wide range of backgrounds to inform and educate those with an interest in this area of law. There will also be art and photography exhibitions with a human rights theme throughout the conference.

Find out more conference details and how to register at http://international.lawsociety.org.uk/node/6375