Conference organised by Avocats Sans Frontières Network with the support of Clifford Chance

Transcription

1 Conference organised by Avocats Sans Frontières Network with the support of Clifford Chance CONFERENCE April the 19th, 2012 LONDON THE INTERNATIONALIZATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS PROTECTION AND ITS DEFENDERS: AVOCATS SANS FRONTIÈRES NETWORK SERVING THE MOST VULNERABLE

2 «The internationalisation of human rights protection and its defenders: Avocats Sans Frontières Network serving the most vulnerable» «People are considered vulnerable when, because of their age, gender, physical or mental health, or due to social, economic, ethnic and/or cultural circumstances, they find it particularly difficult to fully exercise their rights, as recognized by the judicial system». Brasilia rules on access to justice for vulnerable people, approved by the XIVth Ibero-American Judicial Summit, from 4 to 6 March In its decision of 27 June 1986, Nicaragua v. The United States, the International Court of Justice held that "a lack of a commitment (in this matter) would not mean that a State can violate human rights with impunity." Individuals, groups and social organizations which fight non violently to defend fundamental freedoms and human rights regularly find their efforts hampered because of the nature of their commitment. In the most extreme cases, these advocates are risking their lives. Avocats Sans Frontières Netwok

3 Yet, as provided for in the Human Rights Act of 1998, these advocates should be supported and protected in their work. As they contribute to the full observance and enjoyment of human rights and are often the only voice for those who cannot speak for themselves, protecting them is at the heart of Avocats Sans Frontiers' work. The Avocats Sans Frontiers' network, so far composed of 16 national associations bearing the same name*, has been working for several years to protect and defend human rights and its advocates. By working to promote access to justice for the most vulnerable, strengthening the ability of advocates to defend themselves and those they represent, as well as acting directly before national and international courts, the ASF Network wishes to promote, nationally and internationally, the effectiveness of human rights protection and that of its advocates. The ASF associations invite you to attend this debate in London on 19 April 2012 at 5 p.m., which will bring together stakeholders in international cooperation, NGOs, international court professionals and academics. * ASF Brazil, ASF Cameroun, ASF Colombia, ASF Congo, ASF France, ASF Guinea, ASF Italy, ASF Mali, ASF Mauritania, ASF Netherlands, ASF Peru, ASF Democratic Republic of Congo, ASF Senegal, ASF Sweden, ASF Switzerland and ASF Togo. April Clifford Chance, 10 Upper Bank Street, London, United Kingdom

4 5:00 pm OPENING CONFERENCE Welcoming speeches: Roger Leese, Partner Clifford Chance London office Cécile Paillard, communication Director Clifford Chance Paris office Opening speech: François Cantier, Honorary president and Founder member of Avocats Sans Frontières France 5:15 pm - Panel discussion 1 ACCESS TO JUSICE Moderator François Cantier, Honorary president and Founder member of Avocats Sans Frontières France Speakers Jean Carbonera, President of Avocats Sans Frontières Brasilia Hamadi Karembé, President of Avocats Sans Frontières Mali Catherine Mabille, Vice-President of Avocats Sans Frontières France Philippe Moriceau, President of Avocats Sans Frontières France Honoré Yana, Vice-president of Avocats Sans Frontières Cameroon EXCHANGE WITH ATTENDEES Avocats Sans Frontières Netwok

5 6:30 pm - Panel discussion 2 PROTECTION AND DEFENSE OF HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS Moderator François Cantier, Honorary president and Founder member of Avocats Sans Frontières France Speakers Anis A.A Saadi, Pakistani lawyer refugee Clive Baldwin, Senior Legal Advisor at Human Rights Watch Richard Bondo, President of Avocats Sans Frontières Democratic Republic of the Congo Amanda Flores, Assistant to the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders in the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) Claës Forsberg, President of Avocats Sans Frontières Sweden Kanlé Sotomagna SALLAH, Treasurer of Avocats Sans Frontières Togo EXCHANGE WITH ATTENDEES 8:00 pm CLOSING COCKTAIL April Clifford Chance, 10 Upper Bank Street, London, United Kingdom

6 CONTACT: ASF Network Tel Mob Fax Réseau Asf