Lawyers to debate economic and social rights in era of austerity
Economic, social and cultural rights in the age of austerity will be the topic of discussion at the Law Society's annual human rights symposium.
Realising Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in the UK will take place on 21st - 22nd October 2011, and will look at what impact budget cuts have on the rights of everyone in the UK.
A host of high profile speakers will lead discussion at the event, which is to be held at the Law Society's headquarters on Chancery Lane, London. Justice Albie Sachs - former Justice of the South African Constitutional Court, Lady Justice Arden - Lady Justice of the Court of Appeal of England and Wales, Professor Geraldine Van Bueren, Commissioner, Equality and Human Rights and Justice Juan Carlos Henan Perez, President, Constitutional Court of Colombia are amongst the guest speakers.
Law Society President John Wotton said:
“The budget cuts have an inevitable impact on people's rights in a very real way. Rights to healthcare, social care, education, housing and work-related rights have shifted into the spotlight in this era of austerity. These are services that affect many people and their rights, so the symposium is a relevant and timely platform for discussing this topic.
“Much of the Law Society's work in relation to human rights has been on an international basis, but it is clear that the UK has a lot to consider as more services are cut and basic rights to education, health and so on are under threat.”
A series of speeches and breakout sessions will take place through-out the two day symposium, including discussion on the Government's proposals to introduce a Bill of Rights to the UK.'
Participants will look at how to secure economic, social and cultural rights in a British Bill of Rights, whether the UK's existing legal framework, including welfare legislation, administrative law, the Human Rights Act and European Union law, secures these rights and whether the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) should be incorporated into UK law through a UK Bill of Rights.
JustFair, which is jointly organising the event with Equality and Human Rights Commission, the Law Society and the Human Rights Centre (University of Essex), has received sponsorship from the Law Society Charity for the symposium.
To attend both or one of the days of the conference and to see the full symposium programme, visithttp://international.lawsociety.org.uk/node/11415
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Contact: Steve Rudaini, The Law Society
+44 (0)20 7316 5624