Annual Student Conference 2013
Since 1999, the Annual Student Human Rights Conference has been organised each spring by University of Nottingham Law students with support from the Human Rights Law Centre, giving undergraduates and postgraduates a fantastic opportunity to design and deliver a conference on a contemporary human rights theme for students across Europe.
An interesting programme of expert speakers and student panels is planned by a dedicated student committee, and human rights issues are explored through the presentation of student papers and discussion in student-led break-out meetings.
The conference annually attracts over 100 attendees who come from across the UK and Europe to take part in thoughtful discussion and lively debate led by national and international experts, resident and visiting students.
2013: Human Rights and Democracy: Two Sides of the Same Coin?
The Arab Spring has served as a very visual and poignant reminder of the importance that many of the world's population attribute to democracy. It is an idea(l) that represents achievement or improvement of freedom, equality, safety, a voice or development.
The great force with which people demand democratic institutions prompts us to think whether democracy can, or does, fulfil these grand promises. It also begs the question: is democracy a pre-requisite for full human rights democracy? Which human rights are essential for a functioning democracy?
The conference was opened with a video message from Navi Pillay, Former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights:
Keynote speakers
Obstacles to the Promotion of a Democratic and Equitable International Order
Mr Alfred de Zayas, UN Independent Expert on the Promotion of a Democratic and Equitable International Order
Human Rights and Democracy: The Precarious Triumph of Ideals
Professor Todd Landman, Professor of Government and Director of the Institute for Democracy and Conflict Resolutions, University of Essex
Human Rights and Democracy and the Arab Spring
Ms Mervat Rishmawi, Independent Human Rights Consultant specialising in the MENA region and HRLC Fellow
Women and Democracy
Ms Louise de Sousa, Head of Human Rights and Democracy Department, United Kingdom Foreign and Commonwealth Office
The Keynote Speakers' biographies are available for download.
The Conference poster and Student Conference programme are available for download.
Student panels
Human Rights and Democracy: Common Allies or Coincidental Friends?
Lydia Davies-Bright (University of Nottingham) Is There No Alternative to Democracy for Protecting Human Rights? Lessons from the Arab Spring.
Hanin Nabeel (Goldsmiths, University of London) Iraq's Constitutional Struggles and the Threats to the Freedom of Expression.
Karen Mersiovsky (University of Nottingham) Pakistan: A Democracy Coming into its Own.
Questioning the Implementation of Human Rights and Democratic Norms
Ruth Houghton (University College, University of London) Democracy at the Human Rights Council? Yeah, Right!
Christopher Beaven (University College, University of London) Individuals in a Democratic State Context: 2010 French Ban on the Burqa, the Principle of Laïcité and a Restricted Right to Religion in Europe.
Nasia Hadjigerogiou (King's College, London) Democracy and the Right to Vote in Ethnically Divided Societies: Theory and Practice in Cyprus.
Student Conference Committee 2013
Benjamin Warwick, Alessandra Wayman, Samrah Mian, Janet Ng, Joel Simpson and Bettina Keimel.
HRLC wishes to acknowledge the support of Oxford University Press, Intersentia Publishing and Hart Publishing for this Conference.