Human rights focus of law school events

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Human rights focusof law school events

To celebrate the anniversary of the United Nations’ adoption and proclamation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, various human rights organizations based in Central Indiana hosted the program, “Human Rights Defenders: Voices from the Community,” at Indiana University School of Law – Indianapolis, 530 W. New York St., Dec. 3. In addition, a professor at the Indianapolis law school who is an expert on international human rights will participate in discussions on the topic in South Africa Dec. 9-11.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted by the U.N. on Dec. 10, 1948. The Indianapolis-based human rights groups started celebrating the UDHR at I.U. School of Law – Indianapolis on the 60th anniversary in 2008.

Avril Rua, president of the law school’s Master of Laws Association, emceed the event. Speakers included Ian McIntosh, director of International Partnerships and a professor of anthropology at Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis; Kevin Muñoz, co-founder of Human Rights Works; and professor George E. Edwards, director of the law school’s Program in International Human Rights Law.

Other featured speakers included Isaias Guerrero of the Latino Youth Collective; artist Rogelio Gutierrez, whose “Invisible Frontier” art installation was prominently displayed at the event; Raio Krishnayya of the Center for Victim and Human Rights, who discussed human trafficking; Allison Luthe of Central Indiana Jobs with Justice; Robert Pedersen of Central Indiana Jobs with Justice, who discussed human rights for workers; Liam Roche, an organizer for UNITE HERE; and Marquita Walker, an assistant professor of the Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis Labor Studies Program.

The event also featured art from Kurt Ihrig and music provided by DJ Kyle Long of Indianapolis-based Cultural Cannibals.

On Dec. 9, professor Carlton Waterhouse, internationally known for his research and writing on reparations for historic injustices and state human rights violations, will present his research titled “Rights and Reparations: Remedying the Past without Wrecking the Future” to the law faculty of the University of Cape Town.

While there, he will also contribute to a panel discussion on Law and the “Post-Racial/Ethnic State” at the Conference on Law, Culture, Constitutionalism, and Governance Dec. 10 – 11. That conference will be hosted by the University of Cape Town and the University of Stellenbosch.

The conference will bring together experts from around the world, including Germany, Ireland, Australia, the United States, and South Africa. Waterhouse also plans to conduct research and meet with South African government officials and business leaders regarding the government’s efforts to rectify economic harms caused by apartheid, according to a news release from the law school.•