Twin events mark Human Rights milestone

INTERNATIONAL Human Rights Day, the anniversary of the adoption on 10 December 1948 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by members of the United Nations, is being marked by two events organised by Justice Scotland this week.

Tonight, the first ever Justice Scotland annual lecture will be given by Sir David Edward QC in Edinburgh.

Tomorrow evening, in a joint seminar with Glasgow Bar Association, practitioners will be talked through the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights by Jodie Blackstock, director of criminal and EU justice policy with Justice in London.

Advocate James Wolffe QC and solicitor advocate John McGovern will explain how the charter can be applied in Scottish domestic courts.

The EU Charter of Fundamental Rights is less well known than its much-cited predecessors, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the European Convention on Human Rights. The EU charter became binding in December 2009 when the Lisbon Treaty came into force.

Jodie Blackstock says: “The EU charter is a significant piece of human rights protection that enhances the European Convention on Human Rights in areas where there is EU competence.

“It offers a wider set of rights than the European Convention on Human Rights and, where rights overlap with the convention, the Court of Justice of the European Union has used it in some circumstances to provide greater protection.”

Booking details and further information on the seminar can be found at www.justice.org.uk

Sir David Edward, a former judge of the European Court of First Instance and judge of the European Court of Justice from 1992-2004, is a member of the Bill of Rights Commission established last year by the Westminster government.

The commission is investigating the creation of a bill of rights that “incorporates and builds on … the European Convention on Human Rights”; “ensures that [its] rights continue to be enshrined in UK law and protects and extends our liberties”.

It is also considering ways “to promote a better understanding of the true scope” of our obligations and liberties under the ECHR. The commission has consulted the public, the judiciary and the devolved administrations and legislatures.

Tony Kelly, chair of Justice Scotland, says: “Justice Scotland is inaugurating an annual lecture to mark this important date.

“The lecture will become a noteworthy event informing current debate on human rights concerns and – it is hoped – it will stir interest in, and contribute to, examination of those issues among the legal profession.

“Sir David is a member of the commission which is finalising deliberations on a report due to be published early in the new year.

“This is awaited with keen anticipation in light of the breadth of coverage of this significant area, and particularly for the consequences for the present Human Rights Act.

“This is an excellent time to look once again at the settlement both at UK level and in particular for us in Scotland.”

Admission to the lecture tonight is free but advance booking is essential.

Anyone wishing to attend should email [email protected]