LSE Human Rights Panel Debate: 'Can Human Rights Survive?'
Event Details
In this seminar, leading British intellectuals and human rights activists respond to the arguments set out in Conor Gearty's latest book, based on his Hamlyn lectures 2005, Can Human Rights Survive? The challenges identified by Gearty include the so-called 'war on terror', the revival of political religion, and the steady erosion of the world's natural resources. In his book Gearty also looks critically at the very meaning of human rights and sets out an agenda for action that he says is essential if the subject is to continue to act as a force for good in the world.
But is Gearty right that human rights has lost its intellectual confidence and become too easy a prey to lawyers and latter-day imperialists? Even if his diagnosis is right, is his prescription - for grand alliances and a narrower more effective human rights agenda - the right one? At this public seminar, three experts in different aspects of human rights, from the worlds of philosophy, law and NGO activism, subject Gearty's arguments to critical scrutiny. Gearty will reply to each and also answer questions from the audience.
This event is free and open to all, with no ticket or pre-registration required. You are, however, advised to arrive 20-30 minutes early, to maximise your chances of gaining entry to the event
Diary Date: Thursday 7 December, 6.30pm: 'Human Rights: some old truths and necessary new directions' Free public lecture by Professor Manfred Nowak, UN Special Rapporteur on Torture.
Booking Now: 'Law, war and human rights'. 6 week evening course examining the law of war and international humanitarian law from an international human rights law perspective. February - March 2007.
See http://www.lse.ac.uk/humanrights for more information
