Protect, prevent, punish: Mobilizing law in defence of Gaza
Key information
- Date
- Time
-
5:00 pm to 6:30 pm
- Venue
- Brunei Gallery, SOAS University of London
- Room
- B-104
About this event
Despite ongoing calls from lawyers across the globe that states mobilise a ceasefire in Gaza, the fighting between Israel and Hamas continues.
It is now estimated that the Israeli military's aerial bombardment and ground offences in the Gaza Strip have killed more than 15,000 Palestinians since Hamas' October 7 attacks. An estimated 1.8 million people (out of a population of 2.3 million) have been forcibly displaced from their homes. As the humanitarian crisis unfolds, what is the role of lawyers at this time?
In commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Daniel Machover, Partner at Hickman & Rose, and Professor Felicity Gerry, KC, will consider how lawyers are responding and might yet respond to the situation unfolding in Gaza. Specifically, we will consider whether and how law can be mobilised to pursue various avenues for redress available to protect human rights, prevent genocide, and punish perpetrators of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Lawyers will be asked to confront the reality of whether the situation in Gaza signals the futility of legal efforts or whether and how the law can as yet enable the pursuit of justice.
Photo credit: Mohammed Ibrahim via Unsplash
Schedule
Opening Remarks from Professor Lyn Welchman followed by a moderated discussion between Mr Daniel Machover and Prof Felicity Gerry KC, with Dr Michelle Staggs Kelsall.
About the speakers
Daniel Machover is an expert at vindicating the rights of people who have suffered at the hands of the state, in inquest and public inquiry work and in representing individuals and organisations in complex civil litigation cases.
Professor Felicity Gerry KC is a legal expert on international legal issues, particularly relating to International Crimes, Terrorism and Homicide and Corporate Responsibility for human rights abuses.
