Towards an "Equal Standard of Human Rights" : Reforming Legal Safeguards of Human Rights in Light of the Baha'i Teachings

Just before publishing the next abstract trying to start make this blog living...a question :
is there anyone out there reading and thinking about commenting one day? ;-)

Abstract of the lecture given by Prof. Brian Lepard

To continue the discussion on the topics that were adressed at the conference

Baha'u'llah taught, nearly one hundred and fifty years ago, that by agreement of the leaders of the world, an "equal standard of human rights must be recognized and adopted."

In 1948, the UN Declaration of Human Rights purported to establish such a global standard, but on the basis of secular principles. The presentation explored and articulated a Baha'i perspective on necessary legal safeguards of human rights, examining the revolutionizing character of Baha'u'llah's teachings on human rights and how they can help reform and vitalize the emerging international law of human rights anchored in the Universal Declaration.

How corporate misdeeds lead to strengthened principles of ethics, justice and transparency in corporations

Abstract of the lecture given by Nishat Ruiter

To continue the discussion on the topics that were adressed

at the 10th European Baha'i Conference on law

The lecture explored how various companies have undergone massive changes in their legal and compliance departments due to increase compliance, the rise of corporate crimes, and changing culture in corporate management. As a result, the role of the in house counsel has substantially evolved from a legal advisor to a business partner and on-demand counsellor for strategies, business growth and direction. As legal departments navigate through murky waters of compliance, ethics and profitability, principles of ethics, justice and transparency gain higher ground in the way corporations conduct business.

Religious Liberty under Siege in an Intolerant World : A Baha'i Perspective on the Role of Law in Protecting Freedom of Religion

Abstract of the lecture given by Prof. Brian Lepard

at the 10th European Baha'i Conference on law

Every day millions of human beings are deprived of the right to practice their religion freely; indeed, many are tortured or killed in an effort to extinguish their religious freedoms. It seems that around the world intolerance of religious freedom is relentlessly growing, despite the adoption of many laws, both national and international, purporting to safeguard this essential liberty.

The presentation examined the role of law in protecting religious freedom. It first examined the various historical and contemporary perspectives on the nature of religious freedom and on the kind of legal safeguards appropriated to ensure it. Then it outlined the Baha'i approach to this problem based on principles manifest in the Baha'i writings, an approach that can help to integrate these competing perspectives, but also transcends them. Finally, the paper suggested implications of a Baha'i point of view for the reform of domestic and international legal standards and procedures intended to uphold freedom of religion.

What is Human about Human Rights?

This topic will be adressed by Dr Wendi Momen on the 24th of January in London.

The event is organized by the Bahá'í Law and Human Rights Network.

Thanks to Rod who transmitted the information sent out by Payam.

Logistics :

Topic: What is Human about Human Rights?

Speaker: Dr Wendi Momen

Date: 24 January 2007

Time: 7:00pm for 7:30pm start

Location: 27 Hampstead Hill Gardens, London NW3 2PJ (nearest tube Belsize Park on Northern Line)

Details are the following :

Dr Momen holds a BSc in Economics and a Ph.D. in International Relations, both from the London School of Economics. She served as a member of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of the United Kingdom for over 20 years. She is a freelance editor working for a number of publishing companies, particularly George Ronald of Oxford.

Dr Momen has been a Justice of the Peace since 1982 and was chair of the Equal Opportunities Advisory Forum to Bedfordshire County Council from 1991 to 1998. She is a founder member of the European Bahá'í Business Forum. She is chairman of the One World Trust and a Trustee of the Multi-Faith Centre at the University of Derby and a Non-Executive Director of Bedfordshire Heartlands PCT.

Dr Momen has been very active in the field of the rights of women and will be participating in the 51st session of the UN Commission of the Status of Women meeting in this year.

The talk will be followed by conversation, music and food.

The event is open to anyone with an interest in law, human rights and related fields and provides a great opportunity for each of us to bring friends, colleagues and contacts.