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| Media contact: | Warren Hazelton |
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| E-mail: | hazeltow@staff.abanet.org |
Terrorism, Human Trafficking and the Relationship Between
Religion and Violence
On Tap for International Symposium on the Rule of Law
Former Irish President, British Attorney General and Noted Theologian
to Speak at Chicago Event
CHICAGO, Sept. 06, 2006 – Former President of Ireland and United Nations High Commissioner on Human Rights Mary Robinson, Attorney General of the United Kingdom Lord Goldsmith, and University of Chicago theologian Martin E. Marty are featured speakers at the second International Rule of Law Symposium.
The Symposium is convened by the American Bar Association in Chicago on Sept. 16 – 17, and is presented jointly with the International Bar Association. Programs will focus on the rule of law as it applies internationally to human rights, economic development, the environment and other key areas of human endeavor.
Robinson will open the conference with a keynote speech titled: “Rule of Law: Striking a Balance in an Era of Terrorism.” Robinson served as President of Ireland from 1990 to 1997 and was the first woman elected to that post. She then served as United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights from 1997 to 2002.
Marty will open Sunday’s session, speaking on “Violence, Religion and the Rule of Law,” an examination of how religious sectarianism has led to violent behavior and how such behavior impacts the way we approach the rule of law. Marty is one of America’s foremost authorities on religion and culture and has authored more than 50 books on related topics. He has been a professor of religious history at the University of Chicago for 35 years.
Goldsmith will also address the Symposium on Saturday. He was appointed Her Majesty’s Attorney General in 2001, following a distinguished legal career that included serving as the youngest Chairman of the Bar of England and Wales. He also served as Co-Chairman of the IBA’s Human Rights Institute.
A highlight of the Symposium will be “The International Rule of Law – A Framework for Action.” A distinguished panel tackles the questions “Is there a globalization of law?” “How does that affect state sovereignty?” and “How will it be used to combat terrorism and hold accountable those who commit international crimes?” Panelists include Robinson, Justice Richard Goldstone of the South African Constitutional Court, Ambassador Hans Corell, former U.N. Under-Secretary General for Legal Affairs, and M. Cherif Bassiouni, president, International Human Rights Law Institute, DePaul University.
The Symposium will also present a number of programs on specific topics led by distinguished panels of lawyers, academics and government officials:
“The Rule of Law and Economic Development: A Business Perspective” – discusses the need for a stable legal environment and equal application of laws to encourage economic investment and business development. Panelists include Thomas Gottschalk, general counsel, General Motors Corporation; Gerard Sanders, deputy general counsel, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development; and Steven Levitt, author of the best-selling book “Freakonomics.”
“Combating Trafficking in Women and Girls: The Role of the Legal Profession” – examines the modern-day slave trade, which impacts as many as 800,000 persons a year, mostly women and girls, and undermines the health, safety and security of the nations it touches. Panelists include Sigma Huda, secretary-general of the Bangladesh Society for the Enforcement of Human Rights.
“Corporate Responsibility” – looks at the part businesses play in advocating the rule of law – is simple compliance with the law enough or must corporations rise to a higher standard and support the fundamentals of the rule of law? Panelists include Gloria Santona, general counsel, McDonald’s Corporation; Robert S. Rivkin, deputy general counsel, Aon Corporation; Carl Belding, chief legal officer, Nokia Corporation; and Francisco R. Hernandez-Castillo, deputy general counsel, Tyco International Ltd.
“Environmental Issues and the Rule of Law in a Global Village” – examines the interrelationship between the rule of law and environmental protection in an age in which environmental and economic effects transcend national boundaries. Panelists include James L. Connaughton, chairman, President’s Council on Environmental Quality, and Durwood Zaelke, professor at the University of California and founder of the Center for International Environmental Law.
This symposium is the second in a series that began in Washington, D.C., last November and will continue in Bangkok, Thailand, next February and at the United Nations in April. The symposia bring together leaders from government, business, non-governmental organizations and academia to pursue a focused agenda to advance the rule of law globally. The symposia seek to broaden existing efforts to advance the rule of law and emphasize to members of the legal profession their role in doing so.
With more than 413,000 members, the American Bar Association is the largest voluntary professional membership organization in the world. As the national voice of the legal profession, the ABA works to improve the administration of justice, promotes programs that assist lawyers and judges in their work, accredits law schools, provides continuing legal education, and works to build public understanding around the world of the importance of the rule of law in a democratic society.
Accredited news media are welcome to cover the meeting and may register online at: http://www.abanet.org/media/rol/home06.html. The deadline for advance registration is Wednesday, Sept. 13 at 5 p.m. CDT. After this date, reporters with proper credentials may register onsite once the Symposium opens.
