The lengths to which the state can use surveillance and other covert activities to protect its citizens will be explored by students at Queen’s University on International Human Rights Day – Wednesday, December 10.
Students at Queen’s School of Law Human Rights Centre will discuss the laws that allow the state to carry out surveillance and other covert activities, and how they impact on human rights.
The talk forms part of a day of events to mark the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The celebrations also include an exhibition of artwork and creative writing by local school children, depicting their impressions of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, a discussion on the global impact of the Declaration, and the screening of human rights themed documentaries.
Dr Sylvie Langlaude, lecturer at the Human Rights Centre at the School of Law said: "The balance between protecting public safety and upholding human rights is frequently debated by the public, media and politicians. The Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) allows for state surveillance and information gathering for crime prevention purposes. Now more than ever, with the constant threat of global terrorism, the use of spooks, spies and espionage is deemed necessary to protect the public.
“RIPA, however, is about much more than anti-terrorism. It affects all of us on a daily basis. Our movements are followed on CCTV, our internet browsing habits and mobile phone calls are monitored, and from next year the Government plans to hold our personal information, including photographs and finger prints, on a national identity register.
"Article 12 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, however, states that ‘No one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence’ and ‘Everyone has the right to the protection of the law against such interference’.
“The shooting of Jean Charles De Menezes in 2005 highlighted the difficulties faced by state players in treading the fine line between protecting its citizens and upholding human rights.
“The state very clearly faces a clash of priorities. On one hand they are expected to do everything they can do protect their citizens, while on the other hand they are expected to protect those citizens’ basic right to privacy. On Human Rights Day we will explore how they can get the balance right.
“The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was intended to dramatically change international attitudes towards human rights. It aimed to secure global recognition of basic human rights and promote respect for those rights. Sixty years after it was adopted by the UN, we want to explore its impact around the world.
“Guest speakers from around the world – the USA, UK , Europe, Asia and Africa – will offer their views on the impact of the Declaration in their particular region, including areas where progress has been made, or where clear human rights violations still occur.
Dr Langlaude will chair the international discussion panel on 60 Years On: Impact of UDHR at 2.30pm at the Institute of Governance at Queen’s on 10 December. The talk on RIPA and Its Engagement with Human Rights: A Clash of Priorities will take place at 11am, also at the Institute of Governance.
In welcoming the events planned for International Human Rights Day, Professor Colin Harvey, Head of the School of Law and Professor of Human Rights Law at Queen’s, said: "This year marks the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The Declaration was drafted in the post-war period and remains an inspiring document. It includes a full range of civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights and continues to offer hope to those struggling for human rights across the world. Its global and inclusive vision is one that I hope we can all identify with and support.
“I am particularly pleased to see this student-led initiative at Queen’s to celebrate International Human Rights Day and to mark the occasion. These Law students are to be commended for organizing this significant event and for seeking to promote an informed debate around issues which impact on the rights of us all."
For more information
For more information on the Human Rights Centre at Queen’s visit www.law.qub.ac.uk/schools/SchoolofLaw/Research/HumanRightsCentre/
