HIGH-LEVEL INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM TO ADDRESS ROLE OF JUDGES IN PROMOTION, PROTECTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS

HIGH-LEVEL INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM TO ADDRESS ROLE OF JUDGES

IN PROMOTION, PROTECTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS

Event to Mark Tenth Anniversary of United Nations

World Conference on Human Rights, Vienna Outcome Documents

(Reissued as received.)

VIENNA, 21 November (UN Information Service) -- A high-level international symposium entitled “The role of judges in the promotion and protection of human rights -- strengthening interagency cooperation” will take place on 24 November 2003 at the Vienna International Centre.  The symposium is being held on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of the United Nations World Conference on Human Rights and its outcome document, the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action.  It is taking place upon the invitation of the Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs of Austria and the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, in cooperation with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.

The Austrian Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs, Benita Ferrero-Waldner, will open the meeting and it will be chaired by the Acting High Commissioner for Human Rights, Bertrand Ramcharan.

The symposium will focus on the role of the judiciary, which lies at the core of the national systems for the promotion and protection of human rights.  The more precarious the human rights situation in a country, the more difficult and exposed the position of judges.  Though judges play a pivotal role in the human rights arena, too often, their fundamental task and its long-term impact on the overall human rights situation of a country is underestimated.  Therefore, the international community needs to focus more on the needs of judges for assistance in protecting their independence, developing professional skills and exchanging experience.

The symposium will be practice-oriented and will focus on the work at both the national and regional levels, bringing together representatives of governmental and non-governmental organizations, as well as eminent judges and experts.

Its main objective is to facilitate a more effective and streamlined approach by all relevant international actors inside and outside the United Nations system, in assisting countries in their efforts to strengthen the role of judges in the promotion and protection of human rights.

Contact:  Vienna International Centre, P.O. Box 500, A-1400 Vienna, Austria, tel.: (+43-1) 26060 4666, fax:  (+43-1) 26060 5899, e-mail:  UNIS@unvienna.org, http://www.unis.unvienna.org

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