Annual Human Rights Conference 28th -30th

limerick | rights, freedoms and repression | event notice Sunday January 16, 2005 23:50 by pppp

hosted by The Irish Peace Society

Annual Human Rights Conference that is being hosted by The Irish Peace Society in the University
of Limerick from 28th January- 30th January.

Of major interest to you may be the Students Human Rights Network we hope to establish at the conference.

International and Irish speakers to attend Human Rights Conference in Limerick

The 3rd Annual Human Rights Conference, organised by the Irish Peace Society, will open in Limerick on Friday 28th January. Attracting world
wide speakers such as Jana Kiser, founder Global Learning; and Saif Abukeshek, head Co-ordinator of International Solidarity Movement, the Human Rights Conference will also hear from Irish Times columnist John Waters, Michael D. Higgins, and MEP Simon Coveney.

Other speakers include Caoimhe Butterly, an Irish human rights and peace activist from Cork, who was rated as one of the top 100 people of the
year by Time Magazine Europe 2002 for her efforts in peace initiatives in Palestine's West Bank. Mary Kelly, a former nurse who came to public attention when she dismantled and American military plane at Shannon Airport at the outbreak of the war in Iraq in 2003.

The focus of this year's conference is to connect the discussion of human rights with those individuals that are living every day in the shadow
of these human rights. Various panels will meet during the weekend to discuss a wide array of human rights topics ranging from Disability, Gay Rights and Citizenship issues.

The panel on Woman's Rights will focus on Rape as a crime against women. Anne Marlborough from the University of Limerick Law Department, and Ingrid Wallace from the Limerick Rape Crisis Centre are expected to speak. The panel on Father's Rights will examine the mutual rights pertaining to fathers and their children. Aisling Reidy, Director for the Irish Council for Civil Liberties will chair this panel, which will feature The Irish Times columnist John Waters, and Family Law Expert, Geoffrey Shannon.

The conference will conclude on Sunday 30th January in the Jean Monnet Theatre, University of Limerick, with a forum on the Middle East. Saif
Abukeshek, Ofer Zalzberg, Caoimhe Butterly and MEP Simon Coveney will each contribute to this forum.

The conference opens in St. Mary's Cathedral in Limerick on Friday 28th January at 7pm. Internationally acclaimed musican, Micheal
O'Suilleabhain accompanied by a string quartet from Limerick will provide musical entertainment on the opening night. AMEN, featuring lead singers Noirin Ni Riain will also perform. Noreen is renowned for singing at numerous international peace gigs and in the past has performed for the Dalai Lama.

Weekend Ticket Prices range from €25e for students, to €50e for any member of an organisation.
The public are welcome to attend the weekends events, with tickets costing €35.
One can also attend individual events, the cost for
this is €10e.
Tickets will be on sale during registration on Friday 28th at St. Mary's Cathedral and again Saturday morning in the University Concert Hall.


For further information, please contact:
Siobhan Dee, IPS, 086 8671573
siobhan@humanrights.ie
www.humanrights.ie

Full Programme http://www.humanrights.ie/programme.html

PROGRAMME OF EVENTS: 3RD ANNUAL HUMAN RIGHTS CONFERENCE

FRIDAY 28TH JANUARY:
OFFICIAL OPENING AT 7PM IN ST. MARY’S CATHEDRAL, LIMERICK

The opening event will feature the following:
- Jana Kiser, founder Global Learning, and education initiative in Central
America
- Caoibhe Butterly, international humanitarian, nominated by TIME magazine
Europe as one of the world’s top 100 individuals for the year 2002
- John Waters, Irish Times Opinions journalist and active campaigner on the
issue of fathers' rights in Ireland.
- Mary Kelly, a former nurse, who came to public attention when she dismantled and American military plane at Shannon Airport at the outbreak of the war in Iraq in 2003.
- Sylvia Meehan, president of the Irish Senior Citizens Parliament will speak on working for the rights of the older and elderly citizen of Ireland

Musical entertainment will be provided by:
-Micheal O'Suilleabhain accompanies by a string quartet.
-AMEN, featuring lead singer Noirin Ni Riain. Noirin has participated in numerous
international peace gigs, and has also performed for the Dalai Lama.
-Downtown Crossing which is a 6-piece reggae/funk band
-Lucas, featuring special guest Graham Brennan

SATURDAY 29TH JANUARY:
DISCUSSION PANELS COMMENCE AT 10AM IN THE UNIVERSITY CONCERT HALL, UNIVERSITY OF LIMERICK.

9.30 – 10 am: Morning Coffee & Tea Venue: Irish World Music Centre, Concert Hall
10am – 12noon: Venue: Ground Floor, University Concert Hall

1. Disability Panel
Martin Naughton, Founder Irish Centre for Independent Living
Caroline McGrath, Deputy CEO Mental Health Ireland
Liam Herrick, Senior Legislation & Policy Review Officer: Irish Human Rights Commission
David Staunton, FG Front Bench Spokesperson on Social & Family Affairs & Equality

2. Women's Rights Panel
Rape. A crime against Women. A breach of Human Rights in need of adequate legislation
Anne Marlborough, University of Limerick Law Department.
Ingrid Wallace, Senior Counsellor for Limerick Rape Crisis Centre
Mary Kelly, Former CEO of NWCI
Kate Mulkerrins, Barrister and legal co-ordinator for RCNI
Chair- Sylvia Meehan, President of the Irish Senior Citizens Parliament

3. Gay Rights Panel
Gay Rights – the Legality concerning Homosexuality in the Irish state
Chair- Dr. Patricia Conlan, University of Limerick Law Department
Ailbhe Smith, Co-Chair, National Lesbian and Gay Federation
Louise Tierney, Manager, Outhouse in Dublin
Fiona de Londras, Senior Lecturer in the Law School, Griffith College
Dublin and a former tutor in Trinity College Dublin and University College
Cork.

12.00 –1pm: Lunch

1 – 3pm: Panels Continue. Venue: Ground Floor, University Concert Hall

4. Citizenship Panel
Maurice Manning, Chair, Irish Human Rights Commission
Michael D. Higgins, Labour Party
Others speakers TBC

5. Traveller’s Panel
Bridget Casey, Limerick Traveller’s Development Group
Bishop Willie Walsh, Bishop of Kilaloe
David Joyce, Solicitor and member of Irish Traveller’s Movement

6. Father's Rights Panel
Father’s Rights – Mutual Rights pertaining to Fathers and their children
Aisling Reidy, Chair, Director of the Irish Council for Civil Liberties
John Waters, Irish Times Columnist
Benig Mauger, Psychotherapist
Liam O’Gogain, Parental Equality Campaigner
Geoffrey Shannon, Family Law Expert with the Law Society

3-3.30pm: Afternoon Tea & Coffee Venue: Concert Hall Foyer

3.30- 5.50pm: Workshop to establishing a Students Human Rights Network:

The members of this years Third Annual Human Rights Conference Committee are setting aside a two hour slot on the Saturday evening of the conference, 29th January 2005 in hope of setting up a Students Human Rights Network (SHRN).
It is envisaged, that the SHRN will be an umbrella coalition made up of all the student groups, at secondary and at third level who deal in the area of Human Rights all over the island. This coalition is open to all interested parties such as NGO’S, grassroots student organisations and other relevant bodies dedicated to supporting Human Rights, encouraging dialogue on issues of HR abuses and also interested in actively working to encourage change in our society and others, so that Human Rights are respected and upheld.
We, the committee feel that this is not just an aspiration but is a possibility. The agenda below is a provisional set of steps that we believe will help us reach our goal of setting the foundation for a SHRN, but as this is the students of the island of Irelands’ network, everything is open for discussion and suggestions are welcome
Venue: Ground Floor, University Concert Hall.

7.30pm: Multicultural Banquet, Venue: South Court Hotel, Admission: Conference Ticket

SUNDAY 30TH JANUARY: FORUM ON THE MIDDLE EAST

12noon - 2.00pm: Middle East Forum, Venue: Jean Monnet Theatre

Speakers include:
Saif Abukeshek: Head coordinator of International Solidarity Movement, and Co-ordinator for the International Relations of the Highest National Committee for the Right of Return for the Palestinian Refugees in Palestine.
Ofer Zalzberg: Co-Founder and Co-Chairman of the Young Israeli Forum for Co-operation, an Israeli NGO that promotes dialogue and understanding between Israelis and Palestinians. Ofer is also a non-commissioned Officer (reserve) in the Intelligence corps of the IDF.
Mr. Ali Halimeh: Representative from the General Delegation of Ireland to Palestine.
Caoimhe Buttlery: An Irish human rights and peace activist, Caoimhe has spent time living in the Palestine’s West Bank, mostly in Jenin Camp. On 21 November 2002, she was shot at close-range by an Israeli sniper, who she saw aiming his gun at her from an armored personnel carrier. Time Magazine Europe 2002 rated Caoimhe Buttlery as one of the top 100 people of the year.
MEP Simon Coveney: A member of the Foreign Affairs Committee and a Member of the Sub Committee on Human Rights.


2.00 - 2.30 - Afternoon Tea / Coffee
2.00 - 2.30 - Key End Note Address, Venue: Jean Monnet Theatre
http://www.peace.ie/

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Student's Human Rights Network 2005

The members of this years Third Annual Human Rights Conference Committee are setting aside a two hour slot on the Saturday evening of the
conference, 29th January 2005 in hope of setting up a Students Human Rights Network (SHRN).

It is envisaged, that the SHRN will be an umbrella coalition made up of all the student groups, at secondary and at third level who deal in the area of Human Rights all over the island. This coalition is open to all interested parties such as NGO'S, grassroots student organisations and other relevant bodies dedicated to supporting Human Rights, encouraging dialogue on issues of HR abuses and also interested in actively working to encourage change in our society and others, so that Human Rights are respected and upheld. We, the committee feel that this is not just an aspiration but is a possibility. The agenda below is a provisional set of steps that we believe will help us reach our goal of setting the foundation for a SHRN, but as this is the students of the island of Ireland' network, everything is open for discussion and suggestions are welcome.

SHRN
Mission Statement
Aims and Objectives
Difficulties that may arise
How can we make this a possibility


Practicalities
Active email list
Web-site amendments e.g. notice board or discussion forum
HRC organisation every year- rotation of hosts
Committees?
Publications other than the web-site
Up coming events- other than the HRC

One of the important outcomes we want from this meeting is for a contact list to be compiled so as to make our hope of a SHRN materialise.