Conference Program
Please note that the below is a preliminary conference program and subject to change. Information correct as at 30 January 2019.
| 9:00 – 10:00 | Conference Registration Hyatt Regency Delhi |
| 10:00 – 11:00 | INAUGURAL SESSION • Mr Shyam Divan | Conference Chair (INDIA) • Mr Christopher Leong | President, LAWASIA (MALAYSIA) • Dr Lalit Bhasin | President, The Bar Association of India (INDIA) CHIEF GUEST |
| 11:00 – 11:30 | TEA BREAK |
| 11:30 – 12:45 | SESSION 1 – Gender, Sexuality and Human Rights This session will explore developments across the ESCAP region with respect to legal approaches to gender, the decriminalisation of homosexuality, and measures to reduce discrimination. Chair: Justice Dr D.Y. Chandrachud | Judge, Supreme Court of India (INDIA) Speakers: |
| 12:45 – 13:45 | SESSION 2 – New Technologies, Privacy and Mass Surveillance: Will Human Rights Survive? Rapid developments in technology enable corporations and state entities to track and profile users. Law enforcement agencies embrace these technologies to prevent crime. What are the foreseeable impacts on human rights? Is privacy an enforceable right or outdated sentiment? Do the latest developments in data protection sufficiently protect users against the state and large corporations that collect and commercially exploit data? Chair: Ms Meenakshi Arora | Senior Advocate (INDIA) Speakers: |
| 13:45 – 14:45 | LUNCH BREAK |
| 14:45 – 16:15 | SESSION 3 – Human Rights Lawyers: Independence and Threats All individuals are entitled to call upon the assistance of a lawyer to protect and establish their human rights and to defend them. In the pursuit of such duties, lawyers have to and are able to function without intimidation, hindrance, harassment or improper interference by authorities or other social powers. In reality, however, lawyers are easily put into danger as a result of discharging their functions.In this session, the situation of independence of and threats against lawyers in the Asia Pacific region will be focused and analysed. The discussion will then progress to what lawyers’ community, in particular, Bars / Law Societies could and should do in order to protect their members as well as legal profession in the region whose functions are at danger. Chair: Prof Yasushi Higashizawa | Co-Chair Human Rights Section, LAWASIA (JAPAN) Speakers: |
| 16:15 – 16:30 | TEA BREAK |
| 16:30 – 18:00 | SESSION 4 – Aggressive Policing and Human Rights Across several jurisdictions, aggressive policing is compromising the presumption of innocence. Does eliminating serious crimes in this manner compromise the Rule of Law? Chair: Mr Soli Sorabjee | Senior Advocate (INDIA) Speakers: |
| 19:00 – 22:00 | CONFERENCE DINNER |
| 10:00 – 11:30 | SESSION 5 – Freedom of the Press in the Digital Age Has the advent of the Digital Age enhanced or encumbered press freedom across jurisdictions in the Asia Pacific region? Moderator: Justice Dr A.K. Sikri | Judge, Supreme Court of India (INDIA) Speakers: |
| 11:30 – 12:00 | Focus Session – Constitutional Crisis in Sri Lanka
Chair: Mr Fali S. Nariman | Senior Advocate (INDIA) Speaker: Mr Upul Jayasuriya | President’s Counsel (SRI LANKA) Comments: Mr Prashant Kumar | President-Elect, The Bar Association of India (INDIA) |
| 12:00 – 13:30 | SESSION 6 – Conflicts and Cross-Border Migrations Is there a right to have human rights? Stateless individuals and persons escaping persecution are especially vulnerable. What are their rights and the corresponding responsibilities of receiving states? Chair: Mr A.S. Chandiok | Senior Advocate (INDIA) Speakers: |
| 13:30 – 14:30 | LUNCH BREAK |
| 14:30 – 16:00 | SESSION 7 – Business and Human Rights Socially responsible corporations are required by municipal law or their internal policies to comport with human rights in areas such as gender equality, health and work conditions of employees, environmental best practices among others. This session builds on deliberations at the 31st LAWASIA Conference held at Siem Reap, Cambodia in November 2018. Chair: Ms Pinky Anand | Addl. Solicitor General of India (INDIA) Speakers: |
| 16:00 – 16:15 | TEA BREAK |
| 16:15 – 17:15 | SESSION 8 – Climate Change, Water Conflicts and Human Rights From an environmental standpoint, water stress is increasing. What are the institutions for resolving these conflicts and reviving water quality in polluted rivers, lakes, aquifers and the oceans? Chair: Justice Deepak Gupta | Judge, Supreme Court of India (INDIA) Speakers: |
| 17:15 – 18:45 | Closing Session
Conference Overview Valedictory Address Word of Thanks |