Human Rights and Democracy Forum news archive 2017-2023
Visualising Dialogues: A HASS PGR Creative Submissions Conference
Monday 26 June 2023, University of Exeter.
We are excited to invite postgraduate students within the Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences to showcase their research through creative submissions at this one-day conference.
HRDF celebrates International Women’s Day with a short animation on human dignity & women
Catherine Dupré is pleased to share ‘The Dignity of Women: A Superpower’, a short animation that she co-produced with the NGO Dignity Rights International and Tofu Creative.
Human Rights and Democracy Forum Poster Competition
Get creative and express your appreciation of the importance of universal human rights
'Public Trust and the Populist Leader: A Theoretical Argument
Raphael Girard and Dr David Vitale publish an article in Global Constitutionalism.
Catherine Dupré gives keynote lecture on Icelandic constitutional reform
Catherine Dupré gave the opening paper at a conference convened by Professor Jon Olafsson at the University of Iceland on 20 October 2022.
Nora Jaber co-organises all-women roundtable 'Remembering Jina-Mahsa Amini
On the 4th of October, Dr Nora Jaber (law) together with Dr Katie Natanel, Dr Sabiha Allouche, and Dr Marya Hannun (IAIS) organised an all-women roundtable to discuss ongoing state violence in Iran against Iranian women, and national, ethnic, and religious minorities of Iran, including the Kurds.
The HRDF five years on
Founded in 2017, in the aftermath of Brexit and as the challenges to democracy and human rights were increasing in Central Europe, the Human Rights and Democracy Forum (HRDF) celebrates its fifth year of activity. It has offered a home to exciting interdisciplinary research at the University of Exeter and fostered the development of new projects, promoting theoretical and philosophical approaches as well as empirical and socio-legal investigation.
'Public Trust and the Populist Leader: A Theoretical Argument’
Public Trust and the Populist Leader: A Theoretical Argument’: Raphael Girard and Dr David Vitale publish an article in Global Constitutionalism.
Stephen Skinner publishes chapter on threats to the rule of law
Stephen Skinner has published a chapter entitled ‘Identifying Dangers to Democracy: Fascism, the Rule of Law and the Relevance of History’ in Dimitrios Giannoulopoulos and Yvonne McDermott (eds), Judicial Independence Under Threat (Proceedings of the British Academy/OUP, 2022).
Stephen Skinner presents research paper on subversion at Glasgow University
This year’s Gerald Gordon Seminar on Criminal Law was held at the University of Glasgow on 9 June 2022.
Natalie Sedacca publishes article in Industrial Law Journal on the minimum wage and devaluation of domestic labour
The article explores a legislative provision that has allowed some live-in domestic workers to be paid below the minimum wage.
Natalie Sedacca publishes co-authored article on the ethics of migration research in crisis
It addresses the effects of the pandemic on our research fields and interlocutors, and our positionalities as researchers, critically considering the ethics of (dis)engaging from the research field and making suggestions for a more egalitarian and engaged research ethics.
Just published: co-edited collection on human dignity and democracy
The collection identifies and discusses the connections between human dignity and democracy from theoretical, substantive, and comparative perspectives.
'The UK: a case of democratic backsliding?' Workshops materials available.
This workshop discussed recent constitutional and political developments in the UK as a possible case of democratic backsliding.
David Barrett, Richard A Edwards and Natalie Sedacca respond to Human Rights Act consultation
On 7 March 2022, Exeter academics submitted a response to the government’s consultation ‘Human Rights Act Reform: A Modern Bill of Rights.’
Launch of ‘Flexible Europe. Differentiated Integration, Fairness, and Democracy’ by Richard Bellamy, Sandra Kröger, and Marta Lorimer.
The Centre for Political Thought and the Centre for European Studies join forces for the book launch.
Robert Lamb gives paper on human rights at the Essex Human Rights Centre on 9th Feb 22
Paper was part of a panel discussion of the newly published fourth edition of Professor Michael Freeman’s (Essex) Human Rights (Polity, 2022).
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Catherine Dupré publishes second edition of her commentary on Article 1 EU Charter
Documents and analyses the latest developments of human dignity in EU law and reflects on their significance.
Sundus Quereshi wins the International Human Rights Day poster competition
This year the Human Rights and Democracy Forum joined the celebration of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and organised its first poster competition open to all Law School students.
Stephen Skinner publishes article in Oxford Journal of Legal Studies on political crime and authoritarian law
Article entitled 'Inciting Military Disaffection in Interwar Britain and Fascist Italy: Security, Crime and Authoritarian Law' is now available in the OJLS online
HRDF mourns friend and associate member Jonathan Cooper OBE
Jonathan was a renowned human rights barrister and world leading campaigner for human dignity.
Raphaël Girard presents paper at a EUI Conference
Raphaël Girard presented a paper entitled "Space, Time and 'Constitutional Impatience' in the 21st Century" at the "Dust of Time? Towards a 21st Century Constitutionalism" conference.
Natalie Sedacca presents her research on domestic work and the gig economy at online conference
Natalie’s chapter addresses domestic work, a sector of the gig economy that has received relatively little attention to date but which is highly significant, particularly for women workers.
Raphaël Girard publishes article in Public Law on accountability, populism and expertise.
In this article, Raphaël Girard questions the perceived or assumed dichotomy between populism and expertise.
Natalie Sedacca successfully defends PhD on domestic workers and human rights
The thesis analyses the legal position of domestic workers and their frequent exclusion from protective labour law legislation and criticises this exclusion on the basis of human rights standards.
Monitoring deaths associated with police use of force in Kenya and South Africa addressed in new report
The report makes country-specific recommendations and sets an agenda for future work on the monitoring of deaths following police uses of force.
Raphaël Girard publishes a book chapter on populism, ‘the people’ and popular sovereignty
The aim of the chapter is to identify and explain the defining features of the ‘ideal-typical’ populist discourse, particularly as they relate to popular sovereignty and the concept of ‘the people’.
Raphaël Girard co-presents paper on populism and public self-trust
Co-presented with Dr David Vitale of the University of Warwick at the 2021 ICON•S Mundo conference, organised and hosted by the International Society of Public Law (ICON•S).
Konstantinos Alexandris Polomarkakis co-presents paper on EU social rights
The paper was presented at the 23rd Irish European Law Forum conference on 'Critical Exploration of Human Rights: When Human Rights become Part of the Problem', hosted by the UCD Centre for Human Rights.
Christopher Stanley presents his work on litigating the Irish mother and baby home atrocity
On 28th April 2021 the Human Rights and Democracy Forum welcomed Christopher Stanley.
Mollie Gascoigne joins the Young Lawyers Committee of the Human Rights Lawyers Association
The Human Rights Lawyers Association (HRLA) is a forum for legal professionals and people interested in the law to discuss human rights issues.
Natalie Sedacca speaks at ‘Challenging border landscapes’ webinar
Webinar was organised by Oxford Against Immigration Detention as part of the Oxford International Women’s Festival 2021.
Natalie Sedacca publishes blog post on ruling about the value of domestic work
The post appeared on the UK Labour Law blog.
Swati Gola publishes an article on the proposed Indian legislation on surrogacy.
The article is entitled, ‘One step forward or one step back? Autonomy, agency and surrogates in the Indian Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill 2019’.
Processes for monitoring deaths following police use of force need urgent improvement, warns a new report
An international research team led by Exeter academics has produced a report on the recording and publishing of data about deaths associated with police uses of force in Europe.
Swati Gola presents her research on surrogacy laws in India
Swati Gola presented a paper on 13th January 2021 at the 4th Faculty Seminar (Virtual), National Law University Delhi.
Law academic gives ‘historic interview’ about constitutional reform on Icelandic TV
Catherine Dupré was interviewed on leading Icelandic political talk show, Silfrið, on 8th November 2020 about the ongoing constitutional reform process in Iceland.
Stephen Skinner presents his research on the nature of criminal law under Fascism and democracy
Stephen Skinner presented a paper on 30 November 2020 in an online seminar organised by the Oxford Criminal Law Discussion Group.
Phillipa Collins presents her research on 'Homeworking, surveillance-by-software and the right to privacy'
A recording of the talk is also available online.
Philippa Collins discusses her research on employer surveillance of people working from home
The research was published on the Each Other UK human rights charity website.
Stephen Skinner presents his research on the philosophy of legal history and the rule of law in Europe
The paper was entitled 'Fault Lines in the Rule of Law and the Shadows of History: Europe’s Present and the Presence of its Past'.
Swati Gola publishes paper on the right to health in GATS
Swati Gola publishes an article in the Pace International Law Review entitled 'Right to Health in GATS: Can the Public Health Exception Pave the Way for Complementarity?'
Dr Ben Hudson provides expertise to UN Secretary-General’s High Level Panel on Internal Displacement
The aim of the High-Level Panel is to identify innovative and concrete solutions to the plight of internally displaced persons.
Mollie Gascoigne issues press release about her research on reforms to the Gender Recognition Act
Research suggests that introducing a third legal gender option is popular with the majority of trans and non-binary people
Stephen Skinner participates in seminar marking McCann judgment anniversary
The online seminar was organised by the Human Rights Centre of Queen’s University Belfast to mark the 25th anniversary of the European Court of Human Rights judgment in the case of McCann and Others v. United Kingdom (1995).
Philippa Collins publishes blog post on software surveillance and the home workplace
The blog post discusses the implications for privacy of home working and the ways in which software can be used by employers to undertake surveillance of their employees
Blog post examines Hungary's treatment of trans rights
Christine Bicknell takes part in international Prison Oversight Conference
Christine Bicknell was an invited expert participant in an international Conference convened by the 'Prisons: the Rule of Law, Accountability and Rights' (PRILA) research group at Trinity College Dublin.
Catherine Dupré co-convenes conference panels on human dignity.
Discussion panels will be held at the annual conference of the Socio-Legal Studies Association in April 2020 at the University of Portsmouth.
Stephen Skinner takes part in a Human Rights Lawyers’ Association discussion panel on the significance of McCann v UK (1995)
The panel was held at Cornerstone Barristers, Gray’s Inn, London, on 12 February 2020.
Catherine Dupré joins board of directors of new human dignity organisation
Dignity Rights International uses legal and educational tools to advance the dignity rights of vulnerable people around the world.
Stephen Skinner presents a research paper on law under totalitarianism
The paper was presented on 5 January 2020 at the 134th annual conference of the American Historical Association in New York
Dimitrios Kagiaros publishes an article on austerity measures in the case law of the European Court of Human Rights
The article appeared in European Public Law.
Christine Bicknell publishes an article on the standard of proof in ECHR law
The article was published in International Human Rights Law Review
Dimitrios Kagiaros publishes two book chapters
One on the redistributive dimension of ‘vulnerability’ and the other as a contribution to the Scottish Feminist judgments project.
Catherine Dupré gives keynote address on human dignity and legal practice
The keynote address was at the annual conference of the Law Centres Network on 7 November 2019.
Stephen Skinner’s latest book on criminal law under authoritarian regimes published by Hart
Stephen Skinner’s second edited collection on criminal law under Fascist, National Socialist and other authoritarian regimes was published by Hart on 5 September.
Stephen Skinner’s book on the right to life and lethal force published by Hart
Stephen Skinner’s latest book, Lethal Force, the Right to Life and the ECHR: Narratives of Death and Democracy was published by Hart in August.
Catherine Dupré guest-edits a special issue of the European Human Rights Law Review focusing on human dignity in the UK.
The special issue provides essential insights to understand and use human dignity-based arguments in order to protect some of the most vulnerable members of society.
Professor Dimitrios Giannoulopoulos presents his research on criminal justice and human rights
The HRDF welcomed Professor Giannoulopoulos, Inaugural Chair in Law at Goldsmiths, University of London and Associate Academic Fellow, Honourable Society of the Inner Temple.
Dimitrios Kagiaros contributes chapter to an edited volume on European Consensus in the European Court of Human Rights
The chapter examines the use of European consensus as a tool to interpret the ECHR.
Tom Lowenthal presents research paper on children’s rights
Paper entitled ‘Children’s Rights in Independent Schools: Private Law as the Locus for Public Duties.’
Preventing Torture in Europe
The Council of Europe publishes a book co-authored by Christine Bicknell.
Christine Bicknell appointed Academic Fellow to the Inner Temple
The scheme recognises the academic and teaching excellence of its Fellows and is intended to strengthen links between barristers and legal academia.
Catherine Dupré gives key note address in Reykjavik
Entitled ‘We the People: the Constitutional Promise and Icelandic Drafters’, it reflected on the reform process between 2009 and 2017.
Kingsley Abbott publishes opinion piece on the misuse of law and the rule of law in Cambodia
It is available on the ICJ website.
Catherine Dupré awarded fellowship at Max Planck Institute for Public International and Comparative Law
She was part of the international team that commented on the LM ruling by the European Court of Justice on the Verfassungsblog.
Stephen Skinner presents conference paper on law and the state in Fascist and democratic systems
The paper was presented in June 2018 at the 5th biennial conference of the European Society for Comparative Legal History, held in Paris.
Stephen Skinner co-convenes a conference panel to explore how law structured and supported totalitarian regimes in the first half of the twentieth century
On 29 June Stephen Skinner, together with Dr Cosmin Cercel of the University of Nottingham, jointly convened a panel on ‘Law, Totalitarianism and the Modern World’ at the European Society for Comparative Legal History conference in Gdansk.
Professor David Feldman gives a guest lecture in the Human Rights and Democracy Forum
Professor David Feldman QC (Hon.), Rouse Ball Professor of English Law at the University of Cambridge, closed the first two terms of the Forum’s activities with a lecture entitled 'Democracy and Human Rights in a Changing Constitution'.
Dr Stephen Skinner presents a paper at the British Academy on Core Values in Times of Crisis
Dr Skinner was invited to participate in a British Academy conference on 8-9th March convened by Dr Yvonne McDermott Rees (Swansea) and Dr Dimitrios Giannoulopoulos (Brunel).
Kingsley Abbott gives speech on human rights and the rule of law in south-east Asia
Kingsley Abbott, Senior International Legal Adviser with the International Commission of Jurists and an Associate Member of the Human Rights and Democracy Forum, gave a keynote speech on human rights and the rule of law in Asia at the Asia News Network annual symposium in Bangkok on 16th March.
Catherine Dupré awarded ESRC Impact Cultivation Award
The award was for her project on ‘Human Dignity in UK Legal Practice: Realities, Challenges and Potentials’
Icelandic constitutional reform 2010-2017: visit of expert from Iceland
The Human Rights and Democracy Forum hosted prominent Icelandic constitutional law expert, Ágúst Thór Árnason, University of Akureyri, for a three day visit in November.
Democratic Governance and International Law
Catherine Dupré was invited to present a research paper at a workshop on ‘Democratic Governance and International Law: 25 Years later’ convened by the Manchester International Law Centre (3-4 Nov 2017).
Human Rights Workshop with University of the Third Age
On 29 November the Human Rights and Democracy Forum ran a workshop for the Exeter branch of the University of the Third Age (U3A) on current research questions in the area of human rights law
Human Dignity and a Dignified Existence
Catherine Dupré presented a research paper at the Human Rights Centre of the University of Potsdam.
Christine Bicknell presents conference paper on prison oversight in Europe
At the recent Annual Conference of the European Society of Criminology (September 2017), Christine Bicknell delivered a presentation in which she mapped the complexity of prison oversight in Europe.
Dr Duggan-Larkin presents a paper on the international action of states
On 27 January 2017 Dr Jess Duggan-Larkin presented a paper on human rights and the international action of states at a University of Sussex conference on Challenging Human Rights Disenchantment.
Stephen Skinner co-convenes International Experts Meeting on Police uses of Lethal Force
A two-day discussion about ways of recording, evaluating and comparing information about deaths following police uses of force around the world.
Prof Catherine Dupré co-convened 'Human Dignity and Constitutional Crisis in Europe' conference in Florence.
In the face of multiple and unprecedented challenges to European democracy, an international team of scholars convened at the European University Institute to explore ways out of these crises.
Launch of global Dignity Rights Project
Professor Catherine Dupré, author of The Age of Dignity, took part in a virtual launch workshop of the Dignity Rights Project at Widener University Delaware Law School on 12 May 2017. Read Professor Dupré’s closing remarks.