Event Overview

Our pledge to the Rule of Law inspires us to celebrate and defend it in every corner of the world. Join us and the global community of legal professionals from Monday 15 May to Friday 19 May for the third annual Rule of Law Webathon week as we explore, analyze, and present perspectives on this year’s theme of “Upholding the Rule of Law in Challenging Times.

The panels will span continents and time zones, with each panel addressing different aspects of the challenges related to the Rule of Law. Each panel will be hosted and led by a legal society or bar association.

Find your topics, find your time zones, but most importantly, find your passion and join your fellow lawyers across the globe in learning about, promoting and defending the Rule of Law.


Please check the programme and register to your favourite sessions by clicking on the registration link. Following the Webathon, all videos will be available on our YouTube channel here

Please check the brochure here

Programme

14:00 - 15:30

12:00 GMT // 14:00 CEST // 8:00 EDT
Register: https://aija-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_LQ4FrgP0SSavqE4VGt3joQ 
Hosted by: International Association of Young Lawyers (AIJA)

Economic crisis can have detrimental impacts on human rights protections and social solidarity. The pandemic has demonstrated that an economic crisis can hit unexpectedly, indistinctly, and unequally. We must invest in the rule of law for economic recovery efforts to successfully build back better for the long-term and to be more resilient to future economic shocks. This session will look at how rule of law-affirming approaches are advancing sustainable economic prosperity, social inclusion, access to justice, and protection of human rights even during economic uncertainty and rebuilding.

Moderator:
  • Clara Poglia, Schellenberg Wittmer Ltd, Switzerland

Speakers:

  • Monisha Cheong, WongPartnership LLP, Singapore
  • Khushboo Shahdadpuri, Al Tamimi & Company, Singapore
  • Neuza Melao Dias, FBL Advogados, Angola
  • Georgios Fasfalis, Linklaters, Netherlands
16:00 - 17:30

14:00 GMT // 16:00 CEST // 10:00AM EDT
Register: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_xsx9yqlARpqDUxWfpHut-w 
Hosted by: Inter-American Bar Association (IABA)

Environmental degradation and competition over scarce natural resources can directly cause and exacerbate the root causes of social conflicts and wars, driving greater environmental damage and undermining prospects for peace. These forces can also threaten our societal infrastructures and violate basic human rights, such as the right to clean air and water, adequate nutritious food, a healthy environment, and a stable global climate. This panel will reflect on how the rule of law is an essential component of good environmental governance. Our panelists will discuss human rights and environmental due diligence, access to effective remedies, and conflict prevention and peacebuilding.

15:00 - 16:30

13:00 GMT // 15:00 CEST // 9:00AM EDT
Register: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_itdNdhsTT46mTkZjNYtgtg 
Hosted by: International Association of Lawyers (UIA)

Surveillance spyware technologies are gaining popularity around the world to support countering terrorism and crime. Yet, surveillance spyware is raising alarm bells due to the misuse and abuse of these technologies. Abusive and illegitimate surveillance by governments has been used to target journalists, human rights defenders, lawyers, and politicians. Our panel of legal professionals and experts will discuss the emergent legal challenges and will offer their perspectives on future directions to help ensure that these technologies are used in a manner consistent with their intended purpose, while upholding human rights, accountability, transparency, and the rule of law.
18:00 - 19:30

16:00 GMT // 18:00 CEST // 12:00PM EDT
Register: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_bxJj9W9IRSGg87vbuZRDNQ 
Hosted by: International Association of Lawyers (UIA)

Over the past years, armed conflicts and violence worldwide have increased, creating extensive humanitarian emergencies and straining regional and global responses to worsening security situations. In most cases, serious violations of international law are reportedly committed. As Russia’s war on Ukraine has demonstrated, effectively addressing both State and individual criminal responsibility in such cases requires a deep understanding of the complex international law issues, including mechanisms for accountability. Panelists will discuss how the rule of law is an essential pillar and necessary to prevent, repress, and redress serious violations of human rights law and grave breaches of international law, including war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide, and the crime of aggression, all with the goal of ensuring peace and security.

17:00 - 18:30

@ 15:00 GMT // 17:00 CEST // 11:00AM EDT
Register: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_NXW1KDyQSH6e0fIIV9llNg 
Hosted by: Inter-American Bar Association (IABA)

A strong rule of law system is crucial for combatting and eradicating forced labor, modern-day slavery, and human trafficking. According to the International Labour Organization, almost 50 million people were the victims of such exploitation in 2021. Panelists will discuss efforts being taken by the legal community to strengthen global, national, and local norms and institutional capacities to combat these crimes, end impunity, and get justice for victims. Learn how lawyers are working with clients on ending these practices in global supply chains and how you can become involved in initiatives of bar associations and other organizations to help in this fight through prevention, protection, prosecution, and partnerships.
19:00 - 20:30

17:00 GMT // 19:00 CEST // 1:00PM EDT
Register: https://americanbar.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_MqtSD96FQmeCX_bhFDqfHw 
Hosted by: American Bar Association International Law Section (ABA ILS) and International Commission of Jurists (www.icj.org)

Counterterrorism measures and the promotion of human rights do not conflict, but are complementary and mutually reinforcing goals. Yet, countries increasingly have been using vague or overly broad counterterrorism and anti-money laundering laws to target human rights defenders and civil society organizations. Join us as we discuss the importance of respecting human rights, the rule of law, and legitimate security imperatives while countering terrorism. Learn about initiatives focused on advancing effective laws, due process safeguards, gender-sensitive approaches, transparency, accountability, and the rule of law.

17:00 - 18:30

15:00 GMT // 17:00 CEST // 11:00AM EDT
Register: https://americanbar.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_B7SiiGAtQEa8_nUH7MTyfg 
Hosted by: American Bar Association International Law Section (ABA ILS)

Join us as we celebrate this year’s 75th Anniversary of Universal Declaration of Human Rights and its influence on the protection of human rights, freedoms, and justice through the rule of law. It is celebrated as the first legal document protecting universal human rights. The Declaration underpins international human rights law, international humanitarian law, international criminal law, international refugee law, and many other areas of international law. Learn how networks of lawyers are helping make the Declaration’s principles a reality and how you can get involved through bar associations and networks of lawyers around the world.
19:00 - 20:30

17:00 GMT // 19:00 CEST // 1:00PM EDT
Register: https://americanbar.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Z07QtBCuQV-Htjfa-tkyeg 
Hosted by: American Bar Association International Law Section (ABA ILS)

Democracy is under siege worldwide. In the U.S., nearly 70% say democracy serves only the wealthy and powerful, and more than 40% foresee civil war within a decade. Similar numbers say “having a strong leader is more important than democracy”! As evidenced most memorably by the U.S. Capitol insurrection, democratic norms are eroding, marked by a crisis of faith in fundamental principles. And, increasingly, allies question whether the U.S. can be relied upon in world affairs; and despots cite U.S. retrenchment to justify their own strongarm rule. Join us to explore the critical role of lawyers in arresting the slide to autocracy.

17:00 - 18:30

15:00 GMT // 17:00 CEST // 11:00AM EDT
Register: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_tjWpvO3GQxCN26MWMshMVA 

Conclude this year’s Rule of Law Webathon Week by joining us and the global legal community for this special program jointly organized by our four major associations of international lawyers—American Bar Association International Law Section (ABA ILS); International Association of Young Lawyers, Human Rights Committee (AIJA); Inter-American Bar Association (IABA); and International Association of Lawyers (UIA), Institute for the Rule of Law.

Join us and be inspired to pledge your commitment to defend democracy, human rights, and the rule of law in every corner of the world!

Fees & General Info

There are currently no registration fees available.

General terms and conditions

By registering you have to accept the general terms and conditions and accept that your registration is considered binding immediately, but participation to the event is possible only after full payment of the registration fee.

Please note that any arrangements related to the participation of the participant in an AIJA event, including but not limited to booking or cancellation of accommodation or flights, as well as respecting the cancellation deadlines indicated in the general terms and conditions, are the sole responsibility of the participant. AIJA shall not be held liable for any expenses the participant may suffer as the result of participant’s failure to comply with his/her obligations.

It is recommended for each participant to purchase a cancellation and travel insurance.

Please note that in-house counsel registrations are subject to review and confirmation by AIJA. AIJA considers in-house counsel professionals who hold a university degree in law allowing access to a bar association and practicing law as an in-house counsel in private, public, or non-profit companies, institutions or organisations. Please note that in-house counsel who are at the same time active as fee-earning lawyers or consultants are not eligible to the discounted in-house counsel fee.

Please read the general terms and conditions applicable for AIJA events.


Scholarships

If you are a lawyer under 35 years old and meet the requirements, apply to our Scholarship Programme for this event. You can check more details here.

Personal Protection

The personal data that you communicate to us shall be processed by the Iternational Association Of Young Lawyers (AIJA), with its registered office at Avenue de Tervueren 231, 1150 Brussels, Belgium (Tel: +32 2 347 33 34 - office@aija.com), in accordance with Act No. 78-17 of January 6, 1978 relating to data, files and freedoms and Regulation No. 2016/679 on data protection, as of its entry into force on May 25, 2018.

Your data will be managed by AIJA's General Services, Events and Accounts Section:

  • For the purpose of administering your registration for the event and your on-site access to the event;
  • In order to pay for the selected services - your bank details will be deleted after receipt of your payment;
  • In order to communicate information messages from AIJA.

To the extent necessary for the execution of their respective tasks, our subcontractors in charge of our seminar organisation, our IT infrastructure, our management, the production and maintenance of our website and extranet, are likely to gain access to your data from time to time. Their servers are located in the European Union.

Data relating to your participation in the event shall be stored for a period of 10 years. We are obliged to archive billing data until the end of the period required for our tax and accounting obligations, i.e. for 7 full tax years.

We shall store your contact information to keep you informed until you ask us to stop. You have the right to access your data and have it corrected if necessary.