ISBA joins international human rights celebration

The Illinois State Bar Association has joined a worldwide show of support for celebration of the 60th anniversary of adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Developed by the American Bar Association Section of International Law, the celebration consists of three events designed to demonstrate in a lasting way that the principles governing the role of lawyers in society call for the promotion of human rights and the rule of law.

Sponsors include the ABA Section of Human Rights, le Barreau de Paris (Paris bar), the Consiglio Nazionale Forense (Italian bar) and the Law Society of England and Wales.

The first event took place Nov. 13 and 14 in New York City, with co-sponsorship by the Association of the Bar of the City of New York. Discussions focused on the history and foundations of the declaration.

Among the speakers were Christian Charriere Bournazel, batonnier de l’Ordre des Avocats de Paris, and Guido Alpa, presidente del Consiglio Nazionale Forense.

Other celebrations are scheduled Saturday, Dec. 6, in Paris, and Thursday and Friday, June 18-19, in Rome.

Mark E. Wojcik of Chicago, a professor at The John Marshall Law School and member of the ISBA Board of Governors, is publications officer of the ABA Section of International Law.

Gabrielle M. Buckley of Vedder, Price, Kaufman & Kammholz, Chicago, is section liaison officer, and Mitchell A. Orpett of Tribler, Orpett & Meyer, Chicago, is liaison from the ABA Board of Governors.

For more information, contact Christina Heid at heidc@staff.abanet.org or (202) 662-1669.