Opening Program: 8 June 2008

By Sunday morning, it had become evident that the commencing introductions were over and the hard work of human rights was at hand. The day began, after the usual satisfying breakfast, with a discussion panel focusing on various human rights issues throughout Europe. The four speakers represented various aspects of the pressing issues facing the continent. Tom Huddleston, of the Migration Policy Group, moderated the panel and presented a slideshow about the introduction of human rights into the European Union framework and the challenges faced today. Mr. John Wrench, head of the Sector Research and Analysis at the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights, examined the documentation and recording of instances of discrimination, a process just now being adopted by various European countries, and ways to combat discrimination using the data collected. Mr. Wrench highlighted how at first European countries embraced a “no problem here” approach - in the 1990s France and Sweden reported fewer then 10 instances of discrimination nationally - but now with adequate means of reporting instances of abuse European countries have a more accurate assessment of discrimination. A topic that stimulated much interest was the issue of language tests that all visa applicants must take to enter the Netherlands. The speaker, Haleh Chahrokh of Human Rights Watch, argued that the tests created a convoluted system that prevents easy entry into Netherlands. Overall, the panel was effective in delineating major topics in the implementation of human rights in Europe.

After lunch we all took part in moot courts. Divided into groups we were presented with three cases all dealing with minority issues. Within each group we were divided into judges, plaintiffs and defendants, argued the cases and eventually reached a verdict. An example case was of a Tunisian man who was arrested in Italy and charged of terrorism by a Tunisian court. In Tunisia he presumably would be subjected to an unfair trial and potentially torture – violations of protections guaranteed by international standards on human rights.


By the end of the day, we were all very tired but satisfied with the experience. We had learned the complex challenges of implementing human rights in Europe and internationally. And as we all sat down to watch the Germany-Poland Euro 2008 football match, we all felt a deep sense of accomplishment.

-Anne Sørensen and Aaron Welt