Essex Human Rights Centre

20/11/2025

Yesterday we hosted an inspiring discussion at the University of Essex: Surveillance, Solidarity and the Law – The Future of Humanitarian Space.
This event, part of the Human Rights Centre Speaker Series, brought together experts to explore how surveillance and legal frameworks shape humanitarian work in migration contexts.

Huge thanks to our speakers Vanessa Topp, Tatjana Grote, and Professor Geoff Gilbert, and to Dr Elif Mendos Kuşkonmaz for chairing the session.

20/11/2025

Please join us for the Ninth Annual Human Rights Lecture at the University of Essex

📅 Thursday 11 December 2025 | 🕓 16:30 – 18:00 | 📍 Colchester Campus (STEM 3.1)

“When the Journalist Becomes the Story: Trends and Developments in the Targeting of Journalists” will be delivered by Caoilfhionn Gallagher KC, an internationally renowned human rights lawyer who has defended journalists and activists across the globe.

The lecture will be introduced by Professor Carla Ferstman, Director of the Essex Human Rights Centre/ Essex Law School, University of Essex.

Free and open to all – students, staff, and the public.
Discover more and book your place - https://www.essex.ac.uk/events/2025/12/11/annual-human-rights-lecture-2025

16/11/2025

📢 Reminder: “Children of the Enemy”

Join us for this powerful event exploring the stories and experiences of children born of war. It promises to be an insightful discussion on identity, resilience, and the long-lasting impact of conflict.

🗓 Date: Thursday 20 November
📍 Location: University of Essex
🔗 Find out more and register: https://www.essex.ac.uk/events/2025/11/20/children-of-the-enemy

14/11/2025

We are delighted to share that Dr Katya AlKhateeb has been elected to the Leadership Council of the World Liberty Congress.

The elections took place in the Berlin Parliament during the Congress’s inaugural Freedom Week — an inspiring global gathering of activists, scholars, and leaders committed to advancing freedom, democracy, and justice.

Dr AlKhateeb’s appointment reflects the shared commitment to liberty and human dignity that connects Syrians and allies worldwide. We also celebrate this achievement alongside fellow Syrian delegate, Amjad Aun.

A special thank you to the City of Berlin for opening its Parliament to the Congress each year during Freedom Week — a powerful gesture of solidarity with those working for democratic renewal and human rights globally.

This milestone is a reminder of how Essex Law School, University of Essex and the Essex Human Rights Centre contribute to global conversations on law, freedom, and justice and how our academic work resonates far beyond the classroom.

13/11/2025

🌍 World Kindness Day – Thursday 13 November

At Essex Law School and the Essex Human Rights Centre, we know that kindness isn’t just a gesture - it’s a powerful way to protect human rights and build inclusive communities.

Whether it’s fact-checking misinformation, standing with vulnerable groups, or sharing messages of tolerance, every act of kindness helps push back against hate speech and discrimination.

Together, we can say no to hate and create spaces where diversity, respect, and dignity are more than words - they’re lived values.

03/11/2025

Dr Matthew Gillett of Essex Law School, University of Essex has been awarded the 2025 Hans Günter Brauch Foundation International Science Prize for his pioneering research on prosecuting environmental harm through international criminal law.

Find out more: https://brnw.ch/21wX9xL

03/11/2025

🎬 HUMAN RIGHTS THROUGH ART
Conversations on Cinema, Justice & Rights, Screening and Debate “Children of the Enemy”
📅 20 November 2025
🕒 15:00–17:00 CET
📍 Online | Zoom

Join us for a thought-provoking online event exploring the urgent challenges of repatriating and reintegrating children stranded in Northeastern Syria.

Children of the Enemy tells the gripping story of a Swedish grandfather’s desperate journey to Syria to rescue his seven grandchildren from Al-Hawl camp after their ISIS-affiliated parents were killed. We’ll screen excerpts from the film and host a powerful discussion with leading voices in law, psychology, and human rights.

Speakers:
✅ Gorki Glaser-Müller – Director of Children of the Enemy
✅ Ann Skelton – Professor of Law, former Chair of the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child
✅ Dr Gerrit Loots – Child Psychologist, Vrije Universiteit Brussels
✅ Beatrice Eriksson – Co-founder, Repatriate the Children Sweden
✅ Dr Lynn Schneider – Lecturer in Sociology, University of Oxford

👉 Register now to join us on Zoom: https://essex-university.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_cAa_ColZQluCjwszaVSbnQ

21/10/2025

Congratulations to Dr Sabina Garahan! On 8 October, Dr Garahan presented her new book “Detention and the Right to Liberty: Addressing Gaps in Protection at the European Court”.Hosted by the School of Law and the School of Sociology, the event featured a thought-provoking conversation with Dr Sarah Zarmsky (also HRC Alumni).

Check out the blog - Detention and the Right to Liberty: Addressing Gaps in Protection at the European Court of Human Rights Q&A https://www.essex.ac.uk/blog/posts/2025/09/12/detention-and-the-right-to-liberty-q-and-a

17/10/2025

New on the HRC Blog: On 17 October, International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, Dr Koldo Casla, Essex Law School, University of Essex, reflects on how epistemic justice is key to ending poverty.

🔗 Read the blog:

By  Dr Koldo Casla (Senior Lecturer in International Human Rights Law at Essex Law School). We honour the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty on 17 October. The extent to which th…

01/10/2025

🔍 Explore Human Rights at Essex
Join us for the Essex Human Rights Centre Induction and a compelling panel discussion:

🎓 Introduction to the Essex Human Rights Centre
💬 Special Panel: Gender Justice Amid the Gender Backlash
📅 Thursday 2 October 2025
🕒 3:00–5:00 PM
📍 LTB07, University of Essex

This event brings together scholars, students, and advocates to reflect on the challenges and opportunities for gender justice in today’s climate. Whether you're new to human rights or deeply engaged, this is a space for learning, dialogue, and action.

Everyone is welcome (undergraduates, postgraduates and staff), just come along and grab a seat.

🔗 https://www.essex.ac.uk/events/2025/10/02/hrc-induction-and-panel

11/09/2025

Collecting Children's Personal Data for Counterterrorism Purposes
🗓️ 18 September
🔗 More info and to register: https://www.essex.ac.uk/events/2025/09/18/panel-discussion-childrens-data

This event will explore the implications of Daniela Baro’s new paper, examining the ethical, legal, and policy challenges at the intersection of child rights and national security.

Join us for a thought-provoking conversation.

19/08/2025

We're also proud to announce our second global finalist, Law and Human Rights graduate, Ifigenia Bakellas.

Ifigenia is a global finalist in the social action category for co-founding Genesis Hellas, supporting vulnerable communities in Greece.

Congratulations, we're so proud of you!🎉

https://www.essex.ac.uk/news/2025/08/19/ifigenia-named-study-uk-alumni-awards-global-finalist-for-helping-homeless