Human rights and rule of law crucial to global order – World leaders advocate

Global leaders at the 2015 Annual Conference of the International Bar Association have urged legal professionals all over the world to unite and work positively towards the promotion of the rule of law, stating that this was crucial to the advancement of world peace and stability.

Speaking at the opening of the conference early this week, immediate past president of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso called on participants in the audience made up significantly of legal professionals from over 135 countries to ensure an increasing positive role in promoting the rule of law.

“We need stronger mechanisms to encourage rule of law in the world. We must work together to find a solution to the crisis of instability in the Middle East. There is no easy solution, we all need to work together,” he said.

Barroso, who has been at the heart of European politics as President of the European Commission for a decade, noted that contrary to common view that lawyers benefit more from complicated systems and do not give back enough, he believed that the role of lawyers was a very constructive one in the promotion of the rule of law.

“Globalisation has increased the need for greater privacy regulation and security and the intellectual contribution of lawyers will become increasingly important in a globalised world and thus cannot be downplayed,” Barroso observed.

Welcoming conferees to the 2015 conference, IBA President, David Rivkin affirmed that lawyers served as independent fortification against excessive power by governments – creating domestic laws and international codes without which civil society cannot function; enabling business transactions; protecting intellectual property; and facilitating the resolution of disputes.

He said, “No other profession devotes as much of its time and energy to public service and pro bono work as the legal profession.

“Too often however, lawyers are taken for granted or the object of critical jokes. It is incumbent on all of us to explain. Rather, to shout to the rest of society the great and important work that we do. One of the goals I have set for my presidency is to emphasize this critical role that lawyers play in civil society and in upholding the Rule of Law in every aspect of life, big and small. I ask all of you to find ways to do so when you return home,” he said.

The IBA is currently making contributions to civil society on a large scale by using the remarkable expertise available to the organisation. In January 2015, President Rivkin initiated the ‘Judicial Integrity Initiative’ to look at issues of corruption where it exists in the Judiciary. The UN estimates that corruption costs $1.25 trillion every year for developing countries.

Speaking on this development Rivkin said, “The IBA Legal Projects Team has worked with the Basel Institute of Governance to develop a survey to understand better how judicial corruption occurs. The many experts with whom we have worked confirmed this type of survey has not been previously undertaken.”

He urged participants to take the time to complete the survey, as the results will be used along with in-country consultations in Mexico, the Philippines and Nigeria, to develop concrete actions that we can undertake to reduce corruption.

“When corruption occurs in the judicial system, lawyers are usually involved, so the IBA, its member bar associations and individual members have a special responsibility to work to eliminate it,” he stated.

In closing, Rivkin once again encouraged participants to be part of the discourse for a solution to the crisis around the globe and to uphold the rule of law in every part of the world.

“Just last week, the UN General Assembly adopted the 17 Sustainable Development Goals that serve as the development agenda for the next 15 years. Goal 16 – to promote just, peaceful and inclusive societies – includes “promoting the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.” It is our responsibility to ensure that this goal is met. I ask all of you to look at all of the SDGs, including of course Goal 16, and determine how you and your clients can actively work towards their achievement,” the IBA President urged.

Earlier, conferees were treated to an enthralling performance by The Vienna Boys’ Choir, who regaled the audience with a wide repertoire of songs – in a magical performance that has been described as simply breathtaking.

The Welcome Party also held on the same day provided a very special experience of the cultural and culinary highlights of Vienna in one of the world’s most renowned and historic music venues – the Wiener Konzerthaus. This is the glamorous Centre of Viennese public life and home to a huge range of cultural activities. Participants were invited to wander through the majestic rooms of the Art Nouveau jewel and to experience a wide variety of musical performances from a traditional Austrian polka to a Viennese waltz.

The 2015 International Bar Association (IBA) Annual Conference is currently ongoing at the Austria Center Vienna. It is the largest gathering of international lawyers in the world, with more than 135 countries represented. This year, the Conference has more than 200 working sessions covering all areas of law. Across the sessions there are more than 800 speakers from international organisations including the United Nations (UN), and the World Trade Organization, (WTO), sharing insights on various global issues.

THEODORA KIO-LAWSON