Myriam Hunter-Henin contributes to annual Sakharov Debate

On Wednesday 3 December, Senior Lecturer in Law, Dr Myriam Hunter-Henin contributed to the 4^thAnnual Sakharov Debate on Religion and Human Rights in Europe alongside fellow speakers Ed McMillan-Scott, Catriona Robertson, and Can Yenginsu.

Convened by the European Parliament Office in the UK in collaboration with the UCL European Institute, the Sakharov debates seek to explore current developments on Human Rights in Europe, and coincide with the annual Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought awarded by the European Parliament.

Chaired by BBC News presenter, Martine Croxall, this year’s debate explored the relationships between religion and human rights. Taking their departure from Article 9 of the European Convention on Human Rights – freedom of thought, conscience and religion – the speakers examined how the extent to which individuals can manifest beliefs publicly – through worship, teaching, symbols, dress – is increasingly contested, not least in the UK.

Specifically, the debate gauged when the restrictions of individual rights in the interests of public safety, order, health or morals can be called necessary, and to what extent the protection of ‘common values’ may fall under that category.

Watch the 2014 Sakharov Debate: Religion and Human Rights in Europe

More about the speakers:

Ed McMillan-Scott is Vice-President of the European Parliament for Democracy & Human Rights, and Transatlantic Relations and MEP for Yorkshire & Humber and (2009-14).

Catriona Robertson is a Convener for the London Boroughs Faiths Network.

Can Yeginsu is a Barrister at 4 New Square, and specialises in public law, human rights law and public international law.

Dr Myriam Hunter-Henin is a Senior Lecturer in Law at UCL and is Co-Director of the UCL Institute of Global Law.