International Seminar on Human Rights: International and National

Perspectives at National University of Advanced Legal Studies, Kochi, Kerala 19th to 21st March, 2015.
Right from the Magna Carta days, the significance of Human Rights (HR) has grown over the
centuries. Human rights obtained concrete forms when democracies settled on to good
governance by incorporating them in their constitutions. They got recognition and sponsorship
through international conventions and protocols. In time, this international consensus led to the
formation of human rights institutions and commissions within and among the nations of the
world. Today, courts in various democratic countries express their concern on HRs and
formulate innovative and effective methods to meet violations within their jurisdictions. The
right to development is recognized as an individual human right and a societal right.
Though not enshrined as a separate and academic faculty in its entirety, HRs are taught in many
law and non-law institutions at present.
A three day Seminar on Human Rights: International and National Perspectives is being
held in the National University of Advanced Legal Studies, Kochi (Cochin), Kerala from
19th to 21st March, 2015. This is to focus on the widening frontiers of HR law and to equip
those who are engaged in teaching HRs, lawyers and activists. A breakup of the areas of interest
is given below for learned thinking and deliberations in the Seminar, providing the participants a
platform to work out their scholarly projects.
Kindly confine yourself to the areas identified for the Seminar. The papers may be in Times New
Roman Font in A4 format, single line spacing, not exceeding 3000 words. It will be of great
benefit if the papers along with an abstract in not more than 150 words is sent by email to the
coordinator of the Seminar before the 20th of February, 2015.
Acceptance of paper would be intimated upto 25th of February, 2015. The email id
is seminarnuals@gmail.com. The participants whose papers are accepted shall be reimbursed AC
second class train fare for presenting their papers at the Seminar. Needless to say, all participants
are our guests and will be rendered boarding and accommodation.
THEMES OF THE SEMINAR
Development and the People
Right to development as human rights and societal right - land acquisition, compensation and
rehabilitation: new perspectives - dams, a boon or a bane? - development-induced displacement
are better facilities for oustees really better in a different habitat? rehabilitation before
commencement of development work, the unsolved problem migration from rural to urban
society challenges of increasing urbanization - homelessness, slums, inadequate settlement and
landlessness: a human rights dilemma - population explosion - public participation in decision
making, how to realise it towards good governance.
Sustainable development - land use, abuse and non-use - wet lands, coastal area and forests mining of minerals and sands - alternative energy sources - nuclear power and nuclearization.
Rights of Stake Holders
Gender Justice - Convention on Elimination of all forms of discrimination against women
(CEDAW) - incorporation of the concept into the Indian legal system - treaty making powers judicial contribution - womens commission - home makers and domestic workers - equal pay

for equal work - lack of determining norms - work environment - legal recognition of dignity the responsibility of the executive and the legislature in ensuring gender equity - judicial
responses - non representation in decision making - policy on status of women in India - the ILO
Conventions - the Kathmandu Declaration for the Rights of South Asian Home-based Workers
(2010) - Unorganised Sector - universality of gender justice problems - economic independence
and patriarchy.
Traditional fisherman and forest dwellers: the impact of law and regulation the impact of
mechanised fishing - legal framework for recognising HRs and for inclusive development - law
to redesign the legal control - indigenous people, traditional knowledge and intellectual
property.
Scavengers use of human waste as manure - the Bangalore model.
Growth and Inclusive Development
Quest for development - urban environmental degradation and resource depletion - habitat
change to generations: present and future - poverty, urbanization, habitat change and
environmental degradation - participation of a cross-section of society in development equitable distribution and redistribution of benefits - state obligation and role - are we still a
welfare state? - socio-economic support structures.
Yours Sincerely,
Dr. Anil R. Nair,
Coordinator,
International Seminar, NUALS