Event: High-level discussion on Forced displacement and demographic engineering in Syria
On Wednesday, 7 November 2018, Toby Cadman, co-founder of Guernica 37 International Justice Chambers and Principal of The Guernica Group, will participate in the “High-level discussion on Forced displacement and demographic engineering in Syria”, organised by the International Bar Association's Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI). During the event, Toby will talk about the risks associated to reconstruction, possible impact on human rights and the right to return. A drinks reception will follow the discussion.
Date: Wednesday, 7 November 2018
Time: 17.30 h - 19.00 h
Venue: Geneva Academy, Villa Moynier, 120B Rue de Lausanne, 1211 Geneva (Switzerland)
Please register here, and for updated information, access IBAHRI’s website.
Speakers:
Opening remarks by Natacha Bracq, IBAHRI Programme Lawyer
· Emma Beals, Independent journalist and analyst
· Toby Cadman, UK Barrister, Guernica 37 International Justice Chambers
· Ibrahim Olabi, Executive Director, Syrian Legal Development Programme
· Marco Sassoli, Director, Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights
· Amr Shannan, Syrian expert
· Rhodri Williams, Senior Legal Expert, International Legal Assistance Consortium
The event will be moderated by Barbara McCallin, Senior expert on forced displacement, housing, land and property
Background
The Syrian conflict has been characterised by the mass displacement of millions of civilians who have been forced to flee to areas where their security was not guaranteed and where they have been living in dire conditions, such as the Idlib Governorate, in breach of international humanitarian law. In addition to forced displacement, the Syrian government has also passed a series of laws and decrees preventing those displaced from returning home and retrieving their land and property.
This high-level discussion proposes to examine both the pattern of forcible displacement in Syria and the ongoing government policy related to housing, land and property rights. The discussion will also examine lessons learned in other countries, which experienced similar issues and discuss whether their experience can be used as a model for Syria.
For more information, please contact natacha.bracq@int-bar.org or visit the Geneva Peace Week Website.