about us
HRLA Objectives
HRLA is a forum for those involved in the law and legal professions to discuss human rights issues. We facilitate the sharing of knowledge and ideas about human rights law and foster the exchange of views between specialists from different areas of expertise and the wider legal community.
Our principal objective is to increase knowledge and understanding of human rights and to aid their effective implementation within the UK legal framework and system of government.
More generally, our aims are:
- to promote the effective legal protection of the human rights and fundamental freedoms of the peoples of the United Kingdom;
- to further research, education and training in the areas of human rights law and practice;
- to co-operate with other organisations whose objects are similar to those of the Association;
- to protect and develop human rights protection within the United Kingdom.
HRLA does not campaign. As a specialist lawyers' association that deals exclusively with human rights law, its role is to ensure that awareness of human rights is made available to those who are involved in their implementation.
HRLA Ethos
Essential to the effective guarantee of human rights is the obligation on the part of government to promote and protect them. Government is vital to the delivery of human rights. As are human rights defenders. Ultimately human rights are unlikely to be realised in the absence of independent courts and tribunals. HRLA includes all involved in the delivery of human rights within its activities.
HRLA believes in the promotion of the rule of law and the guarantee of human rights through law.
HRLA:
- is inclusive and balanced;
- reflects the full range of views and legal opinion of those committed to human rights;
- where appropriate, is critical and constructive; and
- is open and accessible to all groups of practitioners and those involved in the law who are interested in the promotion of human rights.
The need for HRLA
The Human Rights Act 1998 (HRA) entered into force in October 2000 (though certain provisions were in force in Scotland in 1999) and thus guaranteed effective access to human rights protection to everyone in the UK for the first time. The rights given effect to by the HRA are those contained in the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).
The HRA and human rights law are unique in that they inform all areas of law and practice. HRLA was established to bring together all those whose work, practice and study is affected by human rights law. HRLA also seeks to assist practitioners and legal advisers to have a better understanding of human rights, in order that they may better advise their clients.
HRLA Activities include:
- Seminars, lectures and workshops;
- Publication of papers and articles;
- Access to practitioners with an interest in human rights law
