Hi from Strasbourg (Part II)

A highlight of Regent's Summer Program on International Human Rights are the great guest speakers who spend time with students and faculty during our time in Strasbourg.

Here is who we have heard from so far:

Judge Ann Power – Irish Judge on the European Court of Human Rights. This court is the most powerful human rights court in the world; its decisions are sometimes cited by the United States Supreme Court. Judge Power introduced students to the jurisprudence of the European Court of Human Rights.

Hans Christian Kruger - former Secretary to the European Commission of Human Rights and former Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe. Mr. Kruger has been intimately involved in the protection of human rights in Europe for the last 30 years. He spoke about the changing structure of the human rights system in Europe and future developments for the European Court of Human Rights.

Nicola Lettieri – attorney for the Italian government who appeared before the European Court of Human Rights in the Lautsi case regarding the removal of crucifixes from Italian schools. Lautsi is a very important case for religious liberty in Europe and worldwide. Mr. Lettieri spoke about the case and the arguments made before the European Court of Human Rights.

Judge Dallas Miller – Judge, Court of Queen’s Bench, Alberta, Canada and Chairman of the Board for the International Justice Mission (Canada). Judge Miller inspired students about the future of Christian human rights advocacy. He challenged them that if they want to see an end to human slavery and trafficking, they need to work to promote the rule of law and just functioning judicial systems in the developing world.

The speakers represented different backgrounds and spoke with very different styles. But each helped students to better understand the world of international human rights. And they left the students better prepared to enter that world and to make a difference.