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Shami Chakrabarti inspires students with "daring wit"

Press release issued: 18 February 2016

"Lawyers call it non-discrimination, we humans call it empathy.”

February saw the Law School welcome Ms. Shami Chakrabarti, who gave a lecture on the repeal of the Human Rights Act.

Ms. Chakrabarti set the tone for the enlightening lecture, eloquently reminding the audience of how fundamental human rights are to all members of society:

"Every single person cares about human rights… their own."

Katie Bales, Lecturer in Law at the School, captured the feelings stirred in students who attended the event.  

"Everyone and anyone would fight this battle if it were their children washing up on beaches, if it were their families, instead of mere “immigrants,” as the media tends to label. The Human Rights Act is for us, members of society, humans. Now it is up to us, people of the UK, fellow humans, to protect it; to stand up for what we are entitled to. Simply, to stand up for each other. Ms. Chakrabarti’s ability to relate these issues with a daring sense of humour was brilliant." - Raeesa Rajmohamed

"Shami's lecture was extremely educational with regard to human rights, particularly on behalf of the plethora of experience which she was able to draw on to illustrate her points. Moreover, with regard to the inequality of women in the legal profession and with attention to my capacity as a woman studying law, I found it very inspirational to see first hand what it is in fact possible for a woman to achieve from studying law." - Beth McDade

"It was a privilege to have attended Ms. Shami Chakrabarti’s lecture on “Sav[ing] our Human Rights Act”. In this lecture, which was not short of her acerbic wit, Ms. Chakrabarti managed to capture the importance of respecting human rights both on a legal and humanitarian level." - Ioannis Charalambous

As she steps down as director of Liberty, Shami's lecture provided insight into the the organisations 'Save the HRA' campaign which calls for the preservation of the Human Right Act and the rejection of a 'British Bill of Rights' in fear that repeal of the HRA would lead to reduced protection for our civil liberties;

"Our HRA has already achieved so much.  It’s held the State to account for spying on us; safeguarded our soldiers; and supported peaceful protest.  It’s helped rape victims; defended domestic violence sufferers; and guarded against slavery. It’s protected those in care; shielded press freedom; and provided answers for grieving families. Its protections are the most fundamental – those we should all enjoy, because we’re human." - Shami Shakrabarti

The event was followed by a book signing. 

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