Global maritime industry leaders and world-renowned human rights advocates are among the first confirmed speakers at the first International Maritime Human Rights Conference.
Taking place at Royal College of Surgeons, London, 14 September 2016, the International Maritime Human Rights conference aims to explicitly cover cross industry, civil society and government matters-in-issue concerning human rights protections, respect and remedies for abuses in the maritime environment.
Speakers include:
- Robert Goodwill, MP, Minister of State at the Department for Transport.
- Wendy Betts, Project Director for eyeWitness to Atrocities, International Bar Association.
- Commodore Barry Bryant, Director General, Seafarers UK.
- Parosha Chandran, Human Rights Barrister, 1 Pump Court.
- Captain John Dalby, Co-founder & Past Vice President, International Association of Maritime Security Professionals.
- Professor Neil Greenberg, Founder & Director, March on Stress, President of the UK Psychological Trauma Society, Academic Psychiatrist, King’s College London.
- Robert Greenwood, Safety & Training Officer, National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisations (NFFO).
- David Hammond, CEO, Human Rights at Sea.
- Patrizia Heidegger, Executive Director, NGO Shipbreaking Platform.
- Mauricio Lazala, Deputy Director, Business & Human Rights Resource Centre.
- Clay Maitland, Managing Partner of International Registries Inc., the Marshall Islands Ship Registry & Founding Chairman of NAMEPA.
- Norman Schmiedl, Crewing Director, Columbia Ship Management.
- Captain Kuba Szymanski, Secretary General, InterManager.
- Conrad Thorpe OBE, CEO, Salama Fikira Group.
- Lieutenant Commander Sam Truelove MBE, International Defence Engagement Officer, Royal Navy.
- George Tsavliris, Principal, Tsavliris Salvage Group.
- Margaret Wachenfeld, Director of Research and Legal Affairs, Institute for Human Rights and Business.
- Libby Woodhatch, Head of Advocacy, Seafish.
- Alexandra Wrage, President and Founder, TRACE International, Inc.
- Martin Xuereb, Director, Migrant Offshore Aid Station (MOAS).
In addition to this impressive expert line up, the event’s Advisory Board has also expanded to welcome Ment van der Zwan, Pelagic Freezer-trawler Association and the FISH-Platform, and Linda Willson, Maritime Commerce and Infrastructure, Department for Transport.
The conference programme will be made up of four key sessions intended to provide and invite informed and objective debate, and to establish a standard in advocacy and discussion focused on issues of human rights in the maritime environment.
The sessions will address the core issues affecting human rights across the maritime sector with participation from key representatives of the ship owning, union, LGBT, migration and fisheries communities. Central to the conference programme will be human rights and corporate social responsibility, provisions and abuses in the maritime environment, and maritime welfare.
The event will conclude with a high-level debate on ‘Maritime Human Rights Abuses – Investigations and Potential Remedies,’ which will cover the issues of technology, responsibilities, education, actions and support.
The IMHR Conference is already registering delegates and has experienced a high level of international interest, so early booking is advised via the website. A wide range of sponsorship opportunities are also available. (http://mar-rights.com/sponsorship/).
The conference will be followed by a networking cocktail reception and dinner.
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