Brexit promises to redefine the British constitutional landscape. In addition, the conservative government has indicated it intends to repeal the Human Rights Act and potentially withdraw from the European Convention of Human Rights. The future of human rights protection in the UK is therefore more uncertain than ever before. What remains unclear in particular is how judges, Parliament and the devolved powers are likely to respond to the actions of the government. Will they take on an activist position in enforcing human rights or does Brexit and the potential repeal of the HRA signify a reduction in human rights protection in the UK? How should acquired rights be protected and what are the possible solutions?
The workshop will seek to address the recent developments both from a public law and international law perspective. Its aim is to provide a platform for new voices – up to 10 young scholars – to discuss their ideas about the potential future of human rights in the UK with policymakers and scholars. The one-day workshop will be held at the University of Cambridge on 23 March 2017. Each young scholar will present their work and discuss it with other participants, including senior academics who will provide feedback on their work.
The project is funded by a British Academy Rising Star Engagement Award and organised by Dr Veronika Fikfak, Lecturer in Law and Fellow of the Centre for Public Law and the Lauterpacht Centre for International Law. The aim is to publish suitable contributions as an edited collection or special edition of a journal. Papers with a comparative approach are particularly welcome.
Advanced PhD students, post-doctoral scholars and early-career academics in human rights, public law and international law are invited to apply by Friday, 16 December 2016, with a short letter (2 pages maximum), explaining their interest and potential contribution to the workshop, and a recent CV, to Veronika Fikfak at vf243@cam.ac.uk. Selected applicants will be invited to submit draft papers by 15 March 2017.
Further details are in the full call for applications.
