Regardless of cultural background, gender or sexual preference; People must feel protected by the legal system. This not only means that everyone is equal to the law on paper, but also that there is no single cultural norm dominating. During this HagueTalks, we hear from special speakers how they work for a more inclusive legal system, both internationally and nationally.
According to Ruth Murambadoro, the international legal system is anything but inclusive. The system therefore has limited value for people who have faced injustice during liberation struggles in Africa. She calls for more openness to alternative, local justice systems and wonders how somebodies socio-cultural environment contribute to the facets of justice aspired.
Nazeeha Saeed is a journalist from Bahrain. In 2010 she was arrested and tortured because of articles about the situation in Bahrain. How can journalists fight for a more inclusive legal system when they themselves are not protected by it?
Legal consultant Christina Moreno is specialized in human rights issues in conflict-affected countries around the world. However, currently, she worries about her own country, the United States of America. How can Americans counter the discriminate policies of the White House with regard to migration?
About the speakers
- Ruth Murambadoro is a Peace and Conflict Scholar based at the Centre for the Study of Governance Innovation (GovInn), South Africa, where she is completing her doctoral studies with the University of Pretoria. She also serves as a board member of the African Studies Association (ASA) and holds doctoral fellowships of the Social Science Research Council (SSRC) New York and the National Institute for the Humanities and Social Sciences (NIHSS-CODESRIA). Her scholarly work has been published in the Strategic Review for Southern Africa, the African Journal on Conflict Resolution and OSSREA among others.
- Nazeeha Saeed currently works as Bahrain Correspondent for Radio Monte Carlo, France 24, Al Safir Newspaper and freelancer for ITV, the BBC and Al Majallah Magazine. Nazeeha is dedicated to defending the rights of both Bahraini and non-Bahraini journalists, a cause she advances in partnership with a number of international organizations. Her commitment to advancing free speech strengthened after being detained by her country’s police for her coverage of the 2011 Bahrain uprising. Nazeeha is a member and former-president of the Bahrain International Circuit Media Club, member of the Bahrain Journalists Association, the Red Crescent Society, and the Al Reef Women Society. She is also a founding member of the Al Shabeeba Youth Society and Bahrain Correspondent Club.
- Christina Moreno is a legal consultant and head of communications at Global Rights Compliance LLP (GRC). GRC is an international legal partnership specialising in on-the ground international humanitarian law (IHL) and human rights issues in conflict-affected and high-risk areas of the world, working with businesses and governments to identify, prevent and mitigate adverse IHL and human rights impacts. Before joining GRC, Christina worked on access to justice and social impact issues at HiiL Innovating Justice, a not-for-profit based in The Hague.
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