Faculty of Advocates’ Scottish Bar International Human Rights Award 2024: Deadline Extended
The Faculty of Advocates has announced an extension for the application deadline of its prestigious Scottish Bar International Human Rights Award 2024, allowing more time for prospective candidates to submit their applications. Initially set to close sooner, the deadline is now extended to Friday, September 27, 2024. This extension aims to ensure a wider pool of candidates for recognition and underscores the importance of the award in promoting human rights and the rule of law.
Shelagh McCall KC, the convenor of the Faculty’s human rights and rule of law committee and a member of the award selection committee, emphasized that the extended deadline allows more time for potential nominees to submit their applications. McCall highlighted the critical role of the award in acknowledging and promoting the significant contributions made by human rights defenders who achieve remarkable outcomes despite facing real dangers and adversity.
The winner of this prestigious award will be hosted by the Faculty for up to two weeks in Edinburgh in the following year. During this period, the recipient will participate in the award ceremony, promote their work, engage with Faculty members and various human rights organizations, and receive bespoke training from the Faculty’s training and education department. This immersive experience is designed to provide the winner with invaluable opportunities to further their human rights advocacy.
The selection committee overseeing the award is chaired by Lord Bonomy, a retired senior Scottish judge and former judge of the United Nations International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia. He is joined by esteemed committee members including Professor Alan Miller, an expert in human rights law with the UN Development Programme Crisis Bureau, Roddy Dunlop KC, the Dean of the Faculty of Advocates, and Ruth Crawford KC, the treasurer of the Faculty of Advocates. Together, they bring a wealth of expertise and dedication to the selection process, ensuring that the award recognizes only the most deserving candidates.
In conclusion, this article highlights the Faculty of Advocates’ steadfast commitment to recognizing and supporting human rights defenders on a global scale. By extending the application deadline, the Faculty aims to attract a broader range of candidates, thereby enhancing the promotion of vital human rights work and providing essential support and training to the award recipient. This initiative not only celebrates the achievements of human rights lawyers and defenders but also reinforces solidarity in upholding the rule of law.
