Utrecht University Research Focus Area Cultures, Citizenship and Human Rights Understanding Complementary Institutions in Human Rights Implementation Utrecht, 17 November 2014 Generously supported by The Netherlands School of Human Rights Research, The Netherlands Institute of Human Rights (SIM) and the Research Focus Area Cultures, Citizenship and Human Rights Registration via: secretariaat.IER@uu.nl I. Introduction This seminar brings together scholars from various backgrounds such as law, anthropology, sociology and political science in order to gain insights into both the efficacy and challenges facing international human rights globally. Through critically analyzing the existing institutions and best practices in human rights, we hope to explore potential complementary institutions that could assist in building a more comprehensive framework for the implementation of human rights worldwide. Based on the consensus of the universality of human rights, this seminar attaches great importance to seeking cross-cultural perspectives on human rights implementation and realization. II. Agenda 09:15-09:45 Registration (coffee/tea), Raadzaal, Achter Sint Pieter 200, Utrecht University 09:45-09:50 Welcome speech: Professor Tom Zwart1 09:50-10:05 Opening keynote speech: Professor Cees Flinterman2 10:05- 11:00 Morning input session (15 minute each) Moderator: Ms. Stacey Links Ms. QIAO Cong-rui: Institutional role of news media in furthering freedom of demonstration in China Mr. Vincent Vleugel: Cultural diversity argument in the dialogue between CEDAW and States parties Mr. Seth Kaplan: Thick versus Thin Societies 11:00-11:15 1 2 Tea break Professor of Human Rights and Director of the Netherlands School of Human Rights Research. Emeritus Professor of Human rights and Member of the United Nations Human Rights Committee. 11:15-12:30 Commentary session Moderator: Ms. Stacey Links Commentators: Professor Jenny Goldschmidt3 and Dr. Jos Philips4 (15 minutes each) Response from presenters (10 minutes each) Guided Q&A 12:30-13:30 Lunch 13:30-14:20 Afternoon input session (15 minute each) Moderator: Ms. Julie Fraser Ms. Qinxuan Peng: Fill up Implementation Gap of International Human Rights Instruments in China through Complementary Mechanism for the Multiple Disadvantaged Ms. Annemarie Middelburg: Human Rights and Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting in Senegal Ms. Valentina Carraro: A Double-Edged Sword: the Politicization of UN Treaty Bodies and Universal Periodic Review 14:20-15:30 Commentary session Moderator: Ms. Julie Fraser Commentators: Professor Titia Loenen5 and Professor Yvonne Donders6 (15 minutes each) Response from presenters (10 minutes each) Guided Q&A 15:30-15:45 Concluding keynote address: Ambassador Lionel Veer7 15:45-16:15 Q&A 16:15-16:20 Closing remarks: Professor Antoine Buyse 8 16:20-17:30 Reception 3 Emeritus Professor of Human Rights Law, Utrecht University. Lecturer in Ethics and Political and Social Philosophy, Utrecht University. 5 Professor of Human Rights and Diversity, Leiden University. 6 Professor of International Human Rights and Cultural Diversity, University of Amsterdam. 7 Dutch Ambassador to UNESCO and former Dutch Human Rights Ambassador. 8 Professor of Human Rights, Director The Netherlands Institute of Human Rights (SIM). 4