From 29 November to 1 December 2024, a workshop focusing on “Human Rights and Lawyering in Times of Crisis” was held in Panadura.
Organised in collaboration with the Bar Association of Sri Lanka, the workshop brought together twenty five lawyers practicing mainly before the courts of first instance to explore the relevance of human rights and methods of a rights-based approach in their work.
The workshop began by defining times of crisis and then explored the roles played by lawyers during such periods, emphasising ethical and professional obligations. The sessions focused on techniques of the rights-based approach, including referencing international human rights law, emphasising Supreme Court decisions on fundamental rights and advocating for the safeguarding of common law and statutory rights. Participants learned how these techniques can inform different aspects of legal practice, including case strategy, interactions with clients and legal argumentation. Discussions also covered their various roles and obligations, including ethical responsibilities.
The program was delivered by Foundation Research Fellows in collaboration with local experts and senior members of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka. An academic expert explored the rights-based approach, drawing on examples from different areas of law to illustrate the broad applicability of this approach in trial courts. A senior lawyer examined new legislation and how statutory rights can be used to advance the interests of clients, particularly vulnerable groups. His session also covered how a human-rights-based interpretation can prevent the abuse of such legislation. Another senior lawyer from the Bar Association of Sri Lanka conducted the final session on types of criminal and civil cases where a rights-based approach can be used, the challenges faced and how to navigate these challenges, drawing on his experiences.
The sessions combined both theoretical and practical elements, leveraging the expertise of academics and seasoned lawyers. This approach gave participants a comprehensive understanding of how to effectively serve their clients’ interests and uphold justice using a rights-based framework.
This was the first workshop for lawyers in Sri Lanka under the German Federal Foreign Office-funded project ‘Consolidating the Rule of Law in Sri Lanka: Strengthening the Resilience of Democratic Institutions to Promote Stability in the Face of Crises’.