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Human Rights and Rule of Law, Faculty of Advocates’ Committee

Scottish Bar International Human Rights Award 2024/2025

Sponsored by the Faculty of Advocates

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The Faculty of Advocates launches the Scottish Bar International Human Rights Award 2024 /25 to recognise the achievements of human rights lawyers and defenders who work to uphold human rights and the rule of law around the world.

As the 1998 United Nations Declaration on Human Rights Defenders makes clear, the defence of human rights and the rule law transcends borders and places a right and responsibility on individuals, groups and associations, as well as states, to promote respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms at both a national and international level.

The Declaration further recognises the need to support and protect human rights lawyers and defenders when carrying out their work.

With these principles in mind, the Faculty of Advocates seeks to recognise and support human rights lawyers and defenders around the world by inviting applications for the Scottish Bar International Human Rights Award 2024/25.

The Scottish Bar International Human Rights Award

The award consists of:

  • Return flights, accommodation, subsistence and visa expenses to travel to Edinburgh, Scotland between March and May 2025 (exact dates to be agreed with the award winner);
  • Meetings with Scottish groups and organisations with an interest in human rights to discuss and raise awareness of the award winner’s work in promoting human rights and the rule of law in their own country, and to help build strategic This may include an opportunity for more in-depth time with a human rights organization in Scotland;
  • Advocacy skills training programme provided by the Faculty of Advocates tailored to the needs of the award winner;
  • Attendance at the award ceremony to be held at the Faculty of Advocates during the visit.

The criteria and the application

  1. The applicant must be an individual lawyer or human rights defender based outside the UK or the Republic of Ireland and not a national of those countries.
  2. All activities of the applicant and their organisation must be peaceful and in accordance with the Law.
  3. The award is apolitical and work relating to political parties or political movements cannot be Considered.
  4. The applicant must demonstrate a proven commitment to upholding the rule of law and human rights. Applicants should provide specific examples of how they have worked to uphold human rights and the rule of law, and the wider impact their work has had on the community or their country over the last two years.
  5. The applicant should include examples of challenges faced in the course of their work upholding human rights and the rule of law.
  6. The applicant must provide contact details for 2 referees, one of which must be an international organisation or partner.
  7. The applicant must be able to complete or have assistance to carry out any visa requirements.
  8. The applicant must be able to travel to Edinburgh and attend the award ceremony, meetings, advocacy training and human rights placement. The time estimate is a total of one to two weeks in Edinburgh.

Application process

  • Complete and send the application below in English by 27 September 2024.
  • The Selection Committee will select the winner and referees will be contacted.
  • The winner will be contacted by the end of November
  • The award will be formally presented at an award ceremony to be held in Edinburgh during the winner’s visit (exact dates between March and May 2025 to be agreed with the winner)

The Selection Committee

The Selection Committee for the Scottish Bar International Human Rights Award will be chaired by the Right Honourable Lord Bonomy, a retired and eminent senior Scottish judge and former judge of the United Nations International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia. The selection committee will include Roddy Dunlop KC, the Dean of the Faculty of Advocates, Ruth Crawford KC, Treasurer of the Faculty of Advocates, Shelagh McCall KC, the Convenor of the Faculty’s Human Rights and Rule of Law Committee, and Professor Alan Miller, Professor of Practice in Human Rights Law and Independent Expert with the UN Development Programme Crisis Bureau.

About the Faculty of Advocates

The Faculty of Advocates is the professional body for Advocates, who are qualified to appear in Scotland’s highest Courts. Advocates are specially trained lawyers who are independent (self-employed) and objective. The Faculty of Advocates, as an independent referral Bar, ensures that the people of Scotland, regardless of wealth, background or location, have access to the very best independent, objective legal advice. The Faculty has been at the forefront of promoting justice and legal excellence in Scotland since 1532 and is committed to upholding and promoting respect for human rights and the rule of law.

Further information about the Faculty of Advocates is available at: http://www.advocates.org.uk/

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