In Conversation with Justice Albie Sachs, part one
“If we are lucky as we travel through life we may meet someone who represents all that is best in each of us, our core humanity. We are doubly lucky if that someone touches also those who with whom we work and share our lives. It then becomes a shared experience and even more powerful. This is why the visit to Edinburgh on June 24 and 25, 2009 of Justice Albie Sachs of the South African Constitutional Court was so special.
Our Commission was deeply privileged and honoured to play a part, along with the office of Scotland’s Commissioner for Children and Young People, in making this happen. What do you take away with you from such an experience? A reaffirmation of the human dignity of each and everyone of us is one of the many emotions which are stirred. But something more than that. A spirit of a shared responsibility and a sense of empowerment and renewal to contribute to the noblest cause of human progress.
he impact of Albie’s visit did not come as a surprise to those who knew of his work and life. Starting life as a young and idealistic lawyer in Cape Town, taking up the anti-apartheid freedom struggle, imprisoned in solitary confinement and exiled, surviving a car bomb assassination attempt by South African security agents, helping negotiate the peace agreement to end apartheid and draft the constitution for the new South Africa, being appointed by Nelson Mandela as a judge in the new South African Constitutional Court – all of this prepares you for meeting him. What you can only experience through engaging with him is something even more than is suggested by all of the above “career path” or “cv”.
My personal inspiration was the generosity of human spirit of the man, not just his capacity but his desire to empower all of us with his life experience. This spirit was captured when just after regaining consciousness after barely surviving the car bombing he reflected “all I lost was an arm”. This is why our Commission was so delighted that we could share this special occasion with our close colleagues from our sister national human rights institutions from these islands. It is why we are delighted to now share with you the experience of spending time “In conversation with Justice Albie Sachs”. Professor Alan MillerChair, Scottish Human Rights Commission”
10 Wee Commandments
The Commission supported the filming and production of a series of short films made by young people about the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Introducing Dignity in Care
Legal Officer for the Commission, Kavita Chetty, explains the importance of Dignity in Care for the Commission's strategic work and outlines how Articles 3 and 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights can be interpreted to help protect and promote human dignity.
Mary Robinson
Mary Robinson address the Human Rights and Climate Change conference, Glasgow Science Centre, 23 November 2009
In Conversation with Justice Albie Sachs, part two
Justice Sachs reads from his book entitled 'The Strange Alchemy of Life and Law' and reflects upon the trademark case known as the 'Laugh it Off' case that came before him as a jude at the South African Constitutional Court.
In Conversation with Justice Albie Sachs, part one
"We are delighted to now share with you the experience of spending time “In conversation with Justice Albie Sachs”. Professor Alan MillerChair, Scottish Human Rights Commission”