IBA Annual Conference Paris 2023
29 Oct - 3 Nov 2023
Rooms 202-203, Level 2
Session information
Children - innocent victims of war and disasters
Wednesday 1 November (1100 - 1300)
Rooms 202-203, Level 2
Committee(s)
Family Law Committee
(Lead)
Human Rights Law Committee
Judges' Forum
LGBTQI+ Law Committee
Description
Wars and other disasters whether natural or manmade have many innocent victims, but the most helpless are children. The consequences for them are huge, often lifelong and lifechanging, impacting future generations. Leaving aside the obvious (physical injury and homelessness) families and communities may be ripped apart, roaming stateless, friendless, unable to return home, seeking sanctuary elsewhere and/or facing life in refugee camps ill-equipped for their future. Child victims face not only harsh and uncertain present and futures, but further risks of exploitation. This session will bring together legal and social experts to discuss the ramifications of war and disasters on children around the world and what we as a legal community can do to help.
Session / Workshop Chair(s)
| Barbara Connolly | 7BR, London, England |
| Elisabeth Loukas | Law Office of Elisabeth H Loukas, Belmont, Massachusetts, USA; Chair, Family Law Committee |
Speakers
| Richard Harris | The Harris Law Firm, PLLP, Denver, Colorado, USA |
| Carolyn Houseman | Children and Families Across Borders, London, England |
| Steven Kay KC | 9BR Chambers , London, England; Member, War Crimes Committee Advisory Board |
| Isabel Magaya | African Child Policy Forum , Addis Ababa, Ethiopia |
| Nantina Tsekeri | Defence for Children International - Greece, Athens, Greece |