Countdown to World-first Maritime Human Rights Event

Beginning the final countdown to the first ever event to focus on maritime human rights, organizers continue to showcase a top line up of speakers and experts participating in the International Maritime Human Rights Conference (IMHR), taking place on 14 September, at the Royal College of Surgeons, London. 

With an exceptional conference program focusing on addressing the issues surrounding human rights and welfare at sea, IMHR will bring together global maritime industry leaders and world-renowned human rights advocates, with the aim to explore topical and emerging human rights matters, and investigate human rights protections and available remedies for abuses.

The event will examine the latest and most topical subject matters including; the need for explicit engagement with human rights at sea, the fishing community, seafarer welfare, gender and diversity, refugees and migrants, the U.N. Guiding Principles on Human Rights, and investigation of human rights abuses; and will deliver incisive commentary and concepts to delegates for consideration and debate.

Further information including conference sessions, timings and speaker topics can be found on the event website: http://mar-rights.com/

The conference has gained valuable support throughout the maritime and fisheries sector along with sponsorship from The National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisations (NFFO), Sailors’ Society and Ship Money. 

Conference speakers

Wendy Betts, Project Director, eyeWitness for Atrocities Programme, International Bar Association 

Phil Bloomer, Executive Director, Business and Human Rights Resource Centre

Barry Bryant, Director General, Seafarers UK

Parosha Chandran, Human Rights Barrister, 1 Pump Court

John Dalby, Co-founder and Past Vice President, Marine Risk Management

Martin Foley, National Director, Apostleship of the Sea

Professor Neil Greenberg, Founder and Director, March on Stress

David Hammond, CEO, Human Rights at Sea

Ingvild Jenssen, Founder and Policy Director, NGO Shipbreaking Platform

Debasis Mazumdar, CEO, St. Kitts & Nevis International Ship Registry

Norman Schmiedl, Crewing Director, Columbia Ship Management

Officer Cadet Sarah Stevens, Royal Fleet Auxiliary

Peter Sweetnam, Director, MOAS

Kuba Szymanski, Secretary General, InterManager

Conrad Thorpe OBE, CEO, Salama Fikira

Lisa Tremble, Director of External Affairs, Mishcon De Reya

George Tsavliris, Principal, Tsavliris Salvage Group

Ment van der Zwan, Senior Policy Advisor Pelagic Freezer-trawler Association, Chair, FISH-Platform

Margaret Wachenfeld, Director of Research and Legal Affairs, Institute for Human Rights and Business

Lieutenant Commander Chris Wood, Royal Navy, Co-Chair, Compass Network

Libby Woodhatch, Head of Advocacy, SeaFish

Alexandra Wrage, Founder and President, TRACE International