Colap: 5th Conference of Lawyers in the Asia-Pacific: Human Rights and Peace Amidst Global Economic Crisis and Conflict

COLAP was attended by lawyers, jurists, law professors and law students as well as the academe and NGOs from the Asia Pacific Region including Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the United States. It was equally open to interested participants from other countries outside the region. It is regularly organized by the International Association of Democratic Lawyers (IADL), an NGO with consultative status with ECOSOC and UNICEF. The first COLAP was held in 1988 in New Delhi, India. COLAP II was held in Tokyo, Japan in 1991 while COLAP III was held in Hanoi, Vietnam in 2001. COLAP IV was last held in Seoul, South Korea in 2005.

The theme of COLAP V is Human Rights and Peace Amidst Global Economic Crisis and Conflict. The conference brought together progressive lawyers and other human rights advocates to discuss issues of human rights, development and peace in the region.

COLAP V aims to provide a forum for lawyers, law students and other peace and human rights advocates from the region to:

Discuss and deepen understanding of the human rights and peace situation in the Asia-Pacific in the context of international recession;

Share experiences in the struggle for human rights and peace and draw lessons from such experiences; and

Bring to the attention of the region vital issues that affect human rights and peace at the international and global regional levels.

Programme

Day 0: Sept. 17 (Friday)
Registration of Delegates

Day 1: Sept. 18 (Saturday)

Opening Presentation
Welcome Remarks
Introduction to COLAP V
Introduction of Delegates
Messages from the International Association of Democratic Lawyers (IADL)
and the Host Country

Inspirational Message
Keynote Speeches
Presentations:
Impact of the Global Economic Crisis and Conflict on Human Rights in the Asia-Pacific
Impact of Global Economic Crisis and Conflict on Peace and Human Development in the Asia-Pacific
Alternative Lawyering as a Tool for Human Rights Protection

Simultaneous Workshops:
Workshop I U.S. Aggression and Military Intervention in the Asia-Pacific
(Impact on policy of Obama's presidency)
Workshop II Impact and Implications on Civil and Political Rights
Workshop III Impact and Implications on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights
Workshop IV Developing and Ensuring an Independent Judiciary and Legal Profession
Workshop V Impact on Women and Children

Caucus of Law Students
Official Dinner by Host Country
Day 2: Sept. 19 (Sunday)

Simultaneous Workshops:
Workshop VI Assessing National, Regional and International Human Rights Mechanisms
Workshop VII Fighting Against Corruption in Public Office for Good Governance
Workshop VIII Threats to Peace and Peace-Building in the Asia-Pacific
Workshop IX Assessing Laws Concerning the Environment and their Implementation

Special Seminar - Host Country Situation: The Philippines

Closing Remarks
Solidarity Dinner

Venue

SMX, Mall of Asia, Pasay City, Metro-Manila, Philippines. It has a view of the famous Manila sunset by the bay. It is near the airport and is in the midst of the commercial and business area. It is also accessible to the media, representatives of peoples' organizations and other guests.

Dates

The conference proper of COLAP V will be on September 18-19, 2010. Delegates have the option to stay longer after the conference to attend major human rights activities scheduled in the period and/or venture into alternative tourism. The Host Secretariat will circulate information about them later.

Registration

A list of hotels near the conference venue will be circulated later so delegates can make their reservations directly via the internet. Hotel daily rates range from USD 50-75 per person. Those who need assistance may contact the Host Secretariat.

Registration Fees (For questions, please contact the Host Secretariat.)

Visa

The Philippines has no pre-travel visa requirement for those coming from the ASEAN countries and the United States, Canada, Australia and Japan as well as most of Europe. Examples of countries with visa requirements are North and South Korea and those from South and Central Asia. The Host Committee will issue later a more complete and updated list of countries with and without visa requirements.

Those coming from countries covered by visa requirements may apply under the Expedited Visa Program announced recently by the Philippine Bureau of Immigration. It is available in the bureau's website. Delegates who need assistance will please get in touch with the Host Secretariat.

For more information, please contact:
Philippine Organizing Committee
COLAP V Host Secretariat
c/o NUPL (National Union of Peoples' Lawyers)
3/F Erythrina Building, # 1 Maaralin Street cor. Matatag Street
Central District, Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines
Phone: 63 2 9206660 Telefax: 63 2 9272812

Colap General Information Brochure