By Nomfundo Manyathi

The recently launched Oxford Human Rights Hub aims to bring together human rights researchers, practitioners and policymakers from across the globe.

The hub is based at Oxford University’s law faculty and its core includes academics, visiting academics and students, while its membership is open to colleagues – including attorneys – throughout the world.

The initiative aims to advance the understanding and protection of human rights and equality through the exchange of ideas and resources among its members. It also serves as a centre for communication and networking.

Membership is free and, at the date of De Rebus going to print, a few South Africans had already signed up.

The hub’s director, Professor Sandra Fredman, said in an invitation to join the hub that the initiative strived to –

• facilitate a better understanding of human rights principles;
• develop new approaches to policy; and
• influence the development of human rights law and practice.

She said: ‘The interactive website makes it possible to keep abreast of recent developments across a wide range of countries and facilitates discussion and collaboration across boundaries. Members of the network are encouraged to share their expertise through the blog by posting relevant developments in research, law and policy. The website is also a space for researchers to post their work-in-progress or published work and receive comments from others.’

The hub’s administrator, Chris McConnachie, told De Rebus that South African attorneys could benefit from using the hub by –

• connecting, discussing and debating with human rights lawyers, academics and policymakers around the world;
• increasing their international exposure by having their profile on the hub’s website and by contributing to its blog; and
• staying up-to-date with human rights developments in other countries through the blog, newsletter and social media.

Mr McConnachie said that there were no obligations on members, apart from the request that they introduce colleagues to the network and consider contributing to the blog.

At the time of going to print, the hub had over 70 members and Mr McConnachie said that membership was growing each week. He said: ‘We currently have members from 20 countries, including Angola, Australia, Brazil, Canada, India, Israel, Ireland, the United Kingdom and the United States.’ He added: ‘We have had a lot of interest from South African judges, lawyers and academics. We currently have 16 South African members and we are hoping to grow this number substantially. The hub has very strong South African connections as our director, Professor Sandra Fredman; the associate director, Liora Lazarus and I are all South African.’

Those interested in becoming a member of the hub can complete an online registration form available on the hub’s website: www.law.ox.ac.uk or by e-mailing Mr McConnachie at oxfordhumanrightshub@law.ox.ac.uk.

Nomfundo Manyathi, nomfundo@derebus.org.za

This article was first published in De Rebus in 2012 (Sept) DR 6.