January 27, 2011
INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS LAWYER GEOFFREY ROBERTSON
RECEIVES STATE BAR’S AWARD FOR DISTINCTION IN INTERNATIONAL
LAW AND AFFAIRS
NEW YORK—Geoffrey Robertson Q.C., globally-respected human
rights attorney, received the 2011 Award for Distinction in
International Law and Affairs from the New York State Bar Association on
January 26 during its Annual Meeting at the Hilton New York in
Manhattan.
The award is sponsored by the State Bar’s International
Section.
The section honored Robertson for his landmark efforts in achieving a
more just society. He is the author of the book “Crimes against
Humanity – The Struggle for Global Justice,” which details
the history and contemporary politics of international human rights. He
served as an appeal judge for the United Nations Special Court for
Sierra Leone from 2002-2007. In 2008, the UN Secretary General appointed
him as one of three distinguished jurist members of the UN’s
Internal Justice Council.
“As well-known as Geoffrey Robertson is for his exemplary legal
practice, it is his commitment to human rights and global justice that
have set him apart from other legal practitioners around the world.
Through his incisive writing, tenacious advocacy and impeccable
courtroom skills, he has raised considerable awareness of human rights
as it affects the world at large,” said Carl-Olof Bouveng of
Sweden, chair of the International Section. “It is our distinct
pleasure to present this award to Geoffrey Robertson in recognition of
his outstanding efforts.”
A graduate of Oxford University and Sydney Law School, Robertson has
been counsel in many famous cases in constitutional, criminal and media
law in the courts of Britain. Robertson has represented Salman Rushdie
and Julian Assange, founder of WikiLeaks, in his extradition
proceeding.
Robertson also is the founder and head of Doughty Street Chambers,
the UK’s leading human rights practice, which comprises 80
barristers and 30 staff. He also wrote “The Tyrannicide Brief: The
Story of the Man Who Sent Charles I to the Scaffold.”
Previous recipients of the award include: Fernando Peláez-Pier,
past president of the International Bar Association; Hon. Jon O. Newman,
senior judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second
Circuit; The Lawyers and Judges of Pakistan, as represented by Aitzaz
Ahsan; Gillian Martin Sorensen, senior advisor of the United Nations
Foundation; Lech Walesa, former president of Poland; Carlos Salinas de
Gortari, former president of Mexico; Cyrus R. Vance, former U.S.
secretary of state; and Boutros Boutros-Ghali, former U.N. secretary
general.
The 77,000-member New York State Bar Association is the official
statewide organization of lawyers in New York and the largest voluntary
state bar association in the nation. Founded in 1876, State Bar programs
and activities have continuously served the public and improved the
justice system for 135 years.
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