HBKU Hosts Joint Book Launch with Oxford Business and Human Rights Network and Bonavero Institute of Human Rights

UNESCO Chair on Environmental Law and Sustainable Development at HBKU served as co-editor on the book, Business and Human Rights Law and Practice in Africa

Entity: College of Law

The panel discussion highlighted approaches for advancing implementation of business and human rights norms across Africa and explores the latest developments in law across the continent.

The UNESCO Chair on Environmental Law and Sustainable Development at Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) partnered with the Oxford Business and Human Rights Network and Bonavero Institute of Human Rights to host the launch of the book Business and Human Rights Law and Practice in Africa.

The event opened with remarks from Dr. Susan L. Karamanian, Dean, HBKU College of Law, and keynote speeches from His Excellency Ambassador Bakole Adeoye, African Union Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, and Hon. Diana Asonaba Dapaah, Deputy Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Ghana.

The online event featured a panel discussion that highlighted the book’s analysis of approaches for advancing the implementation of business and human rights norms across Africa and its exploration of the latest developments in law, regulations, policies, and governance structures across the African continent.

The editors of Business and Human Rights Law and Practice in Africa, Professor Damilola Olawuyi, SAN, Professor at HBKU’s College of Law and UNESCO Chairholder on Environmental Law and Sustainable Development, and Dr. Oyeniyi Abe, Senior Lecturer in Law, University of Huddersfield, chaired the panel. The panelists included John Ikubaje, Senior Political Officer, Department of Political Affairs, African Union Commission, Florence Shako, Senior Partner, Mitullah, Shako & Associates Advocates, Dr. Lyla Latif, Teaching Fellow, University of Warwick, and Hassan M. Ahmad, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Law, University of British Columbia.

“We were proud to collaborate with the Oxford Business and Human Rights Network and the Bonavero Institute of Human Rights to host an insightful discussion on the status quo of business and human rights law and practice across the African continent. The College of Law’s internationally recognized faculty brings substantial expertise to contemporary legal issues of profound relevance to Qatar, the region, and beyond,” said Dean Karamanian.

Dr. Olawuyi also said: “With increasing emphasis across the world on the responsibility of businesses to advance sustainability in all aspects of their operations, there is a growing need for collaborative research, training, and capacity development on the practical steps for implementation. The strategic Africa focus of our UNESCO Chair on Environmental Law and Sustainable Development at HBKU provides the needed platform for further knowledge exchange and cooperation in this area, and this book is just another important next step in the many more innovative programs and resources that are to come.”

Situated at a global crossroad of culture, business, and geopolitics, HBKU’s College of Law is already spearheading innovation in this area. Through its Juris Doctor (J.D.) program, LL.M. in International Economic and Business Law, LL.M. in International Law and Foreign Affairs, Doctor of Juridical Science (SJD) as well as the Certificate Program “Law in Practice in Qatar”, students have exceptional opportunities to acquire comparative legal skills and knowledge on the intersections of business and human rights.