SESSION 1: An Overview of the Universal Framework for Human Rights

In this session, Atty. Chel Diokno talks about international conventions, their impact and the national laws that support these principles. The lecture also talks about “the problem with law.”

ABOUT THE LECTURER

Atty. Chel is the founding dean of the De La Salle University College of Law, and Chair of the Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG). He has been practicing law for over 30 years, and gained prominence as a human rights lawyer and litigator. The DLSU College of Law, which opened in 2010, is the first law school in the Philippines to highlight human rights and legal aid as part of its educational program, while FLAG is the oldest organization of human rights lawyers in the Philippines, known for handling cases involving civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights.

Dean Chel ran for the Senate in 2019. And in 2022, he gained more national prominence in the field of politics when he campaigned for a seat in the Senate, expanding his platform of justice and judicial reform. He emerged as one of the leading opposition senatorial candidates largely because of his connection with young voters. He continues to engage with the youth by serving as speaker for various school events and youth organizations. 

He set up a Free Legal Helpdesk on his Facebook page in response to pandemic restrictions that have hampered access to legal services. In its first seven months, the help desk aided almost twenty thousand Filipinos with their legal queries.