Widney Brown: "How the Criminal Justice System Undermines Effective Civil Disobedience Today"

Widney Brown will speak on the undermining of effective civil disobedience through the current criminal justice system. Not only is it in conflict with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, but it breeds a culture of punishment and suppression rather than the open discourse necessary for the progress of a healthy legal framework in an increasingly complex world. Brown will share stories as examples of this premise including the recent cases between Greenpeace and Russia, Ed Snowden and Bradley Manning in the United States.

Brown is senior director of international law and policy, leading development of human rights policies and analysis for Amnesty International. She is responsible for Amnesty International's strategic litigation program and negotiations on international standards.