Programs 2007
Prof. Herman Schwartz Speaks on "Freedom of Expression in the U.S."
March 14-15, 2007
As part of Strategic Speakers Initiative, Public Affairs of the U.S. Consulate General in Istanbul hosted Prof. Schwartz of American University (Washington, DC) College of Law, for a two-day program on "Freedom of Expression in Challenging Times" on March 14-15.
PAS Istanbul arranged an interview for Professor Schwartz with Bilgi University Law Faculty and Radikal Newspaper. Professor Schwartz conveyed his views on the importance of freedom of expression as applied globally. Prof. Schwartz spoke to trainee lawyers and faculty at the Istanbul Bar Association, where he outlined how "freedom of speech," which was first practiced most strictly in the USA, has expanded globally. He characterized the reasons for the primacy of freedom of expression, citing examples in the U.S., both where the freedom was challenged and how it was consolidated. The lecture was followed by a Q&A session, during which many of the questions were on Article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code.
Public Affairs Officer in Istanbul hosted a dinner in honor of Prof. Schwartz, inviting a small group of prominent human rights activists, academics and opinion leaders who closely follow human rights and freedom of expression. During the dinner there was a discussion on recent human rights cases in Turkey.
Prof. Schwartz gave essentially the same presentation on three occasions to large numbers of university students and faculty at other universities in Istanbul, and Kocaeli. Hundreds of students had an opportunity to listen and discuss the issue of freedom of expression with this prominent and well known professor of international law.