Amal Clooney “Free Speech in Repressive Regimes” Conclave 2016

Amal Clooney gave a speech at India Today Conclave 16 as latest topic of the evening with the title : “Free Speech in Repressive Regimes”

“Since 2010, there has been rise in assault on freedom of speech across the world — from Pakistan, which has witnessed most number of blasphemy cases, to Turkey whose government has seized Zamaan, the country’s largest daily, thus marking the end of democracy.”

And it did. When asked whether she would consider representing the JNU students charged with sedition, Amal Clooney said, “This is a completely hypothetical situation. It’s not happening here at all, is it? In any case, as my past cases show, I’m not one to shy away from controversy.

There has been no tradition of charging people on sedition in the country. And what’s happening now, with students who are protesting at campuses, is a step in the wrong direction.”

“It’s anachronistic. There should be no place for sedition in democracy. Line should not be drawn between freedom of speech and secession but between freedom of speech and inciting violence. There can be debates about changing governments and changing territories as long as they don’t call for violence.”

Amal Clooney also put her weight behind India’s claim for a permanent seat at the UN Security Council. She also hoped that young Indians would make “free speech their cause”.

While enumerating three highprofile cases she has fought to safeguard freedom of speech, including the one of former Maldives president Mohammed Nasheed, she said: “There are three Rs responsible for the crackdown on freedom of speech in today’s world — royalty, rulers and religion. The state needs to understand that stifling criticism can have serious repercussions.

Today, I see a lot of state squashing dissent by sending innocent men and women to prison.”

“Both of us (she and George Clooney) waited for a long time to make the ultimate plunge and get married. Even at our wedding, on both sides there were people who thought that we would never get married,” she said.

Amal Clooney also took questions on the upcoming US presidential elections, especially in the wake of the rise of Republican candidate Donald Trump, who has caused quite a ripples with his anti-Muslim, anti-immigrant statements.

“I read his anti-Muslim quotes. I just couldn’t believe what he said. He said ‘they’ a lot. Is Trump talking about Muslims who are part of the US army, those who are victims of extremist attacks?”

She added, “If it turns out to be Trump versus Hillary in the end, I’m hoping for the result to show the election of the first female president of the US.”

Source : DailyMail India

Some Amal’s quotes :

“Locking up dissenters does not stifle dissent”

“Being a human rights lawyer … I hope I will not meet any of you as clients”.

Style Files :

Amal Clooney wore

AKONG LONDON

Amsterdam earrings £195

http://akonglondon.com/shop/amsterdam-earrings

Amal Cooney wore a dress suit in abricot color from

PAULE KA

Spring/Summer 2016 collection

ROBE EN CRÊPE ENVERS SATIN

580,00 €

http://pauleka.com/fr/robe-en-crepe-envers-satin-116e180-r15.html?color_id=198

The jacket by

PAULE KA

SPENCER EN CRÊPE ENVERS SATIN

390,00 €

http://pauleka.com/eu/spencer-en-crepe-envers-satin-516e180-v21.html?color_id=198

Video – Interview after her speech

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