15th Meeting of the LAWASIA

HR Lawyers' Network

Wednesday 11 June 2025 | Zoom webinar 

The Role of Lawyers in Protecting the Rights of Disaster Victims: Are We Doing Enough?

 

We are delighted to announce the second edition of the Human Rights Lawyers’ Network Meeting for 2025 –– the 15th Meeting of the LAWASIA Human Rights Lawyers' Network is scheduled for Wednesday, 11th June 2025, online via Zoom.

As you know, unfortunately, disasters happen all the time. With the climate crisis, disasters are becoming more severe and varied. In some cases, disasters are triggered by the actions of states or corporations, and in others, inadequate or delayed responses turn manageable incidents into full-scale disasters. Disaster victims often find themselves in unexpected and unpreventable situations. They need national and social support but also clear guidance to understand and navigate their circumstances. Legal assistance – including the protection of their various rights – plays a crucial role in this process.

For this HRLN webinar, we turn our attention to “The Role of Lawyers in Protecting the Rights of Disaster Victims: Are We Doing Enough?”

This session will examine how lawyers have assisted disaster victims in the Asia-Pacific region, highlighting achievements and limitations. Our panel of esteemed speakers from Japan, Myanmar and South Korea will lead this important discussion. Together, we hope to explore what is needed to strengthen and expand legal assistance going forward.

So please mark your calendars and pre-register your participation today by clicking the link below. Join us for a compelling discussion that explores a crucial and distinctive area of legal support, and learn effective strategies for addressing the needs of disaster victims.

Webinar Details

Date: Wednesday 11 June 2025

Cost: Complimentary

Time: 

  • 23:00 - 00:30, Tuesday, 10th to Wednesday, 11th June (USA-PST)
  • 00:00 – 01:30 (USA-MST)
  • 07:00 - 08:30 (London)
  • 08:00 – 09:30 (Brussels/ Berlin)
  • 11:30 - 13:00 (Delhi/Colombo)
  • 12:30 – 14:00 (Myanmar)
  • 14:00 - 15:30 (Hong Kong/Singapore/KL/Beijing/Taipei)
  • 15:00 - 16:30 (Tokyo/Seoul)
  • 16:00 - 17:30 (Sydney/Canberra)
  • 18:00 - 19:30 (Suva)

Agenda & Panelists

 

Moderator: Satoko Kitamura, Expert Counsellor on Migrants and Refugees, LAWASIA Human Rights Committee | JAPAN
 
Opening Remarks: Shanmuga Kanesalingam, Co-Chair, LAWASIA Human Rights Committee | MALAYSIA
 
Topic 1: The Role of Lawyers in Protecting the Rights of Disaster Victims: Are We Doing Enough?
 
Presentations and Panelists:
 
Disaster Reconstruction Assistance Activities by Japanese attorneys
Ms Yuki Ashina| JAPAN - View presentation
Attorney at Law, Shizuoka Bar Association
Japan Federation of Bar Association Disaster Reconstruction Assistance Committee

This presentation aims to introduce disaster reconstruction assistance activities by Japanese attorneys. It shows how we have engaged in supportive activities for sufferers amid various kinds of disasters such as Earthquakes, a Nuclear power plant accident, Japan has experienced so far. Though there are still many remaining unsolved problems, we would like to move forward to support every single sufferer from disasters.

 Justice in the Aftermath: Lawyers’ Role in Natural Disaster Response in Myanmar
Ms Aye Mon Thu | MYANMAR - View presentation
Co-Founder
Dawei Pro-bono Lawyer Network

Herculean Task : Doing Everything We Possibly Can for Victims, Even If It’s Never Enough
Ms Jooyung Joan CHO | SOUTH KOREA
Human Rights Lawyer
Committee for Integrity of Life and Disaster Management, Korean Bar Association
 
Topic 2: Future Network Activities
Open discussion/ Jurisdictional updates