Call for Abstracts | National Seminar on Strengthening Human Rights by CHRIST: Submit by Mar 16

About the Karnataka Institute for Law and Parliamentary Reform (KILPAR)

The Karnataka Institute for Law and Parliamentary Reform (KILPAR) is an autonomous institution established in 2005 under the Department of Law, Justice and Human Rights, Government of Karnataka, following a decision of the State Cabinet. KILPAR functions as a platform for examining existing laws, recommending reforms, and developing new legislative proposals that respond to emerging social and legal challenges.

In furtherance of these objectives, the institute undertakes legal research, publishes scholarly works, conducts seminars and conferences, and organizes training programmes for legislators, advocates, and public officials. It has also played an important role in promoting legal awareness and parliamentary literacy through initiatives such as model legislative assemblies, academic collaborations, and public outreach activities. Through its research publications and policy-oriented programmes, KILPAR contributes to strengthening democratic governance and advancing informed legal and parliamentary reforms in Karnataka.

About the School of Law, CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Bangalore

The School of Law is part of CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Bangalore. The parent University, a premier educational institution, is an academic fraternity dedicated to the motto of ‘Excellence and Service’ and has an already proven history of success in education.

CHRIST, formerly Christ College, has the rare distinction of being the first institution in Karnataka to be accredited by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), UGC, and currently has an A+ grade as accredited in 2022 for quality education. The School of Law, is an institute imparting world-class legal education not only to students from various parts of the country but also from the Middle East and Mauritius. The courses are approved by the Bar Council of India.

About the Gender Studies Committee

CHRIST (Deemed to be University) has always championed the cause of holistic education and emphasised the importance of nurturing well-rounded individuals. Central to this mission is building an understanding of gender, gender identity, and gender expression that evolves with society.

The Gender Studies Committee provides a vibrant platform for students to engage in meaningful discussions on sexuality, gender, and the complex interplay of factors shaping these concepts. The Committee serves as an academic community of open-minded and progressive individuals who delve into the socio-cultural forces that shape our perceptions, reasoning, and behaviour. By creating this space for introspection and discourse, the Committee exemplifies the University’s commitment to inclusivity, empathy, and intellectual growth, empowering students to contribute meaningfully to a more equitable understanding of the world.

About the National Seminar

The National Seminar on Strengthening Human Rights: Intersectionality, Accountability and Inclusive Rights in Evolving India endeavours to critically examine the evolving contours of human rights protection in India within the broader constitutional framework that guarantees equality, dignity, and personal liberty under Articles 14, 15, and 21 of the Constitution of India.

While India has made significant normative and institutional commitments to the advancement of human rights, both domestically and through its engagement with international human rights instruments, substantial challenges continue to persist in the effective realization and enforcement of these rights, particularly for marginalized and historically disadvantaged communities. In this regard, the Seminar aims to situate contemporary human rights discourse within the framework of intersectionality, recognizing that overlapping identities related to gender, caste, disability, sexuality, and socio-economic status often intensify patterns of exclusion and vulnerability.

The Seminar aspires to encourage scholarly engagement from a diverse cross-section of stakeholders, including academicians, researchers, policy-makers, human rights advocates, and students, and thereby, contribute meaningfully to the ongoing discourse surrounding the strengthening of human rights protections and the development of a responsive justice system in India.

Proposed Themes

Constitutional and Institutional Framework

This theme examines the constitutional and institutional mechanisms that safeguard human rights in India. It invites discussions on the role and effectiveness of institutions such as the National Human Rights Commission, the expansion of fundamental rights through judicial interpretation, the use of Public Interest Litigation as a tool for social justice, and the role of constitutional morality in protecting individual and minority rights.

Rights of Vulnerable and Marginalized Groups

This theme focuses on the legal and policy frameworks addressing the rights of marginalized communities. It encourages scholarship on gender justice, child protection and juvenile justice systems, protections for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, the evolving recognition of LGBTQIA+ rights, and the implementation of rights for persons with disabilities.

Criminal Justice and Human Rights

This theme explores the intersection of human rights and the criminal justice system. Contributions may address issues such as custodial violence, police accountability, prison reforms, undertrial justice, the death penalty debate, and the role of legal aid in ensuring fair access to justice.

Socio-economic and Environmental Rights

This theme examines the recognition and implementation of socio-economic rights as integral to human rights protection. It includes discussions on the right to health, access to education, labour rights in the informal and gig economy, and environmental justice and climate accountability.

Governance, Accountability and Human Rights

This theme considers the role of governance structures and accountability mechanisms in protecting human rights. It invites research on transparency through the Right to Information, corporate responsibility and business and human rights frameworks, and rights-based approaches to disaster management and humanitarian response.

International and Comparative Human Rights

This theme focuses on India’s engagement with international human rights law and global accountability mechanisms. It includes discussions on treaty obligations, the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) process, and comparative approaches to strengthening human rights protections across jurisdictions.

Abstract Submission Guidelines

All interested participants must submit an abstract before submitting their full papers. The abstract should clearly articulate the research problem, objectives, methodology, and key findings or arguments. Only original abstracts that align with the conference theme will be accepted.

Click Here to Submit.

• Each applicant must submit a 300 to 350-word extended abstract providing an overview of the proposed paper on the attached Google Form link.
• The abstract must be submitted in MS Word (.doc or .docx) format only. It must be titled “National Conference_Abstract_Author Name”
• Each abstract must contain a cover page inclusive of the following details:
• Name(s) of the author(s)
• Designation
• Institutional affiliation
• Contact number(s) of the author(s)
• Email ID
• A maximum of 5 keywords is to be provided along with the abstract.

Acceptance of abstracts shall be communicated through the Committee’s Official ID ([email protected]).  

Submission Guidelines

• All submissions should be made in (.doc) or (.docx) format and should be formatted in Times New Roman font style, font size 12, with 1.5-line spacing, on A4-sized paper, with 1-inch margins on all sides.
• Headings should be in Times New Roman, font size 14, bold, centre-aligned, with 1.5-line spacing.
• Subheadings should be in Times New Roman, font size 13, italicized, with 1.15 line spacing.
• Footnotes should be in Times New Roman, font size 10, with single line spacing.
• The citation style shall be Bluebook (20th Edition) for legal papers and APA (7th Edition) for interdisciplinary papers.
• A maximum of two authors shall be permitted per paper.

Mode

The paper presentations shall be held in a hybrid format (offline and online).

Important Dates

Contact Information

For any further clarifications, please reach out to below-mentioned email address: [email protected]

The brochure is here.