Building a Just Scotland: An Evening With Human Rights Lawyer Aamer Anwar

Acclaimed human rights lawyer and activist Aamer Anwar is visiting the University of St Andrews to share his life-long journey championing human rights and advocating for civil liberties. Join Aamer for a speech and then a Q&A session moderated by Josh Traynor, a fourth-year student in the School of International Relations, about social, political and legal issues in Scotland.

Aamer will deliver a 20-minute speech, followed by a 1-hour Q&A session with the audience. Students of the University of St Andrews and Madras College, professional services and academic staff, and members of the local community are all welcome. Tickets are limited and demand is high, so please ensure you purchase your ticket now to avoid disappointment. Doors open at 16:45 p.m. and you are encouraged to arrive before the event starts at 17:00 p.m.

Concession Admission Ticket (St Andrews and Madras College students, and over 60s): £5

General Admission Ticket: £10

Initial money raised through tickets will be used to cover basic event expenses, with proceeds above this being donated to Medical Aid for Palestinians.

You are invited to submit a question for Aamer via email to [email protected] on an area of his expertise and interest: careers in law, on an area of his expertise and interest: careers in law, civil liberties, crime, UK Government immigration policy, terrorism, equality, intercommunal relations, the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021 which recently entered into force, integrating UN human rights conventions into Scots law, and Scotland's constitutional future. You will be called from the floor on the day to put your question to Aamer directly.

Raised in Liverpool, Aamer moved to Scotland to pursue studies at the University of Glasgow. As a student activist, he campaigned against alleged racism at the Glasgow Dental School and launched civil action against Strathclyde Police for what a sheriff said appeared to be a racist attack against him on Ashton Lane in 1991. This was the first successful case against the police in Scotland for a racist attack, and the experience motivated Aamer to become a lawyer.

Aamer has been involved in many high-profile legal cases in Scotland and he has been named 'Scot of the Year' (Scottish Asian & Business Awards, 2023), 'Solicitor of the Year' (The Herald Law Awards, 2018), and 'Lawyer of Year' (Scottish Legal Awards, 2017). He secured justice for the family of Surjit Singh Chhokar, who was murdered in North Lanarkshire, and has fought to deliver justice for the victims of the 1988 Lockerbie bombing. From 2017 to 2020, Aamer was Rector of the University of Glasgow and successfully defended former Catalan minister and St Andrews professor, Clara Ponsatí, from extradition to Spain. In 2021, Aamer helped negotiate the release of two men detained in a Home Office immigration van during the Kenmure Street protest, which was covered globally.

Currently, Aamer represents the family of Sheku Bayoh who died in police custody in Fife and those who lost loved ones to Covid-19 during the pandemic at judge-led public inquiries. He is an ardent campaigner for social justice and racial, women's, and LGBTQI+ equality. Aamer supports Scottish independence and regularly speaks at public demonstrations.

Josh Traynor, the event moderator, is a fourth-year student in the School of International Relations and completed his exchange at Sciences Po Paris. Born and raised in Govan, Glasgow, Josh has interviewed some of the UK's most influential politicians, including party leaders, first ministers, and prime ministers. He has just finished writing his dissertation on the international policy of the Scottish Government and Welsh Government and is due to graduate in June.

With thanks to Campbell MacPherson for communications management.

Host or Publisher Josh Traynor