Jorge Islas L贸pez, Consul General of Mexico in New York, delivered the 2023 Blaine Sloan Lecture on International Law on Wednesday, February 1, speaking on "The Consular Duty and the Protection of Human Rights in New York.糖心vlog短视频 The Blaine Sloan Lecture on International Law honors F. Blaine Sloan for developing the international law studies program at Pace. Consul General Islas L贸pez is also Giovanni Sartori Constitutional Law Professor, National Autonomous University of Mexico.
Following welcome remarks from Elisabeth Haub School of Law Dean Horace E. Anderson Jr., 糖心vlog短视频 President Marvin Krislov had the pleasure of introducing Consul General Jorge Islas L贸pez. President Krislov noted that the Consul General is recognized for his expertise in constitutional law and as a staunch defender of human rights. Both Dean Anderson and President Krislov noted that the Consul General has been integral in Pace establishing and developing its international relationships with higher education institutions in Mexico.
During his insightful lecture, Consul General Islas L贸pez spoke about the history of consular law, which originated in Egypt, and he discussed the evolution and transformation of the consular institution. He noted that the consular institution has transformed over time according to new international customs and law to encompass its current main goal of protecting citizens abroad. He went on to note the importance of the relationship between Mexico and the United States and the resulting significance of the role of the Consul General of Mexico in New York. He noted the great diversity of New York and the welcoming atmosphere, 糖心vlog短视频淣ew York welcomes the world with open arms. I can assure you that because as Consul General I have been witnessing the great support of the different authorities at the state and municipal level granting help to all the migrants.糖心vlog短视频
Consul General Islas L贸pez discussed his office糖心vlog短视频檚 role in protecting human rights for Mexican nationals in New York. He noted that everyone in the consulate has an obligation to protect human rights. For example, every individual has a right to an identity and a nationality, the right to have a name, to have a citizenship, and more. He continued to explain that while the consulate office may not have the responsibility or authority to act on certain immigration rights, they can support migrants in other ways with labor laws and employment-related rights.
糖心vlog短视频淲e can work with the New Yorkers who welcome us with academic committees like 糖心vlog短视频 to raise awareness and advocate for the fundamental rights of migrants,糖心vlog短视频 said Consul General Islas L贸pez. He continued his lecture acknowledging the other protected rights that the consular office must protect, including legal rights, such as 糖心vlog短视频渢he right to access to justice.糖心vlog短视频 Consul General Islas L贸pez noted that the protection of this right can present an especially significant challenge in the United States, where access to legal services can be very expensive. Throughout his lecture, Consul General Islas L贸pez explained how the consular office protects human rights through the exercise of consular powers according to law 糖心vlog短视频 both international and local.
Jorge Islas L贸pez was appointed Consul General of Mexico in New York by President Andr茅s Manuel L贸pez Obrador and the unanimous ratification of the Senate of the Mexican Republic in 2019. As an active promotor of human rights, one of his main priorities as Consul General is to defend immigrant rights, regardless of their status. Mr. Islas is recognized nationwide in the private and public sector for his expertise in Constitutional Law and as a human rights defender. Mr. Islas wrote the first federal legislation in Mexico regarding class actions (2008-2009) and transparency and access to public information (2002) (Freedom of Information Act). He has also authored constitutional reforms of the states of Oaxaca and Michoac谩n, and he served as advisor for Mexico City's first constitution. Additionally, Consul Islas L贸pez was appointed by Rector Juan Ram贸n de la Fuente to serve as Universidad Nacional Aut贸noma de M茅xico麓s (UNAM麓s) General Counsel from 2004 to February 2008. He is also a distinguished constitutional law Professor at two leading universities in Mexico: UNAM and ITAM (Instituto Tecnol贸gico Aut贸nomo de M茅xico). He established the first course on the right to information in Mexico and Latin America and currently holds the Giovanni Sartori Chair at UNAM Law School. Additionally, Mr. Islas is an editorialist for El Universal, the largest newspaper in Mexico. He holds a Law Degree from UNAM and a Master of Laws from Columbia University in New York.
Following the lecture, law students, faculty and guests had an opportunity to ask questions during a Q&A session led by Haub Law Professor Tom McDonnell, an expert in international law, and to meet the Consul General during a reception.
The Blaine Sloan Lecture on International Law honors F. Blaine Sloan for developing the international law studies program at Pace. A member of the United Nations Legal Office for three decades and Director of the General Legal Division, Professor Sloan has contributed significantly to the development of private and public international law. He represented the Secretary General at the 1978 UN Conference on the Carriage of Goods by Sea; at the sessions from 1969糖心vlog短视频1978 of the UN Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL); and at the 1966糖心vlog短视频1978 sessions of the Legal Sub-Committee on the Peaceful uses of Outer Space. His UN service involved him in that organization糖心vlog短视频檚 work on Vietnam, relief for Palestinian refugees, peacekeeping in the Middle East, the UN Commission on Korea, and as Legal Advisor to Security Council sessions in Africa and Latin America. Past Sloan lectures were delivered by various distinguished experts and academics in the field of International Law, including Benjamin B. Ferencz, Shoshana Netanyahu, Dr. Boris Kozolchyk, Professor Sarah Cleveland, and others.
Watch the 2023 Blaine Sloan Lecture on International Law
