Schlakman is senior program director for The Florida State University Center for the Advancement of Human Rights and is the coordinator of its Human Rights and National Security in the 21st Century lecture series. He served as a member of the U.S.-led delegation to Geneva, which presented the U.S.’s implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The ICCPR encompasses a broad range of human rights principles articulated by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, including but not limited to issues relating to racial discrimination.

Schlakman will share his perspectives on the interplay among scores of U.S. representatives attending the meeting and the breadth of issues they raised. He will describe the framework and treaties while emphasizing that the United States is by no means exempt. Schlakman will also discuss the human rights issues that have unfolded in the U.S. since 9/11, as well as emerging issues regarding tensions between human rights and national security imperatives. 

This event will be held in observance of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the United Nations’ General Assembly in Paris on Dec. 10, 1948.