Screening: World on Trial

Posted by Penn State University on January 11, 2016

On Friday, January 22nd from 5 to 7 p.m, the Penn State Center Engaging Philadelphia will host a screening of the first episode of World on Trial, a PBS film series whose purpose is to elevate public awareness of important human rights issues.

The screening will be followed by a discussion with the creator and host of the program, the acclaimed human rights advocate and author Randall Robinson, Distinguished Scholar in Residence at Penn State Law. The event is sponsored by the Penn State School of International Affairs with support from the Global Philadelphia Association.

The event is free and open to the public. Please register for the event to reserve your seat: https://www.sia.psu.edu/events/sia-host-world-trial-screening-and-discussion-philadelphia

The pilot episode of “World on Trial” deals with the 2004 French law banning the conspicuous display of religious symbols in public schools, most notably affecting the right of young Muslim women to wear traditional head scarves or other forms of cover. The program brings together the best legal talent in the world to argue both sides of sharply contested human rights issues before live juries, and asks jurors and viewers to consider whether the law is a violation of the United Nations International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.