Euroletter 179, July 2010
ILGA-EUROPE
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Dear Euroletter readers,
You will find that this edition of Euroletter is coming in a different format from our previous editions. We are currently working on making Euroletter more up to date and in a few months time it will come to your inbox in html format rather than long e-mail and attached PDF file. As an intermediate solution, current Euroletter (and may be a few next editions) will come as email with summaries of the stories and links to full stories available on our website.
Advocacy & communications training in Russia
On 8-10 July 2010, ILGA-Europe delivered three days training on developing advocacy and communications strategies and working with media. The participants were introduced to the basic elements of developing advocacy and communications strategies and during practical working groups were drafting such strategies for their organisations. Nearly 20 participants included activists from various regions in Russia: St Petersburg, Moscow, Archangelsk, Murmansk, Petrozavodsk, Pskov, Kemerovo, Syktyvkar, and Tyumen.
Images from the training.
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EUROPE
Viviane Reding, EU Commissioner for Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship, reaffirms Commission's strong stance against homophobia
On 17 June 2010, Europride parade went successfully through the streets of Warsaw in Poland. It was first of its kind in a post Communist country. Referring to the event, Viviane Reding, issued a strong comment in the EU Observer. This is the second time the Commissioner has been issuing strong support to the LGBT community as she also made a strong statement in connection with the International Day Against Homophobia 17 May 2010.
Full story.
ILGA-Europe publishes its Memorandum to the Belgian Presidency of the EU
On 1 July 2010, the Presidency of the European Union is taken by Belgium for the next six months. Traditionally, ILGA-Europe presents its Memorandum to the EU Presidency identifying its expectations and setting challenges for the Presidency.
Full story.
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LGBT FAMILIES
Same-sex partnerships constitute ‘family life’, says the European Court of Human Rights once again
On 22 July 2010, the European Court of Human Rights delivered its judgement in a case of P.B. and J.S. v. Austria. The Court said Austria violated the European Convention on Human Rights by excluding same-sex partners from insurance cover and once again affirmed same-sex partnership constitute ‘family life’ under the Convention.
Full story.
Ireland’s civil partnership bill signed by president
On 19 July 2010, Mary McAleese, President of the Republic of Ireland, signed a bill on civil partnership for same-sex partners into law.
Full story.
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HATE & VIOLENCE
ILGA-Europe's contribution to the consultation on the EU strategy for combating violence against women 2011-2015
On 19 July 2010, ILGA-Europe submitted a contribution to the consultation on the EU strategy for combating violence against women 2011-2015, which was prepared in consultation with the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA) and Transgender Europe (TGEU).
Full story.
Raising the visibility at the OSCE of hate crime and discrimination against LGBT
On 29 and 30 June 2010, ILGA-Europe and its partners participated to the first OSCE high-level conference on tolerance and non-discrimination in three years held in Astana, Kazakhstan.
Full story.
ILGA-Europe at the 5th European Gay Police Association Conference in Vienna
Every other year, police officers and other police staffs from all over Europe gather at the European Gay Police Association (EGPA) conference. This year’s conference was organised by the Austrian organisation GayCopsAustria, in Vienna, from 30 June to 4 July 2010.
Full story.
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ASYLUM & IMMIGRATION
Fundamental right of LGBTI asylum seekers to live without hiding: promising news from London!
ILGA-Europe took part in an International Conference ion the Rights of LGBTI asylum seekers “a case of double jeopardy”. The title chosen by the organisers refers to the specific situation of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex people in the asylum system: they are fleeing persecution in their country of origin, but also facing discrimination and a low level of sensitiveness to their special needs in the countries where they are seeking safety. During that conference Britain’s High Court delivered its groundbreaking decision on the case of two asylum seekers from Iran and Cameroon.
Full story.
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FREEDOM OF ASSEMBLY, EXPRESSION & ASSOCIATION
Europride 2010 in Warsaw – great success!
This year’s Europride for the first time took place in Eastern Europe – Warsaw. Nearly a week of various events, extensive media coverage, and public discussion culminated in an impressive Pride March on 17 July through the central of Warsaw with tens of thousands of marches from across Europe and beyond.
ILGA-Europe was proud to be part of this significant event. Our contribution was a display of our family exhibition at The National Library’s building in Warsaw.
Images from Europride 2010 in Warsaw.
Russia continues to violate freedom of expression and association of LGBTI people
The Russian Side-by-Side LGBT Festival (7 -11 July) in Archangelsk was effectively banned as a result of pressure from regional and City administration. A Moscow District Court upheld the refusal to register an NGO advocating for marriage equality for same-sex unions as this might call for a change in existing Russian legislation.
Full story
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NOTICE BOARD
IGLYO is now looking for a volunteer in the framework of Youth in Action Programme, Action 2 – European Voluntary Service
Volunteer placement will take place at IGLYO headquarters in Brussels, for a duration of 1 year. Starting date – 1 March to 31 July 2011 (to be negotiated).
Full story.
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Euro-Letter is published by ILGA-Europe - the European Region of the International
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender & Intersex Association (ILGA)
ISSN 1998-8117
Editor:
Juris Lavrikovs
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Previous issues:
all previous Euro-Letters in English as well as the Greek translations from No 127, January 2006 are available in pdf format on our website.
ILGA-Europe is grateful to Pantelis Ravdas, Joanna Papazoglou and Evdokia Sakka for the Greek translations.
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