Euroletter 182, October 2010
ILGA-EUROPE
14th ILGA-Europe’s Annual Conference
On 28-31 October 2010, the 14th ILGA-Europe’s Annual Conference is taking place in The Hague. The third and last pre – conference mailing was sent out on 4 October 2010. See the third mailing. You will be able to read all news and reports from the conference on our conference section and/or on ILGA-Europe’s facebook page.
Information for media accreditation.
ILGA-Europe publishes a manual “Make It Work: Six steps to effective LGBT human rights advocacy”
This long awaited manual is a part of ILGA-Europe’s work on strengthening and improving the capacity of LGBT organisations across Europe. The manual takes the readers through the six steps of preparing a solid advocacy plan. It is a rich collection of practical tools and best practices on advocating for equality and human rights for LGBT people in difficult circumstances and draws on the experience and expertise of ILGA-Europe members over the last 10-15 years.
Learn more and download the manual.
Human Rights Violations Monitoring and Advocacy Training in Tirana, Albania
On 2-3 October 2010, ILGA-Europe conducted training on human rights monitoring and advocacy within the framework of our Step Up! project in the Western Balkans.
Full story.
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EUROPE
Jerzy Buzek, President of the European Parliament against homophobia
Jerzy Buzek following the Belgrade Pride, came out with a statement against the violent protests during the Belgrade Pride and condemning homophobia “no matter whether it takes place inside or outside the EU.
Read the statement.
Re-activating debate on equality and LGBTI rights in the European Union
In the run-up to ILGA-Europe’s 14th Annual Conference taking place on 28-31 October 2010 in The Hague, ILGA-Europe supported creation of a focus section on Equality and LGBTI Rights on one of the leading EU affairs news portals – EU Observer.
See the focus section.
European Court of Human Rights produces factsheets on its case-law
In a bid to make its case law more accessible, the European Court of Human Rights is publishing fact sheets on case law associated with a number of topics, including "homosexual rights" and " homosexuality: criminal aspects".
See the fact sheets.
New steps achieved in support to LGBT Human Rights within OSCE institutions
For the first time in 11 years, the OSCE will hold a Summit of Heads of State or Government in December 2010. As a preparation to this event, which is due to take place in Astana, Kazakhstan, the organisation is undergoing a comprehensive review conference on all the commitments made by participating States in all the dimensions of its competence (human, politico-military, and economic and environment dimensions).
Full story.
Lithuanian parliament to discuss amendments on banning ‘promotion of homosexual relations in public places’
On September 23, the Lithuanian parliament adopted its autumn agenda, preparing to debate and come to a final decision regarding the legislative amendments which would criminalize the “promotion of homosexual relations in public places.” These amendments have the potential to go into effect as early as December 2010.
Full story.
FEM21 – 21st Century Feminism
On the occasion of its 20th anniversary, the European Women’s Lobby has released a magazine exploring the meaning of feminism in the 21st Century. With a wide variety of contributions addressing a range of topical issues, this magazine makes a fascinating read. ILGA-Europe contributed towards the content with the article ‘Multiple discrimination, lesbian and trans women’ (page 55).
Download the magazine.
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FREEDOM OF ASSEMBLY & ASSOCIATION
Belgrade Pride 2010
For the first time Serbian LGBTI activists and their supporters were able to hold Pride March under police protection. ILGA-Europe supported and took part in the Belgrade Pride. We put together various resources on this event.
Read these resources.
Ban on St Petersburg’s Pride - illegal, says court
St Petersburg’s court rules that ban on the city Pride was illegal. This is the first time the Russian court says that banning LGBT Pride event is illegal.
Read the comment by Nikolai Alekseev.
Russian LGBT organisation refused official registration
The court and administration in the Arkhangelsk refused registration of LGBT organisation “Rakurs’ stating it would ‘discriminate against heterosexuals’, ‘undermine the security of Russian society, state and the foundations of the sacred institute of marriage".
Full story.
Queer Culture Festival in St. Petersburg: a Success despite Obstacles
In spite of the obstacles and difficulties all events of the International Queer Culture Festival were successfully carried out. On 16-25 September in St. Petersburg musicians and poets performed, photographers and artists exhibited their works, all in support of ideas of tolerance and adequate attitude towards gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender people (LGBT). Representative of ILGA-Europe also took part in the festival.
Full story.
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HATE & VIOLENCE
Declaration of the 3rd TGEU Council on the discrimination and violence targeted at the trans participants from Turkey
Following the attacks on the participants of the 3rd European Transgender Council in Malmö, Sweden, a declaration was adopted in reaction to the attack.
Read the declaration.
Lesbophobic attack in Slovenia
A lesbian couple has been humiliated and attacked in a night club in Slovenia.
Full story.
Drop Charges Against Transgender Rights Defenders
Five Activists Assaulted by Police, then Charged With Resisting Arrest. ILGA-Europe has together with the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission, Human Rights Watch, GATE - Global Advocates for Trans Equality and COC Netherlands sent a joint letter to the Turkey’s Interior and Justice ministers.
Read joint letter.
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NOTICE BOARD
Conference: “Mutual recognition of registered partnerships and same-sex marriages within the territory of the European Union: a restriction on the freedom of movement of E-U citizens and members of their family? "
This conference is organised by L'Autre Cerc in Strasbourg on 18-19 November 2011
Further details.
Job opportunity with the EU’s Fundamental Rights Agency – Junior Research Officer
View the details.
Job opportunity with the European Network Against Racism - Policy Manager
Our partner and ally, the European Network Against Racism, is currently looking to employ Policy Manager.
See further details.
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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
Editorial team:
Juris Lavrikovs & Nanna Moe
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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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