Fifth run:   Summer school – Sexual Orientation & Gender Identity in International Law, The Hague & Amsterdam, 22 – 31 July 2020

https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/education/study-programmes/summer-schools/sexual-orientation-and-gender-identity-in-international-law-human-rights-and-beyond.

The fifth edition of the Summer School on Sexual Orientation & Gender Identity in International Law – Human Rights and Beyond will take place from Wednesday 22 July to Friday 31 July 2020.

It will start in The Hague, while the last few days will be in Amsterdam (coinciding with Amsterdam’s Pride week). This Summer School is offered by Leiden University’s Grotius Centre for International Legal Studies in The Hague. Previous editions have received very good evaluations. The draft programme for the 2020 edition is now available at www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/education/study-programmes/summer-schools/sexual-orientation-and-gender-identity-in-international-law-human-rights-and-beyond.

Course information

This summer school focuses on the recognition of sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) and intersex issues in different areas of international law, such as human rights law, refugee law and international criminal law. Some lectures will focus specifically on sexual orientation, on gender identity/expression, or on sex characteristics, while other sessions will focus on specific regions (including Africa and the Middle East) or countries. Special attention will be given to important test-cases that have helped to achieve some international protection against homophobia and transphobia. Themes include: global and regional human rights mechanisms, sexual and gender minorities in refugee law, protection for LGBTI persons in international criminal law. 

Why this course?

This summer school offers a great opportunity to learn from established academics from leading universities, as well as from world-renowned legal experts from important international and non-governmental organisations.  Many speakers have been involved in research, advocacy or test-cases that have helped to achieve international recognition for the human rights of LGBTI persons. Leiden University’s Grotius Centre for International Legal Studies is home to the world’s only university chair in Comparative Sexual Orientation Law, currently held by the academic coordinator of this summer school, professor Kees Waaldijk. The summer school provides a platform to network with fellow participants, and with speakers from all over the world. In each of the previous editions there were participants from at least five continents. And last but not least, this summer school allows you to discover two vibrant Dutch cities: The Hague and Amsterdam.

Target audience

Practicing lawyers, legal and other professionals in governmental and non-governmental organisations, as well as advanced students are invited to apply. Completion of at least one year of university education is required, as is some knowledge of law, of human rights and of SOGI issues. To ensure active participation and exchange with teaching staff and fellow participants, a maximum of 50 participants will be admitted to this course. Application for participation in this summer school will open in January 2020 at www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/education/study-programmes/summer-schools/sexual-orientation-and-gender-identity-in-international-law-human-rights-and-beyond.

Please inform others about this unique summer school.

Interesting Article:

The latest issue of Europa Ethnica (Vol. 76, nos. 3/4, 2019). Contents include:

• Maria Chiara Vitucci, The protection of sexual orientation in international law: between the principles of non-discrimination and human dignity
• http://www.europaethnica.at/home

INVITATION: Promoting human rights, tolerance and non-discrimination: role of education Monday 16 December 2019, 18:30 – 20:00 Auditorium A2 | Maison de la paix, Geneva Slurs and stereotypes are not only hurtful, but also symptomize ignorance and misunderstanding. Ideologies anchored in hate and prejudice threaten the realization of all peoples’ human rights and attack our […]

INVITATION: Promoting human rights, tolerance and non-discrimination: role of education (16 December 2019 Geneva) — International Law Association – Swiss Branch

Poland is intervening to stop a gay couple in the UK from adopting a kid of Polish Mother and English Father

https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2019/12/poland-intervening-stop-gay-couple-uk-adopting-kid/

The European Parliament’s LGBTI Intergroup is looking for a new Secretary !

Deadline to apply is 15 December, 23:59 CET.

Please share the call for applications widely in your networks.

The LGBTI Intergroup is hiring!

Switzerland plans to simplify sex and first name changes in the civil register

Bern, 06.12.2019 – Transgender persons or people with a change in sexual development will be able to have their sex and first name entered in the civil register changed without bureaucratic complications. The Federal Council took note of the results of the consultation on the amendment of the corresponding Civil Code and adopted the message to Parliament at its session on 6 December 2019.

https://www.admin.ch/gov/fr/accueil/documentation/communiques.msg-id-77406.html

Apply now: Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity in International Law: Human Rights and Beyond 2019 Summer School

This summer school focuses on the emergence of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) and intersex issues in different areas of international law, such as human rights law, refugee law and international criminal law. The fourth edition took place from Wednesday 24 July to Friday 2 August 2019 in The Hague and Amsterdam. 

https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/education/study-programmes/summer-schools/sexual-orientation-and-gender-identity-in-international-law-human-rights-and-beyond

Swiss government retains the same quotas for EU and EFTA service providers operating in Switzerland for more than 90 or 120 days

Switzerland will issue 8,500 work visas to non-EU citizens next year – the same number as in 2019. The Swiss government also confirmed an earlier decision that 3,500 British workers will be welcomed in the event of a no-deal Brexit situation. Next year Swiss companies will be able to draw on 4,500 B-permits for so-called “third country” employees they mean to hire for at least one year. In addition, 4,000 L-permits will be made available for short-term contracts lasting between three and 12 months. Should Britain leave the European Union without negotiating a formal Brexit deal, Switzerland will provide 2,100 B-permits and 1,400 L-permits for British workers. This deal had already been announced earlier this year. On Wednesday, the Swiss government also retained the same limits for EU and EFTA service providers operating in Switzerland. “In 2020, 3,000 units will be available for short stays (L) and 500 for [longer] stays (B),” read a statement. The issue of limiting the number …