ILGA-EUROPE
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Dear EU – make sure that gender matters…
Statement from ILGA-Europe and PICUM on the International Women's Day 2012:
ILGA-Europe and PICUM used the day as an opportunity to call for a proper gender mainstreaming in the current negotiations of important European Union policies. We called for the EU institutions to include and mainstream gender in all its forms in all its adoption of new legislation and all legislation should automatically reflect all discrimination grounds.
Read the full statement here
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ILGA-Europe visits partner organisations in Western Balkan
In the end of March, ILGA-Europe visited partner organisations within the Step Up! project on the Western Balkans. On 23 and 24 March we supported the team of Alliance Against LGBT Discrimination (Aleanca)-LGBT organisation based in Tirana, Albania to devise their 3 year organisational Strategic Plan. On 27 and 28 March, we conducted a training session on Human Rights Violations Documentation and Advocacy with Step UP project’s partner organisation in BiH- Sarajevo Open Centre. More info and images will come up later on our website.
Read more about Step Up! project here
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EUROPE
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Council of Europe conference on combating sexual orientation and gender identity discrimination
As part of its six months chairmanship of the Council of Europe, the United Kingdom held a conference on 27 March on "Combating Discrimination on the Grounds of Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity across Europe – Sharing knowledge and moving forward". The purpose of the Conference was to look at how member states can make progress in implementing the Recommendation of the Committee of Ministers on combating sexual orientation or gender identity discrimination, which was adopted in March 2010. The Conference was the first LGBTI rights related event ever sponsored by as part of the official programme of a country during its chairmanship of the Council of Europe.
Read more about the conference here
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Parliamentary Assembly Equality and Non-Discrimination Committee appoints General Rapporteur on LGBT issues
Norwegian MP Håkon Haugli has been elected to the newly created position of General Rapporteur on LGBT issues by members of the Parliamentary Assembly's Equality and Non-Discrimination Committee. According to the press release issued by the Norwegian Parliament after Mr Haugli’s unanimous election, Committee Chair, Ms Tina Acketoft of the Swedish Parliament stated that the entire Committee would stand behind Mr Haugli as rapporteur, and that this support would be especially important as the challenges in the field of LGBT issues are great throughout Europe.
Read more about the election of Håkon Haugli as rapporteur here
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Hearing in the European Parliament on “Unblocking the anti-discrimination Directive”
On 20 March 2012, ILGA-Europe together with other equality NGOs was invited to speak at the hearing on the proposed anti-discrimination directive organised by the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) in the European Parliament.
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Turkish army needs "proof" of homosexuality
Military service is mandatory for all Turkish men - they can only be discharged it if they are ill, disabled or homosexual. But proving homosexuality is a humiliating ordeal.
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Albanian Ombudsman in closer cooperation with Albanian LGBT activits
On March 21st the People’s Ombudsman Mr. Igli Totozani met in his office with PINK Embassy/LGBT Pro Albania staff and activists. This historic meeting marked the beginning of a closer collaboration between the two institutions for the advancement of LGBT community rights in Albania.
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UNITED NATIONS
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Landmark report and panel on sexual orientation and gender identity in the United Nations Human Rights Council
The United Nation's Human Rights Council in Geneva held the first-ever formal UN inter-governmental debate on violence and discrimination against LGBT people, and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights presented a groundbreaking report.
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Greek LGBT organisation: 'Greece is lying in the UN about protection of LGBT people'
The Greek representative to the the United Nations gave a statement during the 19th Meeting of the Council of Human Rights on March 2, 2012 were it was wrongly claimed that Greece offers "full" protection of sexual orientation and gender identity.
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LGBTI FAMILIES
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Dissapointing referendum results in Slovenia on equality for same-sex couples and their families
The outcome of the public referendum, which took place in Slovenia on 25 March 2012 was a huge disappointment for LGBT community. The voters rejected the new Family Code, which would have brought equal rights to same-sex couples and their families.
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Second parent adoption made possible in Swizerland for same-sex couples
The Swiss Council of States decided on 14 March 2012 to open the right to second parent adoption for same-sex couples in Switzerland.
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Italy now recognises foreign registered partnerships and marriages of same-sex couples
The interior ministry of Italy has withdrawn a circular banning the registration of marriages and registered partnerships contracted abroad by same-sex couples.
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The legal birth of NELFA, European Network of LGBT Families Associations
NELFA - the Network of European LGBT Families Associations - was incorporate under Belgian law as an international non-profit association (AISBL) on March 12 2012. Official NELFA headquarters will be located in the Rainbow House in Brussels.
Read more about NELFA and its legal birth here
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FREEDOM OF ASSEMBLY
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Prime Minister backs Albania’s first Pride event
Prime Minister Sali Berisha on Monday backed Albania’s first ever Pride event after one of his deputy ministers suggested that activists should be beaten with batons.
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First Pride event to take place in Kiev, Ukraine
For the first time a public Pride event will be organised in Kiev, the capital city of Ukraine. The event is planned to take place on 19-21 May 2012.
Read more about the Pride event here
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HATE AND VIOLENCE
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Sexual orientation and gender identity proposed to be included in criminal law in Georgia
The Legal Issues Committee of Georgian Parliament has agreed to apply a recommendation to include sexual orientation and gender identity in the list of the grounds for discrimination, which will be considered as the aggravating circumstances in the new criminal law. The Georgian Parliament will vote for the final text in the near future.
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Right-wing group leader sentenced to 10 months for hate speech in Serbia
The leader of a Serbian right-wing group was sentenced by the First Basic Court in Belgrade to ten months of prison for inciting hatred and issuing threats against homosexuals in prior of the cancelled Belgrade Pride in 2009.
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TRANS ISSUES
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Montenegro will finance gender reassignment procedures for trans people
Amendments to the national healthcare law of Montenegro entered into force earlier this month, which now include, among others, sex reassignment therapy, the medical prodecure for confirming a gender for trans people.
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Constitutional Court in Serbia rules for the first time in favor of a trans person
The Constitutional Court of the Republic of Serbia has accepted the plea of the person who after the sex change operation did not get the right to a change of name in the birth register.
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Transgender Europe's statement on trans people and public transport
After a EU wide survey, Transgender Europe issued a statement on how trans passengers often are affected in their safety, security and dignity by staff and fellow passengers. The survey revealed that 79% of trans people reported harassment in public and 43% of trans respondents in a national survey feel “less well treated” in the street.
Read more about trans people and public transport here
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NOTICE BOARD
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Job opportunity - Human Rights Officer at The European Disability Forum
The European Disability Forum is looking for a Human Rights Officer with good knowledge and experience on human rights, non-discrimination, and equality including gender equality issues. Note deadline: 6 April 2012.
Find more information about the job opportunity here
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Job opportunity - Administrative Agent – ICT and Logistics at The European Institute for Gender Equality
The European Institute for Gender Equality in Vilnius is looking for an Administrative Agent – ICT and Logistics. Note deadline 31 March 2012 at 23:00 Eastern European Time.
Read more about the job opportunity here
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New publication - ‘Far right parties and discourse in Europe: A challenge for our times’
The European Network Against Racism (ENAR) has launched a publication on European far-right parties and their discourse. The publication explores how the far-right is spreading throughout Europe and influencing conservatives and political parties in government alike.
Download the publication here
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The PES Group in the Committee of Regions dedicates photo competition to the European Year
As a commitment to the European Year for Active Ageing and Solidarity between Generations the Party of European Socialist (PES) Group in the Committee of the Regions dedicates in 2012 its annual photo competition to break stereotypes about ageing. Under the title "Life 2.0 – Ready for a new start" the fifth edition of the competition invites EU residents of any nationality aged 18 and over to capture the notion of Active Ageing with their cameras.
Read more about the competition and how you can enter here
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International Archives, Libraries, Museums and Special Collections Conference on the Future of LGBTI Histories (LGBTI ALMS 2012)
The conference will consolidate the knowledge of archiving as a tool in building democratic and free societies and making LGBTI histories accessible to all.
Read more about the conference here
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Nordic LGBT Workplace Forum & Career Fair
The purpose of the Nordic LGBT Career Fair is to introduce top talent to LGBT-friendly employers. The fair is expected to attract LGBT students, experienced professionals and allies in order to connect a diverse talent pool with potential employers.
Read more about the career fair here
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European Master’s Degree in Human Rights and Democratisation
E.MA is an intensive one-year master's programme aimed at educating professionals in human rights, democracy, peace and development. The programme offers an action- and policy-oriented approach to learning which combines interdisciplinary perspectives with skills building activities.
Read more about the opportunity here
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Training opportunities for NGOs
ILGA-Europe is gathering good training opportunities for NGOs. If you have good experiences - then do not hesitate to share them with us (euro-letter@ilga-europe.org)
Mango is an award-wining UK registered charity. Their mission is to strengthen the financial management and accountability of NGOs and their partners.
InProgress is a dynamic social enterprise offering training, facilitation, and supporting services NGOs worldwide in support of their work.
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