A roundup of today's other legal news in brief
Strasbourg Court awards €55.5m
In 2008 the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) found 1,348 violations of the European Convention on Human Rights, according to its second annual report, just published by the Council of Europe. It made awards to victims of €55.5 million.
The committee of ministers of the Council of Europe stress in their introduction the need for rapid legislative changes following a finding of violation.
They also stress the importance of effective domestic remedies, so that other victims may obtain reparation without having to go to the Strasbourg court. There are 6,614 cases pending.
The report contains recommendations to member states to improve their capacity to implement ECtHR judgments, as well as statistical information and a thematic overview. The report can be downloaded from www.echr.coe.int
NUIG in UN sea law programme
A four-day international meeting in Tokyo has agreed a plan of action aimed at enhancing international co-operation on critical ocean law issues in the Asia Pacific region.
The meeting was organised by the UN-Nippon Foundation Fellowship Programme, which was set up in 2004 to promote ocean affairs and law of sea capacity building for diplomats and lawyers from developing countries.
NUIG has participated in it from the beginning, and has hosted career diplomats from Bangladesh, Mozambique and Burma, who have gone on to further training in the UN’s legal division in New York.
Conference on mental health
The Irish Mental Health Coalition is hosting a one-day conference on mental health and human rights on May 18th.
The conference will be addressed by the UN special rapporteur on the right to health, Anand Grover, and the Minister of State for mental health, John Moloney.
The coalition campaigns for the improvement of the lives of people with mental health difficulties.
Its core members are Amnesty International Ireland, Bodywhys – the Eating Disorders Association of Ireland, Grow in Ireland, the Irish Advocacy Network and Shine.
The conference will discuss international human rights standards on mental health and how to deliver the Government’s mental health strategy, A Vision for Change.
To register for the event e-mail conference@imhc.ie
Lawyers organise fund-raising run
The 10th Calcutta Run, a fundraising project run by the Law Society and members of the legal profession, takes place on Saturday May 16th, starting from the Law Society in Blackhall Place.
Since it started, the run has raised €2 million for homeless children with the money going to the Peter McVerry Trust in Dublin and Goal’s projects for street children in Calcutta.
Those participating are expected to raise a minimum of €150 in sponsorship.
The Law Society is hoping for a good turnout despite the chilly climate for fundraising. There will be music and a barbecue in Blackhall Place afterwards.
Further information on www.calcuttarun.com
Seminar on EU workers’ rights
A seminar on the rights of workers in the European Union will take place on this Wednesday April 29th at 12.45pm at the office of the Institute of International and European Affairs, North Great George’s Street, Dublin.
Speakers at the seminar will include John Handoll of William Fry solicitors, Catalene Passchier of the European Trade Union Congress, and Maxime Cerutti, a member of Business Europe.