INTERIGHTS, the international centre for legal protection and human rights, has been engaged in defending and promoting human rights and freedoms worldwide through the use of international and comparative law. In order to obtain its objectives, the centre follows a range of activities designed to strengthen human rights jurisprudence and obtain redress for people whose rights have been violated. It provides expertise and advice on human rights litigation regarding issues of particular international, regional or national importance.
In continuation of its efforts to achieve the desired results, INTERIGHTS has announced a call for applications to lawyers who would like to participate in a forthcoming litigation surgery on Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) rights in Africa. Applicants are required to submit cases involving LGBT rights violations.
Objective
The objective of the planned litigation surgery is to identify and provide substantive support to cases involving LGBT rights that could be pursued before domestic or international fora and to build relationships with lawyers undertaking such cases. The litigation surgery will be held in South Africa from 27 to 30 September 2011
Eligibility Criteria
– The call for applications is open to lawyers, whether in private practice or affiliated to an NGO, who litigate on LGBT rights in Africa. It is desirable that lawyers have an affiliation to an NGO. A total of 10-12 participants will be selected;
– The lawyers must have a demonstrated interest in and/or knowledge of LGBT rights;
– The lawyers must also have a demonstrated interest in and/or knowledge of international and regional human rights law;
– In order to be considered, the lawyers must be involved in litigating a case or cases that address LGBT rights violations. With their application, they must submit at least one case study of a case that they are litigating or intend to litigate that could be discussed during the litigation surgery;
– The cases submitted must involve the violation of a fundamental right protected in a national constitution (for instance the right to be free from discrimination or freedom of association), African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (“ACHPR”), Convention Against Torture (“CAT”) or any other relevant international human rights instrument.
– The complainant must be willing to have the case litigated before their national courts and, if domestic remedies have been exhausted, to have the case referred to the ACHPR or other applicable treaty body
Themes
The cases must fall within one of the following themes:
Discrimination; Access to health care; Freedom of association; Freedom of expression; Torture, cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment; Education; Privacy; Assembly; Forced sterilization; Denial of identity, and Housing
Last date for submission of applications is July 31, 2011
For more information and details, please visit this link.
