FBE CONFERENCE IN GIRONA | 23-26 MARCH 2022 - The rights of the vulnerable before the courts

INTERNATIONAL

FBE CONFERENCE IN GIRONA | 23-26 MARCH 2022

The rights of the vulnerable before the courts

The conference was very well attended and provided an opportunity to network with the leaders of bar associations from other European jurisdictions. It was opened by the President of the FBE Ma Dominique Attias of the Paris Bar, with the President of the Human Rights Commission of the Catalan Bar, Mr Carles McGragh, and Dean of the Bar of Girona, and the Delegate to Cataluña of the Spanish Government, Ms Maria Eugènia Gay.

Day One; first session examined the rights of the child in the first session with Dominique Attias and Alesso Sangiorg, of the Rome Bar Association, moderated by Silvia Gimenez-Salinas, of the Barcelona Bar. The speakers dealt with children’s rights when they are victims of abuse, violence in the family and the treatment of young people. It was a useful session with information to be shared across borders.

The second session focused on women, and the situation of women in a male dominated society. The speakers illustrated the rights of women and in particular gave the statistics on the reporting and prosecution levels of victims of violence. There was also information about the treatment of women and girls, and the police and court’s treatment of sexual abuse and rape. There was an examination of the limitations of access to justice for women. The speakers were Cristina Manzanedo, coordinator of the ODOS programme, Jordi Espelt, President of the Human Rights Commission of Girona, and Burçin Sahan, Bar Association of Ankara and Istanbul. The session was moderated by Joan Ramon Puig, President of the Council of the Catalan Bar.

The third session examined the rights of the elderly, with information from several countries about legislation protecting the elderly in law. The speakers were Jesús Sanchez, Dean of the Barcelona Bar, Carles McGragh, Dean of the Girona Bar, Christian Di Nardo Bologna Bar. It was moderated by Marti Alenar President of the Balearic Islands Bar Association.

The last session of Day One examined the rights of people with disabilities. The speakers were Jacques Malavialle, Dean of the Bar Association of the Eastern Pyranees, Carmen Diaz, Alicante Bar. Carmela Piemontesei, Executive Member of the Lucca Bar Council who spoke on accessibility, and support for communication and understanding in the judicial system.

Day two: the fifth session of the conference was focussed on the rights of victims of hate crime in respect of race, religion, gender, and sexual orientation. The speakers were Tugce Duygu KosaL, President of the Human Rights Centre of the Istanbul Bar Association, Jean-Rafael Fernandez, Dean of the Marseille Bar, Michele Calantropo, Member of the Executive of the Palermo Bar. The moderator was Blas Jesús Imbroda, Dean of the Melilla Bar.

This was a very useful conference, well attended and there were bar leaders from several jurisdictions. The topic was very important for lawyers who have vulnerable clients in both criminal and civil law. The sharing of information about the legislative provisions to protect vulnerable people is very important in the current period.

Future FBE conferences in 2022:

17 June in Palermo: International Fair Trials and the Award of the Ebru Timtik prize

23-25 June in Sofia: topic to be published shortly

2-3 Sept in Bilbao: Young Lawyers Human Rights Oratory Competition

Autumn congress: Palermo dates and topic tbc

Please note that any law students, trainee solicitors and newly qualified solicitors are encouraged to apply to represent Westminster & Holborn law Society in the Young Lawyers Human Rights Oratory Competition (with flights and accommodation paid).

Professor Sara Chandler QC (Hon)

Professor Sara Chandler QC (Hon)

Past President of the FBE