On 26-28 January, the fourth face-to-face seminar of the course “Human rights standards in the practice of advocates and judges” took place in Kyiv

The seminar was attended by 25 advocates and judges from every part of Ukraine. They are all participating in the training course organized by the Ukrainian Helsinki Human Rights Union.

The seminar acquainted them with the practical aspects of using the knowledge on the “Right to respect for private and family life” (Art. 8 of ECHR) they had received earlier during distance learning.

The seminar featured various aspects of the right to respect for private and family life; negative and positive obligations under Art. 8 of the Convention, competition of Convention-guaranteed rights: prohibition of inhuman treatment (Art. 3) and right to respect for private life (Art. 8); expulsion and right to respect for family life; conflict of Convention-guaranteed rights: right to respect for private life (Art. 8) versus freedom of expression (Art. 10); Art. 10 of ECHR. General approaches; protection of personal data and Art. 8 of the Convention; right to respect for family life and consideration for children’s needs, discussion of European Court of Human Rights approaches.

In addition, the issues that course participants encounter in their studies have been determined, and new knowledge reinforced with debates and practical exercises.

Special attention was accorded to cases related to the armed conflict zone and occupied territories of Ukraine. Experts provided feedback on exercises during an online learning module; most frequent oversights have been addressed.

The seminar is part of the training course “Human rights standards in the practice of advocates and judges” organized by the Ukrainian Helsinki Human Rights Union. The course’s overall goal is to promote observance and protection of human rights and freedoms in Ukraine, and adoption of international human rights standards in the national legal system by strengthening professional capabilities of practicing litigators.

This event is made possible by the generous support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in the framework of the Human Rights in Action Program implemented by the Ukrainian Helsinki Human Rights Union.

The American people, through the USAID, have provided economic and humanitarian assistance worldwide for 55 years. In Ukraine, USAID’s assistance focuses on three areas: Health and Social Transition, Economic Growth and Democracy and Governance. USAID has provided 1.8 bln. technical and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine since 1992. For additional information about USAID programs in Ukraine, please visit our website: http://ukraine.usaid.gov or our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/USAIDUkraine.