ELENA, the European Legal Network on Asylum, is a forum for legal practitioners who aim to promote the highest human rights standards for the treatment of refugees, asylum seekers and other persons in need of international protection in their daily counselling and advocacy work.

The ELENA network extends across most European states and involves some 2,000 lawyers and legal counsellors.

ELENA’s objectives are pursued by:

· Providing and reinforcing contact between practising lawyers and legal counsellors in different European countries who work on asylum cases;

· Facilitating the exchange of information and experience between these lawyers and legal counsellors;

· Studying the implementation of national and international law relating to refugees;

· Organising seminars on specific topics relating to refugees law and making results available to practising lawyers;

· Promoting the development of national networks of lawyers specialising in asylum law.

European

Legal Network on Asylum

EU Asylum Law and the Human Rights Obligations of the Member States

21-23 January 2005

The Tulip Inn

Brussels, Belgium

European Council

on Refugees and Exiles

ELENA is pleased to announce its course on EU Asylum Law and the Human Rights Obligations of the Member States

The Course is designed to provide advisors, lawyers, NGO staff and others with up to date information and an explanation of recent EU developments in the field of asylum.

The course will include lectures by experts in international refugee and asylum law. The course will be conducted in English.

The course is aimed at legal counsellors and lawyers from across Europe who defend or who are interested in defending cases concerning refugees and asylum seekers.

REGISTER NOW!

It is expected that this course will be over-subscribed and places are limited. Closing date for registrations is 19 November 2004. Applications will be dealt with in order of receipt. All interested legal counsellors and lawyers are advised to register early to avoid disappointment.

Draft Programme for the ELENA Course on EU Asylum Law and the Human Rights Obligations of the Member States

Friday 21 January 2005

11.00 – 13.30 Registration

14.00 – 14.15 Welcome and Presentation

14.15 – 15.30 The EU engagement with asylum: from the Single European Act to the Constitution – Elspeth Guild

15.30 – 16.00 The Framework of International Obligations in Europe: The Geneva Convention, the UN Convention against Torture, the European Convention on Human Rights – Nuala Mole

16.00 – 16.30 Coffee Break

16.30 – 17.15 Session continued

17.15 – 18.00 From the Dublin Convention to the Dublin Regulation: moving protection seekers across the continent – Ulrike Brandl

18.00 – 18.30 Questions and Group Discussion

20.30 Dinner at Hotel

Saturday 22 January 2005

09.00 – 09.45 The Qualification Directive: Who is a Refugee – Holger Hoffman

09.45 – 10.30 Questions and Group Discussion

10.30 – 11.00 Coffee Break

11.00 – 11.45 The Reception Conditions Directive: What are the minimum guarantees – Nicholas Blake QC

11.45 – 12.15 Questions and Group Discussion

12.15 – 13.45 Lunch

13.45 – 15.00 The Asylum Procedures Directive: How does a person gain protection – Cathryn Costello

15.00 – 16.00 Questions and Group Discussion

16.00 – 16.30 Coffee Break

16.30 – 17.30 “Challenge through the EctHR” – Taking a case to Strasbourg – making an application, Rule 39, admissibility, friendly settlements, overview of Court Procedures and Judgements – Nuala Mole

17.30 – 18.00 Questions and Group Discussion

20.00 Social Event

Sunday 23 January 2005

09.00 – 10.00 What EU remedies? The European Court of Justice and the UNHCR – Karin Zwaan

10.00 – 11.00 Panel Discussion and Exchange of Information among participants; “Transposition – Monitoring and Challenging Developments”

Panel Members – Elspeth Guild, Nicholas Blake, Cathryn Costello, Karin Zwaan, Ulrike Brandl, Holger Hoffman

11.00 – 11.30 Coffee Break

11.30 – 12.30 Panel Discussion Continued

12.30 – 12.45 Looking to the Future – Concluding Comments by Elspeth Guild

12.45 Close

REGISTRATION FORM

Please write or type clearly below

First name: Mr/Ms.............................................................................

Last name:........................................................................................

Job Title:........................................................................................................................................

Law Firm/Organisation:............................................................................................................

Address:..........................................................................................................................................

Postal Code and City:...............................................................................................................

Country:..........................................................................................................................................

Telephone number:......................................................................................................................

Fax number:..................................................................................................................................

E-mail:.............................................................................................................................................

I have special dietary needs. Please detail...............................................

.......................................................................................................

Please return this form by 19^th November 2004 to:

EUROPEAN COUNCIL ON REFUGEES AND EXILES

Attn.: Julie Churchill

103 Worship Street, LONDON, EC2A 4DF, United Kingdom

Telephone: +44 (0) 20 7377 7556

Fax: + 44 (0) 20 7377 7586

E-mail: jchurchill@ecre.org

Registration Fee

The fee for participation for lawyers and NGO staff is £395 sterling and £450 sterling for government officials. This is a residential course and the fee will cover seminar costs, accommodation, meals as per the programme and documentation.

On receipt of the registration form, we will send you confirmation, programme information and details on payment methods.