Source: Google images

I did recently translate the decision of the ECtHR as to the admissibility of application No. 14160/08 by Sergey Dolinskiy against Estonia, into the Estonian language. This is about a refused request for a residence permit and the subsequent detainment in the Harku deportation centre. The ECtHR refers to another decision in application No. 10664/05 against Estonia, in order to describe the conditions in the deportation centre:

„13.  The Government in their submissions have described the deportation centre as an institution with a guarded perimeter kept under visual and electronic supervision. It can accommodate 42 persons in rooms designed for four persons but as a rule no more than two persons are placed in one room. The detainees can use eating and rest areas equipped with television, radio, newspapers and literature. There is table tennis equipment and various board games and the detainees have free access to toilets and shower. Washing and drying machines are available. There are four periods a day (totalling almost ten hours) for outdoor walks. The detainees are served three meals a day, including at least two hot meals; there is a nurse present in the centre four hours a day and, if the need arises, a general practitioner is available. A psychiatrist and a psychologist visit the centre regularly. The detainees can buy additional food and other items through the centre; they are also allowed to receive parcels, send and receive letters and use the telephone. Furthermore, they can meet consular officials of their country of nationality, defence counsel and ministers of religion. Subject to authorisation they can also be visited by other persons, such as family members.“

That made me think, whether I have table tennis equipment and drying machine, and about my outdoor activities, hot meals, availability of medical aid and advice. When did I last time receive a parcel, or was paid a visit?

And – a weekend link to the European Court of Human Rights’ Quiz at the Court’s main website: http://www.echr.coe.int/50/en/#quiz

Extracurricular activities. Source: Website of the Faculty of Law of the University of Zurich

I unfortunately did not notice earlier, but the Faculty of Law of the University of Zurich in cooperation with the University in Cairo (AUC) are holding a summer program in international law in Cairo in five modules: Islamic and Middle Eastern Law,  Financial Market Law, International Criminal Law, Human Rights Law, and Comparative Private Law, from 12 to 15 July 2010.

Tort: Workbook

Most people probably know, but for the new students who might not know two links to the newest and most recently reviewed EU law books, and international law books.

Tort: Workbook, Virtual Pack 2010, by Riley, Leon; Turner, Chris. Source: Hammicks Legal Bookshops.

The Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has put up the new Estonia Quiz 2010. People are invited to test their knowledge and win a trip for two to Estonia.

Viru värav (Getaway to Tallinn Old Town). Source: Google images.

National Human Rights Institutions Forum at NHRI website

Here is a link to the International Human Rights Law Video Library, and the link to the International Law Video Library.

You can find links to the subjects and sources of international law; responsibility for international wrong; peaceful settlement of disputes; sites on disarmament; UN human rights system; regional human rights systems; international criminal law sites; national human rights institutions; and National Human Rights Institutions Forum; women’s rights site; genocide site; the slavery project; international humanitarian law; inter-governmental organizations; non-governmental organizations; and theories, perspectives and concepts from here.

At least, I cannot say that I have not taken a boat trip at Strasbourg the year I was almost convicted (in absentia / by default) in my home town

To create some more order, here are some links to parliaments and their relations in Europe:

Interparliamentary websites:

COSAC

ECPRD - The European Centre for Parliamentary Research and Documentation

Council of Europe

IPU: Inter-Parliamentary Union

ASGP: Association of Secretaries General of Parliaments

EP Relations with National Parliaments

Exchanging information among parliaments:

IPEX – Interparliamentary EU Information Exchange http://www.ipex.eu/ipex/cms/home;jsessionid=86722EDF4D8F90ED0FF1CB8769797C0D

Database http://www.ipex.eu/ipex/cms/home/Documents;jsessionid=8E75374CDA35008C8558202032D0FCC3

Comments of the European Commission on opinions from national parliaments http://www.ipex.eu/ipex/cms/home/pid/4;jsessionid=86722EDF4D8F90ED0FF1CB8769797C0D

Source: The Council of Europe’s website

I just finished translation of the ECtHR’s decision on admissibility of Application no. 42551/98  by Oleg Svinarenkov against Estonia, into the Estonian language. The facts of the case relate to deliberate homicide and unlawful possession of a firearm. The complaint to the ECtHR alleges violation of the following Articles of the European Convention of Human Rights: 5 § 3 (reasonable time), 5 § 4 (unlawful detention), 6 § 1 (fair trial), 6 § 1 (impartiality of courts in examining the case), 6 § 2 (presumption of innocence), 6 § 3 (b) (not enough time and adequate possibilities for the preparation of defence), 6 § 3 (d) (failure of the first instance court to grant the requests to hear witnesses and to conduct their confrontation), 8 (respect for private life and home), 13 (lack of an effective remedy).

I am thinking of the meaning of the following sentence in the decision: „In particular, under its case law the Convention does not entitle an accused to have access to the case file if he is represented by a lawyer“. What consequences could the sentence in practice have, for example, in the cases where the state determines the defence lawyer? Could that lead to my dependence on the defence lawyer to the extent that in the end s/he really could confess my guilt instead of me?

Source: Wikipedia

To create some order, here is a list of EU legislative databases:

EUR-Lex: The portal to European Union law

OEIL: The Legislative Observatory (European Parliament)

PreLex: Monitoring of the decision-making process (European Commission)

N-Lex: A common getaway to national law

Committee of Regions: Subsidiarity Monitoring Network

TOAD: Committee of Regions Database of EU Documents

Council Register

Information sources and contacts: Databases in alphabetical order

By Subject – http://europa.eu/documentation/order-publications/databases-subject/index_en.htm

In alphabetical order – http://europa.eu/documentation/order-publications/databases-alphabetical/index_en.htm

Click here to view the embedded video.

Whereas the Centre of European Law of the University of London has put up a new list of upcoming events.(L.W.)

Personification of Episteme (ἐπιστήμη - knowledge, or science) in Celsus Library in Ephesus. Source: Wikipeadia

I found an interesting page from EurActiv about expertise-based EU policymaking.

What is expert-policymaking? You can read about it at http://www.euractiv.com/en/innovation/eu-policymaking-rooted-science/article-183615

Though the point that Edward Schiappa makes in the already referred in this blog: Defining Reality: Definitions and the Politics of Meaning (Carbondale: Southern Illinois University Press, 2003) is that politics always is declined.