Activists call for Palestinians right to own real-estate in Lebanon | Labor Law | Lebanese law

Activists call for Palestinians right to own real-estate in Lebanon | Labor Law | Lebanese law

Activists and representatives of Palestinians in Lebanon stressed Thursday the need to abolish a Lebanese law that prohibits Palestinian refugees from owning property in the country.

“Attendees of the meeting agreed on the need to begin work to abolish the prohibition of ownership of property by Palestinian refugees in Lebanon part of the law of foreign ownership,” activists advocating the right of Palestinians to real-estate ownership in Lebanon said in a statement.

The statement came following a meeting of members from non-governmental organizations and representatives from Palestinian factions.

In 2001, the Lebanese Parliament amended the foreign ownership law, barring Palestinians the right to own real-estate in the country.

They also said Palestinian ownership of real-estate in Lebanon would not lead to permanent settlement in Lebanon and that the item barring them from owning real-estate violates anti-discrimination laws as well as human rights and Lebanon’s international commitments.

The meeting also looked into a long-term plan to mobilize public opinion and gain support for Palestinians to be allowed the right to own real estate in Lebanon.

In August of last year, Parliament amended the Labor Law to lift some restrictions imposed on the employment of Palestinians, who are estimated to be over 600,000.

In a report released in June, the European Union criticized Lebanon’s treatment of Palestinian refugees, saying Lebanon continued to enforce “dire” living conditions on most displaced people due largely to its refusal to ratify the 1951 Geneva Convention and the 1967 Protocol relating to the status of refugees. Read More

Advancing the Rule of Law in Southern Africa | LexisNexis United Kingdom | Southern Africa Litigation Center (SALC) | Legal Welfare Community Organisation (LAWCO)

Advancing the Rule of Law in Southern Africa | LexisNexis United Kingdom | Southern Africa Litigation Center (SALC) | Legal Welfare Community Organisation (LAWCO)

LexisNexis believes that our expertise in law and information technology makes us uniquely qualified to help advance the Rule of Law worldwide. We are committed to promoting the Rule of Law through a combination of financial support, donations of our solutions, collaboration with other organizations and employee volunteerism and pro bono work.

In 2007 we launched our inaugural LexisNexis corporate pro bono project, to support the Southern Africa Litigation Center (SALC), a joint initiative of the International Bar Association and the Open Society of Southern Africa. The SALC trains attorneys, supports human rights cases, and carries out other programs to advance the Rule of Law.

Based in Johannesburg, South Africa, the SALC operates in Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe and focuses its initiatives on three principal areas:

• Support for human rights cases
• Advice on Constitutional advocacy in the Southern African region
• Training in human rights and rule of law issues

SALC, in partnership with local lawyers and human rights NGOs, identifies the specific constitutional and human rights issues that can be most strategically litigated before respective domestic courts in southern Africa. The Center is especially involved in media defense, media expression and media freedom cases, and with HIV litigation, particularly in discrimination and access to treatment issues relating to women and children.

To help the SALC realize its mandate, a team of five LexisNexis lawyer employees located across the US will be working exclusively with the SALC lawyers to provide pro bono legal research assistance. In addition to the assistance of our pro bono volunteers, LexisNexis has also donated six laptop computers and a number of Mathew Bender® print publications to support the Center's efforts.

LexisNexis South Africa has also donated MyLexisNexis to the SALC. Nicole Fritz, executive director of SALC has said “On behalf of SALC, its staff and trustees, I want to thank you for the incredibly generous and most invaluable donation that LexisNexis has made. I can promise that we will put these resources to good use in providing support to cases that advance human rights and the rule of law within southern Africa.” In addition, we have committed to donating our products annually to Lawyers for Human Rights, a legal non governmental organization which strives to protect marginalized individuals and promote both the rule of law and constitutionalism.

The Legal Welfare Community Organisation (LAWCO) was officially launched to provide basic legal education to disadvantaged schools and communities in the Cape Metropolitan area. The project has been set up by the law faculty of the University of Cape Town, with funding from LexisNexis South Africa. “LexisNexis South Africa is committed to playing a pivotal role in bringing the ‘rule of law’ concept to life on the African continent,” says LexisNexis South Africa’s CEO Billy Last. Read More

Tips and guide for a Women's Rights Activist in Law School | Women's Law Union | Women's Legal Alliance | Yale Law Women

Tips and guide for a Women's Rights Activist in Law School | Women's Law Union |  Women's Legal Alliance | Yale Law Women

Though a 1L particularly interested in women's rights activism may be discouraged by the cut-and-dry nature of the first year, which focuses on "bar" courses and not a lot on public interest, there are plenty of ways to get involved in class and outside. If the school doesn't offer a lot of women's rights or feminist focused activities, the student can create her own, make women's rights an academic focus, or go outside the law school and into the community.

Women's Rights Organizations in Law School

Most law schools have at least one organization focused on women. These may differ somewhat in focus and scope – for example, Yale Law School has organizations for women of color, a mentorship group that works with young girls, and a general group called Yale Law Women; Georgetown has a women's basketball club and a group for women of color as well as the feminist Women's Legal Alliance; while UCLA has just one organization called the Women's Law Union.

Those looking for a feminist perspective should be aware that not all women's organizations have this focus – some are more professional or general service groups, and some have no specific focus on women other than the membership itself. For those interested in reproductive rights in particular, though, most law schools do have a chapter of Law Students for Reproductive Justice, a group that works on different reproductive justice legal issues and often partners with community organizations. Read More

Human Rights and Women - A Study of Muslim Women in Barak Valley of Assam | Human Rights and Women Laws

Human Rights and Women - A Study of Muslim Women in Barak Valley of Assam | Human Rights and Women Laws

Barak Valley also known as the island of peace state of Assam Southern India where almost 50 percent of people are Hindu and 46 percent Muslim religious people while only 4 percent shares different beliefs. Majority of people including women and children are Bengali speaking community. Relieving the long history of Islam and Muslim culture up to the present times, their long history of women’s challenges and struggle have been manifested and women are just a mere reflection of innocence and powerlessness that surrounds and dominated the world of men as eccentric and almost non functional only to follow the ground rules sets by men.

Even if in this three districts of Barak Valley, majority of the population are women but their characters and culture led them to follow the men as established in their Maru culture. Even in their childhood that a girl must follow their father when married they must obey their husband which is definitely degrading that their human being is suffocated by the command and request of men and this has been the cultural behavior in Barak Valley where women and children cannot be independent to think for themselves.

At the very young age girls are encourage to perform domestic odd jobs rather than study in school due to lack of necessary trust that women can help the community in Barak Valley. Their schools do not acquire such facilities for girls and women but only most of the time their resources are reserved for men. This has been the reason why the literacy for women is very low whether in rural or urban area. In rural Barak Valley of Assam the high percentage rate of early marriage or teen pregnancy is often neglected that there are series of reports about abortion or death before giving birth due to external bleeding and lack of nutrition because of signs of hormonal dysfunction because of body temperature that is insufficient to give birth due to their age. And usually if successful the child would be the one to suffer from birth problems.

The Dowry which originates in Hammurabi in early times although legally prohibited in 1961 the dowry still exist up to the present times. This practice is about giving the payments of cash or kind of the family of the bride to his groom together with the bride to support the family. This has often been the results of the abuse of the groom’s family asking a large amount of sum or estate from the family of the bride. There are numbers of bride burning killing the women to death, evidently if the amount is not sufficient for the family of the groom record shows that this happens and records shows numbers of casualties has been neglected.

Rape cases are also rampant especially among women who belong to a low social class, but the law has prohibited the women to stand up and their families are expected to secrecy and privacy rather than suing the criminals. That is why most women who suffered from the crime remains in silence but heavily burden with anxiety and helplessness.

Only a few elite women can handle their precious possession unless otherwise given the opportunity by their husband. Upon the death of the husband the wife cannot inherit any of their properties but can only be given to their children. In commercial and business communities there are only limited positions available for women and even if they had the opportunity to be employed they are forced to accept a lower salary not based on their education and performance but to their gender preferences which is an absolute for men. In Barak valley the majority of women are reserved mostly in household activities. Their officials are mostly men and if there are women they will only be a subordinate and cannot held a higher position than men.

Unfortunately these cultures is being practiced mostly in Barak Valley and in most larger part of India up to the present times, but has been accepted by women until this time, only if they have an organization or rebellious desire to free themselves, this issue of human violation for women can only be settled but women up to this present times has not stand to change their position. Although in Barak Valley, they may say that a certain freedom for women has been exercised differently from other Indian district but still absolute freedom cannot be performed. Read More

Female Employees Sue Goldman Sachs for Sex Discrimination | National Class Action Lawsuit in Federal Court Charges Violations of Federal and Local Civil Rights Laws

Female Employees Sue Goldman Sachs for Sex Discrimination | National Class Action Lawsuit in Federal Court Charges Violations of Federal and Local Civil Rights Laws

Goldman Sachs has engaged in systemic and pervasive discrimination against its female professional employees, a lawsuit filed today in federal court in New York alleges.

The lawsuit, Chen-Oster v. Goldman Sachs, Inc., Case No. 10-6950 (S.D.N.Y.), filed by three highly-credentialed women represented by Outten & Golden LLP and Lieff, Cabraser, Heimann & Bernstein, LLP, accuses Goldman Sachs, a leading global investment banking, securities and investment management firm, of engaging in a pattern and practice of gender discrimination against its female Associates, Vice Presidents, and Managing Directors. The women allege violations of federal and city laws, including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the New York City Human Rights Law. The case is pending before United States District Court Judge Leonard Sand.

According to the complaint, the "violations of [Goldman Sachs'] female employees' rights are systemic, are based upon company-wide policies and practices, and are the result of unchecked gender bias that pervades Goldman Sachs' corporate culture. They have not been isolated or exceptional incidents, but rather the regular and predictable result of Goldman Sachs' company-wide policies and practices."

"The gender-equality issues raised by this lawsuit are all too familiar – Goldman Sachs systematically undervalues the efforts and achievements of its female employees. This is an important step in our efforts to eradicate discrimination within the financial-services industry," said plaintiffs' attorney Adam T. Klein of Outten & Golden LLP of New York, New York.

"This case challenges Goldman Sachs' practice of treating its talented female professionals like disposable, second class citizens," said plaintiffs' attorney Kelly M. Dermody of Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, LLP of San Francisco, California. "By coming forward, the plaintiffs are working to ensure a level playing field across Wall Street."

The complaint charges that, among other things, Goldman Sachs compensates its female professionals less than similar male professionals, disproportionately promotes men over equally or more qualified women, and offers better business opportunities and professional support to its male professionals.

Attorneys Adam T. Klein, Cara E. Greene, and Jennifer Liu of Outten & Golden LLP and Kelly M. Dermody, Anne Shaver, and Heather Wong of Lieff Cabraser Heimann and Bernstein, LLP represent the plaintiffs. The case is Chen-Oster v. Goldman Sachs, Inc., Case No. 10-6950 (S.D.N.Y.).

The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. is a global financial firm that provides investment banking management services to corporations, governments, and individuals around the world. In 2009, Goldman Sachs generated $45 billion in net revenues and $13 billion in net earnings, ranking number 40 on the Fortune 500 list of America's largest corporations.

People interested in the lawsuit may provide information by visiting www.goldmangendercase.com or by calling 1-800-998-3469 to leave a message for plaintiffs' counsel. Members of the media can also obtain a copy of the complaint and this press release by contacting Brendan De Coteau at 415-956-1000.

Press Contacts

Adam Klein (Outten & Golden): 212-245-1000

Kelly Dermody (Lieff Cabraser): 415-956-1000

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"Iranian Law and Women's Rights" #(Law School Women's Rights Programs)

"Iranian Law and Women's Rights" #(Law School Women's Rights Programs)

Mehrangiz Kar, Fellow at Wellesley College, Visiting Fellow at Harvard Law School's Human Rights Program

Abstract

Agitation for women's rights in Iran is entwined with broader movements for freedom and reform that critique the Islamic Republic's shari'a law as discriminatory. Despite the foundation of these reform efforts in the social realities of contemporary Iran, anyone who critiques laws governing the rights of women is prone to the charge of insulting the sanctity and foundation of Islam and subject to harsh penalties. Reform efforts will be hamstrung until there is a foundation for open discourse and debate in Iran. Thus, human rights such as the right to freedom of expression and related rights must be seen as the fundamental basis for successful political and legal reform in Iran – whether that reform is based in liberal Islam or secularism.

Recommended Citation

Kar, Mehrangiz (2007) "Iranian Law and Women's Rights," Muslim World Journal of Human Rights: Vol. 4: Iss. 1, Article 9.

DOI: 10.2202/1554-4419.1113

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Tips for a Women's Rights Activist in Law School - "Law School Women's Rights Programs"

Tips for a Women's Rights Activist in Law School - "Law School Women's Rights Programs"

Law students interested in women's equality can join a student organization, write papers from a feminist perspective, or volunteer to link women's rights and the law.

Though a 1L particularly interested in women's rights activism may be discouraged by the cut-and-dry nature of the first year, which focuses on "bar" courses and not a lot on public interest, there are plenty of ways to get involved in class and outside. If the school doesn't offer a lot of women's rights or feminist focused activities, the student can create her own, make women's rights an academic focus, or go outside the law school and into the community.

Women's Rights Organizations in Law School

Most law schools have at least one organization focused on women. These may differ somewhat in focus and scope – for example, Yale Law School has organizations for women of color, a mentorship group that works with young girls, and a general group called Yale Law Women; Georgetown has a women's basketball club and a group for women of color as well as the feminist Women's Legal Alliance; while UCLA has just one organization called the Women's Law Union.

Those looking for a feminist perspective should be aware that not all women's organizations have this focus – some are more professional or general service groups, and some have no specific focus on women other than the membership itself. For those interested in reproductive rights in particular, though, most law schools do have a chapter of Law Students for Reproductive Justice, a group that works on different reproductive justice legal issues and often partners with community organizations.

Finally, students should consider joining a law journal in the 2L year. Some schools have a journal particularly focused on women or feminism, or on general justice issues. Even for those who don't, however, it's easy to find a niche. Writing a journal note is all about finding a narrow, cutting-edge legal issue, so women's rights topics can easily find their way into a journal about international law, the environment, race, business law, or even just the general law review.

Focusing on Women's Rights in Coursework

Many schools offer courses of particular interest to women's rights activists, but even if they don't, it's possible to inject a feminist perspective, especially by taking seminar courses. While regular courses are all about simply teaching the law according to a set curriculum, seminars allow students to take on individual writing projects with some degree of freedom.

A seminar can allow a student to explore a novel issue of women's rights in the law, or take a new critical perspective on something that's already been hashed out. For example, a student might focus on same-sex marriage in a family law seminar, on the impact of development programs on indigenous women in an environmental law seminar, on the legal treatment of prostitution in a trafficking seminar, or on war-time sexual violence in a law of war seminar.

Community Projects Focusing on Women's Rights

For students who are unsatisfied with the organizations available or the work that they do, there are several options. 1Ls can consider running for a leadership position to make an organization more active. Students can also start their own organization if there is interest on campus. If neither of these appeals, then it can be fun to go outside the law school and see what people are doing for women in the community.

One good way of finding out what's available is going through an undergrad women's rights organization or resource center. There also may be visible organizations in the community such as Planned Parenthood, a domestic violence shelter, or a women's entrepreneurship collective that could use volunteers.

Organizations like Legal Aid may have a section that deals especially with domestic violence issues as well. Law students who are particularly outgoing can also start up an effort in the community – perhaps a Know Your Rights presentation series for women at the local library, a rape prevention and education project, or a tutoring project for girls.

Whatever the opportunities available at the particular law school, this is a great time to get involved and build experience in the field of women's rights. Read More

"Law School Women's Rights Programs":International Women's Human Rights - Clinics & Programs - CUNY School of Law

"Law School Women's Rights Programs":International Women's Human Rights - Clinics & Programs - CUNY School of Law

Students in the International Women's Human Rights Law Clinic (IWHR) engage in change-lawyering through litigation and advocacy, locally and globally. In conjunction with women's and LGBTQ advocates, human rights lawyers, and grass-roots organizations in the United States and abroad, we advocate on behalf of individual clients and groups in the context of promoting change in both national and international human rights law.

Widely recognized for its expertise and contributions to gender jurisprudence and practice of human rights, the IWHR clinic enables students to engage in cutting edge work under close clinical supervision. We maintain an eclectic docket of cases and projects to provide both in-depth and broad experience in human rights practice for everyone. Our goal is to develop a sound understanding of international human rights, as well as sharpen lawyering skills necessary for effective law reform-oriented advocacy work applicable in both U.S. and international contexts.

With domestic or international partners, we engage international and regional human rights and other law- and policy-making institutions to redefine and implement human rights to stop gender and sexualized violence, and to advance reproductive and sexual rights, economic and social rights, and women's participation generally. In the United States, we represent immigrant domestic workers and other victims of human rights abuses with international and domestic claims in U.S. courts, as well as file amicus curiae briefs in domestic cases with significant and otherwise overlooked international dimensions.

The field of women's human rights enables students to learn how to identify and analyze the gender-specific dimensions of a situation and challenge apparently neutral, but exclusionary policies as well as human rights frameworks. This approach provides a transferable experience of simultaneously working with the diverse perspectives of the marginalized while focusing specifically on gender issues which are intersectional, incorporating diversities in terms of race, ethnicity, geopolitical context, economic and other status, including discrimination based on non-hetero-normative sexual and gender identities. By addressing problems through the lens of human rights, IWHR interns build capacity to use international human rights frameworks and institutions to reexamine and challenge the narrower rights approach of the U.S. Constitution in domestic and international fora while developing lawyering skills applicable purely to U.S. law reform efforts.

IWHR provides a sound basis for students who aspire immediately or in the future to engage in human rights work internationally at the same time as the importance of this training for domestic work across many fields-criminal justice, legal services, economic and social policies, women's, LGBTQ and race discrimination issues, environmental justice, governmental and corporate responsibility-has grown exponentially given the degree to which social justice advocates are turning to human rights as an alternative to our shrinking constitution and legal protections and are developing new organizations and coalitions. Read More