Expertise

Fundamental & Human Rights

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LGP's Centre for Fundamental and Human Rights was established in 2009 as part of the expansion of the firm's international activities in the CIS region. The Competence Centre's mission is to put LGP's experience in international law enforcement and its interface function between business, politics and the media to serve the promotion and implementation of democracy, the rule of law and human rights. The advisory team of human rights experts, university professors and experienced political actors enables an interdisciplinary approach to legal issues as well as international cooperation with renowned research institutions.

In daily practice, the focus is on the enforcement of clients' fundamental and human rights before national authorities. In order to avoid costly proceedings before supreme courts, attention is paid to the interpretation of legal norms in conformity with fundamental rights in national proceedings. If necessary, preliminary rulings of the European Court of Justice are sought for the interpretation of EU law. If a legal provision is itself contrary to fundamental rights, the team of experts takes over the preparation of complaints and applications to the Constitutional Court. In the case of a disregard for fundamental and human rights in last-instance domestic decisions, the Competence Centre examines whether an appeal to the European Court of Human Rights or to the UN Human Rights Committee in Geneva has a chance of success.

OUR FOCUS

  • Discrimination based on race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, or other factors
  • Police brutality and misconduct
  • Freedom of expression, including freedom of the press and freedom of speech
  • Immigration and refugee rights
  • Disability rights
  • Privacy and data protection
  • Access to healthcare, education, and other essential services

The Competence Centre also supports governments in promoting and implementing democracy, the rule of law, human rights and environmental protection – especially in the member states of the CIS. The team of advisors also accompanies states in their efforts to contribute to the implementation and observance of human rights and the rule of law in proceedings before international bodies.

Companies are another focus of the advisory services. Companies are also obliged to observe environmental and human rights standards. As a logical step, LGP joined the Global Compact in 2013. This initiative was launched by the UN to promote corporate social responsibility at an international level.

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