News

The lecture provides participants with an introduction to the system of human rights protection in general as well as a more in-depth look at selected human rights issues.

On 18 October 2023, at 5:00 p.m., Philipp Hamedl and I will discuss selected aspects of the fundamental human right not to be subjected to torture or inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment with the participants with a focus on torture prevention in places of deprivation or restriction of personal liberty, such as in prisons and care facilities, or in case of coercive acts by the police.

TONIGHT,26 September, 2023, 6 to 8 p.m., Grünes Haus, Kaiser-Franz-Josef-Kai 70, Graz:

This regularly organized information event on asylum and alien law provides volunteers with an overview of the legal basics and the opportunity to discuss questions that have appeared in ongoing proceedings.

You will now find us at Frauengasse 7.

Coming from Jakominiplatz in the direction of Hauptplatz, turn left after a few meters into Stubenberggasse and, at the ice cream store, immediately right into Frauengasse.

Coming from Magistrat in Schmiedgasse, walk along Stubenberggasse in the direction of Herrengasse and turn left into Frauengasse at the ice cream store.

TONIGHT, 20 June, 2023, 6 to 8 p.m., Grünes Haus, Kaiser-Franz-Josef-Kai 70, Graz:

Interested volunteers will get an insight into the asylum procedure, an overview of the most important legal basics and the opportunity to clarify current questions and practical problems.

TONIGHT, 20.04.2023, 18.00 – 20.00, Grünes Haus, Kaiser-Franz-Josef-Kai 70, Graz:

Interested volunteers will get an insight into the asylum procedure, an overview of the most important legal basics and the opportunity to clarify current questions and practical problems.

On February 11, 2022, the Federal Administrative Court issued an oral decision rejecting the appeal against detention pending deportation filed by a person represented by the BBU at that time. It was not until September 7, 2022, almost seven months later, that the written version of the decision was issued. Following my appeal to the Constitutional Court, the Court justified the annulment of the contested decision by stating that the duty to substantiate administrative court decisions, which is required by the rule of law, also implies the duty to issue a written version of the decision as soon as possible, because otherwise the person seeking legal protection could be denied effective legal protection. In view of the long period of time between the oral delivery and the written issuance of the contested decision and the necessity of a prompt written issuance in proceedings regarding appeals against detention pending deportation, my client was denied effective legal protection.

(VfGH 28.02.2023, E 2830/2022)

TOMORROW, 26.01.2023, 18.00 – 20.00, Grünes Haus, Kaiser-Franz-Josef-Kai 70, Graz:

Introduction to asylum and alien law for volunteers

Interested volunteers will get an insight into the asylum procedure, an overview of the most important legal basics and the opportunity to clarify current questions and practical problems.

9 January, 2023, 14.00 – 17.00 Uhr, Uni Graz, Elisabethstraße 50b:

Legal counsel and representation in asylum law

The interactive lecture deals with the national and international legal framework, its relation to the international human rights system as well as current issues and actual cases.

Today Thomas Becker and I will discuss current problems with the participants on the basis of selected cases from our legal practice, such as the changing situation in Afghanistan and its impact on the decision-making practice of the authorities and courts.

I recently represented a five-year-old girl from Afghanistan, born in Austria, whose mother had died and for whom custody had been transferred to the child and youth welfare agency. The Federal Administrative Court subsequently granted the girl the status of beneficiary of subsidiary protection, while it dismissed my client’s application for the status of beneficiary of asylum essentially on the grounds that it could not recognize any persecution relevant to asylum, for example due to internalization of a “Western” way of life, also because of her young age. Although the court said that it could not ignore the well-founded fears that the situation in Afghanistan could deteriorate significantly since the Taliban came to power, the court could not yet foresee further developments. There was also no indication for the court that all Afghan women were equally exposed to asylum-relevant persecution merely because of their gender.

My appeal against this decision to the Constitutional Court was successful:

The lecture provides participants with an introduction to the system of human rights protection in general as well as a more in-depth look at selected human rights issues.

On 12 October 2021, at 5:00 p.m., Renate Kicker and I will discuss selected aspects of the fundamental human right not to be subjected to torture or inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment with the participants with a focus on torture prevention in places of deprivation or restriction of personal liberty, such as in prisons and care facilities, or in case of coercive acts by the police.