On the 11th and 12th of September, Dr. Clyde Bonnici participated in a specialized litigation training conference titled “Litigating for Workers’ and Trade Union Rights at the Council of Europe.” The event was organized by the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) and held at the Council of Europe in Strasbourg.
The first day began with a detailed discussion on the role of trade unions before the European Committee of Social Rights (ECSR). The ECSR is the enforcement mechanism of the European Social Charter, a treaty ratified by Malta in 1988, which guarantees various social and economic rights. Participants explored how trade unions can invoke these protections on behalf of workers, focusing on cases brought before the Committee.
The session then transitioned to the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), the cornerstone of human rights protection across Europe. Attendees received an overview of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR), including its functioning and procedural elements, with special attention to provisions within the ECHR that directly impact trade unions and workers’ rights. This theoretical learning was complemented by a practical exercise, where participants collaborated on advising a fictional client, applying the legal knowledge gained during the training.
Day two of the program featured a visit to the European Court of Human Rights. The highlight of the day was an insightful meeting with Judge Tim Eicke, one of the Court’s Vice-Presidents. Judge Eicke offered valuable perspectives on the procedural nuances involved in cases brought before the Court and shared his experience in handling complex human rights litigation.
The training concluded with a presentation by Zita Barcza-Szabó, a lawyer in the Hungarian Unit of the Court’s Registry. She discussed the evolution of the European Convention on Human Rights, the internal workings of the ECtHR, and the journey of a case from application to final judgment. Dr. Bonnici was also given the opportunity to visit the chambers of the Court, witnessing firsthand the setting where key human rights decisions are made.
Dr. Bonnici’s participation in this comprehensive training program underscores our firm’s commitment to upholding and advancing workers’ and trade union rights across Europe. By gaining deeper insights into the functioning of the European human rights framework and its application to labor rights, Dr. Bonnici is well-equipped to bring these perspectives into the firm’s legal practice, ensuring robust representation for clients in cases involving social, economic, and human rights matters. This training not only strengthens the firm’s expertise but also affirms our dedication to staying at the forefront of international legal developments that impact workers’ rights.
Clyde Bonnici was attending in representation of the General Workers’ Union.
