Georgi Christov

𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐬, 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐦 𝘐𝘯 𝘵𝘸𝘰 𝘰𝘳𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘔𝘪𝘤𝘳𝘰𝘴𝘰𝘧𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘚𝘶𝘪𝘯𝘯𝘰 𝘔𝘰𝘣𝘪𝘭𝘦 & 𝘈𝘐 𝘛𝘦𝘤𝘩𝘯𝘰𝘭𝘰𝘨𝘪𝘦𝘴 (ORD_33379/2024 (https://shorturl.at/JVvXC) & ORD_27206/2024 (https://shorturl.at/pUfrh)), 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘗𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘴 𝘊𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘭 𝘋𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘤𝘭𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘧𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘢 𝘣𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘊𝘰𝘥𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘥𝘶𝘤𝘵 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘳𝘴 𝘤𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘣𝘦 𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘺 𝘰𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘴 (R. 8.1 RoP, R. 290.2 RoP and Art. 48 UPCA). 𝘍𝘶𝘳𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦: (1) 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘊𝘋 𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘴 𝘚𝘶𝘪𝘯𝘯𝘰’𝘴 𝘳𝘦𝘲𝘶𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘵𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘧𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘪𝘯𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 (2) 𝘚𝘶𝘪𝘯𝘯𝘰’𝘴 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘤𝘭𝘢𝘪𝘮 𝘮𝘦𝘦𝘵𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘙𝘶𝘭𝘦 13(1)(𝘬) 𝘙𝘰𝘗. ▪ The obligation to act as an independent counsellor protects the effectiveness of the party’s right to defence in court. ▪ Lack of independence must not be assessed in an absolute sense, but must be assessed with reference to the possible harm to the interests of the party on whose behalf the professional acts. ▪ Due to the instrumental nature of the obligation of independence to protect a party’s right to an effective defence in courts, a possible violation cannot be asserted by the opposing party who has no interest in such a finding. ▪ Additionally, the claims were not supported by evidence that shows that the representative used their right for other purposes than granted. ▪ Therefore, Microsoft’s objection of inadmissibility is denied. 𝐅𝐮𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞: ▪ C̳o̳n̳f̳i̳d̳e̳n̳t̳i̳a̳l̳ ̳i̳n̳f̳o̳r̳m̳a̳t̳i̳o̳n̳ ̳(̳a̳r̳t̳.̳ ̳5̳8̳ ̳U̳P̳C̳A̳ ̳a̳n̳d̳ ̳R̳.̳2̳6̳2̳A̳ ̳R̳o̳P̳)̳: A request for the protection of confidential information involves balancing both the efficient protection of information (even from the opposing party) and ensuring open access for presenting a proper defense. In this case Suinno’s application is granted; access to the license agreements is restricted to Microsoft attorneys and Microsoft directors with a legitimate need to access the information. ▪ C̳o̳n̳t̳e̳n̳t̳ ̳o̳f̳ ̳t̳h̳e̳ ̳s̳t̳a̳t̳e̳m̳e̳n̳t̳ ̳o̳f̳ ̳c̳l̳a̳i̳m̳ ̳(̳R̳u̳l̳e̳ ̳1̳3̳(̳1̳)̳(̳k̳)̳)̳: Microsoft’s claim that the information given in the statement of claim is insufficiently concrete and specific is denied. The ‘nature’ of the order of the remedy sought, and the request to determine and award past damages (April 2019 and later) with interest are clearly indicated. ----- For more information about our UPC Cooperation, please visit our website: www.vossiusbrinkhof.eu #upc #news #unifiedpatentcourt #litigation #microsoft Brinkhof N.V. VOSSIUS

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❗ Strengthening Law Enforcement Cooperation through Joint Action Days Workshop ❗The first #CEPOL_TOPCOP workshop under the #EMPACT Support Network platform successfully brought together #LawEnforcement officers from Eastern Partnership (EaP) and Western Balkan (WB) countries. 🤝 Supported by Justice and Home Affairs agencies like Europol, Frontex, Eurojust, and EU Member States including Spain, Germany, and Poland, the workshop focused on enhancing the participants’ capabilities to plan, execute, and report on Joint Action Days (JADs). 💯 Critical topics such as combatting human trafficking, migrant smuggling, drug trafficking, and organised property crime were discussed, with a key focus on the role of technology and communication in boosting operational success. Participants also contributed to developing a handbook on JAD operations—an invaluable resource for future #LawEnforcement officers. ☑️ JADs are essential for fighting crime that crosses national borders—such as #trafficking, #smuggling, and #organisedcrime. By working together, countries can share information and resources, making it much harder for criminals to evade justice. This kind of international cooperation is crucial for keeping communities safer by stopping criminal networks that threaten not just one country but entire regions. 🌐This workshop marked an important milestone in improving #internationalcooperation and strengthening the operational framework to tackle transnational organised crime across the EaP and WB regions. EU Neighborhood & Enlargement 🇪🇺 #StrongerTogether The project is funded by the European Union.

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In 2023 the German hotline of Freiwillige Selbstkontrolle Multimedia-Diensteanbieter (FSM), INHOPE’s hotline of the month, received 12,919 reports of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). ➡️ Compared to 2022 CSAM reports have increased by nearly 300% ➡️ The total number of reports, including those related to CSAM, reached an all-time high of 30,573 in 2023 For 2024, FSM expects a continuing rise in CSAM reports. These concerning developments emphasise the crucial role of INHOPE and its member hotlines in swiftly identifying and removing CSAM from the internet. Learn more about the FSM-Hotline: https://bit.ly/3VRHpK2 #hotlineofthemonth #inhope #memberhotline #globalnetwork #safeinternet #childsafety #onlineprotection #fightCSAM #GermanHotline #FSM

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UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency Is hiring Multiple Jobs Vacancies in Various locations Apply https://lnkd.in/da-GKdfm We believe in the power and potential of every child. But this is often suppressed by poverty, violence, exclusion and discrimination. And it’s girls who are most affected. Working together with children, young people, our supporters and partners, we strive for a just world, tackling the root causes of the challenges facing girls and all vulnerable children. We support children’s rights from birth until they reach adulthood. And we enable children to prepare for – and respond to – crises and adversity. We drive changes in practice and policy at local, national and global levels using our reach, experience and knowledge. #UNHCR #Refugees #ForcedDisplacement #WithRefugees #RefugeeRights #ProtectRefugees #RefugeeSupport #Inclusion #Humanitarian #GlobalRefugeeCrisis #AsylumSeekers #DurableSolutions #NoOneLeftBehind

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The Urgent Need for Mental Health Support in the Namibian Police Force: As a society, we rely heavily on our police officers to maintain order and ensure our safety. However, the mental health of these brave individuals is often overlooked. The stress and trauma that come with the job can lead to severe mental health issues, including anxiety and depression. It’s time to address this issue and provide the necessary support to our law enforcement officers, particularly within the Namibian Police Force. The nature of police work regularly exposes officers to traumatic events. From violent crimes to fatal accidents, the psychological toll can be immense. Despite this, mental health resources within the police force are often inadequate. Officers may feel stigmatised or fear repercussions if they seek help, leading to untreated mental health issues that affect their performance and personal lives. Work-related stress leads to fatigue, job dissatisfaction, premature retirement, a weakened immune system, and an overall increase in illnesses among police officers. In addition, it can contribute to issues such as anxiety, depression, and burnout, further affecting their overall well-being and job performance. To combat this, we must implement comprehensive mental health programmes within the police force. RECOMMENDATIONS Regular mental health screenings, access to confidential counselling services, and peer support programmes are essential. Also, training officers who recognise signs of mental distress in themselves and their colleagues can help foster a supportive environment. Investing in our police officers’ mental health is not just a moral obligation, it also enhances public safety. Mentally healthy officers are better equipped to handle the stresses of the job, make sound decisions, and interact positively with the community. By prioritising their mental wellbeing, we can create a more effective and compassionate police force. Here are some recommendations based on current best practices:     •    Comprehensive Programmes: Establish programmes that include regular mental health check-ups, access to counselling, and peer support groups. These programmes should be easily accessible and confidential to encourage officers to seek help without fear of stigma.     •    Education: Provide ongoing training for officers on recognising signs of mental health issues in themselves and their colleagues. This training should also include stress management techniques and resilience-building strategies.     •    Leadership Support: Ensure that the leadership at all levels are committed to mental health initiatives. Leaders should actively promote a culture of openness and support, where seeking help is seen as a strength rather than a weakness.     •    Crisis Intervention Teams: Develop specialised teams trained to handle mental health crises. These teams can…

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Roma Discrimination Persists in Czech Republic 🚨 Roma individuals continue to face barriers in accessing quality education, suitable housing, employment opportunities, and fair treatment by law enforcement. 📚 Particularly alarming is the revelation that despite over 15 years since a landmark ruling by the European Court of Human Rights, little progress has been made in integrating Roma students into mainstream education. Segregation remains rampant, with no reduction in Roma pupils placed in special classes or segregated within regular schools. 🏠 On the housing front, many Roma endure deplorable living conditions, endangering their health and even their lives. Years of discrimination and neglect have perpetuated this crisis, highlighting the urgent need for action. 🌍 As global citizens, it's crucial that we stand in solidarity against discrimination and advocate for meaningful change. Let's ensure that all individuals, regardless of ethnicity, enjoy their fundamental rights and dignity. Find more 👉https://lnkd.in/df9kmHjA

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#Congo/ Justice: actors in the criminal justice system trained to respect the rights of juvenile offenders...........https://lurl.fr/4Uivb #law #minors #governance #training #justice #localdevelopment

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New #report 👀 📖 This analytical report, co-authored by Anette Scoppetta and Eszter Zolyomi, examines the state system in #Uzbekistan to promote an integrated approach in #employment and welfare services delivery for persons with #disabilities. Produced by National Agency for social protection under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the European Centre for Social Welfare Policy and Research, the report provides a comprehensive assessment of the current mid-term and long-term state programs in social protection and labour systems, focusing on the employability of persons with disabilities. The report identifies key #challenges, such as the lack of coordination between social and employment services, and proposes four key intervention areas: 1️⃣ targeted employment programs, 2️⃣ comprehensive and well-coordinated programs, 3️⃣ partnership between actors, and 4️⃣ Integrated case management for persons with disabilities. The findings and #recommendations aim to assist the government of Uzbekistan in adopting integrated approaches to improve the #inclusion of persons with disabilities in the labour market and society. 🔗 Read the full report: https://lnkd.in/duzEUuuN #Publication #Research #Welfareservices #Socialwelfare

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#Event | Online Regional Briefings on Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas (EWIPA) and the Political Declaration The use of #EWIPA is a major cause of civilian harm in armed conflicts worldwide, with devastating and long-lasting effects on people and communities. The EWIPA Political Declaration, endorsed by nearly 90 States, provides a crucial framework for action and collaboration in preventing and mitigating these harms and strengthening the protection of civilians in armed conflict. In this context, UNIDIR and the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs, together with the Mission of Costa Rica in Geneva and key partners from the International Network on Explosive Weapons (INEW) and the International Committee of the Red Cross - ICRC, are organizing a series of 1-hour online briefings for each of the five UN regional groups. This is a unique opportunity to hear from key experts and Member States on the relevance of the EWIPA Political Declaration across regions and learn more about efforts to implement and universalize the Declaration. 🔗 ➡️ Learn more and register here: unidir.org/BriefingsEWIPA

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📢 Call for Proposals: Activities at European Youth Centres The Council of Europe’s Youth Department invites non-governmental youth organisations and networks to apply for activities at the European Youth Centres in Strasbourg and Budapest. Eligibility: 🔵 Youth organisations with partners/branches in at least 8 European countries. 🔵 European networks of youth organisations/structures with partners from at least 8 countries. 🔵 Sub-regional networks and national youth councils from at least 5 neighbouring countries. Deadline: 15 October 2024 🔗 Check out the Eurodesk Opportunity Finder to find out more: https://eurodesk.eu/udbw  Image by Grete Roos #eurodesk #OpportunityFinder #YouthWork #CouncilOfEurope #EuropeanYouthCentres #NGO #YouthPolicy  Image description:  Slide 1: Two people sit on a couch, one playing a stringed instrument, the other laughing. The image is framed by a purple border with text about grants and a deadline of 15/10/24. A piggy bank icon is also present. Text reads: "CALL FOR ACTIVITIES - EUROPEAN YOUTH CENTRES." Slide 2: A man playing a string instrument; text about the Council of Europe's youth activities on a purple background. "HOW DOES IT WORK: The Youth Department of the Council of Europe invites non-governmental youth organisations, networks, and other non-governmental structures involved in areas of youth work relevant to the Council of Europe's youth policy to submit applications for activities to be held in co-operation with the European Youth Centres in Strasbourg and Budapest." Slide 3: Want to apply? Check the Opportunity Finder. Eurodesk branding on the side. Purple background with bold text.

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📚 The #AIDA Country Report on #Cyprus is OUT 🔽 Here are some developments on legislative and practice-related developments in asylum procedures, reception conditions, detention of asylum seekers, and content of international protection in 2023. 🔽 A total of 10,662 new asylum applications were submitted in Cyprus, half the number submitted in 2022 and Syria was the most represented country of origin (6,199 applications). 🔽 Although 18,321 decisions were issued in 2023, the backlog of pending decisions remained extremely high, with 26,599 people awaiting a decision at the first instance by the Asylum Service and 5,073 at the second instance by the International Protection Administrative Court at the end of the year. 🔽 The country ranked first among EU member states for the highest percentage of returns and fourth in terms of absolute numbers of returns and deportations of irregular migrants. 🔽 Despite a noted improvement in conditions in reception centres, reception standards remained below adequate levels in 2023 as the majority of asylum seekers were hosted in the community and were often living in extremely dire conditions.  🔽 The number of detained asylum seekers remained low in 2023, alternatives to detention were not systematically applied, including for vulnerable people. Asylum seekers continued to be detained in police holding cells in sub-standard conditions. 🔽 As of 31 December 2023, 20,923 individuals have been registered as beneficiaries under the  Temporary Protection Directive, making Cyprus one of the highest per capita receivers of Ukrainian refugees. 🔽 Integration into Cypriot society remained out of reach for the majority of beneficiaries of protection in the country. 👇 👉 The law was amended in 2023 to severely restrict their access to naturalisation, including by increasing the required time of residency in Cyprus from five to eight years, and excluding the years spent as asylum applicants and beneficiaries of subsidiary protection or TP. 👉 Irregular entry into the territory would be considered an indication of an applicant not being of “good character”. 👉 Benefiting from financial assistance during the asylum procedure and thereafter would be considered an indication of a lack of financial resources in the assessment of an application for naturalisation. 👉 Family reunification procedures remained lengthy and excluded beneficiaries of subsidiary protection. 🔗 Read the full report here: https://bit.ly/3WDkjHF 🔗 Read the annex on temporary protection here: https://bit.ly/3WBAiWw

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The recruitment of Executive Security Roles is a unique and crucial task, different from hiring for typical business executive positions. We are seeking Guardians of the business and people, individuals whose responsibilities may even involve saving lives. Unlike in EU countries, Bulgaria still has a developing market for security director roles, leading to inadequacies in HR agencies' understanding of the intricacies of such positions. In recent projects, HR agencies in Bulgaria made the mistake of solely relying on LinkedIn to reach out to candidates with "security" in their titles, without considering crucial factors like the specific focus of the role (infosec, physical security, resilience, intelligence and investigative profiles), level of people management experience, industry expertise, and team-building experience. Given the tight-knit security community in Bulgaria, it is vital for HR agencies to collaborate with trusted security consultants like SEVAR SECURITY to ensure successful and effective executive security recruitments. By leveraging specialized expertise, Executive search agencies can navigate the nuances of these roles and secure the right candidates for executive security positions. #execuitivesearch #chiefsecurityofficer #corporatesecurity

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⚖️Your Big Give Fuels #Peace and #Justice in #Nepal! When you give from December 3rd-10th to the Big Give #ChristmasChallenge you are making sure we can continue to stand by #defenders for years to come: https://lnkd.in/dmNqp2wA In October, PBI UK hosted defenders Mandira Sharma and Gita Rasaili as part of a report launch following a fact-finding mission to Nepal. The mission, led by an independent delegation of international lawyers to Nepal, provided legal analysis on the rule of law and access to justice in the context of ongoing efforts to implement a #transitionaljustice process: https://lnkd.in/dncpYkSP 🇳🇵Since the end of the #Nepali civil war in 2006, the government has failed to deliver justice for thousands of victims, leaving behind a devastating legacy of #impunity. This has resulted in life-altering injuries, psychological trauma, and the anguish of disappeared loved ones. Your Big Give can help amplify their voices and sustain this crucial work. When you donate, your contribution is matched, meaning double the impact. Now, more than ever, survivors and defenders on the ground need your support in their ongoing fight for transitional justice. They are courageously demanding #truth, #reparations, and #accountability.

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📍 Already in May, the first meetings of doctors with a psychologist within the framework of the project "Medicine for Doctors" will take place. The ZDOROVI team, with the support of USAID (Bureau of Humanitarian Aid) and Action Against Hunger (ACF), is implementing the “Medicines for Doctors” psychological support project for medical workers from the southeastern region. People are not robots. The work regime of doctors in the front-line territories, which are tormented with particular severity by the war, will be a test for even the most persistent. Doctors already work in a field where they see life and death at an especially close distance. Seeing deaths and injuries that could have been avoided if there had not been a war in the country becomes a burden on the mental health of workers. And now many lives depend on their ability to work and provide timely medical care. The project will be implemented in the Mykolaiv, Kherson and Dnipropetrovsk regions in online and offline formats. The ZDOROVI experts selected the 15 largest medical institutions to participate in the offline format.

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