Key developments in public interest law, in your inbox
A brief overview of the key developments in public interest law in the EU and Russia — just the highlights, exclusively for our subscribers.☛ Here's an example.
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Weekly legal news from the EU and RussiaGermany’s promise to legalise cannabis may contradict with EU laws
In a coalition agreement signed last November, the three-party government led by Olaf Scholz stated its intention to make it legal to sell cannabis to adults for recreational purposes. Since then, however, the government has become noticeably quieter on promises of a draft law in the autumn. A legal analysis by the German parliament’s research service warned that a move to legalise cannabis would contravene European regulations in more ways than one.
Source: The Guardian
European Commission proposes draft law to protect journalists from spyware and state interference
The European Commission has proposed a new law that will forbid EU countries from interfering in editorial decision-making, searching and seizing corporate premises, and conducting surveillance operations against journalists and their relatives. Using spyware to infiltrate and track a journalist's device will also be banned except ‘on the grounds of national security’.
Source: Euronews
Lithuania to review all Russian-language school textbooks
Minister of Education of Lithuania talked about his intention to “revise” all Russian-language textbooks amid Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. The move comes after criticism of one Russian-language textbook that glorified Moscow and portrayed Russia as an attractive democratic state, inviting Lithuanian school students to visit Crimea. Lithuanian publishers have also been instructed by the government to review the learning resources they provide.
Source: Euronews
Members of the HRC asked for clarification on the grounds on which prisoners with unserved terms are sent to war
Members of the Human Rights Council under the President of the Russian Federation asked the Prosecutor General of the Russian Federation Igor Krasnov to clarify the basis on which prisoners with unserved terms are sent to Ukraine to participate in a "special military operation." Earlier, information about the recruitment of prisoners became known from numerous Russian media, including state channels. Journalists also report the existence of unconfirmed information about the forced sending of convicts to war.
Source: Meduza
France to hold national debates on legalizing euthanasia
French President Emmanuel Macron announced a national debate on broadening legislation on the end-life options, notable on the possibility of allowing assisted suicide as a part of his electoral campaign. The current law allows patients to request "deep, continuous sedation altering consciousness until death" provided that their condition is likely to lead to a quick death. A lot of terminally ill patients are obliged to travel to seek other options in the European countries, which allow euthanasia under certain conditions.
Source: Le Monde
About us
Legal Dialogue Journal is an online platform for robust conversations about legal issues for lawyers, law students, grassroots activists, NGOs, and the engaged general public in the European Union and Russia.
While the journal covers many topics, it focuses mainly on public interest law and human rights. It aims to explain legal issues that are critical to Russian civil society to readers in the EU while acquainting Russian readers with current legal developments and best practices in the EU countries.
Key developments in public interest law, in your inbox
A monthly brief overview of the key developments in public interest law in the EU and Russia — just the highlights, and exclusively for our subscribers.☛ Here's an example.