Young Defenders Network

Through a series of residential training courses we are equipping emerging human rights practitioners with new tools for their vital work in the defence of basic rights and helping to promote a culture of respect for human rights within their own countries. We are also building a Europe-wide network of criminal defence practitioners and facilitating ongoing cooperation between lawyers in cross-border criminal matters.

An interactive forum is accessible for past participants of Fair Trials International’s European Young Defenders Training Programme. It provides the opportunity to initiate and partake in discussions on European legal issues whilst also networking with other participants, speakers and FTI staff.

European Young Defenders Training Programme
The European Youth Centre, Strasbourg – 10-13 April 2012

The latest EYDN training programme takes place April 10-13.

The free four-day programme will provide training for young lawyers from across Europe. Participants will access high quality training, information and mentoring opportunities in the fields of human rights law, criminal law and advocacy.

The Programme:

• Four days of intensive training aimed at providing the knowledge and skills to defend fair trial rights in cross-border criminal cases.

• Lectures, seminars and workshops conducted by experts in European criminal defence work.

• Practical training covering topics including:
o Europe’s fast-track extradition system – the European Arrest Warrant;
o Alternatives to pre-trial detention including use of the European Supervision Order;
o The right of access to information and to a lawyer in criminal proceedings;
o Evidence gathering in cross-border cases; and
o Strategic litigation in criminal defence cases.

• Free training, meals and accommodation in the historic city of Strasbourg, home to the European Court of Human Rights. Participants only need to cover travel expenses to and from Strasbourg.