I Like / I Dislike Week 01 [20241007]

Every Monday, the CERESE publishes the assessment of the previous week’s news:

I like the decision by the European Court of Justice about trans people. The supreme court of the European Union ruled that member-states are obligated to recognize the name and gender identity acquired by trans citizens in other member-states. Furthermore, the judges connected this right of the EU’s trans citizens to the founding principle of free movement. This decision is quite important for the LGBTQI+ citizens in Romania, a country that European courts have repeatedly convicted for its policies, as well as in the EU more broadly, where several states have adopted laws that limit the rights of trans citizens.

I dislike the continuous and intensifying conflict in the Middle East. A year after the attacks of October 7th, violence between Israel and its adversaries seems to be escalating, having caused tens of thousands of victims and spread in more countries. At the same time, the international community, especially the Western states, is hesitant to pressure the different sides to participate in more meaningful negotiations, ignoring the humanitarian, geopolitical, and economic consequences that seem inevitable. The escalation of the conflict is endangering both the regional security of the Middle East and the fragile balances internationally.

The aforementioned opinions are those of their respective authors and they do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of the Institute of International Relations or its Researchers.