From 22nd to 26th September, a diverse group of lawyers, advocates, and human rights defenders came together for Lawyers for Lawyers’ Access to Justice Training Week — a five-day intensive program equipping legal professionals working on LGBTQIA+ and human rights cases with advanced tools, strategies, and networks for impact.
Each day offered something new: from mastering strategic litigation and digital security, to role-play simulations and firsthand insights from practitioners working under repressive regimes. The training brought together international experts and local advocates who shared their knowledge, their courage, and their conviction that justice must remain accessible — even under pressure.
Monday: Setting the Stage – Strategic Litigation, Gender Justice, and Resilience
The week began with an exploration of how lawyers can use litigation strategically to drive systemic change.
Digital Security for Lawyers
A complementary technical session addressed digital protection — from encrypted communication to secure data storage. Participants learned to identify phishing, use open-source security tools, and view digital safety as part of their ethical duty to clients.
Strategic Litigation for Systemic Impact with Jelle Klaas (Public Interest Litigation Project – PILP)
Kicking off the week, Jelle Klaas unpacked the concept of strategic litigation — using legal cases not just to win in court, but to reshape policy, raise awareness, and empower communities. He guided participants through case selection, framing, coalition-building, and risk management. The discussion highlighted how success goes beyond verdicts: it’s also about sparking social transformation and sustaining movement lawyering. Jelle notably shared with the participants how whilst “Litigation is only one tool — when used strategically, it can change the system.”
Gender Identity & Intersectional Justice with Lilianne Ploumen (Bureau Clara Wichmann)
Former Minister and feminist lawyer Lilianne Ploumen presented two groundbreaking cases: the “X in the Passport” judgment, recognising non-binary identities, and litigation against sex work registration laws that violated privacy and dignity rights.
Participants reflected on how feminist strategic litigation advances equality by linking legal arguments to lived experiences and advocacy.
Defending Rights Under Restrictive Regimes with Patience Muwanguzi
Ugandan human rights lawyer Patience Muwanguzi shared her first-hand experience litigating under the Anti-Homosexuality Act, one of the most difficult laws currently in place for the LGBTQIA+ community and their lawyers in the world. Her session combined realism and inspiration, exploring how to continue defending clients amid criminalisation, harassment, and risk. Together, participants developed protective strategies, emphasizing collaboration, safety, and self-care. Patience notably shared how in this field, “collaboration is protection.”
Tuesday: Practising Advocacy – Role-Play, Storytelling & Digital Safety
Tuesday was about practice — strengthening the way lawyers communicate, advocate, and protect themselves.
Defending Rights in Action – Role-Play Scenarios with Elodie Carmiggelt and Juliette Lutje Schipolt (Kyden)
With the help of professional actors, Elodie Carmiggelt and Juliette Lutje Schipolt recreated tense, real-life situations lawyers face ranging from police harassment to courtroom intimidation. Participants learned de-escalation, composure, and client-centered communication in high-pressure moments, equipping them with practical skills and tools to use in the field.
Digital Security for Lawyers
A complementary technical session addressed digital protection — from encrypted communication to secure data storage. Participants learned to identify phishing, use open-source security tools, and view digital safety as part of their ethical duty to clients.
Film Screening & Storytelling for Advocacy with Nadja Houben (Human Rights in the Picture)
That evening, participants attended a film screening of “F/M/X”, a moving documentary by Human Rights In the Picture exploring non-binary and transgender rights. Through post-screening discussion, Nadja helped participants explore how storytelling and media can strengthen legal advocacy, transforming personal narratives into public awareness and policy influence.
Wednesday: Psychosocial Support & Community
Midweek, focus shifted inward — from advocacy to wellbeing.
Psychosocial Support for Lawyers with Anne-Lot de Heus (Feedback Consulting)
Working in high-pressure human rights environments can be difficult and requires lawyers to find ways to protect themselves psychologically to best be able to continue their work. In a reflective morning session, Anne-Lot de Heus led participants through exercises on stress management, emotional resilience and best preparing oneself for incoming challenges. Lawyers shared experiences and learned practical self-care techniques to sustain their work long-term.
Networking Evening
That afternoon, participants participated in a networking event with different organisations from the Netherlands working on the defence of LGBTQIA+ rights, fostering collaboration and solidarity across borders to hopefully fuel future legal initiatives and cross-country cooperation.
Thursday: Justice in Practice – ICC Visit & Security Awareness
The fourth day combined global perspective with practical skill-building.
Visit to the International Criminal Court (ICC)
Participants toured the International Criminal Court in The Hague, learning about the Court’s mandate and procedures and connecting their own struggles for justice with international accountability mechanisms. The visit reinforced the value of international law as both tool and ally in advancing human rights.
Digital & Physical Security in High-Risk Contexts with Aws Al-Saadi (Tech4Peace)
In the afternoon, Aws Al-Saadi, a digital and physical security specialist, delivered a comprehensive training on protecting lawyers and their clients against surveillance, cyberattacks, and harassment. Participants practiced setting up two-factor authentication, managing secure passwords, and developing travel safety routines.
Friday: Looking Forward – Collaboration and Legacy
Strategic Litigation in the Caribbean: Marriage Equality in Action with David den Blaauwen & Aalt Colenbrander (NautaDutilh)
The final day featured David den Blaauwen and Aalt Colenbrander, who recounted their groundbreaking litigation for marriage equality in Aruba and Curaçao, a historic victory that made them the first Caribbean jurisdictions to recognise same-sex marriage. Their story illustrated how constitutional arguments and advocacy can overcome political resistance and inspire regional change.
Outlook and Next Steps with the Lawyers for Lawyers team
The week closed with a reflection and planning session led by the Lawyers for Lawyers (L4L) team. Participants discussed follow-up collaborations, mentoring opportunities, and ways to strengthen the transnational legal network built during the week.
Visit to Amsterdam’s LGBTQIA+ Heritage with Henk de Vries (Special Amsterdam Tours)
To conclude the week, participants visited Amsterdam’s LGBTQIA+ heritage sites with Henk de Vries, celebrating the history of visibility and the progress made through decades of legal struggle, a symbolic reminder of the importance of this work.
By the end of the week, participants left not only with advanced skills in litigation, security, and self-care, but also with a stronger network of lawyers, and collaborators working on the same issues and towards shared goals. As shared by one of the participants: “I came here as one lawyer; I’m leaving as part of a community.”
The Access to Justice Training Week inserted itself as a bridge between expertise meets solidarity; a first step in empowering young lawyers working on the defence of LGBTQIA+ rights to continue their work safer and with greater understanding of the ressources and challenges out there.
We thank all the partner law firms who hosted us this week; Pels Rijcken, Bird&Bird, Loyens & Loeff and Nauta Duttilh for their support as well as Allemansrecht for financing this project. Together we remain committed to continuing this work; empowering lawyers to building stronger defenders, safer practices, and more just societies.
