Discussion meeting on the Israeli raid

As you are likely aware, on the morning of Monday, May 31st, members of the Israeli Navy boarded a flotilla of ships headed for the Gaza strip, which remains under a blockade imposed by Israel and Egypt after the Hamas takeover of Gaza in 2007. Although the facts surrounding the raid are hotly disputed and some remain shrouded in mystery, the flotilla was carrying humanitarian relief to Gazans, and its passengers made their intentions to pass through the blockade clear. The flotilla and its representatives did not accede to requests by the Israeli government to hand off supplies to them for distribution rather than to Gazans directly. The boarding took place in international waters.

These events, which ended in a number of casualties, have sparked global controversy and debate, much of which hinges upon public international law and international humanitarian law. Although arguments relating to "international law" have been presented by all sides of this issue to support a variety of positions, conversations in the media or other public fora have often lacked precision about the legal implications of the blockade and last week's raid.

You are cordially invited to an interactive discussion this Thursday (19.30 - 21.00 hours) with Utrecht University Professor Terry Gill to discuss these implications and more. The discussion meeting will take place at JK15A, room 001.

Please send an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it if you would like to attend this discussion. For more information see www.urios.org.

Urios excursion to the Dutch Competition Authority (NMa)

Tuesday the 15th of June Urios organizes an excursion to the Dutch Competition Authority (NMa).

The visit will start with a general introduction on the tasks and objectives of the Dutch Competition Authority. Thereafter we will receive a lecture by Mr. Kees Hellingman, who works at the legal department of the competition authority.

The lecture will focus on the legal aspects of competition law. Subsequently Mr. Tjarda van der Vijver, who works at the competition department, will focus on the more economic aspects of competition law and competition policy. We will conclude our visit with informal drinks, providing the possibility to discuss current competition law topics, do some networking or just grab a drink. The visit will take place from 14.30 - 18.00 hours.

To sign up for this excursion, please send an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .