Reunion of International Couples in Formal and Informal Relationships during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The COVID-19 epidemic has generated major social disruptions, including the implementation of border enforcement measures in many countries to contain international travel. As tourism has been the most frequent means for international couples to reunite, a minority of countries have implemented specific measures to allow foreign partners to cross the borders. The purpose of this article is to provide a global overview of the regulations of cross-border travel for couples respectively in formal and informal relationships. This research is based on data on travel guidelines from 175 countries and a typology that distinguishes countries that have not implemented travel restrictions (46%), countries that have enacted border enforcement regulations but with special measures to allow formal and informal couples (15%), countries with border enforcement and special measures for formal couples only (15%) and countries that have implemented a travel ban with no special measures (23%). Results show that the specific measures for formal and informal couples are implemented independently from the region but with much higher propensities in high-income countries. However, the administrative requirements, particularly for informal couples, vary greatly among the countries that allow couples to reunite. The article concludes that exemptions are key when analysing border closures and that specific measures could be applied more inclusively to allow informal couples to reunite.

Race, Memory, and Military Men’s Sexuality

This chapter analyzes Okinawan discourses on race and military men's sexuality, with a focus on how Japanese and American racial discourses have shaped local understandings of difference. It discusses how the imperial rhetoric positioned Okinawans and other Asians alongside the Japanese in unified opposition to Europeans and Americans. During the postwar occupation, the U.S. military and its personnel were introduced into the Okinawa discourses on U.S. imperialism in Asia, Jim Crow segregation, and the 1960s civil rights and black power movements. The chapter also features the personal narratives of individuals who self-consciously viewed their relationships as transgressing established racial boundaries. It narrates stories that illustrate the struggle of military international couples in order to understand and rework racial ideologies and expectations in Okinawa's postwar society.

A Comparative Look at the Divorce Systems in Egypt and Romania

Globalization, migration, and free movement have led to an increase in the diversity of international and inter-faith couples, and implicitly to an increase in the number of divorces with cross border elements. Although there are numerous regulations at European Union level, when it comes to international couples formed from an EU-citizen and a non-EU/third country one, for the purpose of this study Romanian, respectively Egyptian, there seems to be a lack of guidelines and cooperation mechanisms, ensuring the protection and enforcement of basic human rights. The main purposes of this study is examining in a comparative manner the divorce systems in Egypt and Romania and trying to answer the question of whether the differences are rooted in religion or are the result of different social, economic, cultural, and historical factors.

Exploring Indian Surrogates’ Perceptions of the Ban on International Surrogacy

This study examined surrogate women’s perceptions on the Indian ban on international surrogacy. In-depth interviews were conducted with 25 surrogate women at a fertility clinic in Gujarat, India. Three themes emerged: (1) perceptions of the ban; (2) impact of the ban on surrogates, international couples, and fertility clinics; and (3) long-term economic results of surrogacy. Women stated that international surrogacy should not be banned, because it provides substantial economic benefits. They also noted that the ban affects childless couples and clinics by cutting off a source of income. This research provides recommendations for social work action.

Odlučivanje o imovinskim odnosima bračnih drugova u ostavinskim postupcima sukladno Uredbi 2016/1103 o bračnoimovinskom režimu

Council Regulation (EU) 2016/1103 of 24 June 2016 implementing enhanced cooperation in the area of jurisdiction, applicable law and the recognition and enforcement of decisions in matters of matrimonial property regimes (hereinafter: Regulation 2016/1103) provides for uniform rules which should facilitate delivering of judgments concerning matrimonial property in cross-border disputes in 18 Member States which established enhanced cooperation between themselves in the area of the property regimes of international couples. The application of the Regulation 2016/1103 should contribue to the application of other european instruments in the fi eld of european family law in divorce and succession proceedings. The paper presents rules on jurisdiction and applicable law under the Regulation 2016/1103 which should be applied in proceedings concerning matrimonial property regimes. Application of the provisions of Regulation 2016/1103 on jurisdiction and applicable law in proceedings for succession will be analyzed. The paper elaborates on certain potentially problematic solutions and open issues revealed through interpretation of provisions of Regulation 2016/1103 which could cause doubts and uncertainties for the court and public notaries. Possible solutions which could remove diffi culties and insuffi ciencies in the application of the Regulation 2016/1103 will be suggested.

Property Regimes of Spouses and Partners in New EU Regulations – Jurisdiction, Prorogation and Choice of Law

Summary There are millions of international couples living and working in the EU. Not a small number of those face difficult time when their marriage or partnership comes to an end. On top of dealing with loss, the couples have to navigate through a lot of administrative and legal obstacles to figure out the division of their property located in different Member States or governed by different national law. These proceedings are lengthy and expensive. European Commission, aware of the issue their citizens face, introduced two proposals for regulations on matrimonial property and property of registered partners. In 2013 the proposals did not get the required unanimity, in 2016 they are being re-introduced in enhanced cooperation.

‘Transnational civil dis/obedience’ in the Danish family unification dispute

This article develops a concept of transnational civil dis/obedience. It provides a framework for interpreting and evaluating practices of cross-border movement by citizens and migrants, who mobilize international or supranational law to sidestep and challenge domestic rules deemed illegitimate. Such acts are made possible by, but also enact, complex, overlapping and competing legal orders in Europe and elsewhere. In contrast to analyses stressing the private and market-based nature of these actions, the conceptual lens introduced here draws out their potentially civic and political character. To construct and illustrate my argument, I engage with an in-depth case study of EU citizenship and cross-border movement in the area of marriage migration, where individual liberty and political membership are fiercely contested. The paper draws on narrative interviews with Danish-international couples who in response to Denmark’s restrictive family unification rules have used EU-law to protest against what they see as unjust interference in their private lives.