Concluding observations of the UN Human Rights Committee on the eighth periodic report of the Russian Federation
The UN Human Rights Committee reviewed the compliance of the Russian Federation with its international human rights obligations. On 3 November 2022, the Committee issued the concluding observations of this review, which originally was scheduled in March 2022, i.e. shortly after the invasion of Ukraine. This happened despite Russia’s third postponement request and the absence […]
Concluding observations UN Human Rights Committee on the Philippines
On 10 and 11 October 2022, the UN Human Rights Committee reviewed the Philippines’ compliance with its international human rights obligations. On 3 November 2022, the Committee issued the concluding observations of this review. In the concluding observations the Committee expressed its concern about the intimidation, reprisals and extremely high numbers of extrajudicial killings, particularly […]
As the World celebrates the beginning of the FIFA World Cup in Qatar this weekend, we call for the release of imprisoned Qatari lawyers
FIFA awarded the 2022 World Cup to Qatar in 2010 regardless of the poor human rights conditions in the country. Besides migrant workers, women, people from the LGBTI+ community and journalists, lawyers are also subject of human rights violations in the country. As the international community gets ready to celebrate the world’s biggest sporting event […]
Ahmadiniaz: ‘Help Iranian protesters’
by Trudeke Sillevis Smitt ‘Respect the law! Women, life, freedom!’ On October 8, about two hundred lawyers demonstrated with those slogans in front of the building of the Bar Association in Tehran. It was a contribution to the protests in Iran following the death of 22 year-old Mahsa Amini, who was arrested for ‘improperly’ […]
Lawyers convicted to long prison sentences (again)
Introduction After a hearing of 5 days, the Istanbul 18th Heavy Penal Court in Silivri Court House sentenced 19 lawyers to prison sentences up to 20 years and 6 months in the so-called CHD-1 case. This case started in January 2013. Lawyers for Lawyers and many other legal organizations, including the Dutch organization Fair Trial […]
Statement: Delegation of 60+ International observers condemns court Judgment in prosecution of 21 Lawyers from ÇHD and HHB
Delegation of 60+ International Trial Observers Condemns Court Judgment in Decade-Long Criminal Prosecution of 21 Lawyers from ÇHD (Progressive Lawyers Association) and HHB (People’s Law Office): Delegation Warns That “The World is Watching” This week, we – more than 60 lawyers from 9 countries representing more than 30 bar associations, NGOs and professional lawyers’ associations […]
Defending the Rule of law in Türkiye – A PEN Norway and Lawyers for Lawyers event
Last Thursday, Lawyers for Lawyers and PEN Norway hosted an Event on Türkiye’s rule of law and the situation of lawyers in the country. With an enthusiastic audience, the event provided many interesting insights from first hand witnesses. On Thursday 3 November 2022, PEN Norway and Lawyers for Lawyers (L4L) hosted an event about the […]
Lawyers delegation from Europe and the USA observe the CHD trial in Silivri- The trial which already has lasted for 10 years
In 2013, ten years ago, a mass trial started against 22 lawyers, all of them members of the lawyers organisation Progressive Lawyers’ Association (ÇHD, Turkey) and of the Peoples Law Office (HHB). Since then up to three hearings have taken place each year – first before the “Special Assize Court” (the Heavy Penal Court), then, […]
Lawyer Jiang Tianyong receives IBA Human Rights Award 2022
The Chinese human rights lawyer Jiang Tianyong has received the 2022 International Bar Association (IBA) Award for Outstanding Contribution to Human Rights. Every year, the honour is given by the IBA to a lawyer who has demonstrated exemplary dedication to the advancement of human rights, notably the right to live in a society that values justice […]
Letter to Colombian authorities on the risk situation of lawyer Luz Romero Villalba and the Association COLEMAD
Together with the International Observatory at Risk (OIAD), Lawyers for Lawyers, International Caravan of Jurists, Lawyers Rights Watch Canada and Global Justice Association, has informed the Colombian authorities of its concern about the information received regarding the situation of Luz Estella Romero Villalba and the other members of the Asociación Colectivo Mujeres al Derecho (ASOCOLEMAD), […]
Continuing concerns about situation of lawyers in Hong Kong under third term of President Xi Jingping
On 23 October 2022, the government of the People’s Republic of China (the PRC) has announced that Xi Jinping, chairman of the Chinese Communist Party and president of the PRC has been granted an unprecedented third five year term. The crackdown on lawyers in the PRC has intensified over the last 10 years, with many […]
Concerns about the ongoing trial of Sri Lankan human rights lawyer Hejaaz Hizbullah
The trial of Mr. Hizbullah, a minority rights advocate and legal counsel for many Muslim victims of human rights violations, started on 28 January 2022 at the Puttalam High Court and has been postponed four times since February 2022 due to non-appearance of the prosecution and its failure to produce credible evidence. Lawyers for Lawyers […]
Statement on the disbarment of lawyers in Crimea
Lawyers for Lawyers is concerned about the disbarment of three Crimean human rights lawyers, Lilia Hemedzhy, Rustem Kyamilev and Nazim Sheikhmambetov, in relation to their alleged violation of the procedure concerning transferring from one bar association to another. Lilia Hemedzhy, Rustem Kyamilev and Nazim Sheikhmambetov are prominent human rights lawyers in Crimea, noted for their […]
Concerns about the arrest of Egyptian lawyer Makarios Lahzy
Lawyers for Lawyers is concerned about the arrest of Egyptian lawyer Makarios Lahzy. According to the information received, Makarios Lahzy was arrested on Sunday 30 October when he tried to represent his client. His whereabouts remained unknown until Monday 31 October, when he was released from the Transit Police Department. Makarios Lahzy is a lawyer, […]
Joint statement on the arbitrary prosecution of Tunisian lawyers Hayet Eljazer and Ayoub Ghedamsi
Lawyers for Lawyers, Lawyers’ Rights Watch Canada, The Law Society of England and Wales and the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute are concerned about the arbitrary prosecution of Hayet Eljazer and Ayoub Ghedamsi. Mrs Eljazer and Mr. Ghedamsi have been charged with “insulting a public official from the justice system” in connection to their […]
Statement on the arrest of the lawyers Manuchehr Kholiknazarov and Faromuz Irgashov
Lawyers for Lawyers is concerned about the situation of the lawyers Manuchehr Kholiknazarov and Faromuz Irgashov from Tajikistan. Kholiknazarov heads the Pamir Lawyers Association which is a member organisation of both the Civil Society Coalition against Torture and Impunity in Tajikistan and Commission 44. Lawyer Irgashov a member of Commission 44. Commission 44 was set […]
