Belarus lawyers prevented from carrying out their professional duties

Belarus

On 9 August 2020, the presidential elections in Belarus took place. In the aftermath of these elections, over 6000 citizens of Belarus have been arrested and detained for taking part in largely peaceful protests against the election results or by voicing criticism of the Government of Belarus. It has been reported that there has been an excessive use of force by state authorities against protesters and that many of those arrested are facing ill-treatment and poor conditions in detention.

It was reported that many of those arrested and detained have not had access to a legal representative, nor a legal representative of their own choosing. Where they have been able to meet with a lawyer, it has been alleged that the principle of lawyer-client confidentiality has not been respected. In addition, lawyers have not been granted access to pertinent information to adequately represent and defend the rights of their clients.

It has also been reported that lawyers are being prevented from carrying out their professional duties by law enforcement officers and other state agents and have been harassed, which directly threatens the independence of the legal profession in Belarus. Therefore, access to justice for all citizens in Belarus has been severely curtailed.

Lawyers for Lawyers, the Law Society of England and Wales and UIA-IROL urged the relevant Belarusian authorities to, amongst other things, ensure that all those arrested have access to a lawyer of their own choosing and that lawyers can carry out their professional duties freely and without undue external interference, hindrance or intimidation.

View the full letter here.