#FreetheLawyers Campaign

Why this campaign?

To perform their duties effectively, lawyers must be free from external pressure and undue interference by state or non-state actors. Yet, globally, this freedom is under threat. Lawyers are harassed, threatened, or even attacked for merely doing their job—particularly when handling cases involving human rights. Increasingly, lawyers are being sentenced to lengthy, arbitrary prison terms for their legitimate work. We cannot risk them being forgotten.

In response, Lawyers for Lawyers launched the Free The Lawyers Campaign. This initiative, focused on detained lawyers, encompasses a range of activities, including interventions, social media campaigns, individual petitions, submissions, and advocacy on individual targeted cases from across the world. The Campaign seeks to raise public awareness, providing publicity, and provide support for lawyers serving long prison sentences due to their professional work, bringing much-needed visibility to their situations.

Objectives and activities

The Campaign is guided by two strategic objectives and their ensuing activities:

1. To increase the (international) attention for a number of detained lawyers who have been sentenced to long prison sentences; appropriate actions may include

a. Social media campaigns and online petitions to raise awareness and apply pressure;
b. Deliver briefings / presentations to relevant stakeholders to influence policy;
c. Engage with United Nations mechanisms to raise the respective lawyers’ profile;
d. Organise a letter writing campaign addressed to key stakeholders.

2. To provide direct moral support to these lawyers who are currently serving prison sentences in connection to their professional activities; appropriate actions may include:

a. Organise a greeting card campaign for the identified imprisoned lawyers;
b. Nominate each imprisoned lawyer for a human rights award.