Nieuws

Third quarterly update: #FreeTheLawyers Campaign

Ever since the launch of the campaign, Lawyers for Lawyers has undertaken various actions in the frame of the #FreeTheLawyers Campaign. Lawyers for Lawyers would like to keep you informed about these actions by giving you a quarterly update about

Joint letter on the independence of the legal profession in Eswatini

eSwatini

In a joint letter Lawyers for Lawyers and the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) express concern about proposed legislation to regulate the operations and functions of the legal profession in Eswatini that would severely undermine the right to an independent

Nasrin Sotoudeh transferred to Gharchak Prison

Iran

Nasrin Sotoudeh has been moved to the notorious Gharchack Prison in the city of Varamin on 20 October 2020, despite serious medical issues that require her hospitalization. This has been reported by Center for Human Rights in Iran. Ms. Sotoudeh

Letter on the judicial harassment of Levent Pişkin

Türkiye

In a letter to the Turkish authorities Lawyers for Lawyers expressed concern about the legal proceedings initiated against prominent human rights lawyer and defender Levent Pişkin. The final hearing in his court case will be held on 18 November 2020.

Elchin Mammad sentenced

Azerbaijan

It has been reported that Azerbaijani human rights lawyer Elchin Mammad was sentenced to four years in prison by the Sumgait City Court on 14 October 2020. Mr. Mammad is a human rights lawyer, President of the Social Union of

Possible revocation of license Aliaksandr Pylchanka

Belarus

Lawyers for Lawyers was informed that the Qualification Commission for legal practice in the Republic of Belarus has scheduled a meeting for 15 October 2020 to consider revoking the license to practice law of lawyer Aliaksandr Pylchanka. Mr. Pylchanka, the

Letter on the ongoing detention of Li Yuhan

China

Today, exactly three years after the arrest of former Chinese human rights lawyer Li Yuhan, Lawyers for Lawyers has sent a letter to the Chinese authorities calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Li Yuhan. In the letter the

One year since Ali Jasseb Hattab Al-Heliji has forcibly disappeared

The whereabouts of human rights lawyer Ali Jaseb Hatteb Al-Heliji from Iraq remain unknown exactly one year after he was abducted by armed men on 8 October 2019. Mr. Al-Heliji is a human rights lawyer and a member of the

Disbarment Fatma Karume

Tanzania

On 23 September 2020, the Advocates’ Disciplinary Committee of Tanzania permanently disbarred Fatma Karume from practicing law. Ms Karume is a senior lawyer and the former president of the Tanganyika Law Society, which is the bar association of mainland Tanzania.

Eight years since the arrest of Khalil Ma’touq

Syria

Today eight years ago, on 2 October 2012, prominent Syrian human rights lawyer Khalil Ma’touq and his colleague Mohamed Zaza were arrested. Since then, nothing has been heard of them and their whereabouts remain unknown. Ma’touq, director of the Syrian

Judicial harassment of lawyer Bilal Kagzi

India

Lawyers for Lawyers was informed about the judicial harassment faced by Indian human rights lawyer Mohammad Bilal Gulam Rasul Kagzi in the past months. Mr. Bilal Kagzi is a lawyer who has been working in the Adivasi area, taking up

Nasrin Sotoudeh ends hunger strike as health deteriorates

Iran

On 26 September 2020, Nasrin Sotoudeh ended her hunger strike that she had been on since 11 August. This was announced by Reza Khandan, Nasrin Sotoudeh’s husband. Ms. Sotoudeh began a hunger strike on 11 August 2020. In a letter