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Second 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

Yu Wensheng and Li Yuhan featured in the #FreeTheLawyers campaign

China

Lawyers for Lawyers has added Chinese human rights lawyers Yu Wensheng and Li Yuhan to the #FreeTheLawyers campaign. Lawyers for Lawyers has on many occasions spoken out for these two lawyers but because of their continued detention, in relation to

5-year anniversary of the 709-Crackdown

China

On 9 July 2015 the Chinese government launched a nationwide campaign using criminal laws and executive controlled courts to silence lawyers and other human rights activists through arbitrary arrests, detentions, convictions, and imprisonment. Over 300 lawyers and activists were arrested

Continued detention of lawyer Elchin Mammad

Azerbaijan

According to our information human rights lawyer Elchin Mammad from Azerbaijan remains in custody. On 31 March 2020, the Sumgait City Court remanded Elchin Mammad in custody for three months. The court was supposed to meet on 27 June 2020

Sentence of Mohsen Bahnasi renewed in absentia

Egypt

It has been reported that the sentence of Egyptian human rights lawyer Mohsen Bahnasi was renewed in absentia. Mohsen Bahnasi is an Egyptian human rights lawyer, advocating for the rights of political prisoners. Moreover, he is a member of the

Call for action in support of the UN Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers

As the 44th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council begins, coinciding with the 30th Anniversary of the United Nations Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers (‘UN Basic Principles’), the International Bar Association (IBA) urges Member States to

Abdullah Al-Shamlawi sentenced over tweets

Bahrain

It has been reported that prominent human rights lawyer Abdullah Al-Shamlawi from Bahrain has been sentenced to eight months in prison over two tweets on 30 June 2020. The sentence has been suspended upon payment of 200 BD (USD$530) bail.

Concerns about draft bill on the reform of Turkish Bar Associations

Türkiye

On 30 June 2020, a ruling-party proposed bill which aims to restructure bar associations was submitted to the Parliament in Turkey. Lawyers from Turkey organized and participated in countrywide protests against the proposed bill. The draft bill was presented to

Judgement of the ECtHR in the case of Bagirov v. Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan

On 25 June 2020, the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR), found that the suspension from legal practice and disbarment of laywer Khalid Bagirov from Azerbaijan violated his rights to freedom of expression and to respect for private life, laid

Lawyers for Lawyers nominates Adil Mélendez Marquez for the Václav Havel Human Right Prize 2020

Colombia

Lawyers for Lawyers has nominated Adil Mélendez Marquez for the Václav Havel Human Right Prize 2020. The award will be given to a human rights defender who has made a real difference to the human rights situation of a given

COVID-19 Series: The impact of the crisis on lawyers in India

India

The COVID-19 crisis poses huge challenges to human rights and the rule of law. The pandemic also affects lawyers all around the world in their daily professional activities, which causes a great impact on the legal profession. Lawyers for Lawyers

Concerns about hunger striking lawyers Ebru Timtik and Aytaç Ünsal

Türkiye

Ebru Timtik and Aytaç Ünsal from the Progressive Lawyers Association (ÇHD) in Turkey have been on a death fast for more than 4 months. The two lawyers started their hunger strike on 3 February 2020, in protest of the long