International online discussion: the work of lawyers in Crimea and Russia. Who will defend the defenders?
The professional activities of lawyers in the occupied Crimea and Russia are associated with severe risks. Lawyers undergo pressure, intimidation and threats due to their professional activities — especially when dealing with sensitive political cases. These risks and pressures take various forms – illegal arrests, deprivation of a lawyer’s status, libel and defamation suits, harassment on the Internet and other forms of pressure. International legal standards and national norms establish appropriate guarantees for the members of the legal profession, but they do not always provide the necessary protection in practice.
This month when we’re celebrating the International Day of the Endangered Lawyer, which this year is focusing on Azerbaijan, it’s important to highlight the role of lawyers working under threat in other countries and regions as well. On January 27, at 15:00 CET an online discussion among the professional legal community will occur. Participants will discuss how international standards and national legislation can provide the necessary protection for law practitioners. Also, speakers will discuss how lawyers and lawyer’s professional associations in different countries can protect their colleagues in Russia and Crimea to ensure adequate legal representation.
We invite lawyers, advocates, human rights defenders, journalists, representatives of international organizations and all interested in to join the event.
Registration
Kindly ask everyone interested in the topic to fill out the participant’s registration form at the link: https://cutt.ly/IjFxWh3
The discussion will take place online on January 27, 2021, at 15:00 CET.
The Ukrainian Crisis Media Center is to provide the broadcast.
Organizers
The event is being organized by the Center for Civil Liberties (Ukraine), Moscow Helsinki Group (Russia), Lawyers for Lawyers (Netherlands), American Bar Association’s Rule of Law Initiative (USA), Ukrainian Bar Association.