DEFEND

EMPOWER

INFLUENCE

About us

Lawyers for Lawyers

Our vision: Every lawyer must be able to practice their profession freely and independently. To provide people the legal assistance they are entitled to. To uphold the rule of law. And to protect human rights.

We are committed to upholding a free and independent legal profession. In every corner of the world. Whenever the rights and freedoms of lawyers are under pressure, we take action. Connecting lawyers who are threatened or prosecuted for their work, to their colleagues in the Netherlands. Always independent: by lawyers, for lawyers.

 The rights of lawyers are protected through the United Nations Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers. However, not all states comply with these international agreements. The Basic Principles form the basis for Rule of Law, which is why they’re the guiding principle in everything we do.

Situations may arise where lawyers are threatened and prosecuted, just for doing their job. Dutch lawyers support these colleagues around the world. We do this by working across three pillars: Defend, Empower & Influence.

 

DEFEND | EMPOWER | INFLUENCE

Infographic by: Thomas Hazenoot

News

14 April 2021

Lawyers who have represented Belarusian opposition leaders are subject to persecution

Belarus

Lawyers for Lawyers is concerned about the situation of the lawyers Maxim Znak, Ilya Salei, Alexander Pylchenko, Liudmila Kazak and Siarhei Zikratski. These lawyers have represented  leaders of the democratic movement in Belarus and are believed to be the subject

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6 April 2021

Contempt proceedings against Charles Hector

Malaysia

It has been reported that the Malaysian lawyer and human rights defender Charles Hector potentially faces contempt of court charges. These potential charges are in relation to a letter he sent to an officer of the Jerantut District Forestry Office

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1 April 2021

Hearing of lawyer Hejaaz Hizbullah postponed for the second time

Sri-Lanka

According to our information , the court hearing in the case against Sri Lankan lawyer Hejaaz Hizbullah has been postponed for the second time. The hearing was originally scheduled for 3 March, had been postponed to 18 March and has

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31 March 2021

Abdullah Al-Shamlawi prohibited from practicing law for one year

Bahrain

It has been reported that the Lawyers’ Disciplinary Board in Bahrain decided to prohibit prominent human rights lawyer Abdullah Al-Shamlawi from practicing his profession for one year in hearing held on 22 March 2021. Al-Shamlawi is a legal consultant and

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