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

 

17 April 2024

Joint statement on the detention of Chinese human rights lawyer Yu Wensheng and his wife, activist Xu Yan

China

Lawyers for Lawyers and 29 other civil society organisations have issued a joint statement expressing their grave concern regarding the detention of human rights lawyer Yu Wensheng and his wife, activist Xu Yan. 13 April marks the first anniversary of

Lees verder
16 April 2024

‘Flight to Lithuania’ — interview with Natalia Matskevich and Paulius Griciunas

Belarus

A new law has been passed in Lithuania which allows lawyers from outside the European Union to register as third-party lawyers in Lithuania. This legislative advance is of great symbolic importance according to Belarusian lawyer Natalia Matskevich. By Trudeke Sillevis

Lees verder
11 April 2024

Joint statement on the escalated harassment and threats faced by lawyers in Algeria

Algeria

Lawyers for Lawyers, SHOAA for Human Rights and the Law Society of England and Wales have issued a joing statement expressing their grave concern regarding the escalation of prosecutions against lawyers for their work defending people involved in the Hirak

Lees verder
10 April 2024

Vacancy student internship – 24 hours/week

On average 24 hours/wk, from 1 June 2024 Do you want to make a difference for endangered lawyers standing up for the rights of others? Do you want to learn how an NGO works and build a network with lawyers

Lees verder
9 April 2024

IACHR historic ruling on Colombia’s responsibility for harassment and persecution against members of the CAJAR

Colombia

In a historic ruling, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights declared on the 18th of March 2024 that the Colombian State was responsible for the harassment and persecution against the members of the José Alvear Restrepo Lawyers Collective Corporation (CAJAR).

Lees verder
8 April 2024

Save the date 16 May 2024: Seminar ‘Law as an Instrument for Change: Advancing LGBTQI+ Rights in Court and Beyond’

Lawyers for Lawyers and the Amsterdam Bar Association would like to cordially invite you to join the seminar ‘Law as an Instrument for Change: Advancing LGBTQI+ Rights in Court and Beyond’ in theatre de Rode Hoed in Amsterdam on Thursday,

Lees verder
5 April 2024

Statement on Lawyers’ Day in Turkey

Türkiye

Today, 5 April 2024, on the occasion of Lawyers’ Day in Turkey, Lawyers for Lawyers once again strongly condemns the ongoing crackdown against lawyers in Turkey. The past twelve months were continuously marked by incidents of harassment and interference with

Lees verder
3 April 2024

Ongoing updates on legal proceedings against Claudia Gonzalez Orellana: a closer look

Guatemala

Claudia González Orellana Claudia González received the prestigious Lawyers for Lawyers Award 2023 for her work as a prominent human rights lawyer in Guatemala and her work as a former representative of the International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG),

Lees verder