Nieuws

Court: Interrogation of lawyer illegal

Russian Federation

Russian Lawyer who refused to testify against his client vindicated by the Court   Lawyer Yegor Mylnikov has been forced to stop the defence of his client in a criminal case twice. In both cases, he had to defend himself in

Upcoming hearing in case of Maseko and Makhubu

eSwatini

On November 3, 2014 a hearing in the case of Thulani Maseko and Bheki Makhubu is scheduled at the Supreme Court of Swaziland, in which the charges against them could be dropped. On 17 July lawyer Maseko and journalist Makhubu, were convicted of

Nasrin Sotoudeh’s law license suspended, sit-in to protest

Iran

On 18 October 2014, a disciplinary investigation panel of Tehran’s Bar Association communicated a ruling to Ms. Sotoudeh that her law license is to be suspended for three years based on a complaint filed by the Islamic Revolution Court’s Prosecution Office.  In August 2014, a

Draft bill on attorneyship threatens independence legal profession

Iran

The Iranian judiciary has drafted a legislative proposal on attorneyship in 2012 which introduces state supervision of lawyers. The draft proposal has been met with serious concern from Iranian lawyers and international organizations in recent years, including from the International

Martin Ennals Award for human rights lawyer

Mexico

On 7 October 2014, the Martin Ennals Jury presented Alejandra Ancheita with the 2014 Martin Ennals Award for Human Rights Defenders (MEA). Alejandra Ancheita is a Mexican lawyer and activist who leads the fight for the rights of the migrants,

2000 lawyers called for repeal of the ‘sedition Act’

Malaysia

The Malaysian Bar Council on 16 October organized the ‘Walk for Peace and Freedom’ as a 1.3 kilometer march in protest against the recent string of arrests, charges, investigations and prosecutions under the archaic 1948 Sedition Act. The Sedition Act

Joint statement for release of Khalil Ma’touq

Syria

The Syrian government should immediately and unconditionally free the prominent human rights lawyer Khalil Ma’touq and his colleague Mohamed Zaza, 26 organizations, including L4L, said on 2 October 2014, on the second anniversary of their enforced disappearance. Ma’touq, director of

Letter on draft lawyers bill

Indonesia

On 23 September, Lawyers for Lawyers sent a letter to the Indonesian authorities to express its concern about the Bill on Attorneys that is currently deliberated by the People’s Representative Council. Although the proposed bill contains several provisions that should further

ISIS executes human rights lawyer

Iraq

Lawyers for Lawyers was informed about the execution of a human rights lawyer from Iraq. On 22 September 2014, human rights lawyer Samira Saleh al-Naimi was publicly executed in Al Mosul city by the Islamic State’s (ISIS) militia. Reportedly she

Lawyer Mahienour el-Massry released

Egypt

On 21 September 2014, the Court of Appeal in Alexandria accepted the petition to quash human rights lawyer Mahienour el-Massry’s sentence. She was released the very same day. El-Massry was sentenced on 2 January, 2014 (in her absence) to a two

Sri Lanka Situation of lawyers deteriorates rapidly

The situation of lawyers in Sri Lanka is deteriorating rapidly. Lawyers for Lawyers was informed about- and contacted by several lawyers who are the victim of (death) threats in connection to their work. This week, Lawyers for Lawyers wrote letters to the Sri

Human rights lawyer Gustaf Kawer at risk of arrest

Indonesia

The Papua Regional Police has opened an investigation into human rights lawyer Gustaf Kawer in connection with “crimes against public authority”. The charges, under articles 211 and 212 of the Criminal Code, refer to events alleged to have occurred during