13 July 2020
Initiatives in support of the 30th anniversary of UN Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers
Lawyers for Lawyers has collaborated on a number of initiatives of the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) to celebrate and support the 30th anniversary of the United Nations Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers (UN Basic Principles).
The UN Basic Principles constitute a landmark instrument recognising the principle of independence of the legal profession as an essential component of a democratic society and the rule of law. Lawyers for Lawyers has collaborated on the following initiatives to celebrate and support the UN Basic Principles:
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- the development of a Toolkit for Lawyers at Risk – a collaborative project of the IBAHRI, the Bar Human Rights Committee, Human Rights House Foundation, Lawyers Rights Watch Canada and Lawyers for Lawyers. It is designed to facilitate the protection of legal professionals facing attacks in connection to their work;
- Lawyers for Lawyers has co-signed a call for action statement urging UN Member States to recognise, uphold and protect the role of lawyers.
- The Executive Director of Lawyers for Lawyers is featured in a video featuring representatives of the IBAHRI, Lawyers’ Rights Watch Canada, the Bar Human Rights Committee, International Commission of Jurists and Human Rights House Foundation. In the video, the representatives are calling on the international community to denounce the growing attacks on independent lawyers worldwide and support their role in upholding free and democratic societies.