Joint letter on the revocation of license to practice law of five lawyers
18 March 2021

Joint letter on the revocation of license to practice law of five lawyers

Belarus

In a joint letter Lawyers for Lawyers and the Law Society of England and Wales express concern about the revocation of the licenses to practise law of five Belarus lawyers who have been providing legal services to, among others, detained protestors and political opponents of the Belarus government.

In February 2021, the licenses of Maksim Konon, Liudmila Kazak, Kanstantsin Mikhel, Mikhail Kirilyuk, and Vladimir Sazanchuk were revoked following decisions made by the Qualification Commission for legal practice in the Republic of Belarus (Qualification Commission) and the Minsk Bar Association.

Lawyers for Lawyers and the Law Society have raised concerns about the threats to the independence of the legal profession and access to justice in the aftermath of the recent elections in Belarus. We believe that the revocation of the licenses of these five lawyers is related to their professional activities and constitutes improper interference with such activities.

In the letter, Lawyers for Lawyers and the Law Society respectfully urges the relevant authorities in Belarus to review and annul the decisions revoking the licenses of these lawyers and reinstate them with immediate effect, abstain from any further measures that would constitute improper interference with their professional activities, and guarantee that all lawyers in Belarus, including the ones named above, are able to practice law without threat, intimidation, hindrance, harassment, improper interference or reprisals.

Meer nieuws uit Belarus

26 June 2024

International Day in Support of Victims of Torture: public letter to the Belarusian authorities on the continued incommunicado detention of Maksim Znak

Belarus

On 26 June, the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, Lawyers for Lawyers expresses concern over the continued incommunicado detention of lawyer Maksim Znak. According to information received, Mr Znak has now been refused access to his family

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
21 March 2024

Joint oral statement to Human Rights Council on Belarus

Belarus

On 19 March 2024, Lawyers for Lawyers, the Law Society of England and Wales, and the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute delivered an oral statement during the interactive dialogue on the interim oral update of the High Commissioner on the situation of

Lees verder
7 February 2024

Report on Belarus: The Crisis of the Legal Profession Continued Repressions 2022 – 2023

Belarus

In cooperation with the American Bar Association (ABA) and the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI), the Center for Constitutionalism and Human Rights, Right to Defense, and Lawyers for Lawyers have prepared this report to summarize the ongoing worrying

Lees verder