In 2021, the UN Human Rights Committee will review the Russian Federation’s compliance with its international human rights obligations, and more in particular the implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Lawyers for Lawyers has taken the opportunity to file a submission on the list of issues to inform the Committee about the situation of lawyers in the Russian Federation, which resulted in several questions posed to the Russian Federation.
The submission highlighted three main issues: difficulties with access to clients in detention, lack of lawyer-client confidentiality during meetings with clients in detention, and harassment of, and threats against, lawyers. As a result, the following questions were included in the list of issues:
“Please comment on the persistent allegations of threats to, and improper interference with, the judiciary and threats and attacks against, and the groundless prosecution of, lawyers who discharge their professional duties.” (no. 12)
and
“With reference to the Committee’s previous concluding observations (CCPR/C/RUS/CO/7, para. 9), respond to reports of arbitrary criminal or disciplinary proceedings against lawyers taken in the context of their professional activities, the lack of protection provided for them against attacks, threats and harassment, the difficulties faced by lawyers in gaining access to their clients in places of detention and the lack of confidentiality of lawyer-client meetings.” (no. 13)
An answer from the Russian Federation is expected for the review of the Russian Federation by the Human Rights Committee.
