On April 10 2024, the Russian Duma approved amendments to the 2002 Advocacy Law, significantly tightening regulations within the legal profession.
This is part of a broader trend over the past two decades characterized by the gradual erosion of rights and protections for lawyers and thus their clients.
Key changes include the creation of a Unified State Register of Lawyers, managed by the Ministry of Justice, which could limit legal practice to those centrally approved and undermine lawyer independence. Further controls include restricted access to police facilities without explicit permission, and the possibility of revoking a lawyer’s status if they spend more than a year abroad.
These regulations have been criticized for potentially undermining the legal advocacy system, particularly impacting associative workers involved in human rights and high-profile defense cases. Critics are concerned that these changes occur in Russia amid the recent labeling of the LGBT movement as a terrorist organization and the ongoing requirement for humanitarian workers to register as foreign agents.
On 23 January 2024, the session for the fourth Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of China, including Hong Kong, was held at the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva. Lawyers for Lawyers jointly submitted a report for this UPR and sent a delegation to the UPR pre-sessions that took place in November 2023 in Geneva. During the UPR session, several states explicitly mentioned the situation of lawyers in their recommendations and advance questions to China, highlighting the urgent and dire situation of lawyers.
The key concern highlighted in Lawyers for Lawyers’ joint report for the UPR is China’s compliance with its international human rights obligations under the UN Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers. This notably pertains to the prosecution, imposition of disciplinary measures, and harassment faced by lawyers, along with their restriction of freedom of expression, including the restriction on the rights of lawyers in Hong Kong.
During the UPR pre-sessions, The 29 Principles – the NGO with which Lawyers for Lawyers jointly submitted its report – gave a presentation to a large number of state representatives expressing our collective concerns about the dire situation of lawyers in China and Hong Kong.
After the UPR pre-sessions, the Lawyers for Lawyers delegation raised their specific concerns regarding the deteriorating situation of lawyers in China and Hong Kong with state delegates during a retreat organized by the International Service for Human Rights between several NGOs and over 60 country delegations. Apart from explaining the most pressing issues, Lawyers for Lawyers urged the state delegates to explicitly address the situation of lawyers in their recommendations to China.
#LiYuhan, a 74-year-old human rights lawyer has been freed from #Chinese jail after 6.5 years. We looked into how Li got into human rights law and why police wanted her locked up.https://t.co/xiwWAIDBGk
— Safeguard Defenders (保护卫士) (@SafeguardDefend) March 28, 2024
"We have a monumentally big problem with academic freedom." @MShipworth's @ucl module was abruptly frozen following complaints by Chinese students. Watch an abstract of her interview with CAF: pic.twitter.com/Hns5S4CBF0
— Committee for Academic Freedom (@ComAcFreedom) March 26, 2024
🧵"The Chinese students policing Britain's universities: Self-censoring academics live in terror". @samdunningo in @unherd explains how UCL banned me from the module I invented and developed over 10yrs. Defend UK #AcademicFreedom from CCP interference!https://t.co/eqorTLUAFp
Please support @the29principles. We have been doing various important work to support Chinese lawyers and advocating on various issues related to lawyers' rights and the rule of law in the region.https://t.co/AXQa5SmMPf
#China 🇨🇳 : 10 years after the death in custody of human rights defender Cao Shunli, UN experts condemn the continued failure of Chinese authorities to investigate the circumstances surrounding her death & bring those responsible to justicehttps://t.co/58UeRuik4Rpic.twitter.com/rRsqQwWp2e
La Chine qui envoie ses propres policiers dans un pays européen ? Ce n'est pas une fiction, la Hongrie est même volontaire. Viktor Orban veut renforcer son partenariat avec l'empire du milieu.https://t.co/bBIKOMpieg
Human rights defender Gao Zhisheng experienced torture and detention multiple times since 2006 and has been forcibly disappeared for the past six years. The PRC should be asked about his case and allow visits to him by @UN_SPExperts and @StateDept diplomats. #FreeThemall#UPRpic.twitter.com/qwHQ9moW1T
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 human rights in Belarus in the run-up to the 2020 presidential election and its aftermath. The dialogue took place during the 55th session of the UN Human Rights Council.
The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute, Lawyers for Lawyers and the Law Society of England and Wales condemn the escalating pattern of retaliation against lawyers for representing the political opposition and protesters and for upholding the rule of law.
One year has passed since the sentencing of Viasna leaders, Bialiatski, Stefanovic, and lawyer Labkovich following unfair trials and in retaliation against their human rights work.
Since August 2020, at least 134 lawyers have been deprived of their right to practice and 40 lawyers have faced arbitrary detention due to their human rights work and exercising their freedom of expression and association.
We draw particular attention to the case of lawyer Maksim Znak, arbitrarily detained since September 2020. Since 2022 held incommunicado in penal colony No. 3 near Viciebsk, denied access to his family, lawyer, and independent medical personnel.
Join us in taking action for imprisoned writer #MaksimZnak, call on the #Belarus authorities to: -Release him immediately and end his incommunicado detention – Ensure he is provided with access to health care and communication with family and lawyers: https://t.co/ofUdu4IKi7pic.twitter.com/vGSd8xQErc
3 years > 1095 days > 156 weeks, or 26,208hours. That's how long #MaksimZnak, Belarusian lawyer & my symbolic protegé, has been held as a political prisioner. Maksim stood up for democracy & had his freedom taken away. We will keep fighting for you! ✊ #WeStandBYyou@LiberecoPHRpic.twitter.com/KwQPwohQ6s
Lawyer and human rights defender Şüheda Ronahi Çiftçi has been imprisoned in the southern province of Antalya. The prosecution accused her of being a member of “a terrorist organization” because of her professional and human rights activities.
Lawyer and head of the Antalya branch of the Human Rights Association (IHD) and the Contemporary Lawyers Association (ÇHD), Şüheda Ronahi Çiftçi was taken into custody on 20 February. The Antalya General Prosecutor’s Office ordered her incarceration for “membership in a terrorist organization”.
After the arrest decision, Çiftçi’s colleagues made a statement to the press in front of the Antalya courthouse. Deniz Yıldırım, co-chair of the IHD Antalya Branch, said that Çiftçi was arrested due to her professional activities and emphasized that the investigation was entirely aimed at criminalizing her professional activities and her work for human rights and to prevent her from fighting for human rights. Stating that what happened was not legal, Yıldırım said they would follow up the case and demanded his immediate release. Çiftçi’s other colleagues reacted to the arrest warrant and stressed that they would not give in.
Antalya’da mesleki faaliyetleri sebebi ile gözaltına alınan üyemiz Av. Şüheda Ronahi Çiftçi bugün tutuklanmıştır. Dün olduğu gibi bugün de savunma susmadı susmayacak. Mücadelemiz devam edecektir. Meslektaşımız yalnız değildir! pic.twitter.com/bj6p3rpAyy
Turkish Lawyer Feyza Altun detained on charges of incitement to hatred and hostility towards the public, following an investigation initiated by the Beykoz Public Prosecutor’s Office, in İstanbul.
Altun was taken into custody as part of the investigation and instructions initiated by the Beykoz Public Prosecutor’s Office after her social media post.
HEALTH CHECK CONDUCTED
During the investigation, a search was conducted at Feyza Altun’s residence in Beykoz. Following the completion of the search, Altun was taken into custody and transferred for a health check.
During the health check, Altun stated, “Turkey is a secular country. There is no Sharia law in Turkey. Turkey is not ruled by Sharia law at any time.” After the health check, Altun was taken to the Istanbul Police Headquarters.
WHO IS FEYZA ALTUN?
Feyza Altun was born in 1987 in Istanbul.
She completed her university education at Marmara University Faculty of Law and pursued her master’s degree in “Human Rights Law” at Istanbul Bilgi University.
Altun describes herself as a lawyer, feminist, activist, philanthropist, and writer. In 2015, Feyza Altun gained widespread attention for attending a trial with her 7-month-old baby.
Lawyer Feyza Altun has been taken into custody with a police raid and search into her residence over her social media post. "Lawyers like other citizens are entitled to freedom of expression. … they shall have the right to take part in public discussion of matters concerning… https://t.co/ZGuUvofoEppic.twitter.com/xsmfuhDPQW
A advogada Feyza Altun foi detida sob a acusação de incitar o público ao ódio e à hostilidade devido às suas declarações anti-Sharia, e será transferida para o Tribunal de Beykoz na manhã seguinte ao termo do seu período de detenção. Atty será levada ao Tribunal presencialmente.… https://t.co/K0E5Il6uhj
IBAHRI's Anne Ramberg: ‘The judiciary and the prosecution in 🇹🇷 have become central figures in the mass incarceration of lawyers… Instead of upholding justice, the judiciary and the prosecution have played a disconcerting role in the imprisonment of 553 lawyers…’ https://t.co/owvgONvPFVpic.twitter.com/smUPXdd58N
Iran must do more to protect its lawyers, advocacy groups and international organizations said Wednesday, as they marked the International Day of the Endangered Lawyer.
Each year on Jan. 24, the international legal community honors lawyers around the world who work to advance human rights and the rule of law, even when doing so entails grave risk.
This year, the occasion was dedicated to Iran, where some 66 lawyers have been arrested or detained since September 2022, according to the International Observatory of Lawyers. The advocacy group noted that lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh was sentenced to 38 years in prison for defending human rights, and upwards of 537 Iranians were killed by security forces during demonstrations in the country.
In a statement, a panel of UN experts said: “Lawyers in Iran have, again and again, risen to the challenge and have suffered the consequences. … These brave women and men have been targeted with intimidation and harassment, including arbitrary arrest and disbarment for seeking to ensure those arrested and charged were able to access their right to a legal defense.”
The American Bar Association echoed these sentiments, adding: “Without the protection provided by an independent Bar Association, they are extremely vulnerable to various attacks and to restrictions on their ability to exercise their profession, especially from State authorities.”
The ABA statement noted that Iran is far from alone in the engagement of members of the legal profession. “Globally, lawyers face harassment, arrest and even physical harm in their quest to advance the rule of law,” the organization said, noting that the US has seen a recent surge in violence or threats thereof against lawyers, judges, and other legal professionals.
در #روز_جهانی_وکلای_در_معرض_خطر وظیفه ما یادآوری وکلایی است که یا به کام مرگ کشانده شدهاند. یا در زندان و یا در نوبت اجرای حکم حبس هستند. یا ناگزیر از بازنشستگی و یا کوچ اجباری شدهاند، یا همچنان تحت انواع فشارها و تهدیدها و ممنوعیتها، دست از عدالتجویی برنداشتند.#وکیل_مستقلpic.twitter.com/tE9T1VJ4qk
In recognition of the Day of the Endangered Lawyer on January 24, the Law Society of England and Wales is paying tribute to legal professionals who face risks for upholding the rule of law and advocating for a robust justice system. https://t.co/tXo3AElv8f
LIVE: Hadi Ghaemi, Executive Director, Centre for Human Rights in Iran, @ICHRI at the London event for the International Day of the Endangered #Lawyer:
Justice-seeking and honorable lawyers like Nasrin Sotoudeh، Saleh Nikbakht، Khosrow alikordi، and… were always under pressure and security threats, but they never retreated from their commitments and ideals. We are proud of you.#DayoftheEndangeredLawyer
Today is International #DayoftheEndangeredLawyer. CBABC Internationally Trained Lawyer Section Co-Chairs share their thoughts on this – "We stand behind global efforts to eliminate violence and threats to lawyers in their practice." pic.twitter.com/qLcgFnVTDd
La journée internationale de l'avocat en danger expose les injustices subies en Iran par certains avocats défenseurs des droits de l'homme, condamnés à des longues peines ou forcés de quitter le pays.
— Conseil national des barreaux – les avocats (@CNBarreaux) January 24, 2024
#DayOfTheEndangeredLawyer: Across the world, lawyers continue to face harassment, surveillance, detention, torture, enforced disappearance and arbitrary arrest and conviction. Some are even killed.
Today is an opportunity to honour those who risk their lives to defend the legal… pic.twitter.com/wAURF8du32
Am int. Tag der verfolgten Rechtsanwälte gedenke ich unseren mutigen Verteidigern in Iran, die immer an der Seite der politischen Gefangenen stehen. Ich erinnere an Amirsalar Davoudi, der seit Jahren für seine Arbeit eingesperrt ist. #InternationalDayofPersecutedLawyerspic.twitter.com/JGQODV43EH
#MaryamArvin 29 yrs old, lawyer from #Iran died due to the severe torture she experienced while in custody, weeks after being released from prison. A prosecutor said in her hearings said: "You certainly agree with the protesters, otherwise you wouldn't be defending them." pic.twitter.com/AMGeWx9Bx6
در ۲۴ ژانویه به دعوت کانون وکلای نانت فرانسه در یک کنفرانس که با حضور وکلا،قضات و دانشجويان حقوق تشكيل شده بود از شرايط و وضعيت وكلا در ايران گفتم،از همكاراني كه پاي شرافت خود ايستادند.از همكاراني گفتم كه بواسطه وكالت مورد سوء قصد و تهديد قرار گرفتند و ميگيرند.#وكلاي_در_معرض_خطرpic.twitter.com/QXmsbe03y2
۲۴ ژانویه ۱۹۷۷ چهار وکیل و یک فعال سندیکایی که با حزب کمونیست و فدراسیون اتحادیههای کارگری اسپانیا در ارتباط بودند، توسط افراد مسلحی از نئوفاشیستها در مرکز شهر مادرید کشته شدند.#روز_جهانی_وکلای_در_معرض_خطرpic.twitter.com/QzBbd5TEj8
🇮🇷 Le RDV de la manifestation de soutien aux #avocats iraniens en danger c'est ici 👇
Coordonnée par @ProtectLawyers, dont le CNB est membre, la journée internationale des avocats en danger permettra, en 2024, de soutenir les avocats victimes de persécutions & des menaces. pic.twitter.com/dVbSd6pyDx
— Conseil national des barreaux – les avocats (@CNBarreaux) January 24, 2024
[AVOCATS EN DANGER🌍] @ProtectLawyers organise la journée internationale de l'avocat en danger pour mettre en lumière les injustices subies. Cette année elle sera dédiée à la situation des avocats en #Iran.
— Conseil national des barreaux – les avocats (@CNBarreaux) January 23, 2024
مرضیه محبی، از وکلای دادگستری، در پیامی به دادبان به مناسبت روز وکلای در معرض خطر میگوید: در کشور ایران که دستگاه قضایی عزمی جدی برای اجرای عدالت ندارد و قوانین را زیر پا میگذارد، دادخواهی و دفاع وکیل دادگستری از دادخواهان، خود کنشی رهاییبخش بر علیه ستمدیدگی است.… pic.twitter.com/WJO2YOHhDO
La Abogacía Española recuerda a los #AbogadosdeAtocha, Luis Javier Benavides, Serafín Holgado, Ángel Rodríguez, Javier Sauquillo y Enrique Valdelvira, quienes murieron por defender los derechos y las libertades de la ciudanía. Siempre en nuestra memoria, compañeros. pic.twitter.com/dngi3nnvHm
El OIAD (@ProtectLawyers) denuncia que el régimen iraní está violando el derecho de la abogacía a desempeñar sus funciones profesionales sin intimidación, obstáculos, acoso ni injerencias indebidas.
📢 Join us in standing up for justice! 🤝 Tomorrow, on *Lawyers in Danger Day*, we'll be at the Iranian Embassy in London to support Iranian lawyers whose rights have been violated. 🕑 Meet us at 12:00 at Rex House or 14:00 at 16 Princes Gate. Let's make a difference together!… pic.twitter.com/qO3dkSLajy
امسال در حالی ۲۴ ژانویه روز جهانی #وکلای_در_معرض_خطر سپری میشود که تعدادی از وکلاء به علت ایفای وظایف حرفهای خود در زندان هستند، برخی پرونده باز دارند، پروانه وکالت بعض دیگر معلق شده و شماری مجبور به ترک وطن شدهاند. pic.twitter.com/2yBYzO8cXg
"The legal profession and its free exercise are an essential element of the rule of law, the protection of human rights and the functioning of an independent judicial system" #DayoftheEndangeredLawyerhttps://t.co/u1B3MxHQd5
یادی کنیم از وکلایی که فقط به دلیل دفاع از موکلین خود به اتهامهای واهی به زندان محکوم شدند. در این بین مسئولیت کانونهای وکلا چیست؟ در خوزستان من و خانم زیلابی همچنان پروندههای مفتوح داریم.#روز_جهانی_وکلای_در_معرض_خطر#وکیل_مستقلhttps://t.co/MoP3XWafZB
2024 yılında İranlı meslektaşlarımıza odaklanan 24 Ocak Tehlikedeki Avukatlar Günü için gerçekleştireceğimiz basın açıklamasına tüm üye ve meslektaşlarımız davetlidir.
Le Barreau de Meaux et l’ensemble des Barreaux d’Ile-de-France se mobilisent pour la journée mondiale de l’avocat en danger, le 24 janvier prochain, cette année pour les avocats iraniens persécutés. pic.twitter.com/3PnOuuHIQ5
Wenn der Rechtsstaat in Gefahr ist, kann es gefährlich sein, ihn zu verteidigen. Ein „falsches“ Mandat kostet Anwält:innen weltweit viel zu oft ihre Zulassung, ihre Freiheit oder gar ihr Leben.
Today marks the International Day of the Endangered Lawyer, highlighting the global struggles of legal professionals against harassment and persecution. This year, the focus is on challenges in Iran. Let's stand in solidarity 👉 https://t.co/nwEgyBuC1Y#DayoftheEndangeredLawyer
Chaque 24 janvier, cette journée met en lumière les menaces auxquelles sont confrontés de nombreux avocats dans le monde. En 2024, attirons l'attention sur la situation désastreuse des avocats en Iran. Pour en savoir plus : https://t.co/k0NPbWoLOh
📢 Rejoignez-nous ce 24 Janvier, Journée de l'Avocat en Danger, à 13h devant l'ambassade d'Iran à Bruxelles. Soutenons nos confrères iraniens et leur combat pour la justice et les droits de l'homme. #JournéeDeLAvocatEnDanger#DroitEtJusticehttps://t.co/JFf9Ha6uG3
A l’occasion de la Journée mondiale des Avocats en danger, le barreau de #DOUAI s’associe à @ProtectLawyers et soutient particulièrement cette année les avocats iraniens qui subissent des persécutions et des menaces dans le cadre de leur exercice. pic.twitter.com/a1v1ZJHNbh
24 janvier = Journée internationale de l'avocat en danger. Le combat commence ici et maintenant: être avocat pleinement, être citoyen pleinement, défendre les procédures et les droits, être compétent, vigilant, c'est soutenir, c'est entretenir l'espoir, la démocratie, l'humanité. pic.twitter.com/CelH7cwyej
— Avocats du Barreau d'Amiens 🇺🇦 (@avocatsamiens) January 24, 2024
[1/4]🌏Aujourd'hui, 24 janvier, #Journéemondialedelavocatendanger dédiée à l'#Iran, l'OIAD exhorte les autorités iraniennes à cesser tout harcèlement à l’encontre des avocats et à assurer leur protection.
24 Ocak Tehlikedeki Avukatlar Günü bu yıl İranlı meslektaşlarımıza atfedildi. İran Konsolosluğu önünde yapacağımız basın açıklamasına tüm üye ve meslektaşlarımızı çağırıyoruz.
خسرو علیکردی وکیل خانواده های دادخواد، در اعتراض به تعلیق پروانه وکالت خود و ممنوع الکاری به مدت دو سال مقابل کانون وکلای خراسان دست به تحصن مسالمت آمیز زد. او این اقدام را برای روز ۲۴ ژانویه که از سوی منابع حقوق بشری به عنوان روز جهانی وکلای در معرض خطر نامیده شده انجام داد و… pic.twitter.com/uiLMgX5S4E
#URGENT The latest status of political prisoner Mohammad Ali Najafi. According to the Iranian Human Rights Society, in recent days, political prisoner Mohammad Ali Najafi is under physical & mental pressure due to the lack of medical treatment in prison. https://t.co/p7d8JGBI8y
#URGENT Mohammad Ghobadlo to be executed tomorrow Illegal action by the judiciary in Tehran! Mohammad Qabadlou's death sentence will be carried out tomorrow, January 23, 2024 The General Prosecutor's Office of Tehran Province, in a highly unusual and illegal move, in… pic.twitter.com/pRNaQNnwzu
📽️@Hdaparis, membre du @CNBarreaux, s'exprime sur la situation de nos confrères #iraniens dans le cadre de la Journée mondiale de l'avocat en danger 2024.
Le Barreau de Meaux et l’ensemble des Barreaux d’Ile-de-France se mobilisent pour la journée mondiale de l’avocat en danger, le 24 janvier prochain, cette année pour les avocats iraniens persécutés. pic.twitter.com/3PnOuuHIQ5
[AVOCATS EN DANGER🌍] @ProtectLawyers organise la journée internationale de l'avocat en danger pour mettre en lumière les injustices subies. Cette année elle sera dédiée à la situation des avocats en #Iran.
— Conseil national des barreaux – les avocats (@CNBarreaux) January 23, 2024
Please attend this critical webinar on The International Day of the Endangered Lawyer. This year focusing on Iran. Wednesday 24 January 12:00-13:30 Eastern time
BHRC invites you to an event to mark the International Day of the Endangered Lawyer by @IBAHRI, @ProtectLawyers, @TheLawSociety, with Baroness Helena Kennedy KC and more.
Gelaleh Vatandoost, an Iranian lawyer, has been sentenced to six years and seven months in prison on dubious national security charges. This harsh sentence comes amid a broader state campaign in Iran to hinder lawyers from defending fundamental human rights in the court system by… pic.twitter.com/adnQoWE9pL
📃🌏The Coalition's report for the International Day of Endangered Lawyer is available, focusing in this edition on the situation of Iranian lawyers. Read the report supported by 30 international organisations, including the OIAD: https://t.co/tfnqPPu0jU
— Observatoire international des avocats en danger (@ProtectLawyers) January 18, 2024
📃🌏Le rapport de la #Coalition pour la Journée internationale des avocats en danger est disponible, mettant l'accent dans cette édition sur la situation des avocats iraniens.
Lire le rapport soutenu par 30 organisations internationales, dont l'OIAD: https://t.co/tfnqPPu0jU
— Observatoire international des avocats en danger (@ProtectLawyers) January 18, 2024
📢9e rencontres autour de la journée de l'avocat menacé – 19/01/2024 – Montpellier
📆La 9 èmes Rencontres autour de la journée de l’avocat menacé, c’est dans 4 jours ! 📍On vous donne rendez-vous ce vendredi 19 janvier à la Maison des Avocats à Montpellier et en ligne. ✍️Ne manquez pas de vous inscrire 🔽https://t.co/kpMI1FsHj3pic.twitter.com/CplcGuRhZG
📢 24 janvier – Journée internationale de l'avocat en danger Le barreau de Nantes donne la parole à Maître Ghasem BOEDI, avocat iranien arrivé récemment en France afin qu'il partage son parcours.
„In #Iran, I have freedom of expression, but no freedom after expression“
After the #SakharovPrize ceremony in December, Saleh Nikbakht, the lawyer of the family of #JinaMahsaAmini was arrested and imprisoned for „propaganda against the state“ and the prize confiscated. pic.twitter.com/S1fZk8jCuD
Seyyed Mohammadreza Movahed (#سید_محمدرضا_موحد), a law student at University of Tabriz, was apprehended by security forces on January 13, 2024 — Limited details on the detention facility and his current condition… #FreeIranianStudentspic.twitter.com/7LnNiDsZLV
📽️Ne manquez pas le témoignage que @ShirinEbadi6, avocate iranienne et prix Nobel de la paix, a partagé dans le cadre de la campagne de l'OIAD pour la #Journée internationale des avocats en danger 2024, dédiée à l'#Iran.
Veranstaltungen am 23./24.01.2024 zum Tag der bedrohten Anwältin und des bedrohten Anwalts DER SITUATION DER ANWÄLTINNEN UND ANWÄLTE IM IRAN GEWIDMET
Anlässlich des Tags der bedrohten Anwältin und des bedrohten Anwalts, der 2024 der Situation der Kolleginnen und Kollegen im Iran… pic.twitter.com/K7xqaC9Yar
As the year ends, ALN is releasing a statement on eight ways in which rights lawyers in China have continued to face arbitrary detention, harassment, and repression in 2023. A PDF version of the statement is also available from here.
As 2023 ends, this article highlights eight important or recent developments in the arbitrary detention, harassment, and repression of rights lawyers and activists in China and Hong Kong over the last year.
The context remains the hostile environment for rights lawyers and human rights defenders created by President Xi Jinping and his administration since the early years of his rule, characterized by “rule by law” authoritarianism, that is, by crackdowns on all potential oppositional actors, including (especially) rights lawyers assisting such oppositional actors, through “legal” procedures ostensibly in the name of “upholding law and order”.[1] However, these procedures themselves are designed to allow for easy abuse by authorities, such as language that is vague or easily manipulated, and they lack in any protection against abuse. Extrajudicial or extralegal abuses also occur as well, with the government often simply denying such abuses exist at all. The 709 crackdown, a nationwide series of arrests and interrogations involving over 300 lawyers and activists that started on 9 July 2015 was one of the major early events characterizing the current period.
One of the key international standards violated by these measures is UN Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers, particularly Principle 16, which states that:
Governments shall ensure that lawyers (a) are able to perform all of their professional functions without intimidation, hindrance, harassment or improper interference; (b) are able to travel and to consult with their clients freely both within their own country and abroad; and (c) shall not suffer, or be threatened with, prosecution or administrative, economic or other sanctions for any action taken in accordance with recognized professional duties, standards and ethics.[2]
1.The practice of RSDL, enforced disappearances, and torture
Residential Surveillance at a Designated Location (RSDL) is a form of detention at a special facility run by the public or state security bureaus of China, such as a converted hotel or hospital, sometimes euphemistically called a “training center”. The current legal basis is the 2018 amendments of Arts. 75-79 of China’s Criminal Procedure Law (CPL), which allow residential surveillance for up to six months at residences that are not the detainee’s home, but any place designated by police. Under the RSDL system, police disappear a person and place them in the location, often without informing their family despite CPL Art. 75 requiring the police to inform the family within 24 hours. The person is also given no ability to contact their family and in practice their right to a lawyer is restricted for national security related charges, leading to incommunicado detention. The NGO ISHR has estimated that between 53,000 to 90,000 individuals have been enforced disappeared under the RSDL system.[3]
A great majority of the lawyers and HRDs that have been detained in China since the 709 Crackdown began their detention in RSDL. Reports of torture and other abuses in RSDL detention are widespread.[4] The idea is that torture early in the detention process allows authorities to obtain a confession of guilt, ostensibly allowing them to be more easily be arrested and convicted, despite ignoring that Chinese law does not allow confessions extracted from torture to be admissible at trial. Since the person is held incommunicado for at least six months, this allows wounds from torture to heal somewhat before a person is seen by family members, friends, or lawyers, ostensibly allowing the government to more easily deny any report of torture. Because the family members have no information and don’t know what happened to their family member, it also instills fear and trauma into the human rights and legal community.
Lawyers that have faced abuses in RSDL detention include Xu Zhiyong, Ding Jiaxi, Li Yuhan, Qin Yongpei, Chen Jiahong, Chang Weiping, Tang Jitian, Xie Yang, and Yu Wensheng, as well as other rights activists including Xu Yan, Li Qiaochu, Huang Xueqin, Wang Jianbing, and Guo Feixiong (the pen name of Yang Maodong).
This holiday season, we stand in solidarity with Chow Hang-tung, a 38-year-old barrister who faces charges under the #NSL for her peaceful and courageous pro-democracy activism.
The Foreign Ministers of 🇩🇪 & 🇫🇷 jointly announced the 12 winners of the Franco-German Prize for Human Rights & the Rule of Law!
These individuals fight for universal rights, often risking their own safety in the process. Their courage is an inspiration to all of us. 🕊 pic.twitter.com/SDas0X2p1q
Qin Yongpei valiantly defended himself for 10 hours during his trial this weekend. He focused on the mishandling of his case, and defended his freedom of speech as imperative to the promotion of the rule of law. A verdict has not yet been released. #QinYongpei#覃永沛#Chinapic.twitter.com/aZrgg8lC2G
On this International Human Rights Day, we stand in solidarity with those human rights lawyers who tirelessly dedicate themselves to protecting the rights of the most vulnerable despite the often harsh consequences. pic.twitter.com/m1ADW8bJ50
IAPL Monitoring Committee on Attacks on Lawyers 