Tag Archives: Law Society of England & Wales

Colombia/UK: Human rights and the rule of law in South America examined

Sem categoria 01/05/2019 Leave a comment

April 29, 2019

On 30 April 2019, the Law Society’s international human rights adviser, Dr. Marina Brilman, gave evidence to the Foreign Affairs Select Committee on the rule of law and human rights in South America. The Law Society submitted written evidence in November 2018. The main subjects addressed in the session were:

  • Regional challenges to the Inter-American system of human rights by PROSUR member states and lack of financing
  • The rise in attacks against lawyers and human rights defenders in Colombia, especially after the signing of the peace agreemen

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https://bit.ly/2vCdd8h

https://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/foreign-affairs-committee/news-parliament-2017/global-britain-south-america-2-evidence-17-19/

Turkey: Why we need to support lawyers in Turkey

Sem categoria 10/04/2019 Leave a comment

April 10, 2019

Image result for law society of england and wales

An attempted coup in Turkey in July 2016 was followed by a purge of lawyers, judges, journalists, opposition politicians, academics and civil servants. Estimates vary, but up to 150,000 people were dismissed, with thousands prosecuted and imprisoned. Amongst them over 1,500 lawyers, including many presidents of provincial bar associations, have been prosecuted and over 200 convicted of terrorist-related offences. Many face long jail sentences. The number grows daily.

The Law Society has been heavily involved in supporting persecuted lawyers. This has been through making interventions on behalf of individual lawyers, and through working jointly with the IBA Human Rights Institute, the Bar Human Rights Committee and Turkish lawyers to make detailed representations to the UN Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers.

Human Rights Watch today publishes an important report highlighting cases in which lawyers have been unjustifiably prosecuted and making detailed recommendations as to what the Turkish state should do to remedy violations against lawyers. It also proposes steps which it feels that the national bar association, the Union of Turkish Bars, should do to better support its members.

Judges and lawyers are of course always at the centre of efforts to ensure that the citizen is properly represented when charged with crimes by the state; that the rule of law is upheld; and that fundamental rights and freedoms are respected. These roles have been described as one of the ‘guardrails of democracy’ by Harvard professors Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt in their book ‘How Democracies Die’. When the guardrails come loose, democracy itself is threatened. Persecution of lawyers and judges, evidenced by attacks in state sponsored media, threats, investigations and prosecutions are becoming almost a template of oppression in authoritarian regimes. Rattling the guardrail until it detaches results in democratic safeguards being rendered impotent.

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https://www.lawgazette.co.uk/commentary-and-opinion/why-we-need-to-support-the-lawyers-in-turkey/5069865.article

https://ahvalnews.com/human-rights/turkish-authorities-undermine-right-fair-trial-targeting-lawyers-rights-group?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook&fbclid=IwAR2epc77t4e3ToA7aQVbVUXWhJMlqvKRXdThto-khd38LbkeNjjtByJrg9c

https://www.lawgazette.co.uk/international/turkey-accused-of-systematic-assault-on-legal-profession-/5069939.article

https://www.americanbar.org/groups/gpsolo/publications/gp_solo/2014/january-february/giving_back_lawyers_under_attack_turkey/

https://www.voanews.com/a/turkey-human-rights/4869478.html

http://bianet.org/english/law/207321-hrw-report-on-lawyers-in-turkey-they-feel-like-extras-in-hearings

UK: The Law Society launches Intervention Tracker 2018

Sem categoria 09/04/2019 Leave a comment

March 13, 2019

intervention tracker

The Law Society launched its Intervention Tracker 2018. This is the third intervention tracker produced by the Law Society.

 

This latest tracker includes information on all letters sent on lawyers and human rights defenders at risk by the Law Society during the year 2018 (confidential letters are not included). Most letters were sent to countries in the Middle East and North Africa, as well as Latin America. The human rights violations most often committed against lawyers and human rights defenders in 2018 was arrest and detention (53.3%), followed by assassinations (20%) and harassment or threats (20%).

The Intervention Tracker 2018 also includes a comparison of data between the years 2016, 2017, and 2018. This data shows that arrest and detention continue to be the most frequent violations committed and that the number of assassinations of lawyers and human rights defenders increased in 2018. Killings were most frequent in Latin America, followed by South Asia. The Law Society’s Intervention Tracker does not necessarily reflect the situation of lawyers at risk worldwide

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http://communities.lawsociety.org.uk/international/international-rule-of-law/lawyers-at-risk/the-law-society-launches-intervention-tracker-2018/5067141.article

https://www.lawsociety.org.uk/

Saudi Arabia: Nomination of Waleed Abu al-Khair for the 2019 ABA International Human Rights Award | Joint Letter

Sem categoria 30/03/2019 Leave a comment

March 29, 2019

Waleed Abu al-Khair, unlawfully imprisoned for his work as a human  rights lawyer since 15 April 2014, has been nominated for the 2019
American Bar Association Human Rights Award jointly by LRWC, Lawyers for  Lawyers, Union Internationale des Avocats and the Law Society of England  and Wales.

…

JOINT NOMINATION LETTER

In accordance with the request of the American Bar Association (ABA) for nominees for the 2019 ABA International Human Rights Award, the following organizations —Lawyers’ Rights Watch Canada (LRWC), Lawyers for Lawyers (L4L), the Law Society of England and Wales (LSEW) and the Union Internationale des Avocats (UIA) —recommend and nominate human rights lawyer Waleed Abu al-Khair of Saudi Arabia for the 2019 ABA International Human Rights Award.

Waleed Abu al-Khair is one of the best-known advocates for democratic and human rights reform in Saudi Arabia.  He has used the written and spoken word coupled with his legal knowledge to fearlessly advocate for reforms to improve the lives of all in Saudi Arabia by calling on the Government of Saudi Arabia to allow its citizens to enjoy internationally protected rights to freedom of expression, association, assembly and the right to participate directly and indirectly in public affairs.  He has done this work through writing and public speaking, by representing causes and clients unpopular with the Government of Saudi Arabia, by providing a safe space for peaceful discussion of issues of public concern and by providing people with an example of responsible advocacy for justice for all.  At the risk of his own personal and professional safety and security, Waleed Abu al-Khair persisted in using his training and skills as a lawyer to be an outspoken advocate for an elected parliament, an independent judiciary, a constitutional monarchy and recognition of internationally protected human rights. He has also advocated on behalf of prisoners of conscience and written many articles identifying human rights abuses and the need for legal reform. He recommended reliance on the rule of law and proper legal procedures to effect reform and settle disputes and differences of opinion and never advocated or used violence as a means of opposition.

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https://www.lrwc.org/saudi-arabia-nomination-of-waleed-abu-al-khair-for-the-2019-aba-international-human-rights-award-joint-letter/

https://www.lrwc.org/saudi-arabia-waleed-abu-al-khair-update-wgad/

https://www.lrwc.org/saudi-arabia-arbitrary-detention-of-samar-badawi-working-paper/

https://www.ifex.org/saudi_arabia/2019/03/25/al-qahtani-mistreatment/

https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/434752-senate-dems-petition-saudi-king-to-release-dissidents-us-citizen

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waleed_Abulkhair

https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waleed_Abu_al-Khair (FRANCAIS)

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Turkey: Lawyers Associations join forces to raise concern for the rule of law and the legal profession in Turkey for the Day of the Endangered Lawyer

Sem categoria 24/01/2019 Leave a comment

January 24, 2019

The Bar Human Rights Committee of England and Wales (BHRC) has joined ten other Bar Associations, Law Societies and Legal Organisations in a joint declaration concerning the breakdown of the rule of law and serious threats against the independence of Judges, Lawyers, and Prosecutors in Turkey.

The declaration marks the 9th annual Day of the Endangered Lawyer and, along with BHRC, includes Abogacía Española – Consejo General, Geneva Bar Association–Human Rights Commission, German Bar Association–Human Rights Committee, European Bar Human Rights Institute, Paris Bar Human Rights Institute, International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute, International Observatory for endangered lawyers, Law Society of England and Wales, Lawyers for Lawyers, and Norwegian Bar Association–Human Rights Committee.

The Day of the Endangered Lawyer was founded and is organised by the Foundation for the Day of the Endangered Lawyer based in Harrlem, the Netherlands. The 24th of January was chosen to be the annual International Day of the Endangered Lawyer because on this day in 1977 four lawyers and a co-worker were murdered at their office in Madrid, Spain. This was also known as the Massacre of Atocha.

The Day honours lawyers across the world who put themselves at risk in the fight for human rights and the rule of law. It aims to create awareness that the practice of the legal profession in many countries involves significant risks, but also to denounce the situation in a particular country where lawyers are victims of serious violations of their fundamental rights because of the exercise of their profession. Each year, the persecution of lawyers in a particular country is highlighted, and the Foundation coordinates activities outside of the country’s embassies around the world. Previous Days of the Endangered Lawyer have expressed concern for lawyers in Iran (2010), Turkey (2012), Basque Country/Spain (2013), Colombia (2014), the Philippines (2015), Honduras (2016), China (2017) and Egypt (2018).

In line with the focus for the Day of the Endangered Lawyer for 2019, the joint declaration expressed its concern for lawyers in Turkey:

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http://www.barhumanrights.org.uk/lawyers-associations-join-forces-to-raise-concern-for-the-rule-of-law-and-the-legal-profession-in-turkey-for-the-day-of-the-endangered-lawyer/

http://www.lawsocietygazette.ca/news/law-society-marks-the-day-of-the-endangered-lawyer-january-24/

https://alhr.org.au/australian-lawyers-human-rights-supports-day-endangered-lawyer/?fbclid=IwAR1FU3kR4M3ei8ycUbHv-HamacikEdW7aRR9hADxYE5yt3uUPYjXwqeIACA

https://dyyad.blogspot.com/2019/01/dyyad-day-of-endangered-lawyer.html

basic-report_turkey2019

https://eldh.eu/en/2018/11/22/day-of-the-endangered-lawyer-2019/

Updated Report: Incarceration of Turkish Lawyers | Unjust Arrests and Convictions (2016-2018)

https://eldh.eu/fr/2018/11/22/day-of-the-endangered-lawyer-2019/

https://www.wnd.com/2019/01/eu-court-orders-turkey-to-follow-human-rights-treaty/

https://www.evrensel.net/haber/371866/paris-barosu-artik-adalet-savunma-icin-yerini-bulsun (TURKCE)

http://www.omedyam.com/istanbul-milletvekili-oya-ersoydan-24-ocak-tehlikedeki-avukatlar-gununde-kanun-teklifi-117031/ (TURKCE)

https://www.yenialanya.com/guncel/tehlikedeki-avukatlar-gunu-icin-antalya-adliyesi-nde-eylem-h350849.html (TURKCE)

http://www.antalyasonhaber.com/tehlikedeki-avukatlar-gunu-icin-adliyede-eylem-215081h.htm (TURKCE)

https://www.gercekgundem.com/guncel/65814/tehlikedeki-avukatlar-gununde-eylem (TURKCE)

https://medyabold.com/2019/01/24/24-ocak-dunya-tehlikedeki-avukatlar-gununde-bir-metin-feyzioglu-portresi/ (TURKCE)

http://mezopotamyaajansi14.com/tum-haberler/content/view/45778 (TURKCE)

http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/yerel-haberler/antalya/tehlikedeki-avukatlar-gunu-icin-adliyede-eylem-41093221 (TURKCE)

https://www.arti49.com/tehlikedeki-avukatlar-gunu-icin-adliyede-eylem-1424421h.htm (TURKCE)

http://www.camerepenali.it/cat/9659/giornata_dell%E2%80%99avvocato_minacciato_24_gennaio_2019.html (ITALIANO)

http://www.idhae.org/OBSAV-DEL190124-TUR.htm?fbclid=IwAR2lT2R_herNRCBWt1zG_ma-sTKaPBW0id9a1EBmy0Z2LDZk1w6CvqL60iw (FRANCAIS)

https://www.odage.ch/medias/commissions/documents/Droits%20de%20l’Homme/CP_Avocats_en_danger_2019.pdf?fbclid=IwAR17WjLgXqT8okhxgnpCOfi9HHXu67P6NAoIWoyiWabgsMPId8tFoF1fi4U (FRANCAIS)

https://www.letemps.ch/monde/combat-heroique-avocats-regime-erdogan (FRANCAIS)

https://osce.delegfrance.org/9eme-journee-internationale-de-l-avocat-en-danger-Grave-repression-des-avocats (FRANCAIS)

https://brandaktuell.at/2019/01/24/karriere/plattform-rechtsstaatanlaesslich-des-day-of-the-endangered-lawyer-auch-zu-aktuellen-aeusserungen-des-oesterreichischen-innenministers/ (DEUTSCH)

https://www.ots.at/presseaussendung/OTS_20190124_OTS0099/plattform-rechtsstaatanlaesslich-des-day-of-the-endangered-lawyer-auch-zu-aktuellen-aeusserungen-des-oesterreichischen-innenministers (DEUTSCH)

https://juristen.no/nyheter/2019/01/markerer-st%C3%B8tte-til-tyrkiske-jurister (NORWEGIAN)

#DayoftheEndangeredLawyer

#EndangeredLawyers

#24OcakTehlikedekiAvukatlarGünü

#24thJanuaryEndangeredLawyersDay

#İstanbulBarosu

Padova, Italia

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Iran: Prominent Civil Rights Activist Held Incommunicado In Prison

Sem categoria 15/01/2019 Leave a comment

January 14, 2019

Nasrin Sotoudeh, prominent human rights defender jailed for five years. File photo

The prominent Iranian civil rights activists and lawyer, Nasrin Sotoudeh has once again been held incommunicado in Tehran’s notorious Evin prison, her husband Reza Khandan disclosed in an interview with Radio Farda January 13.

“The prison authorities have held Nasrin incommunicado, after finding a small pair of scissors in her personal effects,” Khandan reported.

Reza Khandan, who was recently released from Evin after months in custody, also told Radio Farda that because of the negligence of the prison authorities, the inmates have recently been forced to personally procure their foodstuff.

According to Mr. Khandan, Evin’s authorities have decided to increase their pressure on female inmates to prevent leaks concerning the conditions in the prison.

Sotoudeh, 55, is the winner of numerous prestigious international awards, including PEN/Barbara Goldsmith Freedom to Write (2011), Southern Illinois University School of Law Rule of Law Citation (2011) AND Sakharov Prize (2012)

On 21 September 2018, she was also awarded the annual tribute for a lawyer, the 23rd Ludovic-Trarieux International Human Rights Prize initially bestowed on Nelson Mandela in 1986 when in jail.

Nasrin Sotoudeh, outspoken opponent of the death penalty and compulsory hijab has been sentenced to five years prison.

https://en.radiofarda.com/a/prominent-iran-human-rights-defender-sotoudeh-held-incommunicado/29709686.html

http://www.payvand.com/news/19/jan/1035.html

https://www.lawgazette.co.uk/law/society-calls-for-release-of-hijab-protestors-lawyer/5068756.article

https://women.ncr-iran.org/2019/01/15/nasrin-sotoudeh-banned-visits/

https://www.hrw.org/news/2019/01/16/iranian-prisoners-hunger-strike-plea-basic-rights

https://www.hrw.org/news/2019/01/17/iran-unrelenting-repression

https://iran-hrm.com/index.php/2019/01/17/jailed-human-rights-lawyer-nasrin-sotoudeh-held-incommunicado/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nasrin_Sotoudeh

https://persian.iranhumanrights.org/1397/10/nasrin-sotoudeh-visitation-ban/?fbclid=IwAR0al_UAFwjijb1Se9Yu2Eyo9vqLtc00tylFDka70lOGxs7TG-kxFv6XfOo (FARSI)

https://www.radiofarda.com/a/29707543.html (FARSI)

http://www.women.ncr-iran.org/fr/infos-des-femmes/3542-la-prisonniere-politique-nasrin-sotoudeh-interdite-de-visite-en-prison-en-iran?fbclid=IwAR0ENWpqKSggvq7VRet7XYS7F4kK37QTXj0f9W1Oc2dd2CCw7U2e_l_dVFY (FRANCAIS)

#FreeNasrin

#NasrinSotoudeh

Image may contain: Reza Khandan, text

Iran/UK: Society calls for release of hijab protestors’ lawyer

Sem categoria 02/01/2019 Leave a comment

January 2, 2019

Image may contain: Reza Khandan, text

The Law Society of England and Wales has renewed its call for the release of Iranian lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh. The 55-year-old lawyer was detained in June 2018 after agreeing to defend women arrested for demonstrating against Iran’s hijab laws.

In a letter to the head of the country’s judiciary, Ayatollah Sadegh Larijani, Chancery Lane repeats concerns raised in a protest sent with other bar associations last August against Sotoudeh’s detention in connection with her legitimate rights as an attorney.

The letter notes that Iran has ratified the UN International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which obliges states to ensure that lawyers are free to carry out professional duties. It calls on the authorities to:

  • Immediately and unconditionally release Sotoudeh, withdraw all charges against her, vacate any convictions imposed in her absence and without notice to her, and put an end to all acts of harassment against her;
  • Ensure that all authorities strictly comply with and act in accordance with the due process rights of Ms. Sotoudeh guaranteed by the UN covenant;
  • Guarantee in all circumstances that all lawyers in Iran enjoy and carry out their legitimate professional rights and duties without fear of reprisals and free of all restrictions, including judicial harassment; and to now.

According to latest reports by Iranian human rights organisations, Sotoudeh had been due to go on trial on unknown charges on 23 December.

https://www.lawgazette.co.uk/law/society-calls-for-release-of-hijab-protestors-lawyer/5068756.article

https://www.lawsociety.org.uk/

https://women.ncr-iran.org/2018/06/17/iran-condemning-the-arrest-of-ms-nasrin-sotoudeh-lawyer-and-human-rights-activist/

https://www.dw.com/en/us-policy-spreads-gloom-in-iran/a-46869979

https://abovethelaw.com/2018/12/jailing-attorneys-for-doing-their-jobs/

https://www.opencanada.org/features/shaparak-shajarizadeh-and-fight-womens-rights-iran/

https://www.ifex.org/middle_east_north_africa/2019/01/03/bahrain-uae-activists-sentenced/?utm_source=whatcounts&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=itw-4-jan19

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nasrin_Sotoudeh

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Girls_of_Enghelab_Street

https://www.dw.com/de/d%C3%BCstere-stimmung-im-iran-durch-us-politik/a-46783333 (DEUTSCH)

https://www.dw.com/es/la-pol%C3%ADtica-de-sanciones-de-estados-unidos-genera-m%C3%A1s-opresi%C3%B3n-en-ir%C3%A1n/a-46910394 (ESPANOL)

#FreeNasrin