The International Bar Association’s human rights institute (IBAHRI) has called for the immediate release of Venezuelan lawyer Arrieche Franco, who was arrested in what the institute believes to be the latest in a series of attacks against the independence of the legal profession in Venezuela. IBAHRI co-chair Helena Kennedy said: ‘We respectfully remind Venezuela’s authorities that the UN Basic Principles on the role of lawyers states that “lawyers shall not be identified with their clients or their clients’ causes as a result of discharging their functions”. Arrieche Franco’s arrest as the lawyer of Dia Dia, which is being investigated by the Venezuelan government in relation to a new law, is, therefore, in clear violation of the international standards that Venezuela is obliged to uphold.’