October 14, 2025
8:30 – 9:30 AM
Meeting Room 4 – Opera
On October 14, Lawyers for Lawyers and the American Bar Association’s Center for Human Rights (ABA/CHR) co-host a side event during the OSCE Warsaw Human Dimension Conference titled “Global Pressures on the Legal Profession: A Threat to the Rule of Law.”
Across the world, lawyers and other legal professionals are facing mounting pressures that threaten the very foundation of democratic governance and the rule of law. From harassment and disbarment to politically motivated prosecutions, the independence of the legal profession is under siege — even in established democracies.
This side event brings together international experts to discuss these troubling trends, share comparative insights, and propose concrete recommendations for OSCE member states.
Speakers include:
- Melissa Hooper, Senior Fellow, German Marshall Fund
- Anara Ibraeva, Director, Public Association “Dignity”
- Maksim Polovinko, Human Rights Lawyer
Introductory remarks are delivered by Sophie de Graaf (Lawyers for Lawyers) and Ginna Anderson (ABA/CHR), with Fernanda Nicola (American University) offering closing reflections. The session is moderated by Jasmine Cameron (ABA/CHR).
Download the flyer here
