Siti Kasim acquitted
On 21 August 2020 Malysian lawyer Siti Kasim was acquitted for obstructing a civil servant during the Federal Territories Islamic Department (JAWI) raid on a private event held by the transgender community in 2016. Siti Kasim, a lawyer and human rights defender was present at the private event in her capacity as lawyer and, in that […]
International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances
Today, 30 August, marks the UN International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances. In recognition of the challenges that victims of enforced disappearance and their families face, Lawyers for Lawyers would like to draw attention to the cases of disappeared lawyers Ali Jasseb Hattab Al-Heliji, Gao Zhisheng, Razan Zeitouneh, Khalil Ma’touq and Somchai Neelapaijit. Under […]
In remembrance of Ebru Timtik
We are deeply saddened by the loss of our colleague Ebru Timtik. Ebru passed away on 27 August after 238 days of hunger strike, which she started to strengthen her demand for fair trials and the administration of justice in Turkey. R.I.P. Ebru – we respect you and we always will.
Submission to UN Human Rights Committee
In 2021, the UN Human Rights Committee will review Iran’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 […]
Belarus lawyers prevented from carrying out their professional duties
Lawyers for Lawyers, together with the Law Society of England and Wales and the Institute for the Rule of Law of the International Association of Lawyers (UIA-IROL), has written a letter to the authorities in Belarus regarding threats to the independence of the legal profession and access to justice in the aftermath of the recent elections […]
Beatrice Mtetwa barred from representing client
On 18 August 2020, human rights lawyer Beatrice Mtetwa was barred from representing the detained journalist Hopewell Chin’ono at the Harare Magistrate Court. The Zimbabwean magistrate further ordered that the lawyer should be charged with contempt of court. This was reported by Frontline Defenders. Beatrice Mtetwa is a human rights lawyer and a member of […]
Urgent action letter to UN Special Rapporteurs about Ebru Timtik and Aytaç Ünsal
Seventeen organizations, Lawyers for Lawyers amongst them, have sent an urgent action letter to five United Nations Special Rapporteurs about the situation of lawyers Ebru Timtik and Aytaç Ünsal. Human rights lawyers Ebru Timtik and Aytaç Ünsal have been on hunger strike since February 2020 to strengthen their demand for fair trials and the administration […]
Presidents of several Turkish bars visit Ebru Timtik and Aytac Ünsal
On 18 August, a group of presidents of Turkish bar associations have visited lawyers Ebru Timtik and Aytac Ünsal in the hospitals they are being held. Shortly after, they held a joint press conference. At the conference they have shared their own messages for Ebru Timtik, Aytac Ünsal and the government. They also brought messages […]
Nasrin Sotoudeh starts hunger strike
On 11 August 2020 Iranian human rights defender and lawyer Nasin Sotoudeh began a hunger strike to demand the release of political prisoners in the Evin prison that are threatened by the COVID-19 virus. This is the second time within six months she has gone on a hunger strike to insist the release of political prisoners. […]
Concerns about lawyers on hunger strike near death
Lawyers for Lawyers has signed a joint statement alongside the Bar Human Rights Committee of England & Wales, the International Association of Lawyers (UIA), The Law Society of England and Wales and the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) expressing concern for the safety of Turkish lawyers Ebru Timtik and Aytaç Ünsal. The statement […]
Intervention from Didem Baydar Ünsal about Ebru Timtik and Aytaç Ünsal
On 11 June 2020, the online conference “Lawyers rights in peril: A discussion on the challenges to the integrity of the legal profession in Turkey amid the ongoing hungers strikes of the lawyers Ebru Timtik and Aytaç Ünsal” took place. During the conference, an intervention was made by lawyer and wife of Mr. Ünsal, Didem […]
Press conference on the situation and plight of lawyers Ebru Timtik and Aytaç Ünsal
On 11 August, a press conference and open discussion is being organized to draw attention to the plight of human rights lawyers Ebru Timtik and Aytaç Ünsal, who have been on hunger strike since February 2020 to strengthen their demand for fair trials and the administration of justice in Turkey. The two lawyers started their hunger […]
Veronica Koman: “The number one challenge for the West Papuan indigenous people is security issues”
Today, the 9th of August, is the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples. On this day, Lawyers for Lawyers would like to take this opportunity to draw attention to the work of lawyers around the world who represent indigenous peoples and might face difficulties because of this work. For this occasion, we have interviewed […]
Lawyers Ebru Timtik and Aytaç Ünsal not released
Ebru Timtik and Aytaç Ünsal from the Progressive Lawyers Association (ÇHD) in Turkey have been on a hunger strike for more than 5 months to support their demand for a fair trial. On 30 July, the Istanbul 37th Heavy Penal Court ruled that both lawyers should remain detained. However, they have been transferred to hospitals […]
COVID-19 series: the impact of the crisis on lawyers
The COVID-19 crisis poses huge challenges to human rights and the rule of law. The pandemic also affects lawyers all around the world in their daily professional activities, which causes a great impact on the legal profession. Lawyers for Lawyers has created a COVID-19 series to provide insight into the effect of the COVID-19 crisis […]
Concerns about the situation of lawyers in Sri Lanka
Lawyers for Lawyers is concerned about the situation of lawyers in Sri Lanka. It was reported that multiple lawyers are the subject of targeted arrests, threats and intimidation since 2019. On 14 April 2020, lawyer Hejaaz Hizbullah was arrested by the Criminal Investigation Division (CID). No reasons were provided to Hejaaz Hizbullah or his family at […]