Sentence of Mohsen Bahnasi renewed in absentia
It has been reported that the sentence of Egyptian human rights lawyer Mohsen Bahnasi was renewed in absentia. Mohsen Bahnasi is an Egyptian human rights lawyer, advocating for the rights of political prisoners. Moreover, he is a member of the Freedoms Committee of the Egyptian Bar Association. On 6 July 2020, the State Public Prosecution […]
Call for action in support of the UN Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers
As the 44th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council begins, coinciding with the 30th Anniversary of the United Nations Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers (‘UN Basic Principles’), the International Bar Association (IBA) urges Member States to support the UN Basic Principles and the role of the legal profession in upholding the […]
Abdullah Al-Shamlawi sentenced over tweets
It has been reported that prominent human rights lawyer Abdullah Al-Shamlawi from Bahrain has been sentenced to eight months in prison over two tweets on 30 June 2020. The sentence has been suspended upon payment of 200 BD (USD$530) bail. Al-Shamlawi is a legal consultant and an experienced lawyer who has practiced law for more […]
Concerns about draft bill on the reform of Turkish Bar Associations
On 30 June 2020, a ruling-party proposed bill which aims to restructure bar associations was submitted to the Parliament in Turkey. Lawyers from Turkey organized and participated in countrywide protests against the proposed bill. The draft bill was presented to Parliament on 30 June 2020 by President Tayyip Erdogan’s ruling AKP (Justice and Development Party). […]
Online event with Colombian lawyer Danilo Rueda
We would like to invite you to an online event with Colombian Lawyer at risk, Danilo Rueda on Thursday, 2nd July at 6pm UK time. This event is co-hosted by the Colombian Caravana, ABColombia, Peace Brigades International UK (PBI UK); with the collaboration of Institute for the Rule of Law of the International Association of Lawyers (UIA-IROL) and Lawyers […]
Judgement of the ECtHR in the case of Bagirov v. Azerbaijan
On 25 June 2020, the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR), found that the suspension from legal practice and disbarment of laywer Khalid Bagirov from Azerbaijan violated his rights to freedom of expression and to respect for private life, laid down in Articles 10 and 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). Supsension […]
Adil Mélendez Marquez nominated for the Václav Havel Human Right Prize 2020
Lawyers for Lawyers has nominated Adil Mélendez Marquez for the Václav Havel Human Right Prize 2020. The award will be given to a human rights defender who has made a real difference to the human rights situation of a given group, has been instrumental in uncovering systemic violations on a large scale, or has successfully […]
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 hunger striking lawyers Ebru Timtik and Aytaç Ünsal
Ebru Timtik and Aytaç Ünsal from the Progressive Lawyers Association (ÇHD) in Turkey have been on a death fast for more than 4 months. The two lawyers started their hunger strike on 3 February 2020, in protest of the long jail sentences they have been sentenced to on charges of “membership of a terrorist organisation”. […]
Advertisements on the deteriorating situation of lawyers in Turkey
On 24 June Lawyers for Lawyers together with 34 bar associations and lawyers’ organizations, published an advertisement in the newspapers BirGün and Yeni Yaşam to draw attention to the deteriorating situation of lawyers in Turkey. The English-language text of the advertisement reads as follows: LAWYERS UNDER ATTACK IN TURKEY Lawyers in Turkey are being prosecuted […]
Gustaf Rudolf Kawer nominated for the IBA Award 2020
Lawyers for Lawyers has nominated Gustaf Rudolf Kawer for the International Bar Association Award 2020 for Outstanding Contribution by a Legal Practitioner to Human Rights. The award will be given to a legal practitioner who is deemed to have made an outstanding contribution to the promotion, protection and advancement of the human rights of all […]
Concerns about the verdict of Yu Wensheng after his secret trial
Lawyers for Lawyers, together with 17 other signatories, urged the Chinese authorities to release lawyer Yu Wensheng and offer a compensation for the rights violations he has been subjected to during his detainment in a joint statement. Human rights lawyer Yu Wensheng, who was the defence lawyer of 709 Crackdown victim lawyer Wang Quanzhang, has […]
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 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 on lawyers all around […]
Prosecution and detention of protesting lawyers in Russia
On 31 May 2020, known as the Day of Russian Advocacy in the Russian Federation, lawyers Daniil Berman, Alexander Redkin, Dmitry Zakhvatov and Yekaterina Seleznyova were detained during their peaceful protest against the use of force by police officers on their colleagues in the Kabardino-Balkaria Republic. On 21 May 2020, the authorities in the Kabardino-Balkaria […]
Mahienour El-Massry nominated for the Martin Ennals Award
Lawyers for Lawyers has nominated Mahienour El-Massry for the 2021 Martin Ennals Award for Human Rights Defenders. The award honours individuals and organizations who have shown exceptional commitment defending and promoting human rights, despite the risks involved. Mahienour El-Massry is a prominent human rights lawyer in Egypt, known for her work to promote judicial independence […]
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 […]