L4L
On 31 May 2012 the IBA Bar Leaders Conference was held in The Hague. The conference paid attention to ensuring the independence of bar associations, in the Netherlands as well as other countries. L4L chairman Phon van der Biesen talked about the independence of national bar associations. L4L has experienced this to be a global […]
Honduras Acquittal in murder case Dionisio Díaz García
Lawyer Dionisio Díaz García (1962-2006) has always fought diligently for human rights and the rights of employees, until he was killed on 4 December 2006. L4L reported in 2009 that the suspects were convicted to a 21-year prison sentence. However, on 15 May 2012, the suspects were acquitted by the Supreme Court of Justice in […]
China Chen Guangcheng arrives in New York
On 19 May 2012, Chen Guangcheng arrived in the United States, together with his wife and two children. On arrival at the New York University, where he will study law, he said he will continue to work to promote justice and equality in China. The blind Chinese human rights lawyer escaped from his heavily guarded […]
China L4L and Amnesty send letter to Minister for Guangcheng
On 7 May 2012, Lawyers for Lawyers and Amnesty International sent a letter to Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs Rosenthal, in which they ask attention for the situation of Chen Guangcheng. The organisations are concerned about the value of the promises made to Guangcheng by the Chinese authorities, namely that they will guarantee his safety […]
Iran Jail sentence Ali Dadkhah upheld in appeal
On April 28 2012, Mr. Mohammad Ali Dadkhah was found guilty also in appeal on charges of “actions and propaganda against the Islamic regime”, in retaliation for his human rights activities. On 4 July 2011, he was given a nine-year prison term and barred from working as a lawyer for ten years. He was charged with […]
Iran Nasrin Sotoudeh nominated for Martin Ennals Award
On 24 April 2012, newly-appointed Chair of the Martin Ennals Foundation, Micheline Calmy-Rey, announced the three nominees for the Martin Ennals Award 2012, the main award of the international human rights movement. Nasrin Sotoudeh, an Iranian human rights lawyer, is one of the three nominees. The press release reads:“Nasrin Sotoudeh, a woman lawyer from Iran, […]
Mexico Letter L4L to Mexican authorities regarding the Bill to protect human rights defenders
On 19 April 2012 L4L sent a letter to various Members of Parliament of the Mexican Government and the secretariat of the Mexican authorities. In this letter L4L applauded the bill to establish a mechanism to better protect human rights defenders (including lawyers) and journalists in Mexico. L4L also urged the Mexican authorities to provide […]
Belarus Dissappointing response on letter writing campaign
L4L received a dissappointing response of the Permanent Mission on Belarus to the United Nations. This was sent in response to a letter writing campaign for Aleh Volchek that was sent in February 2012. As seen on the picture, the letters of the writing campaign were to be returned ‘as not requested information’.
Colombia Bounty on head of José Humberto Torres
On 12 March 2012, it was announced that a life threatening situation exists for José Humberto Torres, lawyer and human rights defender in Colombia. Through various sources it has become known that different (paramilitary) groups, have gathered a sum amounting to USD 120,000 to serve as a reward for an attack on José Humberto Torres. […]
Thailand Joint letter to Thai authorities
Today it is exactly 8 years ago that Somchai Neelapaijit disappeared. Neelapaijit defended suspects of terrorism in the turbulent south of Thailand. He disappeared on 12 March 2004, shortly after having publicly for accusing the police of torturing his clients in prison. Nothing has been heard of him since. His car was found empty. Despite […]
L4L Run in benefit of L4L!
The SDU is organizing a run in benefit of Lawyers for Lawyers on Sunday 13 may 2012. L4L welcomes this initiative, and would like to call up everybody that is able to run to sign up. Adrie van de Streek (Executive director of L4L): “Together with lawyers, running for lawyers that need our support. What […]
China Cheng Guangcheng still under house arrest
Chen Guangcheng is a blind self-made lawyer and a human rights activist. In 2005 he helped villagers to start legal proceedings against the local authorities of Linyi City who, as part of the one-child policy, had forced thousands of women to have abortions and sterilisations, in violation of national Chinese law. After this case, Guangcheng […]
Turkey Day of the Endangered Lawyer
On Tuesday 24 January 2012, the day of the Endangered Lawyer will be held. In several cities among Europe certain events are organized in support of this day. At the moment we already have demonstrations – in toga/gown/robe – in 10 European cities. The day is organized to protest against the arrest of 47 lawyers […]
Myanmar Joint letter from L4L and LRWC to the Supreme Court of Myanmar
In a joint letter to the Supreme Court of Myanmar, L4L and Lawyers’ Rights Watch Canada (LRWC) called upon the Supreme Court to restore the professional licenses of thirty-two lawyers. According to our information, these lawyers have had their licenses revoked in judicial hearings that were held in private, without proper representation, and without adherence […]
China Dutch ‘Human Rights Tulip’ 2011 awarded to Ni Yulan
The Dutch ‘Human rights Tulip’ 2011 was awarded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign affairs to the Chinese lawyer Ni Yulan. The ‘Human Rights Tulip’ is the human rights award of the Dutch Government. The Government awards this price to a person that showed exceptional courage in protecting and promote human rights in his or […]
L4L UPR Philippines
L4L has filed a Submission for the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of the Philippines with the United Nations Human Rights Council. The situation for human rights lawyers in the Philippines still leaves much to be desired and L4L was able to make detailed recommendations, partly based on knowledge acquired during our fact-finding missions in the […]
