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, […]
Letter 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 […]
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’.
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. […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Radhia Nasraoui granted Human Dignity Award
On 22 November 2011, Radhia Nasraoui has been granted the Roland Berger Human Dignitiy Award, for her many years of courageous struggle against torture and for an independent judicial system in Tunisia. Nasraoui, now 58 years old, is one of Tunisia’s best-known lawyers. She has worked tirelessly for human rights in her country for more […]
Database Basic Principles is online!
The UN Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers contain a concise listing of international norms holding rights and responsibilities for lawyers aimed at securing that they can conduct their profession in an independent manner. One of the main purposes of the Basic Principles is to assist States in their task of promoting the proper […]
Razan Zeitouneh awarded with two important awards
Razan Zeitouneh, human rights lawyer from Syria who has been into hiding for months, has recently been presented with two important human rights awards. Zeitouneh has risked her life in breaking through the government’s media blackout to report on the brutal crackdown in Syria. For this she was honored by receiving the Anna Politkovskaja Award, […]
Veiling Jonge Balie Zwolle-Lelystad ten bate van L4L
Op vrijdag 28 oktober organiseerde de jonge balie Zwolle-Lelystad een veiling ter gelegenheid van haar 40 jarige bestaan, ten behoeve van L4L. In de veiling werden o.a. aangeboden een Herman Brood schilderij, een weekend cabrio rijden, 4 VIP kaarten voor de World Cup schaatsen, 2 kaarten voor de musical Soldaat van Oranje, een Family Fotoshoot, […]
Syria Al Hasani visits the Netherlands
On 17,18 and 19 October, Human Rights Lawyers Muhanad al Hasani from Syria, paid a visit to the Netherlands. On 22 October 2010 Al Hasani was presented with the Amsterdam Dean’s Award. At the time it was not possible for him to collect the Award himself, for he was detained in prison. On 3 June […]