The present document of the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) elaborates on the situation in Belarus under President Lukashenka. According to the ICJ lawyers are constrained by the licence system controlled by the executive and those defending human rights are harassed and persecuted. The ICJ states that the Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers provide that governments shall ensure that lawyers are able to perform their professional duties without intimidation, harassment or interference and that they should not be threatened with prosecution or sanctions for any action taken in accordance with their recognised professional duties.