News releases
The ongoing risks to journalists and media freedom: a salient reminder on World Press Freedom Day 2024
The IBAHRI commemorates this United Nations World Press Freedom Day on 3 May 2024, by reiterating the importance of protecting and respecting journalists and media personnel around the world, who risk their lives to keep the public informed and shed light on injustice.
Released on May 3, 2024
Supreme Court of Philippines appoints IBAHRI as Amicus Curiae in Maria Ressa’s cyber libel case
The Supreme Court of the Philippines has recently accepted the amicus curiae motion filed by the IBAHRI in July 2023 in the case of People of the Philippines v Maria Ressa and Reynaldo Santos Jr.
Released on Apr 24, 2024
Korea: Women lawyers lag behind male counterparts in senior roles in the profession
The IBA Legal Policy & Research Unit has released the Republic of Korea Results Report hat looks into gender disparity at senior levels of the legal profession in Korea.
Released on Apr 14, 2024
IBA wins at UK’s Women & Diversity in Law Awards
The IBA has won the Women & Diversity in Law Awards’ Gender Equality Initiative of the Year Award for its 50:50 by 2030
Released on Apr 10, 2024
IBAHRI at the 55th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council: takeaways
With the conclusion of the 55th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, held from 26 February – 5 April 2024, the IBAHRI reflects on the key discussions and outcomes of the session, the side events held and the resolutions passed.
Released on Apr 9, 2024
Hong Kong: the IBAHRI is profoundly concerned about the Safeguarding National Security Law and the implications for the legal profession
The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) has expressed profound concern about the Hong Kong Safeguarding National Security Law (SNS Law) that came into force on 23 March 2024
Released on Mar 25, 2024
New Publication: The Gender Apartheid Inquiry Report into the situation of women and girls in Afghanistan and Iran
The Gender Apartheid Inquiry (the Inquiry), convened by the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI), has published a new report titled SHATTERING WOMEN’S RIGHTS, SHATTERING LIVES: Parliamentary Ad-Hoc Inquiry Into The Situation Of Women And Girls In Afghanistan And Iran. The report was launched in the United Kingdom Parliament on 4 March 2024.
Released on Mar 22, 2024
Afghanistan: IBAHRI condemns public executions
The IBAHRI without reservation condemns the public executions by the Taliban in Afghanistan.
Released on Mar 20, 2024
IBAHRI Director Baroness Helena Kennedy KC appointed to The Order of the Thistle by King Charles III
The Director of the IBAHRI, Baroness Helena Kennedy of the Shaws, KC, has been appointed Lady of the Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle by King Charles III.
Released on Mar 18, 2024
New Climate Registry to be launched by IBA LPRU
Released on Mar 14, 2024
The IBA Professional Wellbeing Commission launches International Guidelines for Wellbeing in Legal Education
The IBA Professional Wellbeing Commission has announced the launch of its International Guidelines for Wellbeing in Legal Education - a comprehensive resource designed to promote wellbeing in the lawyers of the future.
Released on Mar 13, 2024
IBA President launches Ten Directives to Break the Glass Ceiling
The IBA President, Almudena Arpón de Mendívil Aldama, has introduced the Ten Directives to Break the Glass Ceiling to mark International Women’s Day 2024.
Released on Mar 8, 2024
Marking the second anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
On the second anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the IBA and the IBAHRI pay tribute to Ukraine’s display of commitment to law and justice.
Released on Mar 1, 2024
Zimbabwe: IBAHRI and L4L call for greater protections for human rights lawyers
The IBAHRI and Lawyers for Lawyers (L4L) have welcomed the decision of the Zimbabwean authorities to drop charges brought against two human rights lawyers, Douglas Coltart and Tapiwa Muchineripi.
Released on Feb 26, 2024
IBAHRI concerned about the arbitrary arrest and detention of Palestinian human rights lawyer Diala Ayesh
IBAHRI expresses concerns about the arrest of Palestinian lawyer Diala Ayesh, known for her advocacy in the legal and human rights domain, emphasizing fair trial guarantees and freedom of expression.
Released on Feb 23, 2024
IBAHRI reiterates its call to halt possible extradition of Julian Assange and uphold media freedoms
IBAHRI urges dropping charges against Assange, defending freedom of expression, information, and media in democratic societies.
Released on Feb 22, 2024
IBAHRI sends open letter to Belarusian authorities to end incommunicado detention of lawyer Maksim Znak
The IBAHRI has expressed concern over the incommunicado detention of lawyer Maksim Znak and called for its termination in an open letter to Belarusian authorities.
Released on Feb 21, 2024
IBAHRI joins global condemnation of Russia’s authorities as death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny announced
The IBAHRI condemns the role Russia’s authorities may have had in the death of Russian opposition figure, Alexei Navalny – former lawyer and the most prominent critic of the regime – in prison while serving a thirty year sentence.
Released on Feb 17, 2024
The IBAHRI commends Pakistan’s landmark ruling in marital rape case
The IBAHRI commends Pakistan for legal reform which enhances the rights of women within marriage and criminalises sexual violations without consent.
Released on Feb 15, 2024
Turkey: IBAHRI and TALI release report documenting mass imprisonment of lawyers
The IBAHRI and The Arrested Lawyers Initiative have released a detailed report highlighting the declining independence of the legal profession and bar associations in Turkey.
Released on Feb 13, 2024
Afghanistan and Iran put under the microscope in new Gender Apartheid Inquiry
The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) has convened the Gender Apartheid Inquiry – a new British Parliamentary ad-hoc inquiry into whether the systematic oppression of women and girls in Afghanistan and Iran constitutes gender apartheid.
Released on Jan 31, 2024
USA: IBAHRI calls on Alabama to halt untested execution by nitrogen hypoxia
The IBAHRI has called for the planned execution of Kenneth Eugene Smith to be stopped. It is scheduled for Thursday 25 January 2024 in Alabama, United States.
Released on Jan 24, 2024
IBAHRI and partners condemn the harassment of human rights lawyer Aleksey Ladin
On 24 January 2024, the International Day of the Endangered Lawyer, human rights defender and lawyer Aleksey Ladin will face a disciplinary hearing by the Council of the Tyumen Regional Bar Association.
Released on Jan 22, 2024
In memoriam - Stephen Denyer (1955 - 2024)
The IBA mourns the loss of Stephen Denyer who sadly passed away on 14 January 2024.
Released on Jan 19, 2024
On International Day of the Endangered Lawyer, IBAHRI and partners to host event
Wednesday 24 January marks the International Day of the Endangered Lawyer. The purpose of the Day is to call attention to threatened human rights lawyers in a single designated country. For 2024 the focus is on Iran.
Released on Jan 18, 2024
IBA calls on law professionals to participate in brief anti-corruption survey
To help the IBA protect the rule of law, the Legal Policy & Research Unit is asking all law professionals to complete a brief survey.
Released on Jan 18, 2024
Israel: IBAHRI welcomes Supreme Court decision
The IBAHRI supports the decision of the Israeli Supreme Court to denounce the plans of the Israeli government to overthrow the judiciary with legislation introduced last year.
Released on Jan 11, 2024
IBAHRI condemns the conviction of Bangladeshi Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus
The IBAHRI denounces the conviction of Muhammad Yunus, who has been sentenced to six months in prison for labour law violations ¬– a crime that he did not commit.
Released on Jan 10, 2024
Nepal: IBA, in collaboration with DLA Piper’s New Perimeter, releases a case study on women lawyers and training initiatives
A new report on a training programme for women in Nepal’s legal profession has been released by the IBA and New Perimeter – the nonprofit affiliate of law firm DLA Piper, an IBA Group member, focused on global pro bono.
Released on Jan 4, 2024
The Human Rights Institute of the IBA condemns the indiscriminate and disproportionate attacks on Gaza and reiterates the call for an immediate ceasefire
After closely monitoring the war unfolding in Gaza, in November 2023 the IBAHRI issued a statement calling for an immediate ceasefire.
Released on Dec 22, 2023