About the IBAHRI

Established in 1995 under the honorary presidency of Nelson Mandela, the IBA's Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) is a leading voice in the promotion of the rule of law worldwide.

The IBAHRI works to promote, protect and enforce human rights under a just rule of law in a variety of ways.

These include: training lawyers, judges and prosecutors in human rights law and international humanitarian law; pioneering training programmes to strengthen the judiciary in post-conflict countries or countries where basic state infrastructure may have been eroded; undertaking fact-finding missions and sending trial observers to countries where the rule of law has deteriorated; making representations to authorities worldwide where individuals or the independence of the judiciary has been threatened; galvanising international support to lobby for change through media and advocacy campaigns; and providing long-term technical assistance to under-resourced bar associations and law societies.

In addition, we liaise closely with international and regional human rights organisations and produce newsletters and other publications to highlight issues of concern to worldwide media.

The IBAHRI welcomes members from across the legal, social and political spectrum; indeed, many of our most active participants do not practise human rights law in their daily lives but, through membership of the IBAHRI, demonstrate their commitment to supporting human rights and the freedom of the profession.

Click on our quick links to the right to find out more.