News releases

IBAHRI urges the Iranian authorities immediately to drop all charges against journalists standing trial

The IBAHRI condemns the prosecution of Iranian journalists Niloofar Hamedi and Elaheh Mohammadi and calls for all charges against them to be dropped. The closed trials of the journalists are reported to have started on 29 and 30 May 2023...

Released on Jun 1, 2023

Malaysia: Repeal of archaic Sedition Act 1948 urged by IBAHRI, Clooney Foundation and other rights organisations in joint statement

In a letter co-signed by IBAHRI, the Clooney Foundation for Justice and seven other rights organisations, Malaysia’s Home Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, and the country’s Minister of Law Dato' Sri Azalina Binti Othman Said are called to repeal the Malaysia’s Sedition Act of 1948.

Released on May 31, 2023

IBA and IFAC announce Memorandum of Understanding between global bodies for the legal and accounting professions

The IBA and the IFAC have announced a Memorandum of Understanding that formalises and demonstrates a commitment to closer cooperation between the two organisations and the legal and accountancy professions as a whole.

Released on May 31, 2023

In case you missed it: The Presidents of the IBA and ICC Court discussed ways to prevent ‘rule of lawlessness’

The presidents of the International Bar Association (IBA) and the ICC International Court of Arbitration, Almudena Arpón de Mendívil Aldama and Claudia Salomon, respectively, recently held an informal discussion around what each of their organisations can do to protect and advance the rule of law. During the exchange...

Released on May 19, 2023

New IBA report provides insight into growing importance of ESG considerations in capital market transactions

A new report from the International Bar Association (IBA)’s Capital Markets Forum and Securities Law Committee provides valuable insights into the growing importance of environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations in capital market transactions across the world. With input from...

Released on May 16, 2023

México: La IBA expresa su inquietud por la interferencia del Presidente Obrador con la independencia judicial

La International Bar Association,) manifiesta su inquietud por la interferencia del presidente de México, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, con la independencia judicial,  tras la profusión de graves y repetidos comentarios que afectan la integridad de la Suprema Corte de Justicia de la Nación .

Released on May 16, 2023

Mexico: The IBA expresses concern over President Obrador’s interference with judicial independence

The International Bar Association (IBA) expresses concern over Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s interference with judicial independence, following egregious and repeated remarks undermining the integrity of the country's Supreme Court, most recently during a press conference on 19 April 2023.

Released on May 16, 2023

IBAHRI condemns conviction of Russian journalist and opposition activist Vladimir Kara-Murza

The IBAHRI condemns the conviction and 25-year prison sentence handed down to Russian journalist and opposition activist Vladimir Kara-Murza by the Moscow City Court on 17 April 2023.

Released on Apr 21, 2023

Sudan crisis: IBAHRI condemns armed confrontation and urges belligerent sides to end all hostilities

Amid a third collapsed ceasefire in Sudan, the IBAHRI condemns the armed confrontation between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) across the country, and the resulting harm being caused to civilians.

Released on Apr 20, 2023

New IBA report outlines fintech regulatory frameworks of 39 jurisdictions across the world

A new report from the International Bar Association Banking Law Committee (IBA BLC), provides an overview of the financial technology (fintech) regulatory frameworks of 39 jurisdictions across Africa, Asia Pacific, Europe, North America and South America. The report, titled Fintech: legal frameworks...

Released on Apr 17, 2023

Nigeria: New IBA report focused on gender disparity in the legal profession is published

A new report from the International Bar Association (IBA) Legal Policy & Research Unit (LPRU), focused on gender disparity in Nigeria’s legal profession, reveals a dearth of women in senior positions in the judiciary with only 33 per cent occupying senior roles. Furthermore, the report reveals that, currently, only four...

Released on Apr 12, 2023

IBAHRI at the 52nd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council

With the conclusion of the 52nd Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), held from 27 February to 4 April 2023, the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) reflects on the key discussions and outcomes of the session, the side events held, and the resolutions passed.

Released on Apr 4, 2023

Uganda: IBAHRI condemns anti-LGBTQI+ bill that expands use of the death penalty

The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) strongly condemns Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Bill that includes the death penalty for ‘aggravated homosexuality’. The Ugandan Parliament passed the Bill overwhelmingly with 389 votes to 2 on 21 March 2023.

Released on Apr 4, 2023

Israel: The IBA is profoundly concerned with the proposed reforms to the legal system that would jeopardise the Rule of Law

The International Bar Association (IBA) is profoundly concerned with the proposed reforms to the legal system in Israel, which would seriously undermine the independence of the judiciary, including the Supreme Court, and dismantle legal checks on executive power. Israel has been recognised as a substantial...

Released on Mar 24, 2023

Belarus: IBAHRI condemns expansion of the death penalty

The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) condemns amendments to Part 2 of Article 356 of the Criminal Code of Belarus that introduces the death penalty for State officials and military personnel convicted of ‘treason to the state’. President Alexander Lukashenko signed the amendments...

Released on Mar 17, 2023

Zambia: IBAHRI welcomes death penalty abolition

The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) commends Zambia and President Hakainde Hichilema for passing Penal Code (Amendment) Bill Number 25 of 2022 ('the Bill'), which formally eradicated the death penalty in the country...

Released on Mar 17, 2023

Tunisia: IBAHRI calls on President Saied to halt crackdown on judiciary and dissidents

The International Bar Association's Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) condemns and calls for an immediate halt to the wave of arrests targeting critics and perceived opponents of President Kais Saied of the Republic of Tunisia as well as the violent attacks on sub-Saharan nationals and migrants in Tunisia.

Released on Mar 16, 2023

New report published: IBA International Principles on Professional Indemnity Insurance for the Legal Profession

The International Bar Association (IBA) Bar Issues Commission Policy Committee and the IBA Legal Policy & Research Unit (LPRU) have formed a working group to raise awareness of the concept of professional indemnity insurance in the legal profession and published a report to assist bar associations and...

Released on Mar 14, 2023

More than 100 lawyers attend fifth IBA French Spanish Day in Madrid

Convened by the International Bar Association (IBA), more than 100 Spanish and French lawyers from the main law firms of both countries met this week in Madrid to analyse the legal environment for Spanish investments between France and Spain.

Released on Mar 10, 2023

IBAHRI concerned over reports of harassment of Ugandan Supreme Court Judge

The International Bar Association's Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) is concerned over reports of unfair and arbitrary treatment against the Republic of Uganda’s Supreme Court Justice, Dr Esther Kisaakye, following her handing down a dissenting judgment in a 2021 presidential election petition. Disciplinary...

Released on Mar 10, 2023

IBA to host two events at 67th United Nations Commission on the Status of Women

The International Bar Association (IBA) is hosting two virtual side-events during the 67th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW67), which is taking place from 6–17 March 2023. The IBA Access to Justice and Legal Aid Committee and Women Lawyers' Committee will be...

Released on Mar 9, 2023

30 jurisdicciones participan en el primer Día de la Mujer de la IBA

En el Día Internacional de la Mujer 2023, la Presidenta de la International Bar Association (IBA), Almudena Arpón de Mendívil Aldama, ha anunciado el lanzamiento del Día de la Mujer de la IBA, una celebración mundial de las mujeres profesionales del derecho. Este evento tiene como objetivo inspirar y orientar...

Released on Mar 8, 2023

30 jurisdictions participate in the first global IBA Women’s Day

On International Women’s Day 2023, the President of the International Bar Association (IBA), Almudena Arpón de Mendívil Aldama, announced the launch of the IBA Women’s Day; a worldwide event in celebration of women legal professionals. This inaugural event is aimed at guiding the younger generation of...

Released on Mar 8, 2023

IBA President’s blog highlights the ‘courage of our Ukraine colleagues’

For her latest blog post, International Bar Association (IBA) President Almudena Arpón de Mendívil Aldama invited law colleagues in Ukraine to speak directly of their experiences as they continue to carry out their professional duties amidst the ongoing war. Ms de Mendívil praised their courage.

Released on Feb 24, 2023

Ukraine one year on: IBA reiterates condemnation of Russia’s invasion and looks ahead

Ukraine one year on: IBA reiterates condemnation of Russia’s invasion and looks ahead

Released on Feb 24, 2023

Iran: IBAHRI condemns prison sentence against Reza Khandan and calls for charges to be dropped

The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) condemns the issuance of a summons for Iranian civil activist Reza Khandan to begin a six-year prison sentence that was handed down in 2018 for a Facebook post published in support of calls to dismantle discriminatory laws against women...

Released on Feb 21, 2023

IBA announces launch of its Professional Wellbeing Commission

The International Bar Association (IBA) has announced the creation of the Professional Wellbeing Commission – a new, permanent body within the IBA dedicated to improving the wellbeing of lawyers and legal professionals around the world. With the importance of the wellbeing of the legal community...

Released on Feb 6, 2023

Iran: IBAHRI calls for stop to planned executions and sham trials and for UN investigation into ‘suicides’

The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) reiterates its call for the authorities of the Islamic Republic of Iran to halt immediately any ‘trials’ and planned executions of protestors, including that of Mohammad Ghobadlou, who is at imminent risk of execution. Furthermore, the IBAHRI calls on...

Released on Feb 1, 2023

A conversation with Georgia Dawson: How can we achieve true equality in the legal profession?

The International Bar Association (IBA) Legal Policy & Research Unit (LPRU) spoke to Georgia Dawson, Senior Partner at law firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, on the subject of gender equality at the top of the legal profession in a new podcast published as part of the LPRU’s business and sustainability series.

Released on Jan 25, 2023

Israel: IBAHRI condemns new government plan to curb Supreme Court powers

The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) condemns the decision by Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to introduce legislation which will enable Israeli Parliament to overthrow decisions of the country’s Supreme Court, severely undermining democratic institutions by removing...

Released on Jan 18, 2023