News releases

IBAHRI condemns President Mutharika’s continued attacks against Malawi’s Judiciary

The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) condemns the continued persecution of Constitutional Court judges in Malawi by the country’s President, Peter Mutharika, and his Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). The attacks include an attempt to remove Chief Justice Andrew Nyirenda from office ahead of a new presidential poll, scheduled to take place on 23 June 2020.

Released on Jun 18, 2020

China’s move to impose National Security Law on Hong Kong condemned by IBA and IBAHRI

In a joint statement the International Bar Association and the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) condemn China’s proposed new national security legislation for Hong Kong. THE STATEMENT We are concerned by the resolution currently before China’s legislature, which, if passed, will lead to the drafting of a new national security law for Hong Kong.

Released on Jun 18, 2020

IBAHRI signs joint statement on the impact of Covid-19 on LGBTI persons' human rights

The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) has joined a coalition of 187 global organisations in signing a joint statement regarding the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) persons’ human rights. Drafted by ILGA World, the International Service for Human Rights (ISHR),COC, OutRight Action International, the Swedish Federation for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Intersex Rights (RFSL), GATE and ARC International.

Released on Jun 18, 2020

New article analyses Covid-19 digital contact tracing apps from a business and human rights perspective

In the context of the Covid-19 pandemic, with governments adopting unprecedented technologically driven measures to deal with the emergency, the International Bar Association’s (IBA) Legal Policy & Research Unit (LPRU) and the IBA Business Human Rights Committee have published Digital contact tracing for the Covid-19 epidemic: a business and human rights perspective.

Released on Jun 18, 2020

IBA announces £180k fund to support international frontline legal aid providers

The International Bar Association (IBA) and its United States-based charitable arm, the IBA Foundation, have announced a new funding programme to support frontline legal aid providers across the world that are struggling during the Covid-19 crisis. The two entities have allocated GBP 100,000 and USD 100,000 respectively.

Released on Jun 17, 2020

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan urged to discontinue investigations into Turkish bar associations

The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI), alongside other professional legal representative bodies, has issued an open letter to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey urging him to discontinue criminal investigations into the Ankara Bar Association and the Diyarbakir Bar Association. The two organisations voiced concerns about comments made by Turkey’s Religious Affairs Directorate, Mr Ali Erbas, in a sermon on 24 April 2020, when he suggested that members of the LGBT community

Released on Jun 17, 2020

IBAHRI condemns conviction of Philippines’ distinguished journalists

The conviction of Rappler Executive Editor, Maria Ressa, and her former colleague, Reynaldo Santos Jr, over retroactive cyber libel charges is condemned by the IBAHRI.

Released on Jun 17, 2020

IBA 2020 ICC Moot Court Memorial Award winners celebrated in virtual event

For the 2020 edition of the International Criminal Court Moot Court Competition (ICC Moot Court), more than 170 students representing 49 countries gathered virtually to celebrate the winners of the best memorials – lengthy written briefs prepared by each team for prosecution, defence and government roles – submitted in this year’s competition. On Thursday 11 June, the IBA Best Memorial Award, irrespective of role, went to Temple University of the United States.

Released on Jun 16, 2020

IBA condemns US President’s Executive Order authorising sanctions against International Criminal Court personnel

The International Bar Association (IBA) unequivocally condemns United States President Donald Trump’s issuance of an Executive Order authorising the US Secretary of State, Michael Pompeo, to block financial assets within the US jurisdiction of International Criminal Court’s (ICC) personnel, and suspend ICC staff, or any persons found to be cooperating with the institution, entry into the country.

Released on Jun 12, 2020

IBA and IBAHRI call on the US to address racism and police brutality in wake of George Floyd killing

The International Bar Association (IBA) and the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) condemn the police brutality that led to the death of United States citizen George Floyd, as well as the attacks against peaceful protestors and journalists by law enforcement agencies. The entities call on the US Government to address the structural inequalities and institutional racism at the root of the rolling protests following the murder of yet another unarmed Black man in police custody.

Released on Jun 9, 2020

For the legal profession: the Framework Model Curriculum on Continuing Legal Education in Environmental Law

The Framework Model Curriculum on Continuing Legal Education in Environmental Law equips lawyers with the knowledge to provide effective litigation services in environmental law matters.

Released on Jun 5, 2020

IBAHRI condemns attacks against whistleblowers, critics and nationals in Chechnya

The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) condemns the ongoing mistreatment of whistleblowers, government critics and nationals in Chechnya during the current COVID-19 pandemic. Further, the IBAHRI is calling for the prompt reinstatement of medical staff dismissed for expressing their concerns about the lack of vital protective equipment.

Released on Jun 3, 2020

IBAHRI concerned by Nicaraguan President’s denial of gravity of Covid-19 and urges action

Open letter from IBAHRI calls on President Daniel Ortega to protect the rights of Nicaraguan citizens and uphold the rule of law during the pandemic.

Released on Jun 2, 2020

Reform of the Ethiopian justice system supported by the IBA Bar Issues Commission

As the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia reforms its justice system, the Chair of the International Bar Association Bar Issues Commission (IBA BIC), Dr Péter Köves, has sent a report to Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali and new Attorney General, Adanech Abebe, in support of the changes.

Released on May 25, 2020

Nigeria: IBA President to Advise Law Students on Building International Legal Career

The President of the International Bar Association (IBA), Horacio Bernardes Neto, is to feature in an episode of The Mentorship Chat – a Law Students’ Association of Nigeria (LAWSAN) webinar series - on Sunday 24 May at 6pm (GMT +1). At the invitation of LAWSAN President, Emmanuel Nwobodo, Mr Bernardes will speak on the topic of Building a Legal Career Across Boundaries; Leveraging Opportunities in International Law Practice.

Released on May 23, 2020

IBAHRI makes recommendations on the criminalisation and prosecution of rape to UN Special Rapporteur

The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) has filed a submission to the United Nations Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences, Ms Dubravka Šimonovic, with a view to informing her next report on Rape as a grave and systematic human rights violation and gender-based violence against women.

Released on May 20, 2020

IBA launches global research project to bridge gap between younger and older legal generation

The International Bar Association’s (IBA) Young Lawyers’ Committee (YLC) and Legal Policy & Research Unit (LPRU) have embarked on a research project aimed at bridging the gap between young legal professionals and older lawyers who are already established in their careers. As part of the initiative, the LPRU and YLC launched a survey today to gain insight into the priorities and concerns of young lawyers across the globe.

Released on May 18, 2020

IBA joins 12,000 Iranian legal professionals condemning governmental move to dismantle national bar association

The International Bar Association and the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) have joined 12,000 Iranian lawyers and the international legal community to condemn a draft bill, introduced by Mohammad Mosadegh, Legal Deputy of Judiciary, that threatens to curtail the independence of the Iranian Bar Association by effectively dismantling it.

Released on May 15, 2020

IBAHRI urges Sri Lanka to abide by due process in the case of Mr Heejaz Hizbullah

In an open letter to Sri Lanka’s Minister of Justice, the Hon. Nimal Siripala de Silva, the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) has called upon the country’s government to abide by due process and uphold the rule of law in the case of Sri Lankan lawyer Hejaaz Hizbullah.

Released on May 13, 2020

Rights groups urge Kazakhstan to reconsider restrictive freedom of assembly law

A jointly endorsed expert opinion, expressing concern that proposed legislation would infringe the fundamental right to freedom of assembly in the Republic of Kazakhstan, has been sent to the country’s President, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, by the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI), the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) and the Centre for Civil and Political Rights (CCPR Centre).

Released on May 12, 2020

IBAHRI-president of Kazakhstan letter

Letter to the President of Kazakhstan from IBAHRI

Released on May 11, 2020

IBA President: The legal profession must be prepared to play a leading role in climate crisis

As President of the International Bar Association, Horacio Bernardes Neto has ratified the IBA Climate Crisis Statement. In a message to IBA members, Mr Neto outlined the IBA’s responsibilities as the global voice of the legal profession, stating, ‘I believe the legal profession must be prepared to play a leading role in maintaining and strengthening the rule of law, and supporting responsible enlightened governance in an era marked by climate crisis’.

Released on May 7, 2020

WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY - 3 MAY Statement from the High Level Panel on the Covid-19 pandemic

To mark the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, the High Level Panel of Legal Experts on Media Freedom are issuing a statement on the challenges posed to media freedom in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Released on May 1, 2020

IBAHRI launches Covid-19 Human Rights Monitor

Amidst the unprecedented global crisis of Covid-19 pandemic, the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) has launched what will be a weekly summary updates of human rights violations taking place across the globe, while many are preoccupied with the virus. The IBAHRI Covid-19 Human Rights Monitor is designed to be a key resource for legal professionals and all those interested in defending human rights.

Released on Apr 23, 2020

Vietnam: IBAHRI and Geneva Bar condemn restrictive measures against human rights defender during Covid-19 quarantine

The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) and Geneva Bar Association condemn the reported abuse of Covid-19 quarantine measures against a human rights defender in Vietnam. On returning to the country on 26 March 2020, Truong Thi Hà was quarantined alongside other travellers as part of the Vietnamese government’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Released on Apr 21, 2020

JOINT STATEMENT: Hong Kong arrests of pro-democracy figures condemned by international legal community

The international legal community is seriously concerned by the arrest of 15 veteran pro-democracy figures in Hong Kong on Saturday 18 April 2020. In what appears to be a further clampdown on civil liberties and democracy following the 2019 protests, which began over the introduction of a controversial extradition bill, those arrested today include senior figures in the pro-democracy movement.

Released on Apr 20, 2020

Chinese authorities’ use of Covid-19 pandemic to restrain human rights lawyer condemned by human rights defenders

The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI), together with a number of concerned bodies and non-governmental organisations, has issued a joint statement condemning the Chinese authorities’ use of the COVID-19 pandemic as a pretext to restrain human rights lawyer Wang Quanzhang.

Released on Apr 20, 2020

IBAHRI applauds landmark verdict on Peruvian discriminatory LGBTQI+ torture case

The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) welcomes the decision of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights (IACtHR) that holds Peru responsible for the arbitrary detention and rape of a transgender woman. The decision, made public on 6 April 2020, marks the first ruling by the IACtHR on a complaint of discriminatory torture against a member of the LGBTQI+ community.

Released on Apr 17, 2020

ICC Independent Expert Review group called on to strengthen fair trials and equality of arms

The International Bar Association’s International Criminal Court & International Criminal Law Programme (IBA ICC & ICL Programme) has submitted extensive recommendations to the Group of Independent Experts regarding urgent fair trial concerns at the International Criminal Court (ICC). The submissions draw on the IBA ICC & ICL Programme’s monitoring of fairness and equality of arms at the ICC since 2005.

Released on Apr 16, 2020

El IBAHRI insta al Presidente Nayib Bukele a no ignorar el estado de derecho en El Salvador en medio de la pandemia de Covid-19

En una carta abierta al Presidente de El Salvador, el Sr. Nayib Bukele, el Instituto de Derechos Humanos de la Asociación Internacional de Abogados (IBAHRI) lo llamó a tomar medidas para defender el estado de derecho y respetar los derechos humanos fundamentales mientras se toman medidas para prevenir la propagación del Covid-19.

Released on Apr 9, 2020