News releases
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
IBAHRI urges President Nayib Bukele not to disregard the rule of law in El Salvador amid Covid-19 pandemic
In an open letter to the President of El Salvador, Mr Nayib Bukele, the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) has called on him to take action to uphold the rule of law and respect fundamental human rights whilst measures are taken to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
Released on Apr 9, 2020
Authorities urged to protect whistleblowers during Covid-19 crisis
The International Bar Association’s Legal Policy & Research Unit (IBA’s LPRU) has issued a joint statement urging global authorities to strengthen protections for whistleblowers during the Covid-19 pandemic
Released on Apr 8, 2020
IBAHRI condemns Singapore’s decision to uphold criminalisation of same-sex relations
The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) expresses deep regret that a challenge to the constitutionality of Section 337A of the Republic of Singapore’s Penal Code outlawing any act of ‘gross indecency’ between men, was dismissed by Singapore’s High Court on 30 March 2020. Homosexual activity between adults has been illegal in Singapore since 1938 following the implementation of the Penal Code under British colonial rule.
Released on Apr 6, 2020
IBAHRI welcomes the abolition of the death penalty in Colorado
The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) commends the State of Colorado, United States, on repealing the death penalty for crimes committed after 1 July 2020. It has become the 22nd state to abolish capital punishment. The decision was justified by the inefficiency of the punishment as a deterrent, its painful and violent execution, and its disproportionate implementation against people from non-white communities.
Released on Apr 3, 2020
IBAHRI calls on India to lift internet restrictions in Jammu and Kashmir during Covid-19 pandemic
The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) calls on the Government of India and the Government of Jammu and Kashmir to revoke the internet restrictions imposed in the Jammu and Kashmir union territory, amidst the Coronavirus disease/Covid-19 worldwide pandemic.
Released on Apr 1, 2020
Nueva publicación aborda brechas en la prevención de la tortura en América Latina
La nueva publicación sobre prevención de la tortura en América Latina reúne artículos de un grupo multidisciplinario de profesionales, con quienes el International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) ha tenido el gusto de colaborar en promover la documentación e investigación efectivas de la tortura y otros tratos o penas crueles, inhumanos o degradantes.
Released on Mar 31, 2020
New publication aims to address torture prevention gap in Latin America
A new publication regarding torture prevention in Latin America brings together a collection of articles by multidisciplinary professionals who have worked in collaboration with the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) to promote the effective prevention, documentation and investigation of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment in the region.
Released on Mar 31, 2020
IBAHRI condemns disbarment of Zambian Constitutional lawyer John Sangwa
1The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) condemns the persecution and disbarment of prominent Zambian Constitutional lawyer John Sangwa SC, on 13 March 2020. Following an alleged complaint of professional misconduct by the country’s judiciary to the Law Association of Zambia (LAZ), the judiciary’s Acting Chief Registrar Prince Boniface Mwiinga announced that Mr Sangwa would not be allowed to appear before any court in Zambia.
Released on Mar 26, 2020
IBAHRI: United States must cease threats to International Criminal Court personnel and families
The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) condemns the remarks of United States Secretary of State, Michael Pompeo, in relation to an ongoing investigation at the International Criminal Court (ICC). During the media briefing on 17 March 2020, Secretary Pompeo spoke of the possible implication of US nationals in investigations conducted by the ICC Office of the Prosecutor.
Released on Mar 19, 2020
Joint Statement: Arbitrary Suspension of Tanzanian Lawyer and Former President of the Tanganyika Law Society, Ms Fatma Karume
The undersigned bar associations and organizations, concerned with the rule of law and the independence of the legal profession, register their concern over the continued suspension of Ms. Fatma Karume, a former president of the Tanganyika Law Society and a current senior partner at the law firm, IMMMA Advocates in Tanzania.
Released on Mar 16, 2020
IBAHRI urges President of India to investigate hasty transfer of judge
The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) has issued an open letter to President Ram Nath Kovind of India, urging him to take action against the hasty decision made in February 2020 to transfer Justice S Muralidhar from the Delhi High Court to the Punjab and Haryana High Court. This ruling was made after the judge criticised the failure of the New Delhi government and police to counter violent protests in the capital.
Released on Mar 11, 2020
IBAHRI condemns UK treatment of Julian Assange in US extradition trial
The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) condemns the reported mistreatment of Julian Assange during his United States extradition trial in February 2020, and urges the government of the United Kingdom to take action to protect him. According to his lawyers, Mr Assange was handcuffed 11 times; stripped naked twice and searched; his case files confiscated after the first day of the hearing; and had his request to sit with his lawyers during the trial.
Released on Mar 10, 2020
IBAHRI calls on Malawi’s president to address persecution of Constitutional Court judges
In an open letter to President Peter Mutharika of the Republic of Malawi, the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) calls for action to be taken against the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) in relation to attacks on Constitutional Court judges after they annulled the May 2019 Presidential election, ruling that the integrity of the ballot had been compromised.
Released on Mar 6, 2020
Kazakhstan: IBAHRI condemns disbarment of two lawyers
The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) condemns the decision of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Kazakhstan on 26 February 2020 to disbar two lawyers – Amanzhol Mukhamedyarov, the Chair of the Lawyers’ Rights Committee, and Erlan Gazumzhanov, a lawyer from Nur-Sultan – from practising law.
Released on Mar 4, 2020
IBAHRI and ICJ urge Turkey’s Council of Judges and Prosecutors to cease probe into Gezi Park trial judges
The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) and the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) urge the Turkish Council of Judges and Prosecutors (CJP) – Turkey’s legal disciplinary body responsible for judicial appointments – to stop their investigation into the three judges of the Istanbul 30th Heavy Penal Court who, on 18 February 2020, acquitted the 16 defendants in the Gezi Park trial due to a lack of evidence.
Released on Feb 28, 2020
IBAHRI calls on the Integrated Bar of the Philippines to address extrajudicial killings of 50 lawyers
The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) has sent an open letter to the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, calling on the body to take action against the continued persecution of lawyers, prosecutors and judges, and extrajudicial killings committed as part of the ‘war on drugs’ under President Rodrigo Duterte.
Released on Feb 27, 2020
Turkey: IBAHRI and ICJ welcome the acquittal of Gezi Park trial defendants
The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) and the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) welcome today’s ruling by the Istanbul 30th Assize Court that acquitted all 16 defendants in the Gezi Park case due to insufficient evidence.
Released on Feb 19, 2020
New Model Statute for citizens to challenge governments failing to act on climate change
An unprecedented step forward to provide citizens around the world with a critical new tool to address the climate emergency and achieve climate change justice will be launched by the International Bar Association (IBA) Climate Change Justice and Human Rights Task Force on Tuesday 18 February at Doughty Street Chambers in London, United Kingdom.
Released on Feb 18, 2020
New report urges nations to use targeted sanctions to protect journalists
A report published today by the High Level Panel of Legal Experts on Media Freedom recommends that governments, including signatories to the Global Pledge on Media Freedom, adopt targeted sanctions regimes to ensure that journalists, media professionals and others engaged in journalistic activities can carry out their work without harassment, intimidation, false imprisonment or violent attack.
Released on Feb 13, 2020
IBA and LSGL launch project to create blueprint for global legal education
The International Bar Association (IBA) and Law Schools Global League (LSGL) have launched an ambitious project that aims to identify the key drivers that shape global legal education, the consequent emerging responses and whether these responses can sufficiently address the challenges confronting legal professionals all over the world. Some of the drivers examined include:
Released on Feb 13, 2020
IBAHRI launches ‘Toolkit on Lawyers at Risk’ to advance the protection of lawyers
On 24 January, to mark the Day of the Endangered Lawyer, the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) is launching a toolkit to facilitate the protection of lawyers at risk of persecution for carrying out their professional duties. The Toolkit on Lawyers at Risk is the result of a collaborative project between the IBAHRI, the Bar Human Rights Committee, Human Rights House Foundation, Lawyers for Lawyers and Lawyers Rights Watch Canada
Released on Jan 24, 2020
IBAHRI condemns US’ use of force on 3 January
The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) condemns the United States’ use of force in Iraq on 3 January 2020 where the commander of the Quds Force, Qasem Soleimani, was killed. The IBAHRI calls on President Trump to refrain from legitimising his use of force ex post facto.
Released on Jan 23, 2020
Madrid: IBA launch Spanish translation of landmark bullying and sexual harassment report
The International Bar Association (IBA) has published a Spanish translation of its landmark bullying and sexual harassment report. The Spanish translation of Us Too? Bullying and Sexual Harassment in the Legal Profession will be officially launched in Madrid on Wednesday 22 January at a roundtable event hosted by the IBA in collaboration with the General Council of Spanish Lawyers.
Released on Jan 22, 2020