News releases
Venezuela: Human rights organisations appeal to the UN on case emblematic of Maduro’s assault on the Rule of Law
The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI), the Raoul Wallenberg Centre for Human Rights (RWCHR), and the Human Rights Foundation (HRF) appealed to the United Nations to hold Venezuela accountable for the 11-year persecution and prosecution of Judge Maria Lourdes Afiuni, and to protect the independence of the Venezuelan legal profession.
Released on Nov 12, 2020
La globalización y la tecnología son impulsores clave de la formación jurídica, según una investigación de la IBA y la LSGL
Madrid, noviembre de 2020.- La internacionalización y la tecnología disruptiva destacan como las principales tendencias y oportunidades en el ámbito de la formación jurídica a nivel mundial y también como la causa de muchos de los desafíos a los que deben responder las facultades de derecho. Estos son los resultados del informe, Developing a Blueprint for Global Legal Education, un trabajo de la International Bar Association (IBA) y la Law Schools Global League (LSGL), y coordinado por la IE Law School.
Released on Nov 11, 2020
Globalisation and technology are key shapers of legal education, finds IBA and LSGL research
A report published today cites internationalisation and technological disruption as the key trends and opportunities in the field of global legal education, as well as the root of many challenges facing legal educators. The research for the report, entitled Developing a Blueprint for Global Legal Education, was undertaken by the International Bar Association (IBA) and the Law Schools Global League (LSGL), with coordination by IE Law School.
Released on Nov 11, 2020
Poland: IBAHRI calls for charges against lawyer Roman Giertych to be dropped
The detention and politically motivated prosecution of prominent Polish lawyer Roman Giertych, is of great concern to the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI). Mr Giertych, who has been involved in a series of high-profile cases against Poland’s governing Law and Justice Party, was detained on 15 October 2020 under accusations of money laundering.
Released on Nov 10, 2020
Bangladesh: Humanitarian lawyer Ishrat Hasan wins the 2020 IBA Pro Bono Award
The recipient of the International Bar Association (IBA) Pro Bono Award for 2020 has been named as humanitarian lawyer Ishrat Hasan for her dedication to removing barriers of access to justice, specifically for the poor, disadvantaged and marginalized communities in Bangladesh, as well as her legal battles in relation to the rights of women and children.
Released on Nov 9, 2020
Daye Gang wins 2020 IBA Outstanding Young Lawyer Award
The 2020 International Bar Association (IBA) Annual Outstanding Young Lawyer Award recipient has been named as Daye Gang for her work, dedication and efforts in the emerging field of restorative justice for victims of sexual and family violence, as well as her pursuit for accountability of perpetrators of crimes committed in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK).
Released on Nov 9, 2020
Philippines: human rights lawyer Neri Javier Colmenares wins the 2020 IBA Human Rights Award
The 2020 International Bar Association (IBA) Award for Outstanding Contribution to Human Rights has been bestowed upon Neri Javier Colmenares, a renowned human rights lawyer and activist in the Philippines. He receives the accolade in respect of his extensive contribution to human rights, and his continuing determination and advocacy, in the face of great adversity.
Released on Nov 9, 2020
John Kerry gives frank and authoritative interview on eve of US Presidential elections
As the citizens of the United States head to the polls, John Kerry, a former Democratic Nominee for the US Presidency and Former United States Secretary of State, has participated in a wide-ranging and frank interview with Dr Mark Ellis, Executive Director of the International Bar Association (IBA).
Released on Nov 3, 2020
Ban Ki-moon opens IBA 2020 - Virtually Together Conference
Ban Ki-moon opened the IBA 2020 – Virtually Together Conference on Monday 2 November with a pre-recorded address videoed especially for the 10,000 delegates attending this year’s International Bar Association (IBA) Annual Conference, which, for the first time in its history, is taking place solely online due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Released on Nov 2, 2020
Belarus: harassment and intimidation of lawyers is of great concern and must end, says IBAHRI
The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) has expressed grave concern over ongoing attacks and intimidation tactics deployed against lawyers in Belarus for carrying out their professional roles.
Released on Oct 29, 2020
Nigeria: IBA and IBAHRI call on President Buhari to investigate deaths and violence amid security forces crackdown
The International Bar Association (IBA) and the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) call on the Government of Nigeria, under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari, to establish an immediate independent investigation into the alleged killings by security forces of protestors calling for good governance and an end to police brutality in Nigeria.
Released on Oct 26, 2020
IBAHRI condemns Nagorno-Karabakh conflict civilian attacks
The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) strongly condemns the indiscriminate attacks perpetrated with heavy artillery and airborne missiles on the densely populated Nagorno-Karabakh area that has resulted in the death and injuring of hundreds of civilians. The IBAHRI calls for the Armenian and Azerbaijani forces in the contested region to observe the recently brokered ceasefire.
Released on Oct 14, 2020
Hina Jilani announced as 2020 Stockholm Human Rights Award laureate
Pioneering lawyer, pro-democracy campaigner and avid civil rights activist Hina Jilani was announced today as the recipient of the 2020 Stockholm Human Rights Award – bestowed annually by the Swedish Bar Association, the International Bar Association (IBA) and the International Legal Assistance Consortium (ILAC)
Released on Oct 7, 2020
Oral statement to the UN calling on Turkey to safeguard the independence of lawyers
Oral statement to the UN Human Rights Council calling on Turkey to safeguard the independence of lawyers
Released on Sep 29, 2020
IBAHRI UNHRC45 Oral Statement on the right to effective legal representation in capital cases
FIACAT, the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute, the Advocates for Human Rights, Ensemble contre la peine de mort (ECPM), Reprieve and UIA – Union Internationale des Avocats, with the support of the Children Education Society (CHESO), the Center for Prisoner’s Rights (CPR), the Cornell Center on the Death Penalty Worldwide and Legal Awareness Watch (LAW), organizations that are members of the World Coalition Against the Death Penalty, which also co-signs this statement, welcome the repor
Released on Sep 21, 2020
UNHRC45 - Dialogue with the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances
The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) welcomes the Working Group’s annual report and addendum on standards and public policies for an effective investigation of enforced disappearances. The IBAHRI is deeply alarmed by the widespread prevalence of enforced disappearances around the world, despite being prohibited under international law. Among other cases, the IBAHRI is particularly concerned about recent reports of short-term enforced disappearances in Belarus. We also conde
Released on Sep 21, 2020
Oral statement to the UN calling on Belarus to comply with its international human rights obligations
Oral statement to the UN calling on Belarus to comply with its international human rights obligations.
Released on Sep 18, 2020
Lord Neuberger and Baroness Helena Kennedy QC support Amal Clooney’s resignation
The High Level Panel of Legal Experts on Media Freedom is an independent body that was convened at the request of the UK and Canadian governments. The Panel comprises a diverse group of lawyers, academics and judges from around the world with expertise in international human rights law. The Chair of the Panel is Lord Neuberger, former President of the UK Supreme Court. Panel members have been selected and appointed by him. The Deputy Chair is Amal Clooney.
Released on Sep 18, 2020
Saudi Arabia: IBAHRI condemns non-transparent trial of Jamal Khashoggi killers
The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) condemns the secret trial that led to the final verdict against the unnamed defendants who killed prominent dissident Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi Arabian Consulate in Istanbul, Turkey, on 2 October 2018
Released on Sep 12, 2020
IBAHRI condemns Poland’s planned withdrawal from treaty protecting women from violence
The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) condemns the Polish government’s 25 July 2020 decision to withdraw from the Istanbul Convention – a landmark European treaty that is the world’s first binding legal instrument to prevent and address violence against women and girls, including rape.
Released on Aug 6, 2020
IBA embarks on first phase of global initiative on mental wellbeing in the legal profession
The International Bar Association (IBA) has embarked on a global project aimed at addressing the mental wellbeing of legal professionals as Covid-19 exacerbates tensions in professional and personal lives. The key initial phase of the project consists of two global surveys – one for individual lawyers, the other for law firms and other legal institutions, including bar associations, law societies and in-house legal departments.
Released on Jul 10, 2020
IBAHRI calls for continuing commitment to equality for LGBTQI+ communities
Reflecting on the celebration of Pride across the world, the IBAHRI acknowledges the work still to be done to ensure the protection of LGBTQI+ persons.
Released on Jun 30, 2020
Contested historical legacies in public spaces addressed in new analysis by global experts
Over a period of three years, a group of global experts – convened by the Institute for Historical Justice and Reconciliation (IHJR), the International Bar Association (IBA), and the Salzburg Global Seminar – has been preparing a volume of eight in-depth case studies on contested legacies in public spaces. The analysis addresses the social, political and legal dynamics in facilitating or complicating the resolution of disputes over contested historical legacies in municipal areas.
Released on Jun 29, 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
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 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
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