News releases

IBAHRI contributes to UN major forum on equal access to justice for all

At the conclusion of the third session of the United Nations Forum on Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law, which was held from 16-17 November 2021, the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) reflected on the IBAHRI’s contributions, the key discussions held and outcomes of the session.

Released on Nov 18, 2021

IBAHRI calls for United Nations action following opening of people’s tribunal on Iran atrocities

Following the opening of the International People’s Tribunal on Iran’s Atrocities of November 2019, the IBAHRI calls for the establishment of a UNHRC independent mechanism to further investigate the alleged commission of atrocity crimes by Iranian authorities during and following the November 2019 crackdown in Iran.

Released on Nov 13, 2021

Appeal for legal assistance for Afghan women at risk

The IBA, through its Human Rights Institute, has been assisting women at risk, and other vulnerable individuals, in Afghanistan. We are seeking lawyers who are willing to advocate for such families and help them secure passage to their ultimate location.

Released on Nov 11, 2021

IBAHRI condemns Israel’s designation of Palestinian civil society groups as terrorist organisations and calls for immediate reversal

The IBAHRI strongly condemns the military order of Israel’s Defence Ministry designating six Palestinian civil society organisations (CSOs) as terrorist organisations and calls on the Israeli Government to reverse the order immediately.

Released on Nov 10, 2021

Singapore: IBAHRI calls for revocation of scheduled execution of Nagaenthran Dharmalingam

The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) calls on Singapore to revoke its decision to execute Nagaenthran Dharmalingam, a Malaysian man with an internationally recognised intellectual disability who has been sentenced to death by hanging for a drug-related offence. His IQ is assessed to be 69.

Released on Nov 8, 2021

IBAHRI welcomes formal abolition of the death penalty in Sierra Leone

The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) commends Sierra Leone for passing the Abolition of the Death Penalty Act 2021, formally eradicating the death penalty in the country in law and practice.

Released on Nov 4, 2021

International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists: The High Level Panel of Legal Experts on Media Freedom calls for creation of international investigative task force

To mark the 8th International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists on 2 November 2021, the High Level Panel of Legal Experts on Media Freedom calls on all states, including members of the Media Freedom Coalition, and the international community to strengthen efforts in holding perpetrators of crimes against journalists accountable and for the establishment of an international investigative task force.

Released on Nov 2, 2021

Kenyan lawyer Beth Michoma wins the 2021 IBA Women Lawyers' Interest Group Outstanding Woman Lawyer Award

The IBA has named Kenyan lawyer Beth Michoma as the recipient of the IBA Women Lawyers' Interest Group Outstanding Woman Lawyer Award 2021. This award was established in recognition of Anne-Marie Hutchinson, a pioneering family lawyer who died in October 2020.

Released on Oct 28, 2021

Belarus: Lawyers Ludmila Kazak and Maksim Znak win the 2021 IBA Human Rights Award

The 2021 IBA Award for Outstanding Contribution to Human Rights has been jointly bestowed upon lawyers Ludmila Kazak and Maksim Znak (pictured left) for their commitment to defending democratic principles and human rights in Belarus. Sponsored by LexisNexis, the Award is conferred annually to…

Released on Oct 28, 2021

UK barrister Michael Polak wins the 2021 IBA Outstanding Young Lawyer Award

The 2021 IBA Annual Outstanding Young Lawyer Award recipient has been named as Michael Polak, Barrister at London’s Church Court Chambers and Director of Justice Abroad, for his commitment to defending human rights across the globe through his professional practice and personal endeavours.

Released on Oct 28, 2021

IBA announces winners of 2021 awards

The IBA Outstanding Young Lawyer Award is bestowed upon Michael Polak; the IBA Pro Bono Award is received by Geoff Budlender; the IBA Outstanding Woman Lawyer Award is given to Beth Michoma; and the IBA Award for Human Rights is jointly bestowed upon Ludmila Kazak and Maxim Znak.

Released on Oct 28, 2021

South Africa: Anti-apartheid lawyer Geoff Budlender wins the 2021 IBA Pro Bono Award

The recipient of the IBA Pro Bono Award for 2021 has been named as Geoff Budlender for his dedication to pro bono causes in South Africa. Over the course of a 45-year career in the law, Mr Budlender’s work has helped millions of people.

Released on Oct 28, 2021

High Level Panel raises concerns regarding gagging of lawyers in Myanmar

On 27 October 2021, members of the High Level Panel, consisting of prominent lawyers, raised concerns about recent reports of lawyers representing several political leaders in Myanmar being barred from speaking about the trials. 

Released on Oct 27, 2021

Turkey: IBAHRI calls for unconditional and immediate release of the arbitrarily detained Osman Kavala

The IBAHRI calls on Turkey’s authorities to release Osman Kavala unconditionally and immediately as per the legally binding decision of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) delivered more than two years ago.

Released on Oct 27, 2021

IBA Covid-19 Legal Policy Task Force releases report on optimising pandemic management

The International Bar Association (IBA) Covid-19 Legal Policy Task Force has released a report detailing the pandemic’s impact in key legal areas and making concrete actionable recommendations to improve pandemic management in the future.

Released on Oct 26, 2021

New IBA report sets out principles for dealing with mental wellbeing crisis in the legal profession

Following the first ever global surveys examining the mental wellbeing of legal professionals at both an individual and institutional level, a new International Bar Association (IBA) report identifies worrying mental wellbeing trends across the profession and provides ten principles for legal workplaces and organisations.

Released on Oct 26, 2021

IBA Global Showcase to take place 25-29 October 2021

Released on Oct 20, 2021

High Level Panel congratulates Maria Ressa and Dmitry Muratov on Nobel Peace Prize

Released on Oct 12, 2021

IBA publishes guide for strengthening International Criminal Court and Rome Statute

A comprehensive set of recommendations for States Parties to strengthen the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the Rome Statute system and to support domestic cooperation with the Court has been published by the IBA International Criminal Court and Criminal Law (ICC & ICL) Programme.

Released on Oct 12, 2021

IBA 2021 Aptissimi Award Acceptance Speech

The International Bar Association (IBA) received the ESADE Aptissimi Award for Contribution to the Legal Sector and Society 2021. IBA Vice President Almudena Arpón de Mendívil made an acceptance speech on behalf of the organisation.

Released on Oct 7, 2021

La IBA recibe el premio Aptissimi 2021 por su contribución al Sector Jurídico y a la Sociedad

La International Bar Association (IBA) ha recibido el premio Aptissimi 2021 por su contribución al sector legal y a la sociedad.

Released on Oct 7, 2021

IBA receives 2021 Aptissimi Award for Contribution to the Legal Sector and to Society

Released on Oct 7, 2021

High Level Panel raises concerns regarding the trials of political leaders in Myanmar

On 30 September 2021, members of the High Level Panel, consisting of prominent lawyers, found that presently, the trials of political leaders in Myanmar fail to meet minimum fair trial standards established under international law.

Released on Sep 30, 2021

In memory of Professor John G Ruggie

The IBA joins the international community in mourning the passing of Professor John G Ruggie, the architect of the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and Berthold Beitz Research Professor in Human Rights and International Affairs at Harvard Kennedy School.

Released on Sep 24, 2021

IBA announces creation of legal policy task force to review response to COVID-19

The IBA has formed an executive task force to critically and constructively assess the policies underlying COVID-19 responses in salient legal areas, and will issue concrete actionable recommendations to reform legal regimes with the intention of improving the global coordination of containment management in future pandemics.

Released on Sep 6, 2021

IBA Judges' Forum issues statement in support of Afghanistan's Judges

The International Bar Association (IBA) Judges’ Forum strongly endorses the grave concerns expressed by the IBA, the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute, and numerous other international judicial associations about the situation presently unfolding in Afghanistan.

Released on Aug 20, 2021

Afghanistan: IBA and IBAHRI call for the international community to hold the Taliban to account for pledges made to citizens

During the group’s first official news conference since seizing control of most of Afghanistan on Sunday 15 August 2021, the Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid has stated the group wants peace, and will respect women’s rights ‘within our religious framework’.

Released on Aug 18, 2021

Newly published IBA GEI report on human resources trends includes special COVID-19 analysis

Newly published IBA GEI report on human resources trends includes special COVID-19 analysis.

Released on Aug 16, 2021

Attacks on the legal profession in Belarus condemned in new report by IBAHRI and legal groups

The IBAHRI has announced the publication of a new report that analyses 24 cases of retaliatory acts against lawyers who have defended prominent opposition figures or publicly raised concerns about human rights and rule of law violations following the controversial presidential elections of August 2020 in Belarus.

Released on Jul 27, 2021

IBAHRI reflects on key outcomes of the 47th UN Human Rights Council session

With the conclusion of 47th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC47), held from 21 June–13 July 2021, the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) reflects on the key outcomes of the session, the insightful side events held, and the resolutions passed.

Released on Jul 15, 2021