News releases

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IBAHRI keeps spotlight on key issues raised at 48th session of the UN Human Rights Council

At the 48th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC48), the IBAHRI joined other non-governmental organisations in statements condemning international human rights violations, with a particular focus on lawyers under attack, facing arbitrary detention or suppression of their professional activities.

Released on Nov 23, 2021

IBA Group Member Awards recognise support of leading international law firms

Released on Nov 18, 2021

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

Appeal for legal assistance for Afghan women at risk

The International Bar Association, through its Human Rights Institute, has been assisting women at risk, and other vulnerable individuals, in Afghanistan. Through our efforts, and that of a number of other non-governmental organisations, more than 100 women judges, journalists, lawyers and other human rights defenders, plus their families, have been evacu-ated from Afghanistan. This effort is in addition to assisting the leadership of the now-defunct Afghanistan Independent Bar Association (which the IBA, together with Afghan law-yers, established in 2008) in leaving Kabul.

Released on Nov 11, 2021

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

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

Released on Oct 28, 2021

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

Released on Oct 28, 2021

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

Released on Oct 28, 2021

IBA announces winners of 2021 awards

The International Bar Association (IBA) has announced the winners of its four annual Section on Public and Professional Interest (SPPI) awards for 2021. The IBA Outstanding Young Lawyer Award, in recognition of William Reece Smith Jr, is bestowed upon Michael Polak, of the United Kingdom; the IBA Pro Bono Award is received by Geoff Budlender, of South Africa; the IBA Outstanding International Woman Lawyer Award, in recognition of Anne-Marie Hutchinson, is given to Beth Michoma, of Kenya; and the IBA Award for Outstanding Contribution by a Legal Practitioner to Human Rights is jointly bestowed upon Ludmila Kazak and Maxim Znak, of Belarus. All four awards, sponsored by LexisNexis, will be presented by the respective IBA committees during a virtual ceremony on Thursday 28 October, 1315 – 1400 (BST) as part of the IBA Global Showcase.

Released on Oct 28, 2021

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

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 International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (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 to help address the crisis.

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

IBA publishes guide for strengthening International Criminal Court and Rome Statute

Released on Oct 12, 2021

IBA 2021 Aptissimi Award Acceptance Speech

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

Rwanda: IBAHRI condemns unfair trial leading to conviction of Paul Rusesabagina

The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) condemns the numerous violations of fair trial rights leading to the 25-year sentence against Paul Rusesabagina, the exiled Rwandan dissident.

Released on Sep 29, 2021

In memory of Professor John G Ruggie

Released on Sep 24, 2021

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

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’. With grave concern, the International Bar Association (IBA) and International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) calls on the international community to hold the Taliban to its promises.

Released on Aug 18, 2021

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

Amid the unprecedented challenges that workplaces have faced due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the ninth annual report by the International Bar Association Global Employment Institute (IBA GEI) has been published with a dedicated section on the impact the virus has had on workplaces across the globe. The section includes analysis of both government-led initiatives and employers’ initiatives to mitigate effects on health and safety in workplaces and for societies in general.

Released on Aug 16, 2021