News releases
IBAHRI applauds Papua New Guinea’s decision to abolish the death penalty
The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) commends the National Parliament of Papua New Guinea’s decision to repeal the death penalty. Offences such as murder, treason, piracy and aggravated rape will now be punishable by life imprisonment without parole, or parole after 30 years.
Released on Feb 22, 2022
High Level Panel of Legal Experts on Media Freedom call for media freedom during Third Global Conference
Two years on from its establishment, it is clear that the work of The High Level Panel of Legal Experts on Media Freedom is beginning to have an impact on state practice in the Media Freedom Coalition (MFC).
Released on Feb 17, 2022
Mark Stephens CBE announced as new IBAHRI Co-Chair
Mark Stephens CBE has taken up the position of Co-Chair of the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI). He succeeds the Hon Michael Kirby AC CMG, former Justice of the High Court of Australia
Released on Feb 15, 2022
IBAHRI calls on Sudan’s General al-Burhan to end security forces’ violence and for the international community to impose targeted sanctions
The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) calls on Sudan’s self-appointed Ruling Council leader, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the Sudanese military to cease immediately the use of lethal force against peaceful demonstrators...
Released on Feb 8, 2022
New IBA report reveals significant numbers of young lawyers want to leave their current job
A new report from the International Bar Association (IBA) has revealed that of 3,000 young lawyers – defined as aged 40 and under – surveyed around the world, a significant number of them are either leaving or considering leaving their current job in the next five years.
Released on Jan 31, 2022
IBA releases statement defending principle of lawyer client confidentiality from international attack
The International Bar Association (IBA) has released a statement in defence of lawyer-client confidentiality, following a number of recent attacks on the principle from high-profile international organisations.
Released on Jan 18, 2022
IBA releases statement defending principle of lawyer client confidentiality from international attack
The International Bar Association (IBA) has released a statement in defence of lawyer-client confidentiality, following a number of recent attacks on the principle from high-profile international organisations.
Released on Jan 17, 2022
IBA appeals to UN for denunciation of Taliban take-over of Afghanistan Independent Bar Association
In an open letter to United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, the IBA expressed grave concern over the Taliban take-over of the AIBA and has appealed for the ‘unparalleled voice’ of the UN to...
Released on Dec 15, 2021
Turkey: IBAHRI welcomes Council of Europe vote for infringement proceedings over failure to release Osman Kavala
The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) welcomes the Council of Europe (CoE)’s vote in favour of launching infringement proceedings against Turkey over its failure to release human rights defender Osman Kavala from arbitrary detention.
Released on Dec 14, 2021
IBA Anti-Corruption Committee launches Project Roll Out to support new OECD anti-bribery compliance guidelines
Following the publication of the OECD’s guidance on compliance with anti-bribery laws, a subcommittee of the IBA’s Anti-Corruption Committee has commenced Project Roll Out.
Released on Dec 9, 2021
High Level Panel reiterates concerns as court in military-ruled Myanmar finds ASSK and other civilian leaders guilty of two offences
On 6 December 2021, members of the High-Level Panel, consisting of prominent lawyers, reiterated their concerns regarding the trials of political leaders in Myanmar - State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and President U Win Myint - as failing to meet minimum fair trial standards established under international law.
Released on Dec 8, 2021
Watch livestream: Hina Jilani to receive 2020 Stockholm Human Rights Award after year postponement
Pioneering lawyer, pro-democracy campaigner and avid civil rights activist Hina Jilani was announced one year ago as the recipient of the 2020 Stockholm Human Rights Award and was expected to receive the prize during an in-person ceremony.
Released on Dec 7, 2021
IBA Group Member Awards recognise support of Americas leading law firms
The IBA has announced law firms Bomchil, Miller & Chevalier, Pinheiro Neto, TozziniFreire and White & Case as 2021 winners of the IBA Group Member Awards for the Americas.
Released on Dec 6, 2021
Can Yeginsu and Catherine Amirfar announced to the leadership of the High Level Panel of Legal Experts on Media Freedom
Released on Dec 2, 2021
IBA announces final four awardees of grant for frontline legal aid charities
The International Bar Association (IBA) and the IBA Foundation have announced the final four charities to receive financial assistance from the funding programme set up by the IBA and the Foundation, at the start of the COVID-19 crisis, to support frontline legal aid providers.
Released on Nov 26, 2021
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