News releases
Central African Republic: IBAHRI welcomes abolition of the death penalty
The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) commends the Central African Republic (CAR) and President Faustin-Archange Touadéra (pictured) for passing Law 22.011, formally eradicating the death penalty in the country following a de facto moratorium since 1981.
Released on Aug 9, 2022
Uganda: Women underrepresented in senior legal positions in law firms, IBA report reveals
A new IBA Legal Policy & Research Unit report, focused on the remaining barriers to gender parity at senior levels of the legal profession, reveals that law firms in Uganda have the lowest number of women employed at all levels (41 percent), with only 23 per cent of senior roles occupied by women.
Released on Aug 8, 2022
Ukraine: New ILAC report surveys impact of war on justice institutions
The International Bar Association (IBA) has announced the publication of a new report by the International Legal Assistance Consortium (ILAC) that documents the impact of the five-month Russia-Ukraine conflict on the Ukrainian justice system. As a founding organisation of ILAC, the IBA contributed to the report’s...
Released on Jul 27, 2022
Myanmar: IBAHRI condemns junta’s execution of four men following unfair trials
The IBAHRI condemns the junta’s execution of four men in Myanmar after being tried, convicted and sentenced to death by closed-door military tribunals. Myanmar state media reported the deaths on 25 July 2022.
Released on Jul 27, 2022
International criminal law is the focus of the second in series of joint IBA and Ukrainian National Bar Association seminars
As further support of Ukraine’s legal profession, the International Bar Association and the Ukrainian National Bar Association, supported by the UNBA’s Higher School of Advocacy, will deliver a legal training session covering the topic of international criminal law.
Released on Jul 26, 2022
IBAHRI calls for worldwide implementation of rule prohibiting admission of torture-tainted evidence
The IBAHRI calls for the exclusionary rule, which prohibits torture-tainted evidence from being admitted in any proceedings, to be strengthened in application and practice in criminal justice systems.
Released on Jul 25, 2022
IBA and Ukrainian National Bar Association partner to deliver a series of training seminars for lawyers
Amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, the International Bar Association (IBA) and the Ukrainian National Bar Association (UNBA) have partnered to host a series of online seminars. The first two will focus on defence (21 July) and international criminal law (28 July).
Released on Jul 21, 2022
‘New normal’ post-pandemic working presents fresh challenges for human resources, says new IBA GEI report
Issues connected to the ‘new normal’ way of working following the global Covid-19 outbreak of December 2019 present fresh challenges for human resources (HR) law, according to the tenth annual report by the International Bar Association Global Employment Institute (IBA GEI). Remote working arrangements, the right to disconnect from work and data privacy challenges related to requirements to be tested or vaccinated are identified as three key issues facing the HR sector in the aftermath of the pandemic.
Released on Jul 19, 2022
IBAHRI takeaways from the 50th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council
At the conclusion of the 50th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, held from 11 June – 8 July 2022, the IBAHRI outlines contributions, interventions and side events held during the session, and reflects on the key discussions, outcomes and resolutions passed.
Released on Jul 12, 2022
Bullying, harassment and discrimination in the legal profession - IBA launches major reports highlighting regulatory responses
The International Bar Association (IBA) has published two comprehensive reports designed to aid the global legal profession's ongoing efforts to address bullying, sexual harassment and discrimination. Beyond Us Too? Regulatory Responses to Bullying and Sexual Harassment in the Legal Profession and A Global Directory...
Released on Jun 27, 2022
North Korea: IBA report calls for investigation of Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un and other high-level officials for crimes against humanity
A new report from the International Bar Association’s (IBA) War Crimes Committee and the Committee for Human Rights in North Korea (HRNK) has found there is reasonable basis to conclude that Supreme Leader of North Korea, Kim Jong-un, and other North Korean officials, should be investigated for crimes against humanity committed in the country’s detention centres.
Released on Jun 27, 2022
IBAHRI welcomes the abolition of the death penalty in Kazakhstan
The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) commends the Republic of Kazakhstan for its ratification of the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR-OP2), aiming at the abolition of the death penalty without reservation. With the ICCPR-OP2 entering into force today, 24 June 2022, Kazakhstan becomes the 90th State Party to it.
Released on Jun 23, 2022
Myanmar: IBAHRI condemns rise in death sentences and calls for halt in enforcement
The IBAHRI condemns the rise in death sentences in Myanmar following the February 2021 military coup and a junta announcement that it will execute four people.
Released on Jun 20, 2022
Belarus: IBAHRI condemns extended application of death penalty
The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) condemns amendments to the Criminal Code of Belarus that expands the application of the death penalty in Belarus. The legislative amendments follow a series of non-lethal acts of alleged sabotage on the Belarusian railway to obstruct supplies to Russian forces in Ukraine.
Released on Jun 17, 2022
IBAHRI urges UK government to apply Magnitsky Sanctions against Sudan coup leaders
Amid reports of the killing of at least 100 protesters and allegations of sustained human rights violations in Sudan since the 25 October 2021 military coup, the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) has called for the United Kingdom’s All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Magnitsky Sanctions, to apply targeted sanctions against General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (widely known as ‘Hemedti’). Respectively, they are the Commander-in-Chief of the Sudanese Armed Forces and de facto head of the caretaker government, and the head of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and de facto deputy head of the caretaker government.
Released on Jun 14, 2022
IBA and IBAHRI strongly condemn the illegal ‘trial’ and sentencing to death of Aiden Aslin, Shaun Pinner and Brahim Saaudun
The International Bar Association (IBA) and the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) strongly condemn the ‘trial’ and sentencing to death of three men fighting on the Ukrainian side of the Russian-Ukrainian war who were captured by Russian forces.
Released on Jun 13, 2022
IBA launches new project examining the role of lawyers as ethical gatekeepers
The International Bar Association (IBA) has announced that it has embarked on a project to examine the professional role of lawyers as ethical gatekeepers within wider society and to help clarify the ethical responsibilities and obligations of lawyers when providing legal services. The new project is designed to be a proactive effort, seeking ways to engage in meaningful dialogue with those criticising the profession, while also elucidating the dangers behind any undermining of its core values.
Released on Jun 2, 2022
2022 IBA ICC Moot Court Competition won by The Honourable Society of King’s Inns
The Honourable Society of King’s Inns (Ireland) has been named winner of the 2022 International Bar Association (IBA) International Criminal Court (ICC) Moot Court Competition.
Released on Jun 2, 2022
eyeWitness to Atrocities app reaches 10,000 milestone of verifiable photos and videos relating to war in Ukraine
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has led to hundreds of human rights defenders in the embattled country downloading the eyeWitness to Atrocities camera app and submitting 10,000 verifiable videos, photographs and audio files of alleged war crimes. These pieces of potential evidence represent the largest haul for the app in a single conflict zone to date. The 10,000 milestone demonstrates Ukrainian human rights defenders’ desire to ensure that declared violations are captured and processed in a way that is acceptable for investigators and courts of law.
Released on May 31, 2022
IBAHRI and other rights groups call for release of Qatari lawyers and quashing of their life imprisonment sentences
In a joint statement the IBAHRI has called for the conviction and life imprisonment sentences given to Qatari lawyers, and brothers, Hazza bin Ali Abu Shurayda al-Marri and Rashed bin Ali Abu Shurayda al-Marri to be overturned.
Released on May 27, 2022
IBAHRI and BHRC raise concerns about threats to human rights in Sri Lanka in letter to UK Foreign Secretary
The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) and the Bar Human Rights Committee of England & Wales (BHRC) have issued an open letter to United Kingdom Foreign Secretary, Liz Truss, in support of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) urging Sri Lankan authorities to commence ‘an open and genuine dialogue with peaceful protesters, human rights defenders and civil society’ to promote the rule of law as the economic crisis and unrest deepens in Sri Lanka.
Released on May 16, 2022
ASP President says this is a time to redouble efforts to demonstrate worth of the ICC to fight impunity
Judge Silvia Fernández de Gurmendi, President of the ICC Assembly of States Parties, spoke of the need for the ICC to ‘demonstrate its worth’ during a keynote address on Sunday 8 May 2022 at the online opening ceremony of the IBA ICC Moot Court Competition
Released on May 12, 2022
IBAHRI calls for revocation of scheduled execution of Swedish-Iranian academic Ahmadreza Djalali
The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) calls on the Islamic Republic of Iran to revoke its decision to execute Swedish-Iranian academic and researcher Ahmadreza Djalali.
Released on May 12, 2022
IBAHRI expresses concern over US Supreme Court potential curbing of the right to abortion
The possibility that more than half of the United States could ban abortion if the contents of a leaked draft opinion become reality and Roe v Wade is overturned is of concern to the IBAHRI.
Released on May 11, 2022
IBA report on climate adaptation focuses on legal aspects to bring about successful implementation
A report published by the International Bar Association (IBA) sets out the critical legal aspects of climate change adaptation and how, specifically, policy can play a crucial role in strengthening resilience and shaping the effectiveness of reducing people’s vulnerability to the harmful effects of climate change. Emphasis is placed on the importance of pursuing integrated, multidisciplinary, multilevel approaches and good governance, as well as how climate adaptation can complement climate mitigation in achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement – the international treaty on climate change.
Released on May 9, 2022
IBAHRI supports application of the Méndez Principles to end coercive interviewing
The role of the legal profession in implementing the Principles on Effective Interviewing for Investigations and Information Gathering (the Méndez Principles), which aim to prevent torture, ill-treatment and resulting miscarriages of justice caused by coercive interrogation techniques and forced confessions, was the focus of a recently held panel discussion in support of the wide adoption of the Principles.
Released on May 5, 2022
The High Level Panel of Legal Experts on Media Freedom marks World Press Freedom Day 2022
On World Press Freedom Day, 3 May 2022, the High Level Panel of Legal Experts on Media Freedom participated in a number of activities to highlight the grave challenges facing the press globally and to showcase its recommendations to the Media Freedom Coalition. The High Level Panel stands in solidarity with the independent press, including the journalists risking their lives to bring facts and the truth to the public forum.
Released on May 4, 2022
Turkey: IBAHRI condemns the sentencing of Osman Kavala to life-long imprisonment without parole
The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) condemns the decision of Turkey’s Istanbul Heavy Penal Court on 25 April 2022 to sentence human rights defender Osman Kavala to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Released on Apr 27, 2022
Three new members appointed to the High Level Panel of Legal Experts on Media Freedom
The Rt Hon Lord Neuberger of Abbotsbury, Chair of the High Level Panel of Legal Experts on Media Freedom, has appointed three new members to serve on the High Level Panel.
Released on Apr 21, 2022
IBA Group Member Awards appreciate leading law firms across the MENA and Asia Pacific regions
The International Bar Association (IBA) has announced law firms Al Tamimi & Company, Anderson Mōri & Tomotsune, Clayton Utz, JunHe, Shin & Kim and Trilegal as winners of the IBA Group Member Awards for the MENA and Asia Pacific regions. The Awards were given in recognition of these law firms’ exceptional support and contributions to the work, projects, key objectives and aspirations of the IBA.
Released on Apr 12, 2022