Tag results for '2019'

IBAHRI activities in Kazakhstan in 2019

A summary of the 2019 IBAHRI activities in Kazakhstan.

Released on Feb 27, 2020

IBAHRI condemns Turkish military operation in northern Syria

The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) strongly condemns the recent assaults against Syrian Kurds by Turkish forces in northern Syria, and calls on Turkey to halt the attacks. Although Turkey has not ratified any of the additional protocols to the 1949 Geneva Convention, prohibitions of attacks on civilians are a norm of customary international law. Customary international humanitarian law provides that attacks must not be directed against civilians.

Released on Oct 17, 2019

IBAHRI raises awareness of the rule of law and human rights among young lawyers in Zambia

The International Bar Association's Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) and the University of Lusaka hosted an all-day seminar on 20 September 2019 for young lawyers in Zambia on the rule of law and human rights. The aim of the event was to raise awareness about human rights principles and their importance, and to encourage the young professionals in attendance to participate in actively promoting human rights, regardless of legal discipline.

Released on Oct 2, 2019

IBAHRI urges Carrie Lam to open an independent investigation into police brutality in Hong Kong

The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) supports the decision of the Chief Executive of Hong Kong, Carrie Lam, to withdraw the extradition bill that would have allowed suspects to be sent from Hong Kong to mainland China for trial. Nevertheless, the IBAHRI calls on Ms Lam to start an investigation into the police brutality meted out against those protesting the bill and journalists covering the humanitarian emergency.

Released on Sep 12, 2019

IBAHRI denounces death sentence delivered against three in Malawi

The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) is deeply concerned about the recent decision in Malawi to sentence three individuals to death for killing and dismembering a person with albinism in August 2015. The IBAHRI fully supports the enjoyment of all rights by persons with albinism and recognises the challenges Malawi is facing in curbing the heinous attacks against persons with albinism.

Released on Aug 22, 2019

Zambia: Organisations warn of potential negative impact of proposed changes to Constitution on judicial independence

We, the undersigned organisations, are deeply concerned about the impact the Zambian Constitutional Amendment Bill 2019 (the ‘Amendment Bill’) may have on the independence and impartiality of the judiciary, if adopted. Of particular concern are the amendments made to the disciplinary proceedings against judges and the composition of the Supreme and Constitutional Courts.

Released on Aug 5, 2019

IBAHRI condemns US Attorney General Barr’s decision to reinstate the death penalty

The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) strongly condemns the recent decision by the United States government to schedule the execution of five inmates on death row.

Released on Jul 26, 2019

IBAHRI urges Venezuelan authorities to grant Judge Afiuni absolute and unconditional freedom

The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) calls on Venezuela’s judicial authorities to grant absolute and unconditional freedom to Judge María Lourdes Afiuni as per the announcement made to journalists by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet

Released on Jul 9, 2019

The murder of U Ko Ni – IBAHRI report details fair trial concerns in Myanmar

The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) today announces the release of a report on a trial observation conducted in Myanmar into the proceedings taken against four accused charged with the murder of U Ko Ni, a prominent lawyer.

Released on Jul 4, 2019

IBAHRI voices deep concern over planned amendment to Iran’s Code of Criminal Procedure

In an open letter to His Excellency Ayatollah Ali Hosseini Khamenei, Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) expresses deep concern over a proposed amendment to Iran’s Code of Criminal Procedure that will allow judicial authorities to deny some detainees access to counsel for a period of 20 days.

Released on Jun 10, 2019

IBAHRI states Kenya High Court’s LGBTIQ+ rights ruling very ‘disappointing’ and supports appeal

The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) is profoundly dismayed by the declination of Kenya’s High Court on 24 May 2019 to declare colonial era provisions criminalising homosexual conduct, which is punishable by 14 years in prison, as unconstitutional. News of the judgment being appealed is supported by the IBAHRI.

Released on Jun 4, 2019

Detention of human rights lawyer Amirsalar Davoodi in Iran of deep concern

The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) is deeply concerned by the continued detention of human rights lawyer, Amirsalar Davoodi, without legal representation. A regular user of social media platforms as well as his Telegram channel, Without Retouch, to speak out about human rights concerns in Iran, Mr Davoodi was arrested in the country on 20 November 2018 and charged with crimes against national security. Access to his lawyer has been denied and family visits left wanting.

Released on Feb 21, 2019

IBAHRI condemns persecution of human rights lawyer Ramazan Demir in Turkey

The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) condemns the repeated arrests and longstanding criminal proceedings, as well as the recent disciplinary procedures initiated by the Istanbul Bar Association, against human rights lawyer Ramazan Demir. Further, the IBAHRI calls on the authorities of the Republic of Turkey to adhere to the international legal instruments that safeguard the independence of legal professionals and the rule of law.

Released on Feb 13, 2019

IBAHRI and Anti-Torture Initiative call for Turkey to quash Dr Sebnem Korur Fincanci’s prison sentence

The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) and the Anti-Torture Initiative (ATI) have sent an open letter to Turkey’s President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, condemning the criminal proceedings brought against prominent human rights defender Dr Sebnem Korur Fincanci, as well as the conviction and sentencing of her to two years and six month’s imprisonment

Released on Jan 30, 2019

Russian sanctions removed by Council of Europe despite Ukrainian objections

After the annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation in 2014, Russia and many of its prominent citizens were met with a global wave of sanctions. The Council of Europe suspended the Russian delegation’s voting rights during this time.

Second wave of LGBTQ+ crackdown by Russian authorities in Chechnya condemned by IBAHRI

The IBAHRI urged Russian authorities to conduct an independent inquiry into the reports.

Polish law on judges’ retirement threatens judicial independence, rules European Court of Justice

The ruling Polish party claimed it was to tackle communism. In June 2019, the IBAHRI expressed support for the ECJ’s decision.

IBAHRI activities in Tajikistan in 2019

A summary of the 2019 IBAHRI activities in Tajikistan.

IBAHRI activities in Ukraine in 2019

A summary of the 2019 IBAHRI activities in Ukraine.

IBAHRI welcomes court ruling that Metropolitan Police in London unlawfully banned climate campaign group

Following widespread protesting by Extinction Rebellion – an international climate change campaign group – in October 2019, the Metropolitan Police in London, the capital of the United Kingdom (UK), had placed a ban on any more than two people belonging to the group assembling to protest anywhere in the city.

IBAHRI activities in Azerbaijan in 2019

A summary of the 2019 IBAHRI activities in Azerbaijan.

Venezuela: IBAHRI publishes observation report of Judge Afiuni trial

A new report from the International Bar Association's Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) presents the results over nine years of observation of the criminal trial against Judge María Lourdes Afiuni in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. Judge Afiuni was arbitrarily arrested without a warrant on 10 December 2009 following her decision to release an alleged ‘political prisoner’, replacing custodial measures with other precautions. The report, Legal Guarantees and Due Process: 10 Years of the Afiuni Case.

Venezuela: IBAHRI publica el informe final de la observación del juicio de la Jueza Afiuni

El nuevo informe del Instituto de Derechos Humanos de la Barra Internacional de Abogados (IBAHRI), presenta el resultado de más de nueve años de acompañamiento y observación al desarrollo de la acción penal contra la Jueza María Lourdes Afiuni en la República Bolivariana de Venezuela. La Jueza Afiuni fue sometida a detención arbitraria cuando se desempeñaba como Jueza 31 de Control del Area Metropolitana de Caracas. La detención se realizó tras su decisión de sustituir la privación de libertad de un presun

Turkey: IBAHRI and ICJ call for release of Osman Kavala following European Court of Human Rights decision

Today’s decision from the European Court of Human Rights in the case of Turkish human rights defender Osman Kavala must be immediately complied with by releasing him from detention, the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) and the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) said today

IBAHRI condemns punishment of human rights lawyer by Azerbaijani Bar Association

As a co-signatory of an open letter to the Presidium of the Azerbaijani Bar Association, the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) condemns the disproportionate disciplinary measures taken against Azerbaijani human rights lawyer Shahla Humbatova

The Gambia brings historic genocide case against Myanmar

The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) has joined other human rights organisations to issue a statement on The Gambia’s historic submission to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) against Myanmar for violating the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in relation to Rohingya Muslims.

IBAHRI urges United Nations Member States to provide greater support to UN human rights bodies

On the occasion of the 2019 United Nations (UN) Day, the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) urges Member States to desist from undermining UN human rights bodies.

IBAHRI statement at the United Nations Human Rights Council high-level panel discussion on the question of the death penalty

The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) notes the high-level panel discussion on the question of the death penalty. We welcome positive steps taken by some states, including the executive moratorium on the death penalty in California, as well as measures in Colorado, Pennsylvania and Oregon. The decision of US Attorney General Barr to reinstate the death penalty is therefore an unacceptable retrogressive step, as is Sri Lanka’s intention to reinstate the death penalty and

IBAHRI pens joint submission to the UNHRC 35th Universal Periodic Review session on independence of the judiciary in Turkey

In the previous two UPR cycles (2010 and 2015), Turkey committed to strengthen the independence of the judiciary and accepted all recommendations made in that respect, but these have not to date been implemented.

Turkey - IBAHRI and ICJ observers attend second hearing of ‘Gezi Park’ criminal trial

The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) and the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) have jointly sent international observers to attend the second hearing of the criminal trial on the ‘Gezi Park’ protests, scheduled to take place on 18 and 19 July 2019 at the Silivri Prison Courthouse in Istanbul.