TrialWatch – a Clooney Foundation for Justice (CFJ) initiative – and the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) have been monitoring criminal proceedings against investigative journalist Hopewell Chin’ono in Zimbabwe. Beatrice Mtetwa had been serving as lead defense counsel in the case. On August 18, the Harare Magistrates Court disqualified Ms Mtetwa from the case and ordered the Zimbabwean Prosecutor-General to consider….
Released on Sep 3, 2020
The International Bar Association and the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) are concerned by the recent arrest of prominent Zimbabwean investigative journalist Hopewell Chin’ono, following the publication of corruption allegations against Zimbabwe’s ruling elite. In a series of documents....
Released on Aug 18, 2020
The International Bar Association and the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) condemn Harare Magistrate Ngoni Nduna’s decision to hold prominent Zimbabwean human rights lawyer Beatrice Mtetwa in contempt of court and to bar her from representing detained investigative journalist and government critic Hopewell Chin’ono.
Released on Aug 18, 2020
Release lawyers arrested for carrying out their professional duties and respect the independence of the legal profession, urges IBAHRI in letter to Zimbabwean President.
Released on Jun 24, 2020
1The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) condemns the persecution and disbarment of prominent Zambian Constitutional lawyer John Sangwa SC, on 13 March 2020. Following an alleged complaint of professional misconduct by the country’s judiciary to the Law Association of Zambia (LAZ), the judiciary’s Acting Chief Registrar Prince Boniface Mwiinga announced that Mr Sangwa would not be allowed to appear before any court in Zambia.
Released on Mar 26, 2020
The undersigned bar associations and organizations, concerned with the rule of law and the independence of the legal profession, register their concern over the continued suspension of Ms. Fatma Karume, a former president of the Tanganyika Law Society and a current senior partner at the law firm, IMMMA Advocates in Tanzania.
Released on Mar 16, 2020
In an open letter to President Peter Mutharika of the Republic of Malawi, the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) calls for action to be taken against the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) in relation to attacks on Constitutional Court judges after they annulled the May 2019 Presidential election, ruling that the integrity of the ballot had been compromised.
Released on Mar 6, 2020
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
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
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
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
A joint letter was sent to the President of Zimbabwe on the 3rd of August, calling on him to veto a bill proposing changes to judicial appointments that would undermine the independence of the judiciary and threaten the rule of law in Zimbabwe.
Released on Aug 3, 2017
News release: Friday 24 February 2017. The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) welcomes the ruling by South Africa’s North Gauteng High Court ordering the Government to revoke its notice of withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Released on Feb 24, 2017
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.
Amid reports of excessive violence resulting in the deaths of 12 people, the arrests of more than 700 people and injuries from the use of live ammunition by the Zimbabwe National Army and the Zimbabwe Republic Police, the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) condemns the violent crackdown in Zimbabwe against civilians protesting steep increases in fuel prices.
From 20–24 November 2018, International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) collaborated with the Kenyan Section of the International Commission of Jurists, International Commission of Jurists, the International Development and Legal Organization, the Konrad Adenauer Foundation and the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) to hold the Annual Jurists Conference.
On 26 October 2018, the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI), in collaboration with the African Commission’s Working Group on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, held a panel discussion on states’ obligations to mobilise resources to fulfil economic, social and cultural rights. The event took place on the fringes of the 63rd Ordinary session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights in Banjul, the Gambia.
News release: Wednesday 22 March 2017. The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) renews calls on the government of the Republic of Cameroon to ensure that the ongoing trial of Barrister Nkongho Felix Agbor-Balla, whose trial before a military tribunal resumes on 23 March 2017, is conducted in a civilian court without interference, and in adherence to legal and transparent due process.
The International Bar Association's Human Rights Institute is concerned by the recent arrest of human rights lawyer Oliver Holland in Zambia. Mr Holland, a lawyer with London-based law firm Leigh Day, was escorted to Chingola Central Police Station and detained without charge after conducting meetings with clients of a class action lawsuit in Zambia on Tuesday 10 January.