The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI), the Raoul Wallenberg Centre for Human Rights (RWCHR), and the Human Rights Foundation (HRF) appealed to the United Nations to hold Venezuela accountable for the 11-year persecution and prosecution of Judge Maria Lourdes Afiuni, and to protect the independence of the Venezuelan legal profession.
Released on Nov 12, 2020
On 24 January, to mark the Day of the Endangered Lawyer, the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) is launching a toolkit to facilitate the protection of lawyers at risk of persecution for carrying out their professional duties. The Toolkit on Lawyers at Risk is the result of a collaborative project between the IBAHRI, the Bar Human Rights Committee, Human Rights House Foundation, Lawyers for Lawyers and Lawyers Rights Watch Canada
Released on Jan 24, 2020
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
News release: Friday 28 July 2017. As the political crisis deepens in Venezuela, the International Bar Association's Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) calls on the country's government to protect human rights and the independence of the judiciary, maintain the rule of law and ensure all in Venezuela have equal access to justice.
Released on Jul 28, 2017
Comunicado de prensa: viernes 28 de julio de 2017. A medida que se profundiza la crisis política en Venezuela, el International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute [Instituto de Derechos Humanos de la Asociación Internacional de Abogados o IBAHRI] pide al gobierno venezolano que proteja los derechos humanos y la independencia del poder judicial, mantenga el estado de derecho y garantice acceso a la justicia a todos los venezolanos.
Released on Jul 28, 2017
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.
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
The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) strongly condemns the five-year prison sentence handed down against Judge María Lourdes Afiuni on 21 March 2019 in the absence of evidence of corruption.
El International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) condena la sentencia de cinco años de prisión dictada contra la jueza María Lourdes Afiuni el 21 de marzo de 2019, por el delito de corrupción propia. La jueza Afiuni ha visto sus más elementales derechos humanos transgredidos tras ser arrestada arbitrariamente en 2009 y haber estado detenida durante casi una década. Este último castigo, en ausencia de evidencia en su contra, supone una gran preocupación para el IBAHRI.
A new study from the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) highlights gaps in international law as well as States’ failings in the search for victims of enforced disappearances. The study also puts forward recommendations with regard to investigating enforced disappearances – characterised as a continuous violation that remains unabated until the fate or whereabouts of a person are known.
The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) reiterates due process concerns with regard to the ongoing trial of Judge María Lourdes Afiuni, who was summoned on 21 February to a hearing to be held the following day. During the hearing on 22 February, the judge summarised previous hearings and denied preceding requests made by the defence. The next hearing is scheduled for 15 March 2019.
El International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) reitera su preocupación sobre las continuadas violaciones al debido proceso en el juicio a la Jueza Maria Lourdes Afiuni. El pasado 21 de febrero la Jueza Afiuni recibió una citación para una audiencia judicial que tendría lugar al día siguiente.
At the end of 2016, President of Venezuela Nicolás Maduro announced the withdrawal from circulation of the 100-bolívar note – Venezuela’s highest form of currency, which has accounted for as much as 48 per cent of all paper money in the country. The decision has pushed the country further into a humanitarian disaster.