News releases

Bangladesh: IBAHRI condemns imprisonment of human rights defenders and calls for their immediate release

The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) condemns the imprisonment of rights defenders, Adilur Rahman Khan and ASM Nasiruddin Elan, and calls on the Bangladesh authorities to release them immediately and quash their convictions.

Released on Sep 21, 2023

IBA to host free training in the US for corporate counsel on protecting companies and respecting human rights

The IBA Business Human Rights Committee and the IBA Legal Policy & Research Unit have announced free, in-person training sessions on business and human rights for in-house lawyers and corporate counsel on business and human rights.

Released on Aug 23, 2023

IBA to host free training in the US for corporate counsel: Unlocking the “S” in ESG

The IBA Business Human Rights Committee and the IBA Legal Policy & Research Unit have announced free, in-person training sessions on business and human rights for in-house lawyers and corporate counsel on business and human rights.

Released on Aug 23, 2023

Guatemala: El IBAHRI condena las diligencias contra el juez Carlos Giovanni Ruano Pineda

El Instituto de Derechos Humanos de la Asociación Internacional de Abogados (International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute, o IBAHRI) condena las diligencias judiciales previas iniciadas contra el juez guatemalteco Carlos Giovanni Ruano Pineda...

Released on Aug 17, 2023

Guatemala: IBAHRI condemns proceedings against Judge Carlos Giovanni Ruano Pineda

The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) condemns the pre-trial proceedings initiated against Guatemalan Judge Carlos Giovanni Ruano Pineda by the Foundation against Terrorism – described in reports as a far-right group with a track record of targeting judges and anti-corruption prosecutors.

Released on Aug 16, 2023

IBAHRI concerned about the discrimination of Ahmadiyya lawyers in Pakistan

The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) is highly concerned about the recent news that lawyers belonging to the Ahmadiyya community in Pakistan – a numeric minority community in the country – are being required to renounce their religion as a prerequisite to practice law.

Released on Aug 10, 2023

IBAHRI welcomes the UK Government’s recognition of the Yazidi genocide

The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) welcomes the UK Government’s formal recognition of the atrocities against the Yazidis as genocide.

Released on Aug 3, 2023

Ghana: IBAHRI commends abolition of the death penalty

The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) commends the Republic of Ghana for abolishing the death penalty for all crimes except high treason. On 25 July 2023, the Ghanaian Parliament passed two private members’ bills...

Released on Aug 3, 2023

New IBA report provides first-of-its-kind global perspective on cybersecurity risk governance

A new report from the IBA Presidential Task Force on Cybersecurity and the IBA Legal Policy & Research Unit provides a first-of-its-kind global perspective on key governance practices for senior managers and boards of directors to protect their organisations against cyber-attacks.

Released on Jul 31, 2023

Updated IBA Guide to International Trade Agreements reflects significant shift in the international landscape

The IBA has published an updated edition of the IBA Guide to International Trade Agreements for IBA Member Bars to reflect the significant shift that has occurred in the international trade landscape...

Released on Jul 24, 2023

Ukraine: IBA and Ukrainian Bar Association join forces on war crime trials monitoring

The IBA and the Ukrainian Bar Association (UBA) have joined forces to monitor war crime trials in courts in Kyiv and Kharkiv Oblasts from July until the end of September 2023.

Released on Jul 24, 2023

IBAHRI at the 53rd Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council

With the conclusion of the 53rd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, the IBAHRI reflects on the key discussions and outcomes of the session, the side events held, and the resolutions passed.

Released on Jul 14, 2023

Hong Kong: IBAHRI expresses concern over arrest warrants for overseas pro-democracy figures

The IBAHRI expresses concern over the ramping up of China’s transnational repression following the issuance of arrest warrants and bounties against eight overseas Hong Kong pro-democracy figures.

Released on Jul 14, 2023

IBA LPRU talks gender equality in the legal profession with senior Spanish lawyer Marlen Estévez

In a new podcast published as part of the IBA Legal Policy & Research Unit’s Sustainable Law in Action series, senior female lawyer Marlen Estévez, Partner at Spanish law firm RocaJunyent and Founder and President of Women in a Legal World, spoke on gender equality and navigating a legal career as a woman.

Released on Jul 7, 2023

Sudan: IBAHRI condemns the killing of lawyers, calls for their protection and an end to the conflict

The IBAHRI condemns the recent attacks against lawyers and legal professionals in Sudan amid the ongoing armed conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

Released on Jul 7, 2023

Saudi Arabia: IBAHRI issues letter of concern over former judges' arrest

The IBAHRI has issued a letter to His Majesty King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, King of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, expressing concern over reports that ten former judges of Saudi Arabia have been charged with ‘high treason’...

Released on Jul 3, 2023

IBAHRI applauds victory for media freedom in landmark war crimes defamation trial

The IBAHRI commends the Federal Court of Australia’s recent ruling in the case of Roberts-Smith v Fairfax Media as affirmation of international human rights standards upholding media freedom and freedom of expression.

Released on Jun 28, 2023

IBAHRI marks International Fair Trial Day 2023 and acknowledges Ebru Timtik Award winners

The IBAHRI marked International Fair Trial Day on 14 June 2023 with participation at a conference in Mexico City.

Released on Jun 19, 2023

IBAHRI celebra el Día Internacional del Juicio Justo de 2023 y reconoce a los ganadores del Premio Ebru Timtik

El International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute celebró el Día Internacional del Juicio Justo (IFTD) el 14 de junio de 2023

Released on Jun 19, 2023

IBAHRI Co-Chairs' statement on Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Act 2023

A statement from the Co-Chairs of the IBAHRI on Uganda’s new anti-homosexuality law.

Released on Jun 14, 2023

New IBA GEI report cites environmental social governance as emerging focus for human resources

The latest report from the International Bar Association Global Employment Institute (IBA GEI) states that employers and governments across the world are paying greater attention to sustainability and the promotion of ethical business.

Released on Jun 8, 2023

UNFCCC Bonn SB58: IBA and law partners to host side event on the role of lawyers in the climate crisis

The IBA, ABA, the OAB and the Law Society of England and Wales will co-host a side event on the role of lawyers in the climate crisis at the Bonn Climate Change Conference, taking place from 5–15 June 2023 in Bonn, Germany

Released on Jun 7, 2023

IBAHRI urges the Iranian authorities immediately to drop all charges against journalists standing trial

The IBAHRI condemns the prosecution of Iranian journalists Niloofar Hamedi and Elaheh Mohammadi and calls for all charges against them to be dropped. The closed trials of the journalists are reported to have started on 29 and 30 May 2023...

Released on Jun 1, 2023

Malaysia: Repeal of archaic Sedition Act 1948 urged by IBAHRI, Clooney Foundation and other rights organisations in joint statement

In a letter co-signed by IBAHRI, the Clooney Foundation for Justice and seven other rights organisations, Malaysia’s Home Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, and the country’s Minister of Law Dato' Sri Azalina Binti Othman Said are called to repeal the Malaysia’s Sedition Act of 1948.

Released on May 31, 2023

IBA and IFAC announce Memorandum of Understanding between global bodies for the legal and accounting professions

The IBA and the IFAC have announced a Memorandum of Understanding that formalises and demonstrates a commitment to closer cooperation between the two organisations and the legal and accountancy professions as a whole.

Released on May 31, 2023

In case you missed it: The Presidents of the IBA and ICC Court discussed ways to prevent ‘rule of lawlessness’

The presidents of the International Bar Association (IBA) and the ICC International Court of Arbitration, Almudena Arpón de Mendívil Aldama and Claudia Salomon, respectively, recently held an informal discussion around what each of their organisations can do to protect and advance the rule of law. During the exchange...

Released on May 19, 2023

The High Level Panel of Legal Experts on Media Freedom marks World Press Freedom Day 2023

Throughout the week of World Press Freedom Day, held on 3 May 2023, the High Level Panel of Legal Experts on Media Freedom participated in several activities to highlight the grave challenges facing the press globally and to showcase its recommendations to the Media Freedom Coalition.

Released on May 19, 2023

New IBA report provides insight into growing importance of ESG considerations in capital market transactions

A new report from the International Bar Association (IBA)’s Capital Markets Forum and Securities Law Committee provides valuable insights into the growing importance of environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations in capital market transactions across the world. With input from...

Released on May 16, 2023

México: La IBA expresa su inquietud por la interferencia del Presidente Obrador con la independencia judicial

La International Bar Association,) manifiesta su inquietud por la interferencia del presidente de México, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, con la independencia judicial,  tras la profusión de graves y repetidos comentarios que afectan la integridad de la Suprema Corte de Justicia de la Nación .

Released on May 16, 2023

Mexico: The IBA expresses concern over President Obrador’s interference with judicial independence

The International Bar Association (IBA) expresses concern over Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s interference with judicial independence, following egregious and repeated remarks undermining the integrity of the country's Supreme Court, most recently during a press conference on 19 April 2023.

Released on May 16, 2023