News releases

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

IBAHRI Director joins Ukraine government’s Legal Task Force on Accountability for Crimes Committed in Ukraine

The government of Ukraine has announced the formation of the Legal Task Force on Accountability for Crimes Committed in Ukraine to support the country’s authorities in delivering justice for victims of any international crimes committed by Russia in Ukraine.

Released on Apr 7, 2022

Bermuda and Cayman Islands: IBAHRI expresses regret at Privy Council’s decisions upholding discrimination in marriage of LGBTIQ people and calls for rectification by the British government

On 14 March 2022 the United Kingdom’s Judicial Committee of the Privy Council, after reserving its decision for more than a year, handed down two judgments rejecting marriage equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex or questioning (LGBTIQ) people in Bermuda and the Cayman Islands. The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) expresses surprise and disappointment at the decisions.

Released on Apr 7, 2022

IBAHRI welcomes UN’s Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine into human rights abuses

IBAHRI at the 49th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council - Key takeaways

Released on Apr 1, 2022

IBAHRI condemns judicial persecution of Guatemalan judges and prosecutors

Incidents of Guatemala’s judges and prosecutors being forced to resign, dismissed, harassed, intimidated, arrested and judicially persecuted are being recorded with increased frequency. Notably, all those affected in the reports have been involved in investigating, prosecuting, and adjudicating large-scale high-level corruption...

Released on Mar 28, 2022

IBAHRI calls for suspension of extradition treaties with Hong Kong

The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) calls on the international community to suspend extradition treaties with Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China (HKSAR or Hong Kong) amid alleged intimidation by Hong Kong authorities of human rights defenders.

Released on Mar 23, 2022

Russia-Ukraine war: eyeWitness to Atrocities app captures potential evidence for trials

As Russia’s war against Ukraine rages and allegations of war crimes grow, gathering evidence that can later be used in a court of law to bring any transgressors to justice becomes ever more necessary. To this end, the eyeWitness to Atrocities app is being used in Ukraine to capture potential evidence of crimes committed...

Released on Mar 18, 2022

Saudi Arabia’s record execution of 81 people in a single day condemned by IBAHRI

The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) strongly condemns the mass execution of 81 people in a single day in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The executions took place over the course of 24 hours on Saturday 12 March 2022, the largest known mass execution in the country’s modern period.

Released on Mar 16, 2022

IBA condemns Russian legal organisations’ vocal support of Putin’s war against Ukraine

The International Bar Association (IBA) – the global voice of the legal profession – condemns the Association of Lawyers of Russia for its recent issuance of a pro war statement. Furthermore, the IBA reiterates its condemnation of the illegal invasion of Ukraine by Russia.

Released on Mar 9, 2022

IBA releases first report of global study on gender disparity at the most senior levels in the law

The International Bar Association (IBA) Legal Policy & Research Unit (LPRU) has released its first set of findings into the lack of representation of women in senior roles across the legal profession – private practice, in-house legal teams, public sector institutions and the judiciary – in England and Wales. Overall, the...

Released on Mar 8, 2022

North Korea: Hearing to determine if Kim Jong-un should be investigated by the ICC for crimes against humanity

The International Bar Association (IBA) War Crimes Committee and the Committee for Human Rights in North Korea (HRNK) are to hold a live Hearing – on Friday 4 March 2022 in Washington DC, United States – to determine whether there is sufficient evidence for the International Criminal Court (ICC), or a special...

Released on Mar 4, 2022

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine – IBA deplores disregard for life and continued breaches of international law

The International Bar Association (IBA) – the global voice of the legal profession – reaffirms its condemnation of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine amidst alleged indiscriminate attacks on civilians and continued violations of international law.

Released on Mar 3, 2022

IBAHRI condemns Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine and urges the immediate suspension of Russia’s membership of the UN Human Rights Council

The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) condemns the ongoing and unjustified military invasion of Ukraine, a sovereign state, by the Russian Federation, as a flagrant violation of international law.

Released on Feb 25, 2022

IBA condemns Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

The International Bar Association (IBA) – the global voice of the legal profession – condemns in the strongest terms Russia’s invasion of Ukraine ordered by President Vladimir Putin.

Released on Feb 24, 2022

IBAHRI applauds Papua New Guinea’s decision to abolish the death penalty

The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) commends the National Parliament of Papua New Guinea’s decision to repeal the death penalty. Offences such as murder, treason, piracy and aggravated rape will now be punishable by life imprisonment without parole, or parole after 30 years.

Released on Feb 22, 2022

High Level Panel of Legal Experts on Media Freedom call for media freedom during Third Global Conference

Two years on from its establishment, it is clear that the work of The High Level Panel of Legal Experts on Media Freedom is beginning to have an impact on state practice in the Media Freedom Coalition (MFC).

Released on Feb 17, 2022

Mark Stephens CBE announced as new IBAHRI Co-Chair

Mark Stephens CBE has taken up the position of Co-Chair of the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI). He succeeds the Hon Michael Kirby AC CMG, former Justice of the High Court of Australia

Released on Feb 15, 2022

IBAHRI calls on Sudan’s General al-Burhan to end security forces’ violence and for the international community to impose targeted sanctions

The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) calls on Sudan’s self-appointed Ruling Council leader, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the Sudanese military to cease immediately the use of lethal force against peaceful demonstrators...

Released on Feb 8, 2022

New IBA report reveals significant numbers of young lawyers want to leave their current job

A new report from the International Bar Association (IBA) has revealed that of 3,000 young lawyers – defined as aged 40 and under – surveyed around the world, a significant number of them are either leaving or considering leaving their current job in the next five years.

Released on Jan 31, 2022

IBA releases statement defending principle of lawyer client confidentiality from international attack

The International Bar Association (IBA) has released a statement in defence of lawyer-client confidentiality, following a number of recent attacks on the principle from high-profile international organisations.

Released on Jan 18, 2022

IBA releases statement defending principle of lawyer-client confidentiality from international attack

The International Bar Association (IBA) has released a statement in defence of lawyer-client confidentiality, following a number of recent attacks on the principle from high-profile international organisations.

Released on Jan 17, 2022