International Commission of Jurists
Belarus: ICJ joins NGOs at UN to condemn attacks on lawyers

Belarus: ICJ joins NGOs at UN to condemn attacks on lawyers

Mar 15, 2021 | Advocacy, Non-legal submissions

Today, the ICJ joined IBAHRI, Human Rights House Foundation and the OMCT in a statement before the UN Human Rights Council condemning human rights violations against lawyers in the country.

The joint statement delivered during the debate on the outcome of the UPR of Belarus reads as follows:

“The IBAHRI, the International Commission of Jurists, the Human Rights House Foundation and the OMCT would like to echo concerns that have been raised during the UPR review and are reflected in the UPR outcome document.

We strongly condemn the numerous, widespread human rights violations committed in the aftermath of the 2020 Belarus Presidential election, in particular:

  1. First – The disproportionate use of force by security forces against peaceful protestors, the arbitrary arrest and detention of thousands of people, systematic torture and ill-treatment following arrest or during detention, reports of enforced disappearances and denied access to a lawyer.
  2. Second – The systematic control of the executive over the judiciary and the court system.  The judiciary continues to selectively use legislation to intimidate dissenting voices and tightly controls the licensing and activities of lawyers working under threat of being targeted.
  3. Third – The Illegal and arbitrary restrictions to fundamental rights and freedoms, including the right to peaceful assembly, free expression and access to information. From violent targeting of journalists and the media, to state sanctioned internet shutdowns resulting in censorship.

Therefore, we urge Belarus to:

  • Immediately and unconditionally release all individuals arbitrarily detained and stop any practices of torture and ill-treatment of detainees;
  • Undertake impartial, independent, effective and prompt investigations into allegations of human rights abuses;
  • Bring perpetrators to justice, ensuring effective remedy and reparation for victims;
  • Allow professionals – including legal and media professionals – to conduct their work without fear of targeting;
  • Ensure respect and practice for all human rights, including free expression, online and offline, providing unconstrained access to information for all; lastly
  • Adopt all necessary measures to prevent further human rights violations, without delay.”

Contact:

Massimo Frigo, ICJ UN Representative, e: massimo.frigo(a)icj.org, t: +41797499949

Iran: ICJ joins NGO statement at UN denouncing attacks on lawyers

Iran: ICJ joins NGO statement at UN denouncing attacks on lawyers

Mar 9, 2021 | Advocacy, Non-legal submissions

Today, the ICJ joined an oral statement at the UN Human Rights Council denouncing attacks on lawyers occurring in Iran.

The statement was delivered by IBAHRI on behalf also of ICJ, Lawyers for Lawyers, Lawyers’ Rights Watch Canada and The Law Society, during the interactive dialogue with the UN Special Rapporteur on the ISlamic Republic of Iran.

The statement reads as follows:

“The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (the IBAHRI), the International Commission of Jurists (the ICJ), Lawyers for Lawyers, Lawyers’ Rights Watch Canada, and The Law Society express deep concerns at the arbitrary arrests and detention of lawyers and others sentenced to exorbitant prison terms for legitimately carrying out their professional activities. We draw special attention to the cases of lawyers Nasrin Sotoudeh and Amirsalar Davoodi, who remain imprisoned and were excluded from Covid-19 prisoner release programmes.

Their imprisonment means that access to justice for citizens in Iran is restricted. We are alarmed by the widespread violation of fair trial guarantees, including the denial of access to a lawyer of one’s own choosing, as well as the recent application of the death penalty  in Iran. We also condemn Iran’s non-compliance with international standards on conditions of detention and reports of torture of those critical of the regime.

We urge the Iranian authorities to:

  • Immediately and unconditionally release Nasrin Sotoudeh, Amirsalar Davoodi and other lawyers who remain in prison after conviction in an unfair trial;
  • Pending release, ensure compliance with international standards on conditions of detention;
  • Ensure that lawyers and others can carry out their profession free from undue interference, including judicial harassment;
  • Establish an immediate moratorium on the death penalty, pending abolishment; and
  • Comply with its international legal obligations in respecting, guaranteeing, and protecting human rights.”

Find the statement here: Iran-UN-JointStatement-Lawyers-Advocacy-NonLegal-HRC46-2021-ENG

Contact:

Massimo Frigo, ICJ UN Representative, e: massimo.frigo(a)icj.org, t: +41797499949

 

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