May 12, 2016 | News
The ICJ is concerned at the reported resignations of federal judges in the Chechen Republic of the Russian Federation following apparent pressure by the acting Head of the Republic Ramzan Kadyrov who had suggested that resignation would be the “most correct decision of their lives”.
The ICJ considers these statements, which appear to have led directly to the resignations of federal judges, to be inappropriate interference with the functioning and independence of the judiciary.
The ICJ calls on the Russian Federation judicial authorities to take all measures within their power to ensure that all judges’ security of tenure is preserved and that any allegations of misconduct are addressed through appropriate disciplinary proceedings that respect the right to a fair hearing.
The ICJ further calls on the executive authorities to refrain from any comments which may undermine the independence of the judiciary.
On 5 May, Ramzan Kadyrov, currently acting Head of the Chechen Republic, recommended that several named judges should step down.
In his post on social media, Kadyrov identified as problems unfair decisions of courts, procrastination in criminal cases, decisions regarding housing and inconsistent decisions.
He mentioned that although examples of such decisions were sporadic, they did not help build trust in the judiciary.
He then recommended that the President of the Supreme Court of the Chechen Republic, Magomed Karatayev (photo) and three other judges, Takhir Murdalov, Sulyan Yandarov and Zayndi Khusainov, should resign “if they had a notion of honour and professional ethics”.
It was reported that two judges of the Urus-Martan City Court and Grozny District Court, Sulyan Yandarov and Zayndi Khusainov, submitted their resignations on the same day.
The President of the Supreme Court of Chechnya, Magomed Karatayev, and his deputy Takhir Murdalov, are reported to have already filed a request for resignation.
The resignations, apparently in direct response to criticism by the executive, undermine the separation of powers and the independence of the judiciary in the Russian Federation.
Under international law, including the right to a fair trial protected, inter alia, by Article 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights and Article 14 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the independence of the judiciary must be guaranteed.
The UN Basic Principles on Independence of the Judiciary enshrines “the duty of all governmental and other institutions to respect and observe the independence of the judiciary” and provides the judiciary shall not be subject to “any restrictions, improper influences…pressures, threats or interferences, direct or indirect from any quarter or for any reason.”
While judges have an obligation to adhere to judicial ethics and should be held accountable for professional misconduct, the representatives of the executive must refrain from statements which jeopardize the independence of the judiciary.
The Council of Europe’s Recommendation on judges specifies that “the executive and legislative powers should avoid criticism that would undermine the independence of or public confidence in the judiciary.”
Public pressure from the executive on judges to resign can nullify the security of tenure of judges protected under national and international law and standards.
According to Principle 12 of the Basic Principles on the Independence of the Judiciary, “[j]udges, whether appointed or elected, shall have guaranteed tenure until a mandatory retirement age or the expiry of their term of office, where such exists.”
Under international standards, allegations of misconduct against judges should be dealt with by the self-governing institutions of the judiciary, through fair disciplinary procedures.
Under the Basic Principles, the only basis for removal of judges is “incapacity or behaviour that renders them unfit to discharge their duties.
The comments by Ramzan Kadyrov also run contrary to the legislation of the Russian Federation, which spells out in detail the procedure for disciplinary measures against judges in case of alleged professional misconduct.
RUSSIA-Chechen judges statement-News-web story-2016-RUS (full text in Russian, PDF)
May 10, 2016 | News
The ICJ today expressed concern at the disbarment proceedings against lawyer Muzaffar Bakhishov that are taking place before the Narimanov district court.
The ICJ calls for the disbarment proceedings to respect international standards on the role of lawyers and to ensure that no sanction is imposed contrary to the right to freedom of expression, as guaranteed under international law.
The ICJ understands that the proceedings against Mr Bakhishov, following a recommendation for disbarment by the Plenum of the Bar Association, are related to critical statements he made in a media interview with the news website moderator.az on the functioning of the Azeri judiciary with regard to judicial review of detention.
In the interview, he criticized the arrests of large number of persons by officers of the Ministry of National Security and the tendency of judges to approve orders of detention without proper scrutiny. He further raised concerns about lack of accountability of judges for failure to protect against arbitrary detention.
Under international law and standards, lawyers, like other individuals, enjoy the right to freedom of expression, including in regard to their professional role. Protection of lawyers’ right to freedom of expression is not only important to the individuals in question. It also serves to safeguard the important public function played by lawyers in a democratic society to comment on matters related to the rule of law and the administration of justice. Lawyers must be able to carry out these and their other professional functions without interference or intimidation.
The right to freedom of expression is protected in international human rights law, including by article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). Azerbaijan is party to both of these treaties.
The UN Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers specify that lawyers “…shall have the right to take part in public discussion of matters concerning the law, the administration of justice and the promotion and protection of human rights …” The European Court of Human Rights has emphasized that lawyers are entitled to comment in public on the administration of justice, provided that their criticism does not overstep certain bounds, based on principles of dignity, honour, integrity, and respect for the fair administration of justice.
The ICJ considers that disciplinary proceedings against lawyers, solely for expressing criticism of the conduct or functioning of the judiciary, whether in the course of court hearings or elsewhere, constitute an unjustified interference with freedom of expression. As the European Court of Human Rights has noted in Maurice v. France, this is particularly the case where the allegations have been presented in good faith and are substantiated by evidence.
Azerbaijan-BakhishovDisbarment-Statement-2016-AZE (download statement in Azeri)
Contact:
Massimo Frigo, Legal Adviser of the ICJ Europe Programme, t: +41 22 9793805, e-mail: massimo.frigo(a)icj.org
May 3, 2016 | Новости, Статьи
Международная комиссия юристов (МКЮ) обеспокоена сообщениями о ненадлежащем допросе адвоката Марины Мошко в качестве свидетеля, а также проведении обысков в её квартире и адвокатском кабинете следователями Следственного комитета Российской Федерации («СК РФ») и сотрудниками ФСБ России по Санкт-Петербургу и Ленинградской области.
Адвокат была допрошена по уголовному делу своей подзащитной, Наталии Кольцовой, связанному с преступлением в сфере экономической деятельности.
Проведение следственных действий в отношении адвоката в ходе следствия по делу его или её подзащитного противоречит международному праву и стандартам, а также принципам адвокатской тайны, которые закреплены в российском законодательстве и международном праве.
В данной связи МКЮ призывает российские правоохранительные органы воздержаться от любых действий, которые затрудняют доступ к адвокату и препятствуют осуществлению права на эффективную защиту, в том числе от ненадлежащего допроса адвокатов в качестве свидетелей и обыска жилых и служебных помещений адвокатов.
Российские власти обязаны соблюдать национальное законодательство и соответствующие международно-правовые обязательства, принятые на себя государством, а также принять меры по обеспечению эффективной защиты адвокатов от любого вида запугивания и необоснованного вмешательства.
В ходе обысков, санкционированных Басманным районным судом города Москвы, были осмотрены адвокатские досье клиентов Марины Мошко, а также произведена фотосъёмка досье одного из клиентов, который является подзащитным адвоката по уголовному делу (см. ниже).
Наряду с обысками помещений, занимаемых адвокатом, следователи провели очную ставку между адвокатом и матерью её подзащитной.
После этого Марину Мошко отстранили от участия в деле в качестве защитника, поскольку она сама была допрошена как свидетель.
Это далеко не первый случай такого рода.
В одном из своих последних докладов под названием «Становление сильной адвокатуры в Российской Федерации» МКЮ выразила обеспокоенность в связи со «случаями допроса адвокатов с целью их отстранения от защиты одной из сторон».
В докладе был сделан вывод о том, что «допрос адвоката в качестве свидетеля является грубым вмешательством в работу адвокатов и явным нарушением российского законодательства и международных стандартов, касающихся роли и независимости юристов».
МКЮ напоминает о том, что Кодекс профессиональной этики адвоката Российской Федерации возбраняет адвокату давать свидетельские показания об обстоятельствах, которые стали ему известны в связи с исполнением профессиональных обязанностей (статья 6 пункт 6).
Закон «Об адвокатской деятельности и адвокатуре в Российской Федерации» (статья 8 пункт 2) и Уголовно-процессуальный кодекс Российской Федерации (статья 56 часть 3) исключают возможность допроса адвоката в качестве свидетеля по делу подзащитного.
Далее, проведение обыска в помещении адвоката и нарушение неприкосновенности адвокатских досье противоречит международному праву и стандартам адвокатской тайны, которые являются неотъемлемой частью права на уважение частной жизни, а также права на справедливое судебное разбирательство.
В частности, принцип 22 Основных принципов ООН, касающихся роли юристов, предусматривает, что «правительства признают и обеспечивают конфиденциальный характер любых сношений и консультаций между юристами и их клиентами в рамках их профессиональных отношений».
Комитет по правам человека ООН также подчеркнул, что данная практика может составить нарушение обязательства государств по обеспечению права на справедливое судебное разбирательство, предусмотренное Международным пактом о гражданских и политических правах (МПГПП), в частности, в тех случаях, когда «адвокатов освобождают от обязанности сохранять профессиональную тайну и принуждают к даче свидетельских показаний под угрозой лишения свободы».
Очевидно, что рассматриваемое дело является именно тем случаем, когда в результате допроса адвоката в качестве свидетеля её отстранили от защиты стороны по делу, а также была нарушена адвокатская тайна. Данная практика отвода адвокатов препятствует доступу обвиняемого к эффективной юридической помощи и может подорвать эффективность защиты, в нарушение права на справедливое судебное разбирательство, которое защищается, в частности, статьёй 6 Европейской конвенции по правам человека и статьёй 14 МПГПП.
Контакты:
Роушин Пиллей, директор Региональной программы МКЮ по Европе, roisin.pillay(a)icj.org
Тимур Шакиров, правовой советник Региональной программы МКЮ по Европе, temur.shakirov(a)icj.org
Дополнительная информация:
Марина Мошко представляет интересы Натальи Кольцовой, подозреваемой по делу об организованном преступном сообществе, предположительно созданном Дмитрием Зарубиным, владельцем бутика Cartier. Зарубин был задержан осенью 2015 года по обвинению в создании организованного преступного сообщества, по версии следствия, ввозившего в Россию дорогостоящую электронику под видом дешёвых строительных материалов. Наталья Кольцова обвиняется в руководстве одним из структурных подразделений организованного преступного сообщества. Сообщается о том, что проведение обысков связано с представлением интересов Натальи Кольцовой.
МКЮ известно о том, что Совет Адвокатской палаты Ленинградской области направил в Генеральную прокуратуру Российской Федерации письмо, в котором поднимается проблема проведения обысков в отношении адвокатов.
Доклад МКЮ «Становление сильной адвокатуры в Российской Федерации»
Russia-Marina Moshko statement-News-Web story-2016-RUS (история на русском, PDF)
May 3, 2016 | News
The ICJ is concerned at the reported improper interrogation as a witness of lawyer Marina Moshko and searches of her apartment and office by investigators of the Investigative Committee of Russia together with officers of the St. Petersburg and Leningrad Region Federal Security Service.
The interrogation was in connection with a criminal case against her client, Natalia Koltsova, related to alleged criminal business activities.
Targeting a lawyer in the investigation of the lawyer’s client runs contrary to international law and standards, and to principles of lawyer-client confidentiality enshrined in both Russian and international law.
The ICJ therefore calls on the law enforcement authorities to refrain from any measures which obstruct access to a lawyer and the right to an effective defence, including improper interrogation of lawyers as witnesses, and searches of lawyers’ premises.
The Russian authorities must uphold Russian law and the country’s international legal obligations on this matter and must take steps to ensure that lawyers are effectively protected against any form of harassment or improper interference.
During the searches, authorized by the Basmannyi District Court of Moscow, the files Marina Moshko’s clients were examined and photographs were taken of one file, which contained evidence in the same criminal case in which Marina Moshko is acting for the defence (see additional information below).
In addition to the searches of the lawyer’s premises, the investigators conducted a “confrontation” (a form of investigatory interview) between the lawyer and her client’s mother.
Marina Moshko was thereafter excluded from representation of her client as she was herself considered to be a witness in the case.
This case is hardly the first of its kind.
In a recent report entitled Towards a Stronger Legal Profession in the Russian Federation, the ICJ expressed concern at “cases of interrogations of lawyers in order to exclude them from representing a party to the proceedings”.
The report concluded that “[i]nterrogation of a lawyer as a witness constitutes a serious interference with the work of lawyers in clear contradiction to Russian legislation and international standards on the role and independence of lawyers.”
The ICJ recalls that the Russian Federation Code of Professional Ethics of Lawyers prohibits lawyers from making witness statements about any facts known to him or her in the context of professional activities (Article 6 (6)).
Both the Law “On advocates’ activities and advokatura in the Russian Federation” (Article 8 (2)) and the Russian Criminal Procedure Code (article 56 (3)) prohibit summoning lawyers as witnesses in cases in which they represent clients.
Furthermore, searches of lawyers’ premises and interference with clients’ files are contrary to international law and standards on lawyer-client confidentiality, which is an element both of the right to respect for private life, and of the right to a fair trial.
In particular, the UN Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers, in Principle 22, stipulate that: “[g]overnments shall recognize and respect that all communications and consultations between lawyers and their clients within their professional relationship are confidential”.
The UN Human Rights Committee has also underscored that such practices may breach the obligation of States to ensure the right to a fair trial under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), particularly where “lawyers are released from their obligation of professional confidentiality and obliged to testify or face the risk of imprisonment”
This case apparently represents such an instance in which a lawyer is excluded from representing a party, and lawyer-client confidentiality is breached, through questioning her as a witness. Such exclusions interfere with a defendant’s access to effective legal representation and may damage the effectiveness of the defence, contrary to the right to fair trial protected, inter alia, by Article 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights and Article 14 of the ICCPR.
Contact:
Róisín Pillay, Director, Europe Programme, roisin.pillay@icj.org
Temur Shakirov, Legal Adviser, Europe Programme, temur.shakirov@icj.org
Additional information:
Marina Moshko represents Natalia Koltsova, a suspect in the case on a criminal group allegedly created by Dmitry Zarubin, owner of the Cartier boutique. Dmitry Zarubin was arrested in autumn 2015 and charged with creation of an organized criminal group which brought expensive electronic goods as cheap building materials. Natalia Koltsova is charged with heading one of the units of the alleged criminal group. These searches are reportedly related to the representation of Natalia Koltsova.
The ICJ understands that the Council of the Chamber of Lawyers of Leningrad Region has addressed a letter to the Prosecutor General of the Russian Federation regarding this problematic case of the searches of lawyers.
Read also ICJ’s Report Towards a Stronger Legal Profession in the Russian Federation
Russia-Marina Moshko statement-News-Web story-2016-RUS (story in Russian, PDF)
Apr 25, 2016 | Адвокаси, Краткий анализ
В настоящем документе представлены комментарии Международной комиссии юристов по Проекту федерального закона «О внесении изменений в отдельные законодательные акты Российской Федерации в части обеспечения права адвоката на сбор сведений, необходимых для оказания квалифицированной юридической помощи» № 993553-6 («Проект закона»).
Комментарии подготовлены в свете международного права и стандартов, касающихся роли юристов, и основываются на докладе МКЮ «Становление сильной адвокатуры в Российской Федерации», опубликованном в декабре 2015 года.
Настоящий документ посвящён следующим вопросам: «адвокатский запрос», новый правовой механизм, направленный на то, чтобы обеспечить адвокатов возможностью запрашивать данные и информацию; приобщение к материалам дела доказательств, собранных адвокатами; удостоверение адвоката, которое предоставляет доступ в здания государственных органов, и связанная с этим проблема воспрепятствования доступу адвокатов к своим клиентам; этические стандарты адвокатов и проблема «карманных адвокатов» в Российской Федерации.
Russia-Comment on Right of Lawyer Law-Advocacy-Analysis brief-2016-RUS (полный текст на русском, PDF)
Фото: Удостоверение Личности Российского Юриста. Источник: http://minjust.ru/
