Amnesty International and the ICJ today condemned the ongoing arrests and imprisonment of several prominent lawyers in Iran which they see as part of an orchestrated attempt to repress dissent in the country.
Iran-persecution lawyers-press release-2011 (full text, PDF)
The ICJ today expressed its concern at the recent attack on a lawyer involved in a high profile case in Moscow.
On 13 May, Elena Levina, a Russian lawyer representing Mikhail Khodorkovsky in the appeal of his conviction on charges of theft of almost 350 million tons of oil and money laundering, was attacked as she was returning home late at night.
Russian Federation-Russian authorities-investigate an attack against lawyer-press release-2011-eng (full text in English, PDF)
Russian Federation-Russian authorities-investigate an attack against lawyer-press release-2011-rs (full text in Russian, PDF)
The Court of Appeal overturned the conviction of Pol. Maj. Ngern Thongsuk due to insufficient evidence in the case of enforced disappearance and presumed murder of human rights lawyer Somchai Neelapaijit (photo).
On 11th March 2011, the Court of Appeals rendered a verdict acquitting all five police officers accused of abducting, killing and “disappearing” prominent Muslim lawyer, Somchai Neelapaijit. This decision has important consequences not only for the Somchai case itself, but for broader issues of justice, human rights and rule of law in Thailand. The Justice for Peace Foundation (JPF) and the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) will be holding a public event to examine key legal and political issues concerning this case, from 12:00 – 15:00 on 17th March at the FCCT. The event will be in Thai and English, with simultaneous translation. It will feature a film of Somchai’s last public speech the night before his enforced disappearance, followed by speakers:
Their brief presentations will be followed by an extended question-and-answer session. Complimentary refreshments will be served.
Thailand-judgement Somchai Neelapajit case-agenda-2011-eng (full text in English, PDF)
Thailand-judgement Somchai Neelapajit case-agenda-2011-tha (full text in Thai, PDF)
The ICJ today expressed its concern at the increasing instances of harassment and persecution of lawyers in Belarus following the recent suppression of protests at the outcome of the presidential elections.
The attacks include the initiation and endorsement of disbarment proceedings against lawyers by the Ministry of Justice and attempts to stifle their exercise of freedom of expression.
Belarus-harassment-lawyers-news-2011 (full text, PDF)
Belarus-harassment-lawyers-news-2011-rus (full text in Russia, PDF)
Thailand: Joint statement urges Thai authorities to drop charges against human rights defender Pimsiri Petchnamrob and end judicial harassment of peaceful protesters
HRC59: Statement on the High Commissioner’s report – addressing accountability gaps in Sri Lanka, Libya, and global attacks on justice
HRC59: Joint statement on the report of Special Rapporteur in Afghanistan
Israel/Iran: Israel’s attack on Iran violates international law, threatening peace and security