BC, Canada: Bill 21 “Legal Professions Act” is fundamentally flawed and should be withdrawn. Why? | Briefing Notes
24/04/2024
Full PDF briefing notes on Bill 21 (3 pages) | See more on Bill 21 Briefing Notes on Bill 21, “Legal Professions Act.” Catherine Morris, member and former Executive Director, Lawyers' Rights Watch Canada 23 April 2024 Bill 21 “Legal Professions Act” is fundamentally flawed and should be … [Read more...]
British Columbia, Canada: Analysis of Bill 21 shows clear violation of international law and standards on independence of lawyers
17/04/2024
Full pdf 17 April 2024 briefing paper (16 pages) | Full 17 April 2024 pdf letter to Attorney General of BC (AGBC) | Media release .pdf See briefing notes (3 pages) Also see LRWC's 12 April 2024 pdf letter | Letter 10 April 2024 | Brief 10 April 2024 | 10 April 2024 press release | LRWC … [Read more...]
Ten years after his arbitrary arrest, NGOs call for Waleed Abu al-Khair to be released
15/04/2024
Monday, 15 April 2024 marks the tenth anniversary of the arrest of Saudi human rights defender Waleed Abu al-Khair, who is serving a 15-year prison sentence as a result of his peaceful human rights activism. He has repeatedly been ill-treated in prison, including being denied vital medical care. The … [Read more...]
LRWC: protecting access to justice and independence of the legal profession in British Columbia, Canada for over two decades
14/04/2024
LRWC research, education, and advocacy on human rights concerns in British Columbia, 2002-2024 Lawyers’ Rights Watch Canada has conducted research, education and advocacy on human rights issues in British Columbia (BC) since 2002. The primary focus of LRWC’s work in BC has been on access to … [Read more...]
Canada: British Columbia’s proposed legislation (Bill 21) violates international human rights law and standards on independence of the legal profession
10/04/2024
Note: LRWC's 10 April 2024 letter and brief were published before LRWC was aware of the almost simultaneous tabling of Bill 21 in the British Columbia (BC) legislature on 10 April 2024. See LRWC's analysis of Bill 21 in its briefing paper of 17 April 2024. LRWC sent a 12 April 2024 follow up … [Read more...]
Inter-American Court of Human Rights finds Colombia responsible for violating rights of HR defenders
20/03/2024
In a historic decision, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights finds Colombia internationally responsible for violating the right to defend human rights According to the ruling, the Colombian State carried out intelligence activities against human rights defenders in an arbitrary and … [Read more...]
Thailand: Acquittal in SLAPP against whistleblower Chutima Sidasathian
08/03/2024
On 6 March 2024, a Thai court in Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat) province acquitted anti-corruption whistleblower Dr. Chutima Sidasathian on three charges of criminal defamation. The three charges against Dr Chutima were brought by a local elected official, Mayor Thanonthorn Kaveekitrattana, in May … [Read more...]
Israel Didn’t Even Try to Defend the Legality of Its Occupation to World Court
08/03/2024
By Marjorie Cohn , TRUTHOUT, March 6, 2024, republished with permission of the author. For six days, more than 50 countries, the League of Arab States, the African Union and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation presented testimony to the International Court of Justice (ICJ, or World Court) … [Read more...]
The Russian Federation’s Systematic Restrictions and Repressive Actions Against Human Rights Lawyers | Joint written statement to the UN Human Rights Council | September 2023
20/02/2024
Joint written statement submitted by Lawyers' Rights Watch Canada, International Bar Association, Lawyers for Lawyers, non-governmental organizations in special consultative status. OVD-Info, NGO without consultative status, also shares the views expressed in this statement. Submitted to the UN … [Read more...]
Thailand: Amicus Curiae Brief in the Case of Chutima Sidasathian | Joint Amicus Brief, LRWC and ICJ
01/02/2024
Amicus Curiae Brief in the case of the defendant Dr. Chutima Sidasathian (Black Case Number 970/2566 at Nakhon Ratchasima Provincial Court) หนังสือเพื่อนศาล (Amicus Curiae Brief) ในคดีที่ดร.ชุติมา สีดาเสถียร เป็นจำเลย (คดีหมายเลขดำที่ 970/2566 ศาลจังหวัดนครราชสีมา) See the … [Read more...]
