United States: After Trump Blocked UN Inquiry of Racist Violence, NGOs Are Conducting Their Own | Article

by Marjorie Cohn This article was originally published in Truthout on 22 December 2020.  Marjorie Cohn is a member of the board of LRWC. Copyright Truthout. Reprinted with permission. For background, see LRWC's June and  September 2020 joint oral statements to the UN Human Rights Council on … [Read more...]

Saudi Arabia: Arbitrary detention, torture of women’s rights defender Loujain Al-Hathloul

Full PDF (ENG) 17 December 2020 His Majesty, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud King of Saudi Arabia and Custodian of the two Holy Mosques Email: info@moi.gov.sa His Excellency Mohammad Bin Salman Al Saud Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Email: info@moi.gov.sa His Royal Highness … [Read more...]

United Nations Guidance Note: Protection and Promotion of Civic Space | Welcome Development

UN_Guidance_Note (PDF)  (UN Link to Guidance Note) | UN_Guidance_Note_Executive_Summary (PDF) (UN_Link to Executive Summary) Lawyers' Rights Watch Canada welcomes the launch of the UN Guidance Note on Protection and Promotion of Civic Space. The Guidance Note affirms the role and responsibility … [Read more...]

International Human Rights Day: An overview of the UN Human Rights System | Webinar on 10 December 2020

UPDATED: See the speaking notes for Marcia Kran's lecture on the UN Human Rights Treaty Bodies 10 December 2020 If you attended: 1.5 hours of CPD credits available for BC and Ontario lawyers Organized and hosted by Lawyers’ Rights Watch Canada 12:30-2:00 pm Pacific | 3:30-5:00 pm … [Read more...]

Defending Defenders Around the World: An Invitation to join Lawyers’ Rights Watch Canada and support its work

LRWC invites lawyers, law students and others to become members of Lawyers’ Rights Watch Canada and to support its work through donations  LRWC members defend the rule of law and human rights advocates around the world The work done by LRWC is made possible by the pro bono work of members, … [Read more...]

Turkey: Lawyers Levent Pişkin, Cahit Kırkazak and Ayşe Batumlu acquitted | Welcome developments

Lawyers’ Rights Watch Canada welcomes news that on 18 November 2020 a Turkish court  acquitted eleven people including lawyers Levent Pişkin, Cahit Kırkazak, and Ayşe Batumlu, on all charges of membership in a terrorist organization and terror propaganda. In July 2019, LRWC was among 17 … [Read more...]

United States v. Steven Donziger: Report of Monitors of a hearing in New York, 5 October 2020

Update: see final report dated 24 January 2022 Full report .pdf (EN) Report of monitors: United States v. Steven Donziger, No. 19-CR-561 (LAP); 11-CIV-691 (LAK), United States Federal Court, South New York Trial Division Pilot Project to establish International Monitoring Panels to Evaluate … [Read more...]

ATTACKING DEFENDERS: The Criminalization of Human Rights Advocacy | now available at CanLII

Free .pdf download | Now available on CanLii Foreword by Michel Forst Press release Lawyers' Rights Watch Canada is pleased to announce that ATTACKING DEFENDERS: THE CRIMINALIZATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS ADVOCACY A guide to international law rights of human rights defenders is now available on … [Read more...]

Cambodia: Lack of independent courts and misuse of laws to crackdown on dissenters | Oral video statement to UN Human Rights Council

Full PDF (ENG) See video recording  of LRWC statement See the full Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapport on Human Rights in Cambodia Video Intervention: Check against delivery Organization: Lawyers’ Rights Watch Canada Item: Item 10: Interactive Dialogue, Special Rapporteur on … [Read more...]

Yemen conflict: Cease arms transfers by Canada, France, Iran, US & UK | Oral video statement to UN Human Rights Council

Full text of the oral video statement (.pdf) (ENG) Full oral video statement Full Interactive Dialogue with the Group of Experts on Yemen Video Intervention: Check against delivery  Organization: Lawyers’ Rights Watch Canada Item: Item 2: Interactive Dialogue, Group of Experts on … [Read more...]