The global problem of enforced disappearances: “Outside all protection of the law” | Written statement submitted to the UN Human Rights Council

Written statement submitted by Lawyers' Rights Watch Canada, a non-governmental organization in special consultative status. Peacemakers Trust,  The 29 Principles,  Network of Chinese Human Rights Defenders, Colombian Caravana,  Memorial Human Rights Defence Centre, NGOs without consultative status, … [Read more...]

LRWC condemns the detention of Guatemalan lawyer Claudia González Orellana

LRWC joins 29 organizations condemning detention of Guatemalan lawyer Claudia González Orellana and calling for her immediate release Claudia González was a representative for the International Commission Against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG), committed to the fight against impunity of serious … [Read more...]

UPDATED REPORT: Colombia Caravana – Confronting Impunity: Protect Lawyers and Judicial Independence

The VII International Caravana of Jurists has released the final report of the August 2022 delegation of lawyers and judges to Colombia. The latest Caravana focused on the need for an independent judiciary and the protection of human rights lawyers and defenders, to confront impunity and guarantee … [Read more...]

Enforced disappearances: “Every minute counts” | Joint submission to UN CED and WGEID

Full pdf submission On 15 August 2023, LRWC joined a submission to the UN Committee on Enforced Disappearance (CED) and the Working Group on Enforced and Involuntary Disappearance (WGEID). The submission, was initiated by Peacemakers Trust and is also endorsed by the Colombian Caravana, The 29 … [Read more...]

China: Release human rights lawyer Gao Zhisheng and end the practice of enforced disappearances | Joint Statement

Full pdf statement with 35 signatories, 11 August 2023 China: Release human rights lawyer Gao Zhisheng and end the practice of enforced disappearances We, the undersigned organizations, call on the Chinese authorities to immediately and unconditionally release prominent human rights lawyer Gao … [Read more...]

Russia: Amicus brief to the Russian Constitutional Court: The law on discrediting the armed forces violates international human rights law | Joint amicus brief

Full Amicus Curiae brief to the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation on 21 cases registered in the Constitutional Court regarding Article 20.3.3. of the Code of Administrative Offences (CAO) [.pdf] Заключение по 21 делу, зарегистрированных в Конституционном Суде Российскойпо статье … [Read more...]

Russia: Submission to the UN Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodic Review of the Russian Federation | Joint submission

Full pdf joint submission On 5 April 2023, Lawyers' Rights Watch Canada joined Lawyers for Lawyers (L4L) and the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) in submitting a report for the UN Human Rights Council's Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of the Russian … [Read more...]

LRWC Letter to Turkiye re Vahit Bicak 2023-03-22

On 10 March 2023, Dr. Bicak was convicted of insulting the memory of a dead person (Art. 130) and her family members (Art. 125) in the 35th Heavy Criminal Court. He was sentenced to 17 ½ months imprisonment on these charges. Brian Samuels, KC, LRWC Director, sent this follow-up to Turkish … [Read more...]

LRWC Letter to Turkiye re Vahit Bicak 2023-03-08

Dr. Bicak has become the target of a campaign of judicial harassment, most recently having been charged with insulting the memory of a dead person (Art. 130) and her family members (Art. 125) in the 35th Heavy Criminal Court. Brian Samuels, KC, LRWC Director, sent the following letter to Turkish … [Read more...]

Saudi Arabia: Release Dr. Mohammed Fahad Al-Qahtani | Letter

Full .pdf letter (EN) 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 Prince Abdulaziz Bin … [Read more...]