LRWC reports and handbooks on international human rights topics related to protection of human rights defenders.

Joint Statement: BC Government Must Withdraw Bill 21 (Legal Professions Act)

Canada: British Columbia government’s sweeping changes to the legal profession undermine the international human rights and the rule of law Full PDF Version Statement 15 May 2024 The undersigned are deeply concerned by sweeping changes to the legal profession proposed by the government of … [Read more...]

BC, Canada: Bill 21 “Legal Professions Act” is fundamentally flawed and should be withdrawn. Why? | Briefing Notes

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

Full pdf 17 April 2024 briefing paper | 17 April 2024 pdf letter to Attorney General of BC (AGBC) | 18 April 2024 Media release .pdf 24 April 2024 briefing notes Also see LRWC's 25 September 2024 briefing for BC election candidates | 12 April 2024 pdf letter | Letter 10 April 2024 | Brief … [Read more...]

Canada: British Columbia’s proposed legislation (Bill 21) violates international human rights law and standards on independence of the legal profession

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...]

The Right to Freedom from Arbitrary or Unlawful Deprivation of Liberty: A guidebook on international human rights law protections

The Right to Freedom from Arbitrary or Unlawful Deprivation of Liberty: A guidebook on international human rights law protections Written by Lois Leslie, BSocSc (Hons), LLB, LLM, with assistance from Gail Davidson LLB. Download the guidebook here. This is a guide to international human rights … [Read more...]

Russia: Judicial harassment of lawyer Ivan Pavlov | Joint Statement

Full pdf (EN) On 30 April 2021, Federal Security Service (FSB) officers of the Russian Federation raided the hotel room of human rights lawyer Ivan Pavlov in Moscow. According to the information received, items were seized that contain information subject to lawyer-client confidentiality. … [Read more...]

The Right to Counsel: A Guide to International Law Rights to Legal Assistance and Representation | LRWC publication

NEW BOOK The Right to Counsel: A Guide to International Law Rights to Legal Assistance and Representation | LRWC publication Download free of charge in .pdf format. Lawyers' Rights Watch Canada (LRWC) is pleased to announce the publication of a new international human rights law guidebook, … [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...]

USA: Allegations of judicial harassment and arbitrary detention of lawyer Steven Donziger | Briefing Note

UPDATE: See the final report of international monitors dated 24 January 2022, entitled "Donziger Criminal Contempt Proceedings Violated International Human Rights Law and Standards," IMPETUS, 24 January 2022. Full pdf briefing note Press release   USA: Allegations of judicial … [Read more...]

USA: Request for UN Human Rights Council inquiry into US Police Violence | Joint Letter

Full PDF (ENG) Led by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) more than 600 civil society organizations from around the world, including Lawyers' Rights Watch Canada, joined family members of victims of police violence in the United States (US) in a joint letter calling on member states … [Read more...]