Reports

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...]

Thailand: Halt judicial harassment of human rights defenders and whistleblowers | Report

Thailand: Strategic Law Suits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) Criminal defamation SLAPPs against Dr. Chutima Sidasathian and Ms. Phasini Khemmalang Report and Recommendations 25 January 2024 Full report pdf: EN and TH ภาษาไทย Corrigendum (EN) Press release .pdf: EN and TH ภาษาไทย FOR … [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...]

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...]

LRWC intervenes at the UN Human Rights Council on violations in over a dozen countries | Letters and statements at the 51st Session 12 September to 7 October 2022

During the 51st session of the UN Human Rights Council held 12 September to 7 October 2022,  Lawyers' Rights Watch Canada (LRWC) intervened to seek the Council's action to address serious human rights violations in a number of countries including: Afghanistan, Cambodia, China, Myanmar, the Occupied … [Read more...]

Sudan: Abolish immunities for members of the security forces and halt unnecessary use of force against peaceful protestors | Joint statement to UN Human Rights Council

Full .pdf statement See full debate on UN WebTV at 1:45:47 with IBAHRI and LRWC statement at 2:27:54 United Nations Human Rights Council 50th Human Rights Council Session Oral Statement by the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) 50th session of the Human … [Read more...]

Amicus Curiae Filed in Petition of Colombian Human Rights Lawyers against the State of Colombia

Lawyers Without Borders Canada (LWBC) and Lawyers Rights Watch Canada (LRWC) recently filed an amicus curiae brief (amicus) with the Inter-American Court of Human Rights (IACtHR or Court) concerning the petition of “Jose Alvear Restrepo” Lawyers’ Collective (CCAJAR) v Colombia. The Petitioners are … [Read more...]

LRWC releases its 2021 Annual Report | News

Full Annual Report 2021 (pdf) Lawyers’ Rights Watch Canada has released its 2021 Annual Report featuring highlights of 2021 as well as summaries of countries of concern, publications and educational events in 2021. LRWC advocated for lawyers and other human rights defenders in 24 countries of … [Read more...]