Statements

United Nations: 349 NGOs call for positive elections to UN body that opens doors to civil society

Full pdf joint letter (EN) (FR) (ES) On 10 February, Lawyers' Rights Watch Canada joined a group of 349 national, regional and international NGOs calling for  States to take NGO participation seriously and vote accordingly.  In April, 2022, elections will be held to the UN Committee on … [Read more...]

2021 year-end message from Lawyers’ Rights Watch Canada

Donate to support LRWC's work Join or renew your membership for 2022 Download the message in .pdf format. During the last weeks of 2021, Lawyers’ Rights Watch Canada volunteers have been continuing to stand up for lawyers and human rights defenders under threat around the world. We … [Read more...]

Cambodia: COVID-19 measures must respect, protect, and fulfil human rights

Full pdf statement | Full statement below Cambodia: COVID-19 measures must respect, protect, and fulfil human rights  Place people and their human rights at the centre of emergency responses Statement 7 June 2021 Introduction: Cambodia’s harsh COVID-19 measures highlight the … [Read more...]

Thailand: Lawyers’ Rights Watch Canada urges Thailand to withdraw draft NGO law | Statement

Full PDF statement Lawyers’ Rights Watch Canada urges Thailand to withdraw draft NGO law Repressive draft law is a threat to civil society and violates international human rights law Statement 31 May 2021 Lawyers’ Rights Watch Canada (LRWC) joins the growing international expressions of … [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...]

Iran: Arbitrary detention of lawyers carrying out legitimate professional work | Oral Statement to the 46th Session of the UN Human Rights Council

Joint oral video statement .pdf (EN) United Nations Human Rights Council, 46th Session Agenda Item 4- Interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the Islamic Republic of Iran 9 March 2021 United Nations Human Rights Council, 46th Session  Agenda Item 4- Interactive dialogue with … [Read more...]

Turkey: Overbroad anti-terrorism laws used to persecute human rights lawyers | Joint Oral Statement at the 46th Session of the UN Human Rights Council

Full PDF (ENG) Link to the oral statement video Link to written statement to the UN Human Rights Council on deterioration of the rule of law in Turkey Organization: Lawyers’ Rights Watch Canada Item 3: Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of … [Read more...]

Turkey: Five years and no justice for Tahir Elçi | Joint letter to UN Special Rapporteurs

Full PDF (ENG) Quick Response Desk Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights United Nations Office at Geneva 8-14 Avenue de la Paix CH-1211 Geneva 10 Switzerland E-mail: urgent-action@ohchr.org 2 March 2021 FOR THE ATTENTION OF: Special Rapporteur on the … [Read more...]

Yemen: UN Security Council should refer Yemen situation to the ICC: Oral Statement, 46th Session, UN Human Rights Council | Oral Statement

Full PDF (ENG) Direct link to LRWC statement Link to full debate Organization: Lawyers’ Rights Watch Canada Item: Item 2: Oral Update of the Group of Eminent Experts on Yemen Date: 25 February 2021 Speaker: Catherine Morris Oral Statement to the 46th Session of the UN Human Rights … [Read more...]

Sri Lanka: Prevailing Impunity and Lack of Accountability for Human Rights Violations | Oral Statement to the 46th Session of the UN Human Rights Council

Full PDF (ENG) Direct link to LRWC statement See full debate on Sri Lanka: 24 February and 25 February 2021. Organization: Lawyers’ Rights Watch Canada Item: Item 2: Sri Lanka – Report of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Date: 25 February 2021 Speaker: Harini … [Read more...]