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...]

A request for your support for Lawyers’ Rights Watch Canada: A letter from the Executive Director

Dear friends and colleagues, 2020 has been a year unlike any other. In a time when we have experienced a global pandemic and widespread political conflict, the protection of international human rights has become increasingly crucial. This year has also been a year of solidarity and political … [Read more...]

Watch the “NASRIN” Sotoudeh Film Seminar held 4 December | Event recording

UPDATE 9 December 2020: Recording of the seminar (off this site) UPDATE: 4 December 2020:  Iran: Lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh Sent Back to Prison on 1 December 2020. Joint Statement Seminar – “NASRIN” Sotoudeh Film Nasrin Sotoudeh is renowned worldwide for her work as a lawyer in Iran. She … [Read more...]

Iran: Temporary release of human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh | Updates

UPDATE: On 1 December 2020, Nasrin Sotoudeh was ordered back to  prison despite ongoing health concerns. UPDATE: In October 2020, a new film was released focusing on the work of Nasrin Sotoudeh. A virtual screening of the film is to be held  Monday, November 30th at 12:00 pm EST, hosted by the … [Read more...]

Iran: Lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh Sent Back to Prison | Joint Statement

Full PDF (ENG) We, the undersigned 26 Bar Associations, Law Societies, and organisations supporting the legal profession of over 14 countries, stand in solidarity with our Iranian colleague Nasrin Sotoudeh and other lawyers in Iran who are being persecuted by their Government for carrying … [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...]

NGO Access to and at the United Nations in the Time of the COVID-19 Pandemic | Joint Statement

FULL PDF (ENG) More than a hundred NGOs related to the United Nations, including Lawyers' Rights Watch Canada, have joined CoNGO—the Conference of Non-Governmental Organizations in Consultative Relationship with the United Nations—in a statement reaffirming the importance of NGO access to and at … [Read more...]

Turkey: 5th anniversary of extrajudicial killing of human rights lawyer Tahir Elçi: Effective investigation remains lacking | Joint Statement

Full PDF (ENG) | Full PDF (TUR) The undersigned organisations have been following recent developments in the case involving the prosecution of police officers allegedly involved in the killing of human rights lawyer Tahir Elçi in November 2015. We are concerned that the prosecution, as … [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...]