ABA Justice Defenders Program

8 years ago we supported Thulani Maseko when he was arbitrarily detained and prosecuted for speaking out on threats to the rule of law in Eswatini. This week in the context of escalating crackdowns on dissent and human rights advocates he was murdered.

On the International #DayoftheEndangeredLawyer, I join my colleague, the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Belarus @MuizNils, in raising alarm about the unprecedented repression of lawyers in #Belarus, where legal professionals face systematic threats, disbarment, imprisonment, and exile simply for fulfilling their duty to defend human rights and uphold the rule of law. The government has weaponized the legal system to silence dissent, targeting lawyers who represent peaceful protesters, political opposition figures, and civil society. Since 2020, over 140 lawyers have been disbarred, many imprisoned, and others forced to flee. Even in exile, lawyers face reprisals, while their families in Belarus endure harassment and detention. This climate of fear has caused the legal profession to shrink drastically, with one lawyer now serving 5,700 residents—a crisis that undermines access to justice and fair trial guarantees for all. Belarus must act now to restore the independence and safety of its legal profession. Bar associations must be free from state interference, allowing lawyers to work without fear of reprisal. The international community must also support exiled Belarusian lawyers, ensuring their skills and expertise are put to use in host countries. A free, independent legal profession is the backbone of justice, and we cannot stand by as it is systematically destroyed in Belarus. Read the full statement here: ohchr.org/sites/default/…

#Belarus: This International #DayOfTheEndangeredLawyer, we turn our focus to #Belarus. Join @IBAHRI, @L4L_INT, @chr_aba, & @TheLawSociety NOW for an important discussion on protecting legal professionals. See the link below: lawyersforlawyers.org/report-on-bela…

#Belarus: Lawyers in #Belarus face relentless challenges in their fight for justice. On 24 Jan 2025, at 1500 CET, join @IBAHRI, @L4L_INT, @chr_aba, & @TheLawSociety as we shed light on their plight for the #DayOfTheEndangeredLawyer. Find the link below! lawyersforlawyers.org/report-on-bela…

#Belarus: On 24 Jan 2025 at 1500 CET, join @IBAHRI, @L4L_INT, @chr_aba, & @TheLawSociety for an online event marking the International #DayOfTheEndangeredLawyer. This year, we spotlight the challenges faced by lawyers in #Belarus. Register now! americanbar.org/groups/human_r…

#Palestine: Human rights lawyer Diala Ayesh @AyeshDiala has been freed after one year in detention without charge or trial. The ABA President previously wrote to the IDF citing concerns about Israel's targeting of the #HumanRightsDefender. bit.ly/3OY26zD

#Kyrgyzstan: We are deeply troubled by this decision and remain concerned about the continued crackdown on #mediafreedom, as detailed in our previous report linked below. @pressfreedom @CPJ_Eurasia @TemirovLive @ClooneyFDN @MaryLawlorhrds americanbar.org/groups/human_r…

Restrictive #ForeignAgentLaws spreading across #Europe & #Eurasia, including the #EU, have impact far beyond immediate government repression of #CivilSociety. @JasmineDCameron and @AUWCL’s Fernanda Nicola dive deep: #democracy #HumanRightsDay justsecurity.org/105593/foreign…

#Guatemala: ABA CHR está monitoreando el proceso penal iniciado por el Ministerio Público de Guatemala en 2023 contra la abogada Claudia González Orellana. Lea nuestro comunicado aquí: americanbar.org/groups/human_r…

#Guatemala: ABA CHR is monitoring the criminal proceedings initiated by the Guatemalan Public Ministry in 2023 against defense attorney Claudia González Orellana. Read our full statement here: americanbar.org/groups/human_r… #HumanRights #RuleOfLaw

On #HumanRightsDay, we spotlight the global rise of #ForeignAgentLaws—tools used to silence dissent & civil society. Our very own @JasmineCameron, w/Prof. Fernanda Nicola, unpack the impact & call for action in this must-read @JustSecurity piece: justsecurity.org/105593/foreign…

On International #AntiCorruptionDay, I'm proud to be on the team that represents Bolot Temirov (@vahoel) - a journalist who was summarily deported by Kyrgyzstan for his investigation of corruption in the Kyrgyz government. #IACD2024 #JournalismIsNotACrime

Receiving disturbing news about the arrest and detention of human rights lawyer Samat Matzakov in #Kyrgyzstan, in apparent violation of procedural guarantees for the arrest and fair trial standards. Lawyers should be protected from harassment and persecution. @KGMissiontoUNOG

CPJ, together with @Freedom4Eurasia and @4freerussia_org, has submitted a report on #Kyrgyzstan's unprecedented media crackdown, ahead of the country's 2025 United Nations human rights review. Read the full report here: cpj.org/2024/11/cpj-de…

Learn more about the legal protections for children @UNChildRights1 and through the #ConventionOnTheRightsOfTheChild #UNCRC: unicef.org/child-rights-c…

On #WorldChildrensDay, we call for the protection of #HumanRightsDefenders (@MaryLawlorhrds) and their families. No child should suffer retaliation for their parent’s courage. Read about the case of a journalist's (@vahoel) son in #Kyrgyzstan: justsecurity.org/104622/journal… @CPJ_Eurasia

(3/3) Following the most recent #GeorgiaElections, be sure to check out the amicus brief submitted to the #GeorgianConstitutionalCourt by @FernandaGNicola, which discusses the harmful effects of the #ForeignAgentLaw: shorturl.at/Ip3Vz

(2/3) We were honored to be joined by @ElbakidzeNino, @EMarikashvili (@GeoDemIn), @irakli_mkh777, @gulnozas (@CPJ_Eurasia), @FernandaGNicola (@AUWCL), & @JasmineDCameron (@chr_aba)

(1/3) #Georgia: Last month at the @OSCE #WarsawHDC we had important & timely discussions on the #ForeignAgentLaw & its impact on #CivilSociety & #HumanRights

(3/3) To learn more about these ongoing #violations on #HumanRights & #MediaFreedom, be sure to check out our report here: americanbar.org/groups/human_r…

(2/3) Along with @vahoel (@TemirovLive) & Rinat Tuhvatshin (@kloopnews) we were so grateful to be joined by @gulnozas (@CPJ_Eurasia), @FernandaGNicola (@AUWCL), & @JasmineDCameron (@chr_aba)

(1/3) #Kyrgyzstan: last month we participated in important events & discussions on the #MediaCrackdown & #prosecution of investigative #journalists via #ForeignAgentLaws -- including @vahoel (@TemirovLive) & @kloopnews -- at @OSCE #WarsawHDC