IBAHRI Update - Edition 7 - 2020

Covid-19 and human rights in Central America

On 1 July, Baroness Helena Kennedy QC, IBAHRI Director, spoke at a webinar on human rights in Central America during Covid-19. The webinar explored recurrent violations of international human rights and the rule of law in Costa Rica, El Salvador and Nicaragua. She spoke alongside Federica D’Alessandra of the IBA Human Rights Law Committee; Bianca Jagger; Nicaraguan journalist Cindy Regidor; Salvadorian Lawyer Herman Duarte; and other regional representatives. The recording of the webinar and an interview between Herman Duarte and the Hon Michael Kirby AC CMG is available to watch here.

rjankovsky / Shutterstock.com

IBAHRI urges UN Member States to recognise, uphold and protect the role of lawyers

The IBA and IBAHRI released a call for action urging Member States to support the United Nations Basic Principles and the role of the legal profession in upholding the rule of law, and promoting and protecting human rights. It commemorates the 30th anniversary of the UN Basic Principles and has been signed by 50 bar associations, law societies, and national and international lawyers’ organisations from across the world. The call for action is available to read here in English, French and Spanish.

China’s National Security Law for Hong Kong contrary to rule of law

The IBAHRI and the IBA released a jointly signed statement condemning the passing of National Security Law in Hong Kong without consultation of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR). The statement found the National Security Law fundamentally objectionable as it is: contrary to the norms of international law; incompatible with the rule of law and fundamental human rights; and inconsistent with the Basic Law of the Hong Kong SAR. The full statement condemns actions, which has seen prominent Hong Kong SAR activists shut down, and it can be read here.

IBAHRI calls for continuing commitment to equality for LGBTQI+ communities

In celebration of Pride Month, the IBAHRI released a statement calling for continued commitment to equality for LGBTQI+ communities. Specifically, the IBAHRI is committed to advocating for: decriminalisation of same sex relations; end of discriminatory practices; marriage equality; universal ban on conversion therapies; and legal recognition of transgender identity and equality in gender identity. The statement was jointly signed by IBAHRI Director, Baroness Kennedy, and Co-Chairs the Hon Michael Kirby AC CMG and Anne Ramberg Dr jur hc. Quotes from Kirby and Ramberg can be read here and here respectively.

Hong Kong, 23 November 2019. YT HUI / Shutterstock.com

IBAHRI Covid-19 Human Rights Monitor: refugees, disability rights and women’s health

The IBAHRI have published four more editions of the Covid-19 Rights Monitor. The four published issues have explored: conditions of slavery for domestic workers, quarantine restriction on refugee camps in Greece; women’s health in India and Northern Ireland; the Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya; the abuse of LGBTQI+ refugees; the impact of Covid-19 on homeless people; updates on disability rights; and the disproportionate number of Covid-19-related deaths that have occurred in institutional settings for people with disabilities. New issues of Monitor are published every Friday and can be viewed here.

IBAHRI Freedom of Expression Bulletin: ‘false news’, data privacy and internet shutdown

The IBAHRI has published three more issues of the Freedom of Expression Bulletin. Topics covered include: the approval of false amendments to the administrative code in Tajikistan to criminalise ‘false news’; how Ethiopian protests sparked the shutting down of the internet in the country; the implications of the new National Security Law in Hong Kong; contact tracing app’s data privacy implications; advances in untested technological surveillance in Singapore; and the vast number of physical assaults against journalists reporting on anti-racism protests in the United States. New editions of the Bulletin are published fortnightly and can be accessed here.

Black Lives Matter: reviewing US systemic racism under CERD and CAT

On Wednesday 15 July, Baroness Helena Kennedy QC gave opening comments to the IBA webinar ‘Black Lives Matter: reviewing US systemic racism under CERD and CAT’, alongside Federica D’Alessandra of the IBA Human Rights Law Committee. The webinar explored the international human rights implications of US systemic racism and police brutality. Speakers included: Nawi Ukabiala of Debevoise & Plimpton; Tendayi Achiume, United Nations Special Rapporteur on Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance; and Bryan Stevenson, Executive Director of the Equal Justice Initiative. You can watch the full webinar here.

Tverdokhlib / Shutterstock.com

IBAHRI marks the 30th anniversary of the UN Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers

The IBAHRI has launched a number of initiatives to celebrate and support the 30th anniversary of the United Nations Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers and the IBA Standards for the Independence of the Legal Profession, including; a promotional video with partner organisations; delivery of a statement during the Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers; and a call for action in support of the Principles. The Resolution on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers was adopted without a vote at the UNHRC 44th session, with reference to the call for action. Watch it here.

UN Human Rights Council: IBAHRI and freedom of expression

The IBAHRI participated in the 44th session of the UN Human Rights Council. On 10 July, the IBAHRI delivered an oral statement during the Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, and another in collaboration with the International Service for Human Rights on media workers and lawyers in China. On 13 July, the IBAHRI delivered an oral statement during the Interactive Dialogue on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers, highlighting the obligation of states to protect lawyers from any interference from states and non-state actors.

IBAHRI urges Belarus to ensure freedom of expression and conduct free and fair elections

On 15 July, the IBAJRI urged the President of the Republic of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, and the country’s authorities, to take necessary measures to respect the right to freedom of expression and hold safe, free and fair elections in Belarus. The statement voiced concerns over the recent large number of arrests and administrative detentions of journalists and protestors attending mass events ahead of elections. The IBAHRI reminded Belarus’ authorities that peaceful assembly is guaranteed by Article 21 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The full statement can be viewed here.

Amal Clooney awarded Gwen Ifill Press Freedom Award

On 14 July, it was announced that Amal Clooney – Barrister and Deputy Chair of the High Level Panel of Legal Experts, to which IBAHRI is Secretariat – is the recipient of the Committee to Protect Journalists’ (CPJ) 2020 Gwen Ifill Press Freedom Award. The award is presented annually to an individual who has shown extraordinary and sustained achievement in the cause of press freedom, with CPJ’s Board Chair Kathleen Carroll stating: ‘Journalists in trouble have no better champion than Amal Clooney’.