IBAHRI Update - Edition 8 - 2020
IBA and IBAHRI express regret that Poland and Hungary were not held accountable in the EU Recovery Deal
The IBA and IBAHRI regretted that, despite European Union concern over the failure of Hungary and Poland to adhere to the rule of law and numerous human rights violations, the two countries have not been held accountable with regard to the EU recovery deal. The two nations are set to benefit from a EUR 750bn recovery fund, as agreed by EU leaders to reconstruct Europe after the Covid-19 pandemic.
IBAHRI calls on Poland to drop charges against Wojciech Sadurski and condemns withdrawal from the Istanbul Convention
On 27 July, the IBAHRI condemned the prosecution of law professor Wojciech Sadurski by the Republic of Poland’s Government and called for all charges to be dropped. On 6 August, the IBAHRI condemned the government’s planned withdrawal from the Istanbul Convention – a landmark European treaty that is the world’s first binding legal instrument to prevent and address violence against women and girls, including rape. The treaty explicitly covers all engagement in non-consensual acts of a sexual nature and more.
Belarus – IBAHRI condemns detention of media and use of force against protesters following elections
The IBAHRI condemned the detention and use of force against peaceful protesters and journalists in the Republic of Belarus, following the announcement of the initial results of the presidential elections on 9 August 2020. According to the Central Election Commission of Belarus, the elections results indicate that incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko won with 80.23 per cent of votes. Several organisations claimed that the elections were neither free nor fair.
IBAHRI condemns the crackdown on LGBTQI+ rights in Poland
The IBAHRI urged the Republic of Poland to ensure freedom of expression for supporters of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex (LGBTQI+) persons’ rights. The IBAHRI also called for an immediate end to the homophobic rhetoric currently espoused by Polish leaders, including President Andrzej Duda, who, in a campaign speech, declared the promotion of LGBTQI+ rights an ‘ideology’ more dangerous than communism.
IBAHRI adds support to lawyers Ebru Timtik’s and Aytaç Ünsal’s call for fair trials and the administration of justice in Turkey
The IBAHRI has signed a joint statement alongside the Bar Human Rights Committee of England & Wales, the International Association of Lawyers, The Law Society of England and Wales and Lawyers for Lawyers expressing concern for the safety of Turkish lawyers Ebru Timtik and Aytaç Ünsal. The two lawyers have been on hunger strike since February 2020 and are now being held in hospital due to deteriorating health.
IBAHRI Covid-19 Human Rights Monitor: transgender and LGBTQI+ communities and asylum seekers
The IBAHRI have published four more editions of the IBAHRI Covid-19 Human Rights Monitor. The four published issues have explored: increased risk of violence for the transgender and LGBTQI+ communities; lack of support for women-led organisations and women’s rights organisations; cuts to gender-based violence services and government expenditure for victims of domestic violence; the unlawful detention of asylum seekers; and religious discrimination under the guise of lockdown measures.
IBAHRI Freedom of Expression Bulletin: state control of social media platforms and contact tracing apps
The IBAHRI has published two more issues of the Freedom of Expression Bulletin. Topics covered include: an update on the approved Social Media law in Turkey proposed to strengthen state control of social media platforms; ongoing privacy concerns regarding contact tracing apps; and the year of restrictions in the Jammu and Kashmir region.
IBAHRI virtual training programme for lawyers in Central Asia based on the Toolkit for Lawyers at Risk
Following the first four successful virtual trainings launched in July, IBAHRI Senior Programme Lawyer has held a further seven online training webinars to teach lawyers in the region how to protect themselves from persecution and threats. On 7 August, the IBAHRI, together with the American Bar Association’s Centre for Human Rights, were invited to meet to discuss a potential mechanism that could be developed to support lawyers when they face real and imminent threats.
Fairness report released on the trial of Hajar Raissouni in Morocco
On 14 August, Clooney Foundation for Justice, via their TrialWatch initiative, released the fairness report on the trial of journalist Hajar Raissouni in Morroco. The report is authored by IBAHRI Director Baroness Helena Kennedy QC, as an international expert who reviewed the findings by the trial monitor. Baroness Kennedy voices concerns over the Moroccan laws on abortion and non-martial intercourse, pursuant to which Raissouni was prosecuted, were incompatible with human rights standards.
IBAHRI condemns National Security Law protest arrests in Hong Kong
The IBAHRI has released an open letter of intervention condemning the wave of arrests in Hong Kong under the new National Security Law. The letter also demonstrates concern over the arrest of Jimmy Lai, a prominent pro-democracy figure and founder of popular newspaper Apple Daily. In the six weeks since China adopted the new National Security Law, there has been a striking crackdown against critics and democracy advocates by Beijing and the allied government in Hong Kong.