Event information

24 June 2021, 13:30-15:00

Downloads

Flyer >

Defending Human Rights Lawyers in Authoritarian Times

Event

The Geneva Human Rights Platform logo evo bleu      HRI Logo      logo avocats      MEA LOGO PORTRAIT LARGE PNG  

In the past 10 years, a worrisome trend towards authoritarianism has grown in certain democracies, while well-established authoritarian regimes have been emboldened to clamp down further on their societies. ‘Strong man’ governments typically employ the rule of law and its trappings – courts, police, and security apparatus – to exert control. Rather than be seen as valuable pillars of the rule of law, hundreds of lawyers inside these regimes are routinely harassed, intimidated, jailed or even killed for their defense of human rights cases and causes. Authoritarian regimes are also increasingly hard to influence from the outside, they may be impassive to international outcry and indifferent to diplomatic pressure.

In a context of growing authoritarianism, this online event – co-organized by the Geneva Human Rights Platform, the International Bar Association's Human Rights Institute, the Martin Ennals Award for Human Rights Defenders and the Ordre des Avocats Genève – will discuss:

  • What strategies and tactics can effectively defend and support human rights lawyers?
  • How can Geneva play a role to protect lawyers from intimidation in their home countries?

WELCOME REMARKS

  • Felix Kirchmeier, Executive Director, Geneva Human Rights Platform

MODERATOR

  • Sandrine Giroud, Chair of the Human Rights Committee, ODAGE

SPEAKERS

  • Xu Yan, wife of lawyer Yu Wensheng, Martin Ennals Award Laureate 2021, China
  • Ayşe Acinkli, Lawyers Association for Freedom, Turkey
  • Tatsiana Khomich, Human Rights activist, sister of Belarussian political prisoner Maria Kalesnikava
  • Baroness Helena Kennedy QC, Director, International Bar Association Human Rights Institute, Member of the House of Lords, UK
  • Diego García-Sayán, United Nations Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers
  • Phil Lynch, Director, International Service for Human Rights

VIDEO

Defending Human Rights Lawyers in Authoritarian Times

This event, co-organized by the Geneva Human Rights Platform, the International Bar Association's Human Rights Institute, the Martin Ennals Award for Human Rights Defenders and the Ordre des Avocats Genève, discussed the strategies and tactics to effectively defend and support #humanrights lawyers who defend human rights cases and causes in their countries.

MORE ON THIS THEMATIC AREA

ILGA World Logo News

In Highlight: ILGA World Database

28 March 2024

Via its DHRTTDs Directory, the Geneva Human Rights Platform provides a comprehensive list and description of such key tools and databases. But how to navigate them? Which tool should be used for what, and by whom? This interview helps us understand better the specificities of the March highlight of the directory: ILGA World Database.

Read more

UPR Info Database logo News

In Highlight: UPR Info Database

14 March 2024

Via its DHRTTDs Directory, the Geneva Human Rights Platform provides a comprehensive list and description of such key tools and databases. But how to navigate them? Which tool should be used for what, and by whom? This interview helps us understand better the specificities of the new highlight of the directory: UPR Info's Database

Read more

Garment workersto receive food from their factory during lunch time. This food is freely provided by their factory in order to ensure that workers eat healthy and hygienic food. Training

Business and Human Rights

2-6 September 2024

This training course will examine how the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights have been utilized to advance the concept of business respect for human rights throughout the UN system, the impact of the Guiding Principles on other international organizations, as well as the impact of standards and guidance developed by these different bodies.

Read more

Neutrotechology Project

Neurotechnology and Human Rights

Started in August 2023

This project addresses the human rights implications stemming from the development of neurotechnology for commercial, non-therapeutic ends, and is based on a partnership between the Geneva Academy, the Geneva University Neurocentre and the UN Human Rights Council Advisory Committee. 

Read more

George Floyd protest in Washington D.C. Project

Promoting and Protecting the Rights to Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and Association and Civic Space Worldwide

Started in June 2020

This project aims at providing support to the UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights to Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and of Association Clément Voulé by addressing emerging issues affecting civic space and eveloping tools and materials allowing various stakeholders to promote and defend civic space.

Read more

Cover of the publication Publication

Briefing N° 23: The Human Rights Data Revolution

published on April 2024

Domenico Zipoli

Read more