Honour those who defend our human rights: Day of the Endangered Lawyer
To mark the Day of the Endangered Lawyer (24 January), the Law Society of England and Wales is honouring legal professionals who are targeted for upholding the rule of law and defending a strong justice system.
The Law Society has published its annual intervention tracker which shows that the Society took 40 actions relating to 17 countries in 2023.*
Most of these actions were initiated by concerns relating to arbitrary arrest or detention (58%) followed by harassment, threats and violence (27%).
Law Society president Nick Emmerson said: “Across the world, lawyers continue to face harassment, surveillance, detention, torture, enforced disappearance and arbitrary arrest and conviction.
“Some are even killed, so it’s important to mark the Day of the Endangered Lawyer and honour those who risk their lives to defend the legal profession.
“Despite the use of intimidation tactics to target and undermine the legal profession, lawyers continue to protect the vulnerable and oppressed, defend human rights and ensure that those who violate them are held accountable.
“We use this day to draw attention to the plight faced by countless lawyers across the globe, as they fight for their right to freely exercise their profession and uphold the rule of law.
“Our intervention tracker reflects where the Law Society has acted on behalf of lawyers and human rights defenders in 2023. The intervention tracker is part of our Lawyers at Risk programme to support those who are prevented from carrying out their professional duties.
“The Law Society stands in solidarity with legal professionals around the world. We will continue to work to support them and build strong, fair justice systems everywhere.”
Notes to editors
- * Law Society: Intervention Tracker can be found here.
- Find out more about our Lawyers at Risk programme here.
About the Law Society
The Law Society is the independent professional body that works globally to support and represent solicitors, promoting the highest professional standards, the public interest and the rule of law.
Press office contact: Shanzeh Haque | 07706 989843