Justice plays vital role in protecting human rights
As we mark Human Rights Day today (10 December), the Law Society of England and Wales draws attention to the risks human rights lawyers face across the globe.
President of the Law Society, Richard Atkinson, said: “As we mark Human Rights Day, we are reminded of the countless victims who are denied their basic rights, while their lawyers and other human rights defenders risk their freedoms and lives to protect them.
“Countless lawyers across the globe are prohibited from fulfilling their duties and ensuring those stripped of their rights have access to justice. These lawyers may face harassment and intimidation from predatory governments that have little regard for the justice system and rule of law.
“This includes lawyers in Belarus, for example, who are targeted for upholding the rule of law and protecting fundamental rights.*
“Two Belarusian human rights lawyers, Maksim Znak and Maryia Kolesnikova, have been identified as ‘threats to national security,’ simply for flagging irregularities in the vote count during the 2020 Belarusian presidential election. They were denied legal representation, and their court hearings were closed to the public. Both were sentenced to jail for over a decade and Maksim is currently being held incommunicado - unable to meet with family, medical personnel or lawyers.
“We aim to use Human Rights Day to draw attention to the risks lawyers face when defending rights and we stand in solidarity with lawyers targeted by their governments. We urge international institutions and all governments to ensure lawyers are allowed to do their jobs freely.
“Our message is clear – the free and fair practice of law is necessary for the preservation of human rights. We must allow for lawyers to champion the rule of law and defend victims of injustice without interference. Only then can we ensure human rights are universally protected.”
Notes to editors
- * You can find the Law Society’s report on the condition of lawyers in Belarus under 'July 2024' on our Lawyers at Risk page.
- Learn more about Human Rights Day 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 | 020 7242 1222