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TURKEY /Joint Statement: The International Legal Community Condemns the Detention of Attorney Şiar Rişvanoğlu
The undersigned organizations vehemently condemn the detention of Attorney Şiar Rişvanoğlu, who is registered with the Adana Bar Association and a member of the Progressive Lawyers Association (ÇHD), following a police raid on his residence and subsequent arrest at the Çukurova airport in Tarsus. On the morning of 26 November 2024, authorities executed a raid at Attorney Rişvanoğlu’s home without his presence, as he was traveling by plane. Subsequently, he was detained directly from the Çukurova airport upon his arrival. Notably, the raid was conducted without the presence or oversight of a prosecutor or representative from the Adana Bar Association and was only witnessed by a local community leader. A confidentiality order was promptly issued, and Attorney Rişvanoğlu was subjected to a 24-hour restriction on communication with his defense team, complicating his right to a fair defense. Attorney Rişvanoğlu’s health remains stable, and there have been no reports of mistreatment. However, the charges against him purportedly relate to membership of a ‘terrorist’ organization, and the circumstances surrounding his detention raise significant concerns regarding adherence to legal norms and human rights. As a state party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and European Convention on Human Rights, Turkey […]
Statement on the continued harassment of Crimean human rights defenders and lawyers Rustem Kyamilev and Lilia Hemedzhy
Lawyers for Lawyers, the International Observatory for Lawyers in Danger, the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute, the International Commission of Jurists, the Law Society of England and Wales, the Fédération des Barreaux d’Europe, Front Line Defenders, and the Alliance for Lawyers at Risk strongly condemn the violent raid on 7 November on the home of Crimean human rights defenders and lawyers Lilia Hemedzhy and Rustem Kyamilev, resulting in the arbitrary arrest and detention of Rustem Kyamilev. The incident marks the latest in a pattern of harassment apparently aimed at pressuring them into ceasing their human rights work. Read the full statement:
Iran: The OIAD expresses its deep concern following the detention and inhumane treatment of Mohammad Najafi, who has been hospitalised after suffering from a heart condition
Paris, 15 November 2024 – The International Observatory for Lawyers in Danger has learned that Iranian lawyer Mohammad Najafi was recently admitted to hospital following a serious heart condition. This hospitalisation occurred in a context of continuous pressure and particularly harsh conditions of detention. Despite his critical condition, Mr Najafi was chained to his hospital bed, his hands and legs shackled, while two security guards watched over him in his room. This particularly inhumane and dangerous method is generally used on political prisoners hospitalised in Iran. Mohammad Najafi has been repeatedly persecuted since 2016. He has been convicted on several occasions for taking a peaceful stance and defending demonstrators against the regime. His convictions, totalling several decades in prison, are based on spurious and unproven charges aimed at suppressing his freedom of expression and his right of defence. Mr Najafi’s conditions of detention are particularly worrying: he has been deprived of contact with his family since September 2022, and has also been denied the medical care that health professionals consider necessary. Given his pathology, his treatment during hospitalisation is seriously endangering his life. The Observatory strongly condemns these inhumane conditions of detention, which violate Mohammad Najafi’s fundamental rights. […]
Lifting of the moratorium in the DRC: the OIAD co-signs a report highlighting threats against lawyers and human rights defenders
As part of the international day against the death penalty on 10 October, the OIAD has co-signed a report analysing the situation of human rights defenders who have spoken out against the lifting of the moratorium on the death penalty in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This report comes as lawyers in the DRC are being targeted for their opposition to the lifting of the moratorium. Read the report:
Burkina Faso: The Observatory welcomes the release of Gontran Somé and Christian Kaboré – after 26 days in captivity
Burkinabe lawyers Gontran Somé and Christian Kaboré were kidnapped between Ouagadougou and Bobo-Dioulasso on 10 October 2024. They were released on 5 November 2024, after 26 days in captivity. Mr Gontran Somé and Mr Christian Kaboré were travelling to Bobo-Dioulasso from Ouagadougou. The lawyers had to change their route due to bad weather, which made the road impassable. The lawyers’ car crossed the path of a non-state armed group in an area renowned for its insecurity. One of the passengers with Gontran Somé and Christian Kaboré, who was spared by the members of this group, reported their abduction. Burkina Faso’s lawyers operate in a context marked by serious and multiple threats. They are particularly subject to the pressure exerted by the transitional government and the authorities on legal professionals. Lawyers working on sensitive cases, particularly human rights cases, often face intimidation and even repression. In addition, the crisis-ridden judicial system does not always respect procedures, thereby undermining the defence of fundamental rights. In addition to this, attacks by armed groups pose a direct threat to lawyers in several parts of the country. Travel becomes risky and exposes lawyers to physical danger. The Observatory welcomes the release of lawyers Gontran Somé and Christian […]
URGENT ACTIONS
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Procedure to evaluate cases.
When the observatory is informed of the situation of a lawyer at risk, it proceeds to verify the information it receives and to evaluate the context surrounding the case.
Case Verification
The Observatory’s team verifies the nature of the case that has been reported to check whether it falls under its sphere of competence/mandate and attempts to ascertain the veracity of the allegations received.
The Observatory has consolidated an extensive network of contacts with international and regional bodies, civil society organizations, diplomatic representations and bar associations. This network enables it to gather information pertinent to the lawyers’ general situation and that of specific cases.
The Observatory attempts to establish contact with the lawyer in order to understand his or her needs and circumstances in order to organize the appropriate kind of support that can effectively respond to the defense and protection strategy adopted.
Case assessment
Having completed the process of verification and information gathering, the case Evaluation Group performs an overall assessment of the situation, determines the degree of severity of the case, and issues recommendations on the type of action to be taken to procure counsel and effective support.
The verification and assessment process is performed within a limited amount of time in order to address the grave situations requiring urgent action.
Once the Evaluation Group has presented its recommendations, the Observatory proceeds to take action in accordance with these recommendations and in coordination with the lawyer in question and his or her surroundings.
No action is ever taken without the express consent of the lawyer in question.
WHAT IS THE OBSERVATORY FOR ?
Established in 2010 in the framework of the EU funded project “Lawyers serving lawyers”, the Observatory was re-established in 2015.
The Observatory’s basic aim is to uphold the right to practice law freely and totally independently, and to denounce situations where the right to legal counsel is at risk.
The observatory’s work covers warnings, support in the field and training.