News – OIAD

Joint Statement By Bar Associations, Law Societies And Lawyers’ Organisations On The Enforced Disappearance, Detention And Prosecution Of Advocate Erias Lukwago

We, the undersigned bar associations, law societies, lawyers’ organisations, and human rights institutions, express serious concern regarding the enforced disappearance, incommunicado detention, public humiliation, and criminal prosecution of Ugandan lawyer and senior opposition figure Advocate Erias Lukwago on misprision of treason charges. Advocate Lukwago is a prominent lawyer from Uganda, former mayor of Kampala, and […]

Announcement/International Fair Trial Day 2026: Hungary

Since 2021, the International Fair Trial Day (IFTD) has been celebrated each year on 14 June. Established by a group of lawyers and lawyers’ organisations, the initiative is supported by over 100 legal associations across the world, who are committed to the vital importance of the right to a fair trial and addressing the serious […]

2026 General Assembly: Handover of the presidency in Rome

On 17 June 2026, OIAD members will meet in Rome for their annual meeting. Our General Assembly, to be held at the headquarters of the Consiglio Nazionale Forense (CNF), will provide an opportunity to review a year of significant activity and outline the Observatory’s future direction, as attacks on the legal profession remain a major […]

EL SALVADOR: Joint statement marking one year since the arbitrary detention of Enrique Anaya

One year after the arbitrary detention of lawyer Enrique Anaya, Lawyers for Lawyers (L4L) and the International Observatory for Lawyers at Risk (OIAD) remain deeply concerned about his ongoing deprivation of liberty and the continuing violations of his fundamental rights. Enrique Anaya, a constitutional lawyer, was arrested on 7 June 2025 on money laundering charges. […]

Tunisia: International legal and human rights organisations condemn the Tunisian authorities’s escalating attacks on the legal profession, the independence of the judiciary and civil society

39 organisations, including bar associations, lawyers’ groups, judges’ associations and human rights organisations, condemn the Tunisian authorities’ escalating and systematic campaign of intimidation, obstruction and retaliation against lawyers, judges, the Tunisian National Bar Association, magistrates’ associations and independent civil society organisations in the country. Since President Saïed’s consolidation of executive power in 2021 and the […]

Tunisia: Motion in support of Bar President Chawki Tabib following his 10-year prison sentence

The OIAD has co-signed a motion of support denouncing the 10-year prison sentence handed down to the former President of the Tunis Bar, Chawki Tabib, deemed unjust and politically motivated. The OIAD has co-signed a motion of support denouncing the 10-year prison sentence handed down to the former President of the Tunis Bar, Chawki Tabib, […]

GUATEMALA: Presentation in Madrid of the report Climate of Fear: The Legal Profession and Judicial Independence at Risk

On 2 June 2026, the International Mission of Jurists for Guatemala will present the report Climate of Fear: The Legal Profession and Judicial Independence at Risk in Madrid, based on the mission carried out in October 2025. The event will be held in a hybrid format, with the option to attend in person or online, […]

GUATEMALA: Statement of the International Mission of Jurists for Guatemala regarding the appointment of the new Attorney General Gabriel García Luna

Following the appointment of Gabriel García Luna as the new Attorney General of the Republic and Head of the Public Prosecutor’s Office of Guatemala, who will assume office on 18 May 2026, the International Mission of Jurists for Guatemala calls for the institutional transition process to take place in a peaceful, transparent manner, and in […]

TRAINING: Second OIAD training workshop on safety and psychosocial risks for human rights defence lawyers

Following its first workshop on safety and psychosocial risks for lawyers working in the field of human rights defence, the OIAD is offering a new training session, delivered entirely online and in English. This workshop, aimed at lawyers practising in sensitive or high-risk contexts, also aims to strengthen individual and collective capacities to cope with […]

ZIMBABWE : International lawyers’ groups call on government to protect independence of lawyers and judges following attack on human rights lawyer Douglas Coltart at public hearing

The OIAD, together with the undersigned organisations condemns the violence and intimidation against human rights lawyer Douglas Coltart at a public hearing on Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 held at the City Sports Centre in Harare on 31 March 2026. The refusal of the organisers to allow Mr Coltart and others opposed to the amendments […]