News – OIAD

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 […]

IRAN: Urgent call for intervention concerning the renewed arrest of Nasrin Sotoudeh and the continuing detention of Reza Khandan

The OIAD together with 29 organisations of the Coalition for the International Day of the Endangered Lawyer express their gravest concern at the renewed arrest of Nasrin Sotoudeh, one of Iran’s most prominent human rights lawyers and one of the most respected members of the international legal community. According to multiple recent reports, during the […]

Bangladesh: Lawyers arrested and prosecuted following a peaceful commemoration

Mr Monish Kanti Dey and Mr Mizanur Rahman were arrested on the night of 26 March 2026 in Sunamganj. They are facing prosecution under anti-terrorism legislation, alongside several other Bangladeshi lawyers. These arrests took place after a ceremony held on the same day to mark Independence Day. Lawyers had gathered within the Sunamganj court complex […]

Salvadoran lawyer Ruth López awarded the 2026 Sir Henry Brooke Prize

The OIAD is delighted that the Sir Henry Brooke Prize 2026 has been awarded to Salvadoran lawyer Ruth López, whose nomination was put forward by the OIAD itself. This recognition is particularly significant given that the lawyer has been detained for over ten months. Ruth López is a prominent human rights lawyer and head of […]

HONDURAS: OIAD endorses joint statement by international organisations supporting the GIEI report on the assassination of Berta Cáceres

The OIAD, together with other international organisations, has signed a joint statement endorsing the report of the Interdisciplinary Group of Independent Experts (GIEI), established under the auspices of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), regarding the assassination of Berta Cáceres. The OIAD took part in the accredited Observation Mission in this case, participating in […]