Pakistan: Arbitrary arrest and sentencing of human rights lawyers Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and Hadi Ali Chattha

The undersigned organisations strongly condemn the arbitrary arrest and subsequent conviction of Pakistani human rights lawyers Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and Hadi Ali Chattha and call for their immediate release and measures to ensure the conviction is set aside. On 24 January, a District and Sessions Court in Islamabad sentenced the lawyers to 17 years’ imprisonment […]

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Press release / 2026 World Day of the Endangered Lawyer: United States

As part of the World Day of the Endangered Lawyer on 24 January, the International Observatory for Lawyers at Risk (OIAD)is dedicating its 2026 edition to the worrying situation of lawyers in the United States. Historically considered a stable democracy, the United States is experiencing increased political pressure, smear campaigns and attacks on the independence […]

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World Day of Endangered Lawyers 2026: Not-to-be-missed events

On the occasion of the World Day of Endangered Lawyers 2026 dedicated to the United States, several members of the Observatory have taken action by organising various initiatives (conferences, gatherings, etc.) around the world. Please consult the information board on organised events, which will be updated regularly, and join the initiative that suits you best!   Event: Marcia di solidarietà Focus […]

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GUATEMALA: Joint amicus curiae brief by the OIAD and Lawyers for Lawyers in the case of Claudia González before the United Nations

The International Observatory for Lawyers at Risk (OIAD) and Lawyers for Lawyers jointly submitted an amicus curiae brief to the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (WGAD) regarding the detention and restrictive measures imposed on Guatemalan lawyer Claudia González Orellana, former head of the International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG) and human rights […]

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Tunisia: The international legal community condemns the detention of lawyer and human rights defender Ayachi Hammami

21 undersigned legal organisations, including the International Observatory for Lawyers in Danger (OIAD), express their deep concern following the arbitrary detention and conviction on 2 December 2025 in Tunisia of lawyer and human rights defender Ayachi Hammami, sentenced to five years in prison solely for representing defendants in the so-called “conspiracy” case. For several decades, […]

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TURKEY: Urgent Joint Call for the Immediate Release of Lawyer Naim Eminoğlu

We express our deep concern over the police operation conducted on the morning of 10 December 2026 against the People’s Law Office and the arrest of lawyer Naim Eminoğlu, a board member of the Progressive Lawyers’ Association – (ÇHD) Istanbul Branch and an active member of the association’s International Relations Commission. According to the information verbally […]

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United Kingdom: Concerns over rising threats and violence against lawyers

The OIAD is extremely concerned about the increase in attacks and threats against lawyers in the United Kingdom. Mark Evans, President of the Law Society of England and Wales (LSEW), recently reported a growing hostile climate against legal professionals, particularly those specialising in criminal, immigration and human rights law. In their survey to be published […]

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End the judicial persecution of human rights lawyers Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and Hadi Ali Chattha

Lawyers for Lawyers, the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute, the Law Society of England and Wales, the International Commission of Jurists, and the International Observatory of Lawyers in Danger express deep concern over the ongoing judicial harassment of Pakistani human rights lawyers Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and Hadi Ali Chattha. We have received credible information indicating that the […]

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Tunisia: Lawyer Sonia Dahmani released after more than one and a half years in detention

The OIAD is delighted by the release of Tunisian lawyer and columnist Sonia Dahmani, who was freed on 27 November 2025 following a decision by the Ministry of Justice. Ms Dahmani’s release comes after 18 months of international mobilisation by bar associations and active support from the International Observatory for Lawyers at Risk for her […]

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Tunisia: Conviction of Ebru Timtik Award Laureate Ahmed Souab marks escalating repression of lawyers

Our organizations express their strongest condemnation following the conviction, on October 31, 2025, of Tunisian lawyer and former magistrate Ahmed Souab, who was sentenced to five years in prison and three years of administrative control by the Tunis First Instance Court. Ahmed Souab, 68, was prosecuted under Tunisia’s anti-terrorism legislation on charges of “forming and […]

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