OIAD press release: preparations for the 2025 International Day for Lawyers in Danger – focus on Belarus

Paris, 3 December 2024 – The 2025 International Day for Lawyers in Danger highlights the plight of Belarusian lawyers, who have been in the grip of an authoritarian regime led by Alexander Lukashenko since 1994.

Belarus’ political and legal framework is marked by severe repression of political opponents, journalists and lawyers, particularly those who defend human rights.

The government in Belarus relies on the security forces to violently repress any form of dissent. As a result, lawyers, particularly those who defend political activists and opponents, face increased persecution. Victims of arbitrary arrests, disbarment and unjustified legal proceedings, lawyers specialising in the defence of human rights play a crucial role in the protection of fundamental freedoms.

Many lawyers have been forced into exile. The Belarusian authorities do not hesitate to associate lawyers with their clients, labelling them enemies of the State.

For its part, the Belarusian Ministry of Justice exercises strict control over the Bar, reducing its independence to nothing. Lawyers deemed undesirable can be arbitrarily disbarred, and independent lawyers’ associations are dissolved.

The International Day for Lawyers in Danger 2025 calls on the international community, defence associations and citizens around the world to mobilise in support of Belarusian lawyers. It is crucial to denounce the abuses to which they are subjected and to support their efforts to guarantee the defence of fundamental rights in a hostile political environment.

The OIAD is actively preparing to launch the Belarus campaign, the country selected for this new edition. A brochure, a mobilisation kit and a poster will be available, in order to mobilise as many people as possible in support of our Belarusian colleagues.

For more information or to take part in the support actions, please contact us: contact@protect-lawyers.org.