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Persecution of lawyers

In many Eastern European countries, the work of a lawyer is fraught with many risks: murders and attempted assassinations, criminal prosecution, beatings, threats, pressure on relatives, illegal searches, surveillance, attempts to withhold licenses of attorneys, and slanderous media campaigns. Legislation deficiencies in professional activities of counsels, ineffective law enforcement agencies, and the difficult general situation with respect for human rights all subject lawyers to danger.
The tightening trend of authoritarian regimes insome of the eastern countries is accompanied by an increase in the number of cases of political repression. Lawyers involved in politically motivated cases become, in turn, victims of persecution and pressure.
Several examples are the cases of lawyers being prosecuted in Russia, Moldova, Azerbaijan and Ukraine, as well as cases of prosecution in the territory of European countries (Belgium, Czech Republic) by extra-European authoritarian regimes (Kazakhstan).

Publications

MEPs address HR/VP Mogherini on the case of dismissed judge Malik Kenzhaliyev
Last Tuesday, on February 19th, a group of Members of EP constituted by Ana Gomes, Barbara Lochbihler, Mady Delvaux-Stehres, Tunne Kelam, Elmar Brok, Patricia Lalonde, Brando Benifei and Julie Ward, addressed a letter to Federica Mogherini, concerning the removal of judge from office in Kazakhstan.

MEPs address HR/VP Mogherini on the case of dismissed judge Malik Kenzhaliyev
Russia: Stop the prosecution of lawyers and human rights defenders
Lev Ponomaryov and Emil Kurbedinov were subjected to shocking cases of administrative arrest for posting on social networks. In this way, the authorities continue to apply the policy of intimidation and punishment of individuals who dare criticise the actions of the regime.

Russia: Stop the prosecution of lawyers and human rights defenders
Open letter to Nazarbayev: MEPs denounce human rights violations in Kazakhstan
On 12 July 2018, eight MEPs signed an open letter addressed to President Nazarbayev decrying the human rights situation in Kazakhstan. MEPs J. Stetina, P. Austrevicius, T. Kelam, W. Klinz, A. Gomes, H. Hautala, V. Mazuronis and J. Nart denounced the reduction of the space for civil liberties.

Open letter to Nazarbayev: MEPs denounce human rights violations in Kazakhstan
Defence for the defenders: Lawyers and attorneys under attack for participation in politically motivated cases
The right to defence is one of the fundamental human rights that is enshrined in a number of international agreements. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights proclaims the principle of equality of all before the law, the presumption of innocence, and the right to be examined openly.

Defence for the defenders: Lawyers and attorneys under attack for participation in politically motivated cases
Defending the right to defend: IOL demands end to harassment of lawyers Botagoz Jardemalie and Ana Ursachi
The International Observatory for Lawyers in Danger (IOL) recently published two statements expressing its concern for Ana Ursachi and Botagoz Jardemalie, both lawyers and human rights defenders, from Moldova and Kazakhstan, respectively.

Defending the right to defend: IOL demands end to harassment of lawyers Botagoz Jardemalie and Ana Ursachi
Report: The authorities of Moldova roll back the democratisation process and fail to fulfill their obligations to the EU
Year in and year out, Moldova cannot shake off the shackles of corruption, oligarchy, and selective justice. International partners expressed their readiness to render assistance to the country in carrying out the necessary reforms, but they have faced sabotage and inactivity

Report: The authorities of Moldova roll back the democratisation process and fail to fulfill their obligations to the EU
MEPs write to the EU VP/HR concerned with lawyers endangered in Azerbaijan
On March 13, 2018, MEPs submitted a written question to the EU VP/HR, Ms Federica Mogherini, on the harassment and persecution of lawyers taking place in Azerbaijan. In their address, P. Auštrevičius, J. Ward and T. Zdechovský made reference to individual cases of persecuted lawyers.

MEPs write to the EU VP/HR concerned with lawyers endangered in Azerbaijan
Moldova: In violation of the right to defence, court issued an order to arrest counsel Ana Ursachi
A Moldovan court has sanctioned the arrest of counsel Ana Ursachi. The court session was carried out in the absence of her defenders. The authorities engaged a public defender in the judicial process, which can be regarded as a way to legalise the court decision

Moldova: In violation of the right to defence, court issued an order to arrest counsel Ana Ursachi
Programme OSCE PA Side-event on protection of Lawyers
Persecution of lawyers: selected cases from Moldova, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Ukraine, Russia and Kazakhstan

Programme OSCE PA Side-event on protection of Lawyers
Written contribution to the PACE report “The case for drafting a European Convention on the Profession of Lawyer”
The work of a lawyer in the Eastern European member countries of the Council of Europe is fraught with many risks: murders and attempted assassinations, criminal prosecution, pressure on relatives, illegal searches, attempts to withhold an attorney's license, and slanderous media campaigns.

Written contribution to the PACE report “The case for drafting a European Convention on the Profession of Lawyer”
  1. ODF holds online hearing for MEPs with persecuted Polish judges
  2. Further erosion of the Polish democracy: providing feedback for the first EU Rule of Law Report
  3. ODF co-hosts side-event at the 19th Winter Meeting of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly in Vienna
  4. Functioning of democratic institutions in Poland: ODF fights for a resolute PACE report
  5. ODF in the EP in Strasbourg: the Fall of Sandu’s Government in Moldova
  6. “Law and Justice’s Campaign against Polish Judiciary” – ODF’s hearing in the European Parliament
  7. ODF welcomes persecuted Polish judges and prosecutors in Brussels
  8. Polish media about the conference organised by the ODF in the EP with the participation of persecuted Polish judges
  9. Belgian Parliament interrogates Minister of Justice over the case of Bota Jardemalie
  10. ODF, CCL & FIDU at PACE: strengthening international human rights mechanisms
  1. Further erosion of the Polish democracy: providing feedback for the first EU Rule of Law Report
  2. The Captured State: Politically Motivated Prosecution in Moldova And Usurpation of Power by Vladimir Plahotniuc
  3. ‘The Captured State’: Persecution of Oppositionists, Media Representatives And Human Rights Defenders in Moldova
  4. Moldova: Prosecution of counsel Ana Ursachi
  5. Report: The authorities of Moldova roll back the democratisation process and fail to fulfill their obligations to the EU
  6. Open Dialogue Foundation and Destination Justice wish to raise awareness of the practice of persecuting independent advocates currently in place in the Republic of Moldova
  7. Invitation to a seminar: “Human Rights and Political Persecution in Russia, Ukraine, Moldova and Kazakhstan”- OSCE HDIM 2017
  8. Persecution of lawyers: individual cases presented at EP and at the OSCE PA Winter Meeting
  9. Political Persecution in Russia, Ukraine, Moldova and Kazakhstan – an expert seminar during HDIM 2017
  10. The ODF on a 2-days mission to the Italian Parliament discussing the reform of INTERPOL and victims of abusive Red Notices

News

ODF holds online hearing for MEPs with persecuted Polish judges

ODF holds online hearing for MEPs with persecuted Polish judges

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