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Promoting and Protecting Human Rights Through the Rule of Law

About Us

The Bar Human Rights Committee is the independent, international human rights arm of the Bar of England and Wales. It is dedicated to promoting justice and respect for human rights through the rule of law.

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Objectives

Rule of Law

BHRC works around the world to uphold international human rights law, as well as internationally recognised human rights norms and standards. We provide expert guidance and advice to local partner NGOs, legal professionals and State institutions.

Protecting Lawyers, Judges and Human Rights Defenders

BHRC supports and protects those who are oppressed in their work or face retaliations through harassment, persecution, violence or arbitrary arrest, detention and death.

Furthering interest and knowledge of human rights

BHRC improves understanding and implementation of international human rights protections through education, awareness-raising and bespoke international human rights law training.

Working in Partnership

BHRC works with domestic and international organisations to advance human rights and promote justice and respect for human rights through the rule of law.

News

COLOMBIA: BHRC publishes interim report following observation of the “12 Apostles” trial of Santiago Uribe Vélez

Aug 17, 2021

17 August 2021 – The Bar Human Rights Committee of England and Wales (“BHRC”) has today published its interim observations from the trial of Santiago Uribe Vélez in Colombia. This report is published to support the justice process in Colombia and to keep awareness and...

Bar Council, BHRC and Law Society urge UK Government to offer asylum to legal professionals in Afghanistan

Aug 16, 2021

The Bar Council, the Bar Human Rights Committee of England and Wales, and the Law Society of England and Wales have issued a joint statement on the situation for legal professionals in Afghanistan, with particular concern for women judges in the country. “The Bar...

We are hiring! Applications for Administrative Assistant now open

Jul 29, 2021

The Bar Human Rights Committee of England and Wales (“BHRC”) is seeking an energetic and experienced administrator to support the Project Officer in delivering and facilitating the varied and expanding work of the organisation and its membership. We are looking for...

HONG KONG: Joint open letter to Hong Kong secretary for justice regarding barrister Chow Hang-tung

Jul 21, 2021

BHRC has joined a group of 72 international non-governmental organizations and individuals calling on the Hong Kong government to drop the charge of “inciting unauthorized assembly” against Chow Hang-tung (鄒幸彤) and unconditionally release her. The text of the letter...

Joint Statement: Global Coalition Calls for Release of Detained Egyptian Human Rights Lawyer Mohamed El-Baqer

Jul 19, 2021

Tomorrow 20 July 2021, on the occasion of lawyer Mohamed El-Baqer’s 41st birthday, we, the undersigned organizations, urge the Egyptian authorities to immediately and unconditionally release him and strike his name from the ‘’terrorist list.’’ Mohamed El-Baqer is a...

CHINA: Joint Statement during the Interactive Dialogue with the UN Special Adviser on Prevention of Genocide

Jun 29, 2021

28 June 2021 – The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute, the Bar Human Rights Committee for England and Wales, the Coalition for Genocide Response, the Glocal Centre for the Responsibility to Protect, the International Federation for Human Rights,...

Where We Work

The remit of BHRC extends to all countries of the world, apart from its own jurisdiction of England and Wales. This reflects the Committee’s need to maintain its role as an independent but legally qualified observer and critic.

Activities & Publications

The Bar Human Rights Committee regularly produces in-depth reports on global human rights issues. We provide expert analysis of ongoing or historic human rights abuses and situations of concern, connecting detailed in-country research to our expertise on matters of international law.

Click here to see our most recent reports and submissions.

Fair trials are fundamental for justice and the rule of law. Working with our partners, BHRC sends impartial observers to countries around the world to ensure the right to a fair trial through the impartial administration of justice. The aim of trial observation is to report independently on the adherence of hearings to international fair trial standards. Our trial reports are widely circulated and have been referenced in court proceedings.

Click here to see our most recent trial observation reports.

Public statements and letters of concern are an important means of holding governments to account, highlighting specific legal concerns and drawing international attention on alleged violations.

Click here to see our most recent statements.

Click here to see our most recent letters of concern.

BHRC intervenes in cases around the world, providing expertise on international human rights law to prevent individual injustices and strengthen broader protections in cases where legal precedents could be set.

The resource-intensive nature of preparing amicus to a high standard means that BHRC seeks to intervene only in the gravest cases of suspected violations of a defendant’s fair trial rights. In most cases, this involves those facing the death penalty. BHRC condemns the death penalty as a means of punishment, but also is concerned with the flawed circumstances in which it often is applied.

Click here to see our most recent amicus curiae briefs.

BHRC furthers interest in and knowledge of human rights primarily through training and events. In addition to holding its own events, BHRC is asked to lend its expertise to other public events around the world.

Click here to see our past and forthcoming events.