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.
Objectives
Rule of Law
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.
Latest Updates
BHRC In Conversation With HE Ambassador Nazhat Shameem Khan
Join Schona Jolly QC, Chair of BHRC, for a very special 'In Conversation With' virtual event that BHRC will host as part of our 30th Anniversary Programme, welcoming HE Ambassador Nazhat Shameem Khan, President of the UN Human Rights Council, on Tuesday 30...
Turkey: BHRC and ARTICLE 19 submit expert opinion in the Saturday Mothers/People case
On Monday, 22 November 2021, Bar Human Rights Committee of England & Wales (BHRC) and ARTICLE 19 submitted an expert opinion in the case of Saturday Mothers/People. The defendants face between six months to three years of detention for their involvement in a...
Expression of interest: BHRC and Article 19 international human rights law training in Turkey
Expression of interest: BHRC and Article 19 international human rights law training in Turkey Türkçesi aşağıda The Bar Human Rights Committee of England and Wales (“BHRC”) and ARTICLE 19 are pleased to announce that they will be hosting a series of four free remote...
STATEMENT: Designation of Palestinian NGOs and civil society groups as ‘terrorist organisations’
The Bar Human Rights Committee of England and Wales (“BHRC”) joins many international bodies and organisations in expressing its grave concern regarding the decision taken by the Israeli Defence Minister on 19 October to designate a number of prominent Palestinian...
STATEMENT: Turkey’s continuing detention of political opponents and civil society leaders, in defiance of the rule of law
On 2 November 2021 Osman Kavala, a civil society leader and human rights defender, issued a statement on the fourth anniversary of his detention, asserting that the only solace he could take from his experience was that it brought to light the injustices currently...
STATEMENT: Continued prosecution and detention of Alaa Abd El Fattah, Mohamed El-Baqer and others before the Egyptian State Security Court raises concern about Egypt’s profound rule of law crisis
Alaa Abd El Fattah, a blogger and human rights defender, is currently accused of ‘belonging to a terrorist group’, ‘funding a terrorist group’, ‘spreading false news undermining national security’ and ‘using social media to commit publishing offences’[1]. Alaa Abd El...
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
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.
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.
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.
Contact Us
If you have questions or wish to work with us, please get in touch using the contact form.
Address
Bar Human Rights Committee, 289-293 High Holborn London WC1V 7HZ
Contacts
+44 204 534 1879