BHRC has joined the Gulf Centre for Human Rights (GCHR), the International Campaign for Freedom in the United Arab Emirates (ICFUAE) and over 50 NGOs and individuals calling on the UAE authorities to demonstrate their respect for the right to freedom of expression as the Hay Festival Abu Dhabi opens this week. The text of...
BHRC has today released a statement condemning the arrest and detention of Osman Kavala in respect of a new criminal investigation, following his acquittal in the baseless ‘Gezi Park’ trial, thereby extending the 928 days he has already spent in detention. In a further worrying development, it was announced yesterday that the Turkish Council of...
Following on from our previous trial observations of June, October and December 2019, BHRC has published an interim trial report of the “Gezi Park” trial of sixteen leading civil society individuals in Turkey, including Osman Kavala and Yiğit Aksakoğlu. The interim report covers the latest hearing in the case, which was in session for a day on 28...
On Tuesday 28 January 2020, BHRC attended the latest hearing of the “Gezi Park” trial of sixteen leading civil society individuals in Turkey, including Osman Kavala and Yiğit Aksakoğlu. Mr Kavala remains the only defendant still in custody and has now been detained for over 26 months. His detention continues in defiance of an unequivocal decision...
Following on from our previous trial observations of June and October 2019, BHRC has published an interim trial report of the “Gezi Park” trial of sixteen leading civil society individuals in Turkey, including Osman Kavala and Yiğit Aksakoğlu. The interim report covers the latest hearing in the case, which was in session for a day...
On the International Day of Endangered Lawyers, the IBAHRI, in cooperation with BHRC and other long-term partners Human Rights House Foundation, Lawyers for Lawyers and Lawyers’ Rights Watch Canada, launched the Toolkit on Lawyers at Risk. The Toolkit on Lawyers at Risk is a unique tool aimed at facilitating the efforts of those seeking to...
The Bar Human Rights Committee of England and Wales is delighted to announce the results of its recent biennial election for the Executive Committee 2020-21. Chair: Schona Jolly QC (Cloisters) Vice-Chairs: Stephen Cragg QC (Doughty Street Chambers) and Gráinne Mellon (Garden Court Chambers) Treasurer: Jodie Blackstock (JUSTICE) Secretary: Joanne Cecil (Garden Court Chambers) Membership Secretary:...
On 20 November BHRC wrote to Chief Executive Carrie Lam expressing grave concern at the intensifying situation in Hong Kong and urging Ms Lam to take urgent steps to de-escalate the crisis. Ms Lam has now responded to BHRC’s letter. The response can be found here. BHRC received the letter on 2 December 2019.
As lawyers and delegates gather for the Global Lawyers Conference in Guangzou, China, BHRC calls upon the Chinese authorities to commit to upholding the rule of law and effective protection of human rights in and across China, in accordance with the ICCPR, and by way of seeking and promoting accountability for violations through its justice...
10 December 2019 18:30 Hausfeld 12 Gough Square, London, EC4A 3DW Please join us for our end-of year event in conversation with journalist and former BBC News China editor Carrie Gracie, kindly hosted by Hausfeld at their offices. BHRC Chair Schona Jolly QC is delighted to be joined by Carrie Gracie to speak about her...
The Bar Human Rights Committee is the independent,
international human rights arm of the Bar of England
and Wales, dedicated to promoting justice and respect
for human rights through the rule of law.