BHRC has joined other human rights organisations in writing to the UK Home Secretary Theresa May to call for the UK to rejoin the EU Genocide Network. The UK was a founding member of the network set up to ensure a close cooperation between states in investigating and prosecuting the crime of genocide, crimes against...
The Bar Human Rights Committee of England and Wales (BHRC) expresses serious concern at the arbitrary detention of the Egyptian journalist and leading human rights defender, Mr Hossam Bahgat. Although we welcome his release, announced on Tuesday, the unclear circumstances of his detention, interrogation and the charges brought against him, continue to raise concerns. Mr...
On 4 November 2015, Chair of the BHRC, Kirsty Brimelow QC, gave a key note speech at the AGM of the Street Child’s Consortium. Her speech can be accessed here.
The Bar Human Rights Committee of England and Wales (BHRC) condemns the recent missile attack upon Camp Liberty, a camp of Iranian exiles in north-east Baghdad and calls for immediate assistance, protection and investigation. The Government of Iraq has repeatedly failed to meet its obligations to respect and protect the humanitarian and human rights of...
Whilst the UK is focused upon the visit of China’s President, Xi Jinping, to the country this week, the Bar Human Rights Committee calls for attention to be given to China’s detained and threatened Chinese lawyers, staff and human rights defenders. Following a state crackdown in China that started in July this year, around 220...
BHRC expresses deep concern in response to the continued ignorance of the problem of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) across the Middle East and Asia. A first step to combatting FGM is to recognise that the issue exists. To date FGM is regarded by most, including many international organisations as an African issue, but in reality...
BHRC ran a specialist session on trial observations at this year’s Annual Bar and Young Bar Conference in London. The session was entitled Trial observations and show trials: the role and impact of trial monitoring. Chaired by Kirsty Brimelow QC, the speakers on the panel were Blinne Ní Ghrálaigh, Vice-Chair of the BHRC; Professor Mads Andenas,...
BHRC will be one of the supporting organisations at the upcoming Thomson Reuters Human Rights Law Conference 2015 on Thursday 22 October. The annual Human Rights Law conference provides delegates with a comprehensive and expert review of the key developments in human rights over the last 12 months. There have been significant case law developments int...
October 11th was the UN International Day of the Girl. BHRC marked the occasion by chairing a panel discussion after the screening of India’s Daughter at the Regent Street cinema in London. The event was organised by Plan UK and was part of its Because I’m a Girl campaign. Panellists: Film Director Leslee Udwin, Plan...
BHRC has joined with other international organisations to express its concern at the ongoing detention of Colombian human rights defender, David Ravelo Crespo. 14th September 2015 marked five years since Mr Ravelo Crespo was arrested. International organsiations have sought to reiterate their concern over the lack of due process in this case which resulted in...
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.