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...

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 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...

Following the allegations of corruption levelled against Magistrado Jorge Pretelt, President of the Constitutional Court of Colombia, the Bar Human Rights Committee of England and Wales (BHRC) expresses its support for the institution of the Court. BHRC supports corruption allegations being properly addressed, in accordance with the rule of law and due process. At the...

The Bar Human Rights Committee of England and Wales (BHRC) has sent an open letter to the President of China following the recent wave of arrests of lawyers and human rights defenders in the country. These people are reportedly accused of causing social chaos through open defiance in the courtroom, on the internet and organising...

The Bar Human Rights Committee of England and Wales (BHRC) expresses serious concern about the continuing prosecution of Ms Azza Soliman, women’s rights lawyer and co-founder of the Center for Egyptian Women’s Legal Assistance. The case against Ms Soliman stems from the fatal shooting in January 2015 – allegedly by the Egyptian police – of Ms Shaimaa al-Sabbagh, a prominent Egyptian activist.

Following the news that the case of Dr. Amin Mekki Medani was declared nolle prosequi in Sudan in April, ending his detention and trial, BHRC has received a letter of thanks. Dr. Medani thanks the BHRC for its public statement on the case which contributed to the international pressure that helped bring about the termination...

The Bar Human Rights Committee of England and Wales (BHRC) expresses grave concern about the death sentence pronounced against the deposed Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi, along with over 100 additional defendants in circumstances that raise critical doubt over the impartiality and fairness of the Egyptian judicial system. In particular, the BHRC is deeply concerned by the continued disregard for the right to life apparent in these mass capital sentences.

The Bar Human Rights Committee of England and Wales (BHRC) deplores the sentencing of human rights lawyer Intigam Aliyev to seven and a half years in prison by the Azerbaijani criminal courts.