NI lawyers hear of threats to profession in Iran

NI lawyers hear of threats to profession in Iran

Baroness Helena Kennedy KC

Staff from the Law Society of Northern Ireland attended the Human Rights Violations in Iran: The Role of Lawyers event marking International Day of the Endangered Lawyer.

Yesterday’s hybrid event was organised by the International Bar Association (IBA) and held in London.

The event was chaired by Baroness Helena Kennedy KC, director IBAHRI and those attending had the opportunity to discuss the treatment of lawyers defending protestors arrested/killed following the September 2022 protests.

Keynote speakers at the event included the special rapporteur for Iran, and the special rapporteur for the independence of judges and lawyers.

Speakers emphasised the irreplaceable role of lawyers in a healthy legal sector, highlighted the separation of powers, as well as the three dimensions of the justice system (judiciary, prosecution, defence) all essential to uphold the rule of law.

The keynote message from the conference was that lawyers around the world remain fundamental to championing legal representation and human rights often at great cost to their own lives.

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