Supporting human rights defenders

Helping with the training of local human rights lawyers and human rights defenders.

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Intervening in cases

Preparation of submissions to governments and amicus briefs.

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Raising awareness

Voicing concern in cases where human rights lawyers and human rights defenders are in danger.

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The Alliance

The Alliance for Lawyers at Risk is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, comprising around 100 individuals and institutions drawn from the legal community in the United Kingdom.

The ability to bring human rights claims in court against governments or corporate interests is normally taken for granted in the UK. In many parts of the world, however, lawyers representing individuals subjected to injustice face significant, even life-threatening risks. Lawyers in some countries regularly receive threats to themselves or their families, are physically attacked, abducted or even assassinated simply for doing their jobs.

The Alliance supports human rights lawyers and human rights defenders around the world who are at risk because of the work that they do.

Our membership is listed here.

A message from the President of the Alliance:

When I agreed to take on the Chairmanship of the Alliance , I was struck by the calibre and breadth of its membership. The Alliance represents the best of the legal community - a powerful group of pre-eminent members of the judiciary, the Bar, the solicitors' profession, academics, legal journalists and other esteemed members of the legal community. It has an important role to play in identifying and challenging threats to lawyers and human rights defenders in those countries where the rule of law is under threat, and in supporting our professional colleagues around the world who are at risk because of the work that they do. The Alliance is has no political affiliations and does not rely on any government or special interest group for funding. It is not afraid to challenge those whose threats and actions against human rights lawyers and human rights defenders might otherwise pass unnoticed. Relying almost entirely on the contribution of time and effort from our members and volunteers, and support from other groups in the pro bono sector, the Alliance is the voice that speaks for lawyers and human rights defenders who are at risk.

Dominic Grieve KC

 

David Brunetti for PBI
Peter Roth- Shakespeare and the Law
Alliance launch 2010 -Richard Dyton and Sir Henry B 1

Support

The Alliance and associated organisations would welcome support from lawyers and students who would like to contribute to our work. At present, we would particularly welcome support from those who speak Spanish. If you would like to get involved, please contact us.