IBAHRI films and media
The International Bar Association's Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) works with the global legal community to promote and protect human rights and the independence of the legal profession worldwide. Find out more about the IBAHRI in this short film focusing on selected projects from the 200+ undertaken across 70 jurisdictions since the IBAHRI was set up in 1995. The film combines project footage, photos and infographics with interviews with IBAHRI representatives and those who have benefited from its work.
25th anniversary of the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute
Watch our short filmIBAHRI Showcase - Femicide, murder and other crimes against women – a social crisis
Femicide has become a social crisis. Gender-based killings are prevalent in every country – the UN has reported data from every continent. Women in the public eye, particularly women human rights defenders, politicians and journalists are often targets of intentional violence on and offline.
Recorded at IBA Annual Conference 2024
IBAHRI Showcase - nature of justice
How successful are our systems and principles for securing justice both nationally and internationally, in peace and in conflict? Are the outcomes just? Are there novel routes to justice?
Recorded at IBA Annual Conference 2023
Implementing the duty to prevent genocide: Global approaches
The duty to prevent genocide was the focus of a civil society fringe event, moderated by IBAHRI, during the 2022 International Ministerial Conference on Freedom of Religion or Belief held in London, United Kingdom. The panel line-up included IBAHRI Director Baroness Helena Kennedy QC.
“NASRIN” - documentary launch panel
For four years IBAHRI has been working with the Mexican legal profession on capacity building for torture prevention. In this short film, we hear from some of Mexico's legal professionals as they discuss their responsibility in the prevention and prosecution of torture.
The video explains the challenges that Mexico faces and how IBAHRI has been working with the country’s legal profession to break the cycle of impunity and ensure justice for Mexican victims of torture.
Torture Prevention in Mexico: Building the capacity of the legal profession
For four years IBAHRI has been working with the Mexican legal profession on capacity building for torture prevention. In this short film, we hear from some of Mexico's legal professionals as they discuss their responsibility in the prevention and prosecution of torture.
The video explains the challenges that Mexico faces and how IBAHRI has been working with the country’s legal profession to break the cycle of impunity and ensure justice for Mexican victims of torture.
Myanmar: The long road to reform
IBAHRI presents the film 'Myanmar: the long road to reform'. Following decades of brutal military dictatorship, many hope that Myanmar is on the path to reform. However, while there are opportunities for change, significant challenges remain regarding the rule of law, foreign investment and development.
This film features insight from many of those involved with reforms and development in Myanmar, including Aung San Suu Kyi.
Azerbaijan: Freedom of Expression on Trial
In a report entitled 'Azerbaijan: Freedom of Expression on Trial', released in May 2014, the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) urged the Azerbaijani Government to uphold fair trial rights in freedom of expression cases. This short film gives a summary of the report, its findings and recommendations, and includes contributions from the delegates who visited Azerbaijan on the fact-finding mission of December 2013.
Egypt: Separating Law and Politics
A 2014 International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) report, 'Separating Law and Politics - Challenges to the Independence of Judges and Prosecutors in Egypt', has urged the future Egyptian government to take action to promote the independence of the judiciary and prosecution services, in order to strengthen the rule of law in Egypt. More information/download IBAHRI report. This short film gives the background to the report, discusses some of the findings and shares selected recommendations.
The Criminal Trial of Venezuelan Lawyer José Amalio Graterol
In June 2012, José Amalio Graterol was arrested and convicted for 'obstruction of justice' when he refused to continue with the trial in the absence of his client, as trials in absentia were not permitted under Venezuelan criminal law. The IBAHRI is the only international organisation to send trial observers to Graterol's hearings.
Sri Lanka facing constitutional crisis concludes IBAHRI report
In March 2013 the IBAHRI conducted a remote fact-finding mission to investigate the impeachment proceedings against Chief Justice Bandaranayake and the rule of law in Sri Lanka. This film summarises the situation in Sri Lanka and gives some background to the report before discussing its findings and recommendations.
'Green Municipalities' - IBAHRI/Innovare Institute 2012 Special Prize for Justice
This 3 minute video introduces the 'Green Municipalities' environmental project that won the IBAHRI/Innovare Institute 2012 special category prize for justice and sustainability. Run by State Prosecutor Daniel Avelino, the project has already reduced deforestation in the Amazon state of Para by 90%. The IBAHRI is working to showcase this innovative Brazilian project to a wider international audience.
The first Regional Congress about the Death Penalty, Morocco
In October 2012, the IBAHRI participated in the first Regional Congress About the Death Penalty, in Rabat, Morocco, organised by Ensemble Contre la Peine deMort (ECPM). This short-film captures footage from the IBAHRI legal seminar, as part of the Congress, and includes interviews with former death-row prisoner Ahmed Haou, as well as Congress speakers and organisers.
The Forgotten: FEBEM, Young Offenders and Human Rights Violations in Brazil
'FEBEM' is a former young offenders’ prison in São Paulo. In the 1990s, it witnessed violent rebellions caused by institutionalised torture and ill-treatment. This film explains how the legal profession and civil society came together to address these issues.
In the Dock: Defence Rights at the ICC, May 2011
In the Dock: Defence Rights at the ICC is a 27-minute educational film that covers a number of subjects including the presumption of innocence, fair trial guarantees and the right to counsel.
Terrorism and International Law: Accountability, Remedies and Reform
This 4 minute clip includes highlights from the IBA high-level panel discussion on the main topics of the IBA Task Force on Terrorism 2011 Report.
Panel discussions
This one-day conference on 20 November 2018, held at the British Institute of International and Comparative Law, marked the 30th anniversary of the Bangalore Principles on the Judicial Application of International Human Rights Law. The event provided an opportunity to hear leading experts, including some of those who participated in the 1988 colloquium, reflect on the legacy of the Bangalore Principles as well as the domestication of international human rights law more broadly.
Panel discussion - Protecting Brazilians from Torture, 13 October 2014
On Monday 13 October 2014, the IBAHRI launched the English language version of a leading torture prevention manual for legal professionals in Brazil at a high level panel event in London. The event, co-hosted by the IBAHRI, Matrix Chambers and Lex Anglo-Brasil, aimed to bring Brazil’s experiences to a wider international audience and promote global exchange and dialogue in justice reform.
A Crisis of Legitimacy: The Rule of Law in Sri Lanka
On 22 April 2013 the IBAHRI launched its rapid response mission report on the rule of law in Sri Lanka. The mission was conducted remotely after the Sri Lankan authorities refused the IBAHRI delegation visas to enter the country. The panel comprised members of the IBAHRI delegation and a representative from the Sri Lankan Bar Association, discussing the findings and recommendations of the report.
Rule of Law in Myanmar: Challenges and Prospects
On Thursday 17 January 2013 the IBAHRI launched its latest fact-finding report The Rule of Law in Myanmar: Challenges and Prospects, at the Law Society of England and Wales. Moderated by BBC World Service presenter Owen Bennett-Jones, the expert panel discussed the opportunities and obstacles for reform in Myanmar (Burma).
Peace after terror: rules or reconciliation
Monday 1 October 2012, during the IBA Annual Conference, Dublin, the IBAHRI held its showcase session on reconciliation mechanisms and transitional justice, with a keynote address from the Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland, Martin McGuinness.
On 31 May 2012, as part of the IBA’s 7th Annual Bar Leaders Conference, the IBA International Criminal Court (ICC) Programme hosted a high-level panel discussion on the role of lawyers in establishing international criminal courts and safeguarding their legacy.
The status of capital punishment under international law
The use of capital punishment is one of the most controversial topics in international human rights law. Following the IBAHRI Session in Dubai, chaired by Sternford Moyo, IBA Senior Reporter Rebecca Lowe moderated a lively discussion with panelists and session partcipants. Thematic issues such as international practice and norms were discussed. Law enforcement views on the death penalty were among other issues discussed. View Question and Answer session
Drawing on her extensive international experience as UN Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers, Gabriela Knaul speaks at the IBAHRI Session in Duabi, during the Rule of Law Symposium. IBAHRI Co-Director Phillip Tahmindjis discussed the ‘UAE 5' case and its implications for freedom of expression and the independence of the legal profession. A lively discussion ensued.
Human Rights Lawyers and Defenders in Syria: a Watershed for the Rule of Law, July 2011
On Thursday 28 July 2011, the IBAHRI launched its fact-finding report on Syria, with a discussion on the main findings and conclusions of the report. The panel comprised IBAHRI Co-Director and Mission delegate, Phillip Tahmindjis; Mission delegates, Sadakat Kadri and Michael Lynn; and Dr Abdel Salam Sidahmed, Mission rapporteur.
Terrorism and International Law: Accountability, Remedies and Reform, March 2011
On 23 March 2011, the IBAHRI and the Open Society Justice Initiative co-hosted an expert panel discussion on terrorism, counter-terrorism and international law, marking the release of the Report by the IBA Task Force on Terrorism, chaired by Richard goldstone.
The death penalty in the USA, October 2010
The IBAHRI and the BBP Law School's Human Rights Unit hosted a roundtable discussion on the legal challenges of abolishing the death penalty in the United States. Human rights consultant Piers Bannister chaired the panel, comprising Reprieve attorney Sophie Walker, Oxford University Reader in Criminology Dr Carolyn Hoyle and Mumia Abu-Jamal's lead counsel Robert Bryan.
Interviews
Podcast: Rule of law in Hong Kong - Ted Hui, March 2021
Baroness Helena Kennedy QC, Director of the IBA's Human Rights Institute, speaks to former legislator Ted Hui on the Hong Kong umbrella movement, the introduction of the national security law and the presence of UK judges in Hong Kong.
Carlos Ayala speaks to the IBA about the case of Judge Maria Afiuni, arrested in December 2009 in Venezuela for freeing a banker facing corruption charges, in line with domestic and international law, and still held under house arrest at the time of this interview.
Interview with Mark Stephens, lawyer for Wikileaks founder Julian Assange, February 2010
Leading media lawyer Mark Stephens, who represents WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, speaks to the IBA about the legal challenges surrounding the groundbreaking whistleblowing website and the sexual assault allegations made against his client in Sweden.
Interview with Clive Stafford Smith, Civil lawyer and death penalty activist October 2010
Civil rights lawyer and abolition of the death penalty activist Clive Stafford Smith, recipient of the IBA Human Rights Award 2010, gave an interview to the IBA on subjects including Guantanamo Bay and the death penalty.