News releases
New report ‘No Defence’ exposes systematic assault on lawyers and bar independence in Iran
The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) together with the Centre for Supporters of Human Rights (CSHR) has released No Defence: A Report on the Status of Lawyers and the Bar Associations in Iran – Challenges and Recommendations – important new research…
Released on Dec 4, 2025
UN warned of worsening atrocities in Nigeria’s Middle Belt
eyeWitness and ICON call for a UN fact-finding mission and a dedicated Special Rapporteur for Nigeria to help end impunity and protect vulnerable communities.
Released on Dec 1, 2025
IBAHRI condemns Pakistan’s 27th Constitutional Amendment as flagrant attack on judicial independence and the rule of law
The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) has condemned Pakistan’s 27th Constitutional Amendment and issued a strong warning that the amendment represents a structural assault on the independence of the judiciary, with long-term consequences for constitutional governance…
Released on Nov 26, 2025
IBAHRI urges global focus on mass graves as new discoveries reveal scale of atrocity crimes
The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) is calling for a significant increase in international attention to the discovery, protection and investigation of mass graves worldwide, warning that urgent legal, forensic and humanitarian action is needed…
Released on Nov 26, 2025
IBA congratulates Dinesh Dhillon on appointment as President of the Law Society of Singapore
The International Bar Association (IBA) commends the appointment of Dinesh Dhillon, Co-Chair of the IBA Asia Pacific Regional Forum and a partner at Allen & Gledhill, as President of the Law Society of Singapore for the 2026 term.
Released on Nov 24, 2025
Ethiopia: IBAHRI calls for urgent action as atrocities and breaches of international law persist in Tigray
Marking five years since the outbreak of war in Tigray, Ethiopia in November 2020, the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) has joined a coalition of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in issuing a joint letter expressing grave concern…
Released on Nov 20, 2025
IBA Toronto – what you may have missed or would like to see again from the 2025 Annual Conference
From 2–7 November 2025 in Toronto, Canada the International Bar Association (IBA) – the global voice of the legal profession – connected 5,500 delegates from 130 jurisdictions around the world at its recently concluded Annual Conference. Headline discussions, among the more than 280 sessions…
Released on Nov 19, 2025
Singapore: Arfat Selvam has won the 2025 IBA Pro Bono Award
Arfat Selvam is the recipient of the 2025 International Bar Association (IBA) Pro Bono Award. She is honoured for her extraordinary dedication to pro bono service and access to justice. A highly respected corporate lawyer from Singapore with more than 50 years of experience…
Released on Nov 18, 2025
Nigeria’s Oluwafunke Adeoye wins 2025 IBA Outstanding Young Lawyer Award
Nigerian human rights lawyer Oluwafunke (funke) Adeoye is the recipient of the 2025 International Bar Association (IBA) Annual Outstanding Young Lawyer Award for demonstrating a remarkable blend of legal brilliance and a passion for justice.
Released on Nov 18, 2025
Egyptian lawyer Hoda Abdel-Moneim honoured with the 2025 IBA Human Rights Award
The recipient of the IBA Human Rights Award 2025, Hoda Abdel-Moneim, is recognised for the defence of the rights of women and children in Egypt.
Released on Nov 18, 2025
The IBA at UNFCCC COP30: Advancing the role of the legal profession in responding to the climate crisis
The International Bar Association (IBA) – the global voice of the legal profession – continues to champion the role of lawyers and legal institutions in advancing the global climate agenda on the international stage.
Released on Nov 11, 2025
Legal and accountancy global bodies partner to fight money laundering in pioneering new initiative
On 28 October 2025, the International Bar Association (IBA) and the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) launched a pioneering new initiative aimed at supporting legal and accountancy professional bodies in the fight against money laundering...
Released on Oct 28, 2025
IBAHRI supports efforts to reform UK approach to Universal Jurisdiction
The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) is supporting efforts to reform the United Kingdom’s approach to universal jurisdiction to ensure that the UK can play a more proactive role in addressing international crimes.
Released on Oct 27, 2025
From the UN Charter to the IBA Constitution: celebrating a shared legacy of law, justice and international cooperation
On this 24 October – the annual observance of United Nations Day, marking the entry into force of the UN Charter in 1945 and the founding of the global multilateral order of peace, human rights and the rule of law – the International Bar Association (IBA)…
Released on Oct 24, 2025
Standing Group on Atrocity Crimes issues call for written submissions
The Standing Group on Atrocity Crimes, an independent initiative supported by the IBAHRI which aims to strengthen the United Kingdom's approach to atrocity prevention and response, has issued a call for written submissions.
Released on Oct 23, 2025
Egypt: IBAHRI calls for the immediate release of human rights lawyer Hoda Abdelmoneim
The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) urgently calls for the release of human rights lawyer Hoda Abdelmoneim, who remains arbitrarily detained in Egypt despite completing a five-year sentence in October 2023. A prominent lawyer, women’s rights advocate and former member…
Released on Oct 21, 2025
IBAHRI joint statement on travel ban and deteriorating health of lawyer Lu Siwei
The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) and partners have issued a joint statement expressing grave concern for Chinese human rights lawyer Lu Siwei, who is facing an arbitrary travel ban and continued surveillance...
Released on Oct 21, 2025
IBAHRI marks Anti-Slavery Day with renewed call for global action to end modern slavery and forced labour
On Anti-Slavery Day 2025, observed annually on 18 October across Europe, the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) calls on governments, businesses and the legal community worldwide to strengthen their efforts to eradicate all forms of modern slavery, forced labour...
Released on Oct 18, 2025
IBAHRI at the 60th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council: key insights
A high-level analysis of the 60th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC60), which concluded last week in Geneva, has provided key insights into emerging global human rights priorities and challenges. The below review highlights significant developments in areas of focus…
Released on Oct 15, 2025
World Day against the Death Penalty 2025: IBAHRI calls for universal abolition
To mark the 24th World Day against the Death Penalty on Friday 10 October 2025, the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) calls for universal abolition of the death penalty and ratification of…
Released on Oct 10, 2025
Nominations are open for the 2025 IBA Outstanding Woman Lawyer Award
The International Bar Association (IBA) Women Lawyers’ Committee is receiving nominations for the 2025 IBA Outstanding International Woman Lawyer Award. Supported by LexisNexis, the Award recognises women who have shown excellence in their field, inspired others to pursue legal careers…
Released on Oct 9, 2025
IBAHRI joint statement at UN Human Rights Council calling for further support for Ukraine
The International Bar Association's Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) has issued a joint statement at the UN Human Rights Council's 60th session calling for States to enhance support for Ukraine’s justice reform and accountability efforts…
Released on Oct 2, 2025
Egypt: IBAHRI welcomes release of British Egyptian writer Alaa Abd el-Fattah
The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) welcomes news that British Egyptian writer Alaa Abd el-Fattah has been pardoned and released by Egyptian president Abdel Fattah el-Sisi after his latest arbitrary detention of almost six years.
Released on Oct 2, 2025
Georgia: IBAHRI joint statement on freezing of NGO accounts and the impact on legal aid
The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) has issued a joint statement of concern about the recent freezing of bank accounts belonging to several civil society organisations in Georgia as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged 'sabotage' by the authorities.
Released on Oct 1, 2025
Tajikistan: IBAHRI joint statement of concern for lawyer Buzurgmehr Yorov
The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) has issued a joint letter calling for the immediate release of Tajik lawyer Buzurgmehr Yorov, who is serving a 23-year prison sentence for his work representing political opposition leaders.
Released on Sep 29, 2025
Committing to justice for Ukraine: IBA and partners convene in The Hague to discuss the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression
On 29 September 2025, leading legal and diplomatic experts will gather in The Hague to discuss the establishment and operationalisation of the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression in Ukraine (the Special Tribunal).
Released on Sep 23, 2025
Ukraine: Young legal minds engage with global justice leaders at IBA co-sponsored Criminal Justice Summer School
This summer, a group of promising young legal minds were brought together in Kyiv, Ukraine for an intensive and inspiring programme at the 2025 Criminal Justice Summer School (the Summer School) – a five-day syllabus designed to cultivate the next generation of justice professionals.
Released on Sep 16, 2025
IBAHRI joint letter in support of the renewal of the Special Rapporteur on Russia at UN Human Rights Council
The International Bar Association's Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) has issued a joint letter in support of the renewal of the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Russian Federation during the 60th session of the UN Human Rights Council…
Released on Sep 15, 2025
IBAHRI joint statement of concern over incident involving lawyer Zola Ferreira Bambi in Angola
The IBAHRI has issued a joint statement of concern regarding Angolan human rights lawyer Zola Ferreira Bambi, following the discovery of a bullet lodged in the windshield of his vehicle. The circumstances surrounding the case remain unclear, raising concerns about the protection of lawyers…
Released on Sep 11, 2025
New report from the IBA Communications Law Committee explores the ‘fair share’ debate in internet infrastructure funding
A new comprehensive report from the International Bar Association (IBA) Communications Law Committee examines the ongoing global debate over who should bear the cost of internet infrastructure, expansion and maintenance. It is a controversial issue revolving around whether…
Released on Sep 10, 2025