News releases
2026 IBA awards: three lawyers recognised for advancing justice, human rights and the legal profession
At its 2026 Annual Conference in Copenhagen, the International Bar Association recognised three legal professionals whose work demonstrates the impact lawyers can have beyond the courtroom.
Released on Oct 26, 2026
India: IBAHRI condemns mass detentions and crackdown on peaceful protest in New Delhi
The IBAHRI calls for independent investigations into alleged police misconduct, an end to arbitrary detentions, full protection of fundamental freedoms and access to legal representation for those affected.
Released on Oct 23, 2026
New book, co-authored by Dr Mark Ellis and Ambassador David J Scheffer, charts 32 years of landmark rulings that built the modern system of international justice
The Story of Modern International Justice, 1993–2025, by Dr Mark Ellis and Ambassador David J Scheffer, examines the landmark cases shaping accountability for atrocity crimes.
Released on Oct 21, 2026
The international legal profession speaks with one voice for the protection of international justice and the integrity of international law
The International Bar Association (IBA) and partner organisations representing the legal profession around the world have issued a joint statement reaffirming their collective commitment to the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary, as well as the protection of international justice...
Released on Oct 20, 2026
World Day Against the Death Penalty 2026: IBAHRI reiterates call for universal abolition
The IBAHRI urges states to ratify ICCPR-OP2, halt executions and commute death sentences, as some expand capital punishment and others abolish it.
Released on Oct 19, 2026
The Standing Group on Atrocity Crimes publishes The Atrocity Crimes Review: A Comprehensive UK Strategy for Atrocity Prediction, Prevention and Response.
The Standing Group on Atrocity Crimes, comprised of leading global practitioners on atrocity crimes and a cross-party group of UK parliamentarians, has launched its seminal report, The Atrocity Crimes Review. Following an 18-month inquiry augmented by parliamentary hearings, the Review provides an independent…
Released on Oct 16, 2026
Indigenous Myanmar lawyer Zar Li Aye receives 2026 IBA Award for Outstanding Contribution to Human Rights
Zar Li Aye, a lawyer and human rights defender from Myanmar’s Indigenous Chin community, has been honoured by the IBA with the 2026 IBA Award for Outstanding Contribution by a Legal Practitioner to Human Rights.
Released on Oct 15, 2026
Tokyo to co-host free IBA event on justice and accountability for Ukraine
On Thursday 15 October 2026, the International Bar Association (IBA) and partners will co-host a free, in-person conference centred on justice and accountability for Ukraine at Hitotsubashi University in Tokyo, Japan. The conference will bring together leading experts from across the legal profession…
Released on Oct 12, 2026
Nigerian public interest lawyer Yusuf Temilola Nurudeen receives 2026 IBA Pro Bono Award
The International Bar Association (IBA), the global voice of the legal profession, has announced Nigerian public interest lawyer and access to justice advocate Yusuf Temilola Nurudeen as the recipient of the 2026 IBA Annual Pro Bono Award...
Released on Oct 12, 2026
IBA: US sanctions against the International Criminal Court are a severe blow to the global Rule of Law; ICC States Parties must act urgently to protect the Court
The International Bar Association (IBA) denounces in the strongest terms the imposition of sanctions against the International Criminal Court (ICC) by the United States administration and calls on all States Parties to take concrete and swift action to protect the Court…
Released on Oct 10, 2026
Charmaine Yap named winner of the 2026 IBA Outstanding Young Lawyer Award
The IBA has recognised Singaporean lawyer Charmaine Yap for her sustained advocacy on behalf of low-wage migrant workers and a distinguished career in law.
Released on Oct 9, 2026
IBA delegation visits Greenland ahead of Annual Conference in Copenhagen
A high-level delegation from the International Bar Association (IBA) visited Greenland ahead of today’s opening of the 2026 IBA Annual Conference in Copenhagen, to discuss with Greenlandic government officials the rule of law, international law and Greenland’s evolving role in…
Released on Oct 4, 2026
IBA-founded eyeWitness to Atrocities receives 2026 Kluz Prize for PeaceTech Special Distinction
The International Bar Association (IBA)-founded eyeWitness to Atrocities initiative has been honoured with a 2026 Kluz Prize for PeaceTech Special Distinction in Technology in Support of Human Dignity award. The Special Distinction recognises initiatives that demonstrate exceptional impact through technology to protect and advance…
Released on Oct 2, 2026
Prince Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein to bring decades of experience in diplomacy, human rights and international law to the IBA Annual Conference 2026
Prince Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, will be the keynote speaker on Sunday 4 October 2026 at the Opening Ceremony of the International Bar Association (IBA) Annual Conference in Copenhagen, Denmark...
Released on Sep 28, 2026
IBA Rule of Law Forum survey reveals significant gap across 64 countries between commitment to the rule of law and its implementation
A new report by the International Bar Association (IBA), the global voice of the legal profession, has found a significant gap between the importance legal professionals attach to fundamental rule of law principles and their assessment of how effectively those principles are implemented in practice.
Released on Sep 17, 2026
IBA recognised with ‘special’ Justitia Award for its global work advancing gender equality in the legal profession
The IBA, the global voice of the legal profession, has been honoured at the 2026 Women in Law Justitia Awards for its work to advance gender equality and diversity across the global legal profession.
Released on Sep 15, 2026
IBAHRI renews warnings over escalation of settler violence, forced displacement and risk of unlawful annexation of Occupied Palestinian Territory
The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) has renewed its warning over escalating settler and military violence in the occupied West Bank, the forced displacement of Palestinian communities, settlement expansion and the continued denial of the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination…
Released on Sep 14, 2026
IBA convenes extradition training workshop for Ukrainian prosecutors
The International Bar Association (IBA), supported by PravoJustice4EU, has embarked on the latest in a series of trainings run by the IBA in support of the Prosecutor General’s Office of Ukraine in collaboration with its Department for International Cooperation.
Released on Sep 14, 2026
Myanmar: IBAHRI joint statement at UN Human Rights Council 63rd Session calls for accountability and protection of lawyers
The International Bar Association's Human Rights Institute has issued a joint statement at the UN Human Rights Council's 63rd session drawing attention to the continuing practice of enforced disappearances in Myanmar and to those who seek to protect the rights of victims and their families...
Released on Sep 8, 2026
IBAHRI condemns mass revocation of lawyers’ licences in Nicaragua amid growing consolidation of authoritarian rule
The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) condemns the Nicaraguan government’s mass revocation of lawyers’ and notaries’ licences to practise...
Released on Sep 2, 2026
‘Fight for whatever you believe’ says Argentinian mining law expert Florencia Heredia during IBA interview
In the sixth episode of the Inspirational legal women podcast series two, the International Bar Association (IBA) welcomes Florencia Heredia, partner at Beccar Varela in Argentina...
Released on Sep 1, 2026
IBA adopts resolution calling for the eradication of child marriage
The International Bar Association (IBA), the global voice of the legal profession, has adopted a landmark Resolution on Ending Child Marriage, reaffirming its commitment to protecting the rights of children, advancing gender equality and strengthening the rule of law worldwide.
Released on Sep 1, 2026
IBAHRI condemns Israel’s seizure of the UNRWA Kalandia Training Centre
The IBAHRI strongly condemns the raid on and seizure of the UNRWA Kalandia Training Centre (KTC) in occupied East Jerusalem on 25 August 2026 by Israeli security forces under the authority of the Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.
Released on Aug 27, 2026
IBAHRI calls for independent investigations and due process amid crackdown on protests in Pakistan-administered Kashmir
Anti-terrorism powers, alleged excessive use of force and restrictions on lawyers raise serious rule of law concerns as unrest disrupts AJK elections.
Released on Aug 21, 2026
The IBA condemns US sanctions against the President and a senior official of the International Criminal Court
The IBA condemns the imposition of additional sanctions by the United States on the President of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Judge Tomoko Akane, and a senior trial lawyer within the ICC’s Office of the Prosecutor, Abdoulaye Seye.
Released on Aug 19, 2026
Standing Group on Atrocity Crimes urges UK government to strengthen support for international legal mechanisms
Leading international law experts have urged the government of the United Kingdom to reinforce its commitment to international legal mechanisms for preventing and responding to atrocity crimes. During the second oral hearing of the Standing Group on Atrocity Crimes, held at…
Released on Aug 12, 2026
IBAHRI condemns decision to uphold 14-year sentences for journalists in Cambodian Supreme Court case and calls for reform
The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) condemns the decision of the Supreme Court of Cambodia to uphold the 14-year prison sentences imposed on journalists Phorn Sopheap and Pheap Pheara, despite accepting an amicus curiae brief submitted by the IBAHRI setting out…
Released on Aug 4, 2026
Norwegian legal trailblazer Berit Reiss-Andersen shares lessons for the next generation of women lawyers
The International Bar Association (IBA), the global voice of the legal profession, has released a new episode of its Inspirational legal women podcast, featuring Berit Reiss-Andersen, one of Norway’s most prominent legal figures. In the podcast Ms Reiss-Andersen reflects on her journey…
Released on Jul 23, 2026
IBAHRI condemns Ghana’s passage of sweeping anti-LGBTQ+ Bill and warns of grave human rights implications
The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) strongly condemns the passage of Ghana’s Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2025, warning that it would significantly expand the criminalisation of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) persons…
Released on Jul 23, 2026
IBAHRI urges UK government to close legal gap on genocide
On 17 July, as the world marks the Day of International Criminal Justice, the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) calls on the United Kingdom’s government to ensure that the UK fulfils its legal obligations to prevent and respond to genocide…
Released on Jul 17, 2026