News on the topic: lawyers
25.09.2020 Kalesnikava’s lawyer detained
Liudmila Kazak, lawyer of arrested opposition leader Maryia Kalesnikava, was detained by security forces last afternoon.
12.09.2020 Human rights organisations call for immediate release of detained lawyers
Open statement in connection with the detention of Belarusian lawyers Ilya Salei and Maksim Znak
29.06.2018 “We need a reform of the legal profession”. Human rights activists present joint report on lawyers in Belarus
On June 29, a coalition of human rights organizations presented a report about ongoing restrictions on the independence of lawyers in Belarus, which was prepared following a mission in January 2018.
31.10.2017 Lawyer Hanna Bakhtsina loses appeal in disbarment case
The Maskoŭski District Court of Minsk has turned down an appeal filed by defense lawyer Hanna Bakhtsina to challenge the Justice Ministry’s decision, which revoked the counsel’s license due to “lack of professional skills.”
30.10.2017 Polish Bar Council expresses 'deep concern' over harrasment of lawyers in Belarus
The Human Rights Commission of the Polish Bar Council would like to express its deep concern regarding the activities of the Bar Qualifications Commission of the Ministry of justice of the Republic of Belarus, aimed against advocates fighting for human rights from the Bar Chambers in Minsk and Mahiliou.
26.09.2017 Ongoing harassment of lawyers involved in ‘White Legion case’
The Qualification Commission of the Ministry of Justice has carried out the certification of 13 more lawyers. According to information obtained by the Human Rights Center "Viasna", there are five defenders of persons charged in the so-called ‘White Legion case’ among those who were ‘conditionally certified’. In such circumstances, the human rights defenders rule out the possibility of organizing a trial in accordance with the standards of fair justice.
14.09.2017 UN Special Rapporteur updated on increasing harassment of lawyers in Belarus
The Human Rights Center "Viasna" has updated Ms. Mónica Pinto, Special Rapporteur of the UN Human Rights Council on the independence of judges and lawyers, on the latest developments related to the pressure on lawyers in Belarus.
13.09.2017 Stop government interference in activities of the Bar
Joint statement of Belarusian human rights organizations
12.09.2017 Counsel in White Legion case likely to lose license
The Ministry of Justice has questioned the qualification of lawyer Hanna Bakhtsina, legal representative of Miraslau Lazouski, key defendant in the ‘White Legion case’. As a result, the counsel is likely to lose her license.
08.09.2017 Viasna urges international lawyers’ community to support Belarusian counsels
The Human Rights Center "Viasna" is calling for solidarity with Belarusian lawyers, who are again targeted by the repressive government.
06.09.2017 Viasna asks UN Special Rapporteur to intervene in situation of pressure on lawyers in Belarus
The Human Rights Center “Viasna” has written to Ms. Mónica Pinto, UN Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers, to express concern over the extraordinary attestation of a number of Belarusian lawyers scheduled for September 12, which may result in the revocation of their licenses.
30.08.2017 Human rights activists alarmed over new wave of harassment against lawyers
The Ministry of Justice has reportedly ordered an extraordinary certification of a number of lawyers, which may void the licenses of some of them, including those involved in politically motivated cases.
26.06.2014 Legislation on lawyers: What changes needed?
It has been over two years since the entry in force of the Law “On the Legal Profession and Activities of Lawyers in the Republic of Belarus” and other regulations adopted pursuant to it. Despite the fact that this law is sufficiently “fresh”, the need for changes in the Belarusian legislation on lawyers has been prompted by both national and foreign experts. In the application of this Act, this need has been also perceived by the lawyers’ community and the state.
14.04.2014 Pavel Sapelka: “The prosecutor struggled for the driver-killer like for his own brother”
The driver of the Crysler car, who killed two people by knocking them down while driving, was released from criminal responsibility by the decision of the Investigative Committee and the Prosecutor General's Office.
13.03.2014 State intends to tighten control over barristers
March 15, 2014 a pre-election report conference of members of the Minsk City Bar Association will take place in Minsk. Its agenda includes amendments and supplements to the Charter of Bar Association (concerning the disciplinary committee) and the Regulation on Disciplinary Commission. There are reasons to believe that the adoption of these amendments and supplements will make lawyers more dependent on the state. The barristers are offered to limit the frames of their legal activities with their own hands.
