IBA's Human Rights Institute

At #IBAToronto, from 2-7 November 2025, IBAHRI is hosting several sessions on topical #HumanRights issues, inc. #LGBTQIA+ equality, media freedom & corporate accountability.

Click the session in the full schedule for details: tinyurl.com/benejwse

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 proact...

The IBAHRI is supporting efforts to reform the #UK's approach to #UniversalJurisdiction to ensure that the state can play a more proactive role in addressing international crimes.

Find out more: tinyurl.com/3wsdcx68

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 f...

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: The Standing Group on Atrocity Crimes, an independent initiative supported by IBAHRI, is welcoming evidence from experts across the world with first-hand or specialised knowledge of #atrocity anticipation, prevention & response.
Info: tinyurl.com/2vhz673r

Partners:
@thelawsociety.bsky.social
@asianlawyersn.bsky.social
@lawyersforlawyers.bsky.social
Lawyers' Rights Watch Canada
Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe (CCBE)

The IBAHRI and partners express grave concern for Chinese #HumanRights #lawyer Lu Siwei, who is facing an arbitrary travel ban preventing him from being reunited with his family in the #US and receiving urgent medical care for lung cancer.

Read statement: tinyurl.com/mspebkav

IBAHRI calls for the release of Egyptian #HumanRights #lawyer Hoda Abdelmoneim, who is being held in prolonged, arbitrary detention in #Egypt despite her deteriorating health. IBAHRI condemns Egypt’s ‘rotation’ laws and the targeting of #lawyers.

Read: www.ibanet.org/Egypt-IBAHRI...

On 14 October 2025, IBAHRI co-hosted a #UK Parliamentary briefing with New Lines Institute & Physicians for Human Rights-#Israel on 'Genocide in Gaza: Through the Eyes of Medical Professionals.' Speakers discussed the famine, disease & decimated health system which continues to claim lives in #Gaza.

The IBAHRI marks #AntiSlaveryDay with a renewed call for global action to end modern slavery and forced labour.

Read: tinyurl.com/s8ctczav

Mark Stephens CBE, IBAHRI Co-Chair, stated: ‘Ending modern slavery [...] demands unwavering enforcement of #HumanRights standards.
#HumanTrafficking

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 priorit...

Because no one is safe when human rights are under attack, and together, we need to defend 80 years of progress on freedom, equality and justice.’ 4/4
Read and share the key IBAHRI insights from #UNHRC60 here: tinyurl.com/3mrznvk4

upholding human rights, advancing justice, and fostering global unity are not just ambitions, but actionable commitments shaping our shared future. This is reflected in the adoption of ground-breaking resolutions, strengthening international responses to human rights crises. 3/4

‘Human rights are not a luxury, but a solid foundation for peace and flourishing societies. At its 60th session, despite the current coordinated attempts to undermine the global multilateral system and rule of law, the UN Human Rights Council reaffirmed that... 2/4

The 60th session of the @UN_HRC provided key insights into emerging global #HumanRights priorities and challenges. Francesca Restifo, IBAHRI UN Representative and Senior Human Rights #Lawyer, remarked:

Amb. Stephen Rapp, Senior Visiting Fellow of Practice at the @BlavatnikSchool, delivered opening remarks at an event co-hosted by IBAHRI during #GenevaPeaceWeek. The panel explored legal accountability frameworks in #Syria.

Watch the full speech: vimeo.com/1127833888

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 priorit...

IBAHRI has published a focused review of the UN Human Rights Council's 60th session. Spotlighted issues incl progress & challenges in international accountability, #ClimateJustice, protection of #HumanRights defenders & a new investigative mechanism for #Afghanistan.

Read: tinyurl.com/3mrznvk4

On 15 Oct at #GenevaPeaceWeek, IBAHRI and partners hosted a discussion on advancing #legal accountability frameworks, the #RuleOfLaw & peace in #Syria, under this year's theme 'Peace in Action'. IBAHRI Co-Chair, Mark Stephens CBE, moderated

Read: www.genevapeaceweek.ch/en/programme...

IBAHRI & partner organisations including @hrw.org, @amnesty.org & GRC Human Rights call on #Houthi authorities in #Yemen to release the prominent #HumanRights #lawyer Abdulmajeed Sabra, arbitrarily detained in Sana’a on 25 Sept 2025 for peaceful expression.

Read: www.ibanet.org/document?id=...

17 October, 1000-1100 CET: IBAHRI, Lawyers for Lawyers, Thai LHR and @thelawsociety.bsky.social webinar titled 'Voices of Justice: Protecting #Lawyers’ Freedom of Expression'. Focus on the essentiality of this right to the #RuleOfLaw, access to justice and human rights.

Reg: tinyurl.com/5y88jmne

On the World Day Against the Death Penalty, 10 Oct 2025, IBAHRI shares a joint statement condemning the escalating use of capital punishment in #SaudiArabia. IBAHRI calls for a moratorium on executions with a view to abolishing the #DeathPenalty.
Read: www.ibanet.org/document?id=...

On 10 Oct 2025, the 23rd World Day against the #DeathPenalty, IBAHRI calls for universal abolition of the #DeathPenalty and, pending this, for retentionist states to introduce an immediate moratorium on executions & to commute existing death sentences.
tinyurl.com/msy3zdzu

A new Expert Briefing assesses #Syria’s prospects for justice, accountability, reform and reconciliation nine months after the fall of the #Assad regime. Roundtable co-hosts: IBAHRI, @fpcthinktank.bsky.social & Project SEPAD. Chair: Mark Stephens CBE
Read key insights: www.ibanet.org/document?id=...

It is now imperative that the mechanism begin operating as quickly as possible. Justice cannot wait’.

Read the briefing: tinyurl.com/yur6zduw
Read the statement: tinyurl.com/3szjn4c5

IBAHRI's Francesca Restifo remarked: 'The resolution is a clear message to the Taliban that they are being watched and that evidence of any crimes is now being collected, prepared and filed to be used in a courtroom, sooner or later. 2/3

On 6 October 2025 the United Nations Human Rights Council adopted a landmark resolution establishing an independent mechanism to investigate past and ongoing #HumanRights abuses in #Afghanistan. The resolution also extended the mandate of the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Afghanistan. 1/3

UN Establishes A New Accountability Mechanism For Afghanistan On October 6, 2025, the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) adopted, without a vote, a resolution on the human rights situation in Afghanistan, which is to...

In a @Forbes article: 'UN Establishes A New Accountability Mechanism For Afghanistan', Dr Ewelina U Ochab (@EwelinaUO), #IBAHRI Snr Programme Lawyer, outlines the mandate of the new independent investigative body on #HumanRights violations in #Afghanistan.
tinyurl.com/3xhs8jmf

Tools for justice and accountability: universal criminal jurisdiction over enforced disappearances | International Bar Association A webinar presented by the IBA's Human Rights Institute and supported by the IBA Criminal Law Committee and the IBA Human Rights Law Committee With a view to promoting justice and accountability for t...

TODAY: Monday 6 October 2025 | 1300-1400 BST | join IBAHRI and @wgeid.bsky.social for the webinar 'Tools for #justice and accountability: universal criminal jurisdiction over enforced disappearances'. IBAHRI's Baroness Helena Kennedy LT KC to moderate.

Register: ibanet.org/conference-d...

On 3 Oct 2025, IBAHRI & @Association_UBA issued a statement at @UN_HRC's 60th session calling for States to enhance support for #Ukraine’s #justice reform and accountability efforts as #Russia’s war of aggression continues.
#UNHRC60
Read more: tinyurl.com/3jets7hv

IBAHRI, Lawyers for Lawyers and The Law Society of England & Wales have issued a statement of concern about the freezing of several civil society organisations' (CSOs) bank accounts in #Georgia. Many of the CSOs work with #lawyers to provide #legal aid & defend #HumanRights.
tinyurl.com/5dnwvmbk

@lawyersforlawyers.bsky.social
@amnesty.org
@freedomnoworg.bsky.social
@hrw.org
@iphr.bsky.social
@nhcno.bsky.social

In a joint letter, the IBAHRI has called for the immediate and unconditional release of Tajik #lawyer Buzurgmehr Yorov, who is serving a 23-year prison sentence for his work representing political opposition leaders.

Read more: tinyurl.com/5x9reahb

#HumanRights #RuleOfLaw

IBAHRI's Dr @ewelinaochab.bsky.social writes in @forbes.com of possible 'entity-wide' sanctions against the #ICC by the #UnitedStates' government, & the potential impact on victims seeking #justice for international crimes, further challenging global justice.
Read: www.forbes.com/sites/ewelin...