Lawyers are being arbitrarily arrested, prosecuted, convicted, forcibly disappeared, and even killed across the world because of their work upholding the rule of law, the Law Society has warned
Law Society president I Stephanie Boyce, speaking this week on the Day of the Endangered Lawyer (24 January), said: ‘We think particularly of our colleagues in Afghanistan who helped build the justice system and bring stability to the country under the former government.
‘Since the Taliban took power some have tragically been killed because of the work they did, a few managed to escape, but far too many are in hiding, at risk from not only the Taliban but also from terrorists and criminals they convicted since released from prison. The Law Society stands in solidarity with legal professionals around the world.’
The Day is an international initiative set up by Netherlands lawyer Hans Gaasbeek. It is held on the anniversary of the Massacre of Atocha, when four lawyers and a co-worker were murdered in Madrid on 24 January 1977.
