Les activités de la UIA en Arabie saoudite, Colombie, Égypte pour la défense des avocats
The UIA activities in Saudi Arabia, Columbia, Egypt etc. to defend lawyers
by Jacqueline Scott
Mobilization Campaign in Support of Mr. Waleed Abu Al-Khair, Recipient of the 2015 Ludovic Trarieux Human Rights Award
The UIA mobilisation campaign in support of Waleed Abu Al-Khair, a lawyer, human rights defender and the Director of the Monitor of Human Rights in Saudi Arabia, was re-launched on April 18, on the one year anniversary of his arrest. The UIA sent a letter to Saudi authorities requesting a meeting in order to learn more about the Saudi Government’s position about his case and about possible remedies (see here).
As a reminder, on July 6, 2014, Mr. Abu Al-Khair was sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment (with a 5 year pending sentence), on charges including “seeking to remove legitimate authority;” “harming public order in the state and its officials;” and “inflaming public opinion and disparaging and insulting judicial authority”. On January 12, 2015, the Saudi Court of Appeal extended his prison sentence to a full 15 years in prison after he refused to show remorse. This sentence was confirmed on February 15, 2015.
In order to provide a clear and effective response to this case, the Human Rights and Protection of Lawyers Committee submitted to the Executive Committee the decision of organizing an official mission to Saudi Arabia as soon as possible, aimed at meeting Saudi authorities, representatives of the legal profession and Waleed Abu al-Khair.
According to the information the UIA received, Mr. Abu Al-Khair’s American defence lawyer, Daniel N. Arshack, who sought to visit with Mr. Abu Al-Khair in the Saudi Arabian prison, has been denied a Saudi Travel Visa despite written U.S. State Department support.
On June 12, Waleed Abu al-Khair was named the recipient of the 2015 Ludovic Trarieux Human Rights Prize (see here). The prize is an initiative of the European Bar Human Rights Institute (IDHAE), the Union Internationale des Avocats (UIA) and several European national and local bar associations and will be awarded in November.
Colombian Caravana Report Launched at London
On April 29, in London, the Colombian Caravana launched their report “Colombia at the Crossroads. The vital role of lawyers and human rights defenders for real justice and peace”. (see here). The UIA, which actively participated at the Caravana’s fourth biennial visit to Colombia in August 2014, attended the report’s launch.
The report criticizes the continuing risks faced by lawyers in Colombia, which include assassination, attacks and stigmatisation.
The report also expresses its hope for Colombia’s future, noting that the peace process presents an opportunity for meaningful change, if it includes enforceable measures such as victim compensation, land restitution and respect for a justice system that can uphold the basic rights of everyone in society.
Egypt. Re-arrest of 2014 Ludovic Trarieux Human Rights Prize Winner Mahienour El-Massry
On 11 May 2015, the El Raml Misdemeanor Court of Appeal in the Alexandria governorate ordered the preventive detention of Ms. Mahienour El-Massry, human rights lawyer and winner of the 2014 international Ludovic Trarieux Human Rights Prize.
Ms. El-Massry, along with co-defendant and journalist, Youssef Shaban, attended the first hearing of their appeals trial challenging the two year sentence originally imposed by the court, after which hearing the judge ordered Ms. El-Massry and her co-defendant to be detained until the verdict, which was due on May 31. The Court excluded relatives and friends of the defendants and journalists from the hearing.
On May 31, Ms. El-Massry was sentenced to 15 months in prison. She has been and continues to be held in the Al-Abadeya women’s prison in the city of Damanhour.
The UIA expressed concerns in a press release on May 13, 2015 and reiterated its regret in a joint press release signed by it and the Ludovic Trarieux Award Jury on June 12, 2015 (see here).
Participation in the Mobilization in Favour of French Death Row Inmate Serge Atlaoui
The UIA joined the mobilization coordinated by Ensemble Contre la Peine de Mort (ECPM -Together against Death Penalty) in favour of Serge Atlaoui, a Frenchman on death row for drug-related crimes, and all prisoners in Indonesia. The UIA participated in a protest organised in Paris on April 25, 2015 and continues to closely follow Mr. Atlaoui’s case (see here).
Assembly of Worldwide Lawyers in Defence of the Defence, Valencia Congress: Unity – Coordination – Action
The protection of human rights lawyers, judges and defenders is a central mission of many organizations that too frequently act alone. UIA would like to collaborate with these organizations to establish a platform for organized, concerted action between and among the organizations in pursuit of the protection of lawyers, judges and human rights defenders.
As a continuation of the Marrakech Appeal to the Lawyers of the World launched last November, the World Assembly of Lawyers in Valencia is intended as a starting point for constructive and fruitful exchanges on further joint action, envisioning, in particular, setting a date on which to promote jointly and worldwide, the protection of lawyers, judges and human rights defenders.
by Jacqueline Scott