The Law Society took 40 actions relating to 17 countries in 2023, according to the latest 'intervention tracker' published today, the international Day of the Endangered Lawyer.
Most of these actions were initiated by concerns relating to arbitrary arrest or detention (58%) followed by harassment, threats and violence (27%). The tracker, which has been published since 2017, shows a handful of countries of particular concern. China has appeared every year; Turkey every year apart from one.
The tracker is part of the Society’s Lawyers at Risk programme.
Law Society president Nick Emmerson said: 'Across the world, lawyers continue to face harassment, surveillance, detention, torture, enforced disappearance and arbitrary arrest and conviction.
'Some are even killed, so it’s important to mark the Day of the Endangered Lawyer and honour those who risk their lives to defend the legal profession. Despite the use of intimidation tactics to target and undermine the legal profession, lawyers continue to protect the vulnerable and oppressed, defend human rights and ensure that those who violate them are held accountable.
'LAw We use this day to draw attention to the plight faced by countless lawyers across the globe, as they fight for their right to freely exercise their profession and uphold the rule of law.
'The Law Society stands in solidarity with legal professionals around the world. We will continue to work to support them and build strong, fair justice systems everywhere.'
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