People who defended and upheld human rights and the rule of law in Afghanistan are being honoured by the Law Society on International Human Rights Day. 

Society president I. Stephanie Boyce said: 'I offer my deepest respect to the lawyers, judges, prosecutors and others who dedicated their lives to upholding the rule of law in Afghanistan over the last two decades. I know most of you are now in hiding with your families, in fear for your lives. We stand in solidarity with you. We recognise the work you have done to support human rights and the rule of law in your country and the particular risk you and your family face because of that work. We continue to do all we can to press the UK government to open viable routes for you to rebuild your lives in safety.

'To the British government, I say again you must open the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme for those at risk as a matter of urgency.

'Judges, lawyers and prosecutors who supported international efforts to establish human rights norms and the rule of law in Afghanistan must be eligible for resettlement under this scheme and given a place within the first 5,000 to be accepted under it.

'Britain has a proud history of protecting and upholding human rights. We share these values with nations across the world and they bind us.'