Legal groups around the globe reaffirm the international rule of law

“The defence of international justice is ultimately a defence of a principle that transcends individual cases, institutions and political circumstances,” the statement said. 

International legal profession’s concerns

The participating organizations spoke out against any attempts to: 

• Attack the independence, authority, or effective operations of international courts and tribunals 
• Target judges, prosecutors, lawyers, and other legal professionals for carrying out their professional responsibilities 

“Any measures directed against judicial institutions or individual members of the legal profession because of the exercise of their professional functions threaten not only those directly affected, but the integrity of international justice itself,” the joint statement said. 

In criticizing such measures, the signatories cited: 

• the Basic Principles on the Independence of the Judiciary (1985) 
• the Guidelines on the Role of Prosecutors (1990) 
• the Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers (1990) 
• other legal texts adopted at the United Nations 

Shared responsibility to safeguard international justice

Via the joint statement, the international legal profession emphasized the responsibilities of the following: 

States: 

• Respect the independence of international courts and tribunals 
• Abide by international obligations in good faith 
• Work together with judicial institutions 
• Refrain from measures hindering judicial institutions’ lawful functions 

International institutions: 

• Protect judicial bodies’ independence and effective functioning 
• Help those working within or alongside judicial bodies fulfill their duties without fear of retaliation or reprisal 

Legal profession: 

• Defend the independence of courts and lawyers 
• Ensure that those advising, acting for, or appearing before international courts and tribunals can carry out their responsibilities while free from the fear of retaliation 

Signatories within international legal community

The following organizations signed the joint statement: 

• American Bar Association (ABA) 
• Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe (CCBE) 
• International Bar Association (IBA) 
• Japan Federation of Bar Associations (JFBA) 
• Law Association for Asia and the Pacific (LAWASIA) 
• Pan African Lawyers Union (PALU) 
• Unión Iberoamericana de Colegios y Agrupaciones de Abogados (UIBA) 
• International Association of Lawyers | Union Internationale des Avocats (UIA) 

“As I emphasised at the opening of the IBA Annual Conference in Copenhagen, when lawyers, bar associations and law societies from around the world stand united, our collective voice cannot be ignored,” said Claudio Visco, IBA president, in a news release. “Sending a clear, unwavering message to those who act irresponsibly and defy international norms is not just our duty, it is the very core of the legal profession’s mission and commitment.” 

More international law news

“The Atrocity Crimes Review: A Comprehensive UK Strategy for Atrocity Prediction, Prevention and Response” – a report by the Standing Group on Atrocity Crimes, which includes the IBA’s Human Rights Institute – asked the UK to take a diplomatic lead in responding to atrocity crimes. 

Lawyers’ Rights Watch Canada urged the Canadian government to take urgent and concrete steps to safeguard the International Criminal Court amid the US administration’s sanctions issued last Oct. 9, in line with US President Donald Trump’s Executive Order 14203 dated Feb. 7, 2025. 

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