The ECBA co-signed a statement, a report and a petition on the occasion of the Day of the Endangered Lawyer 2024, dedicated to the Iranian lawyers, that continue to face systemic persecution for defending human rights in their country. Federico Cappelletti, ECBA Human Rights Committee member represents the ECBA as a speaker at the dedicated Press Conference. 

The ECBA is part of the Endangered Lawyers Coalition, a network of legal organisations and bar associations from various cities, countries and continents around the world, that each year organises the International Day of the Endangered Lawyer. Since its creation in 2010, the International Day of the Endangered Lawyer has been observed on 24 January in cities, countries, and continents around the globe.

The purpose of this International Day is to draw the attention of government officials, international institutions, civil society, the media and the general public to the plight faced by lawyers in a particular focus country in the exercise of their profession.

This year, for the second time since the creation of this International Day, the Coalition draws attention to the plight of Iranian lawyers as the 14th edition of the International Day of the Endangered Lawyer approaches.  From 16 September 2022 to 10 January 2023, a total of 44 lawyers were arrested for their work defending anti-government protestors; 27 of those have reportedly been released while the rest remain in detention.

The Coalition has issued a report to demonstrate the dire state of the legal profession in Iran and highlight the regime’s violation of human rights.