In 2025 the International Day of the Endangered Lawyer focused on Belarus, chosen at the proposal of the ECBA.

The country report documents alarming findings: systematic persecution of lawyers, over 500 disbarments since 2020, and cases like Maksim Znak's 10-year imprisonment for defending opposition figures. Our research reveals the comprehensive dismantling of legal independence following the 2020 presidential election and subsequent protests.

The high-level online press conference, held on 22 January 2025, featured:
* Margaret Satterthwaite (UN Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers)
* Nils Muižnieks (UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Belarus)
* Iryna Kozikava (Executive Director PEN Belarus, lawyer and sister of our brave Colleague Maksim Znak)
* ECBA Human Rights Officer Alexis Anagnostakis, presenting key findings as report co-author
* ECBA Human Rights Committee and Steering Committee of the Coalition for the Day of the Endangered Lawyer 2025 member Federico Cappelletti, delivering closing remarks and report insights

Symone Gaasbeek from the Foundation of Day of the Endangered Lawyer delivered opening remarks, with Juan Prosper from European Democratic Lawyers / European Association of Lawyers for Democracy and World Human Rights providing expert moderation.


The Coalition's work, significantly shaped by ECBA's expertise and commitment, continues to highlight the plight of lawyers who risk everything to defend the rule of law and human rights. Read here the full Belarus report and its summary. Below is the recording of the press conference: