Repression

Ten Years On: The Enduring Struggle of Chinese Lawyers Against Crackdown and Repression

by

BEIJING, China — Ten years have passed since a significant crackdown on lawyers in China, yet the reverberations of that period continue to influence the legal landscape. The government’s stringent measures against legal professionals have led to ongoing persecution, prompting resistance among activists dedicated to justice and human rights. In July 2015, authorities launched a sweeping operation targeting numerous lawyers, civil society activists, and academics who defended clients implicated in politically sensitive cases. This initiative, often referred to as the “709 Crackdown,” resulted in mass detentions and rigorous scrutiny of legal practitioners, instilling fear within … Read more

UN Rapporteur Slams Arrest of Human Rights Lawyer in Russia Amid Rising Political Repression

by

Kaliningrad, Russia — A United Nations human rights expert has sharply criticized the detention of a Kaliningrad human rights lawyer, asserting that her arrest seems to be a direct response to her advocacy for political prisoners. The lawyer, Maria Bontsler, 64, has long been a prominent defender of human rights within the country, despite facing health challenges. Mariana Katzarova, the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Russia, issued a statement condemning what she termed a case of judicial harassment. Katzarova characterized Bontsler’s arrest as politically motivated, emphasizing it as another instance of diminishing legal … Read more

UN Human Rights Chief Condemns Mali’s Political Party Ban as ‘Draconian’ Move Amid Rising Repression

by

BAMAKO, Mali — The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, has sharply criticized Mali’s recent blanket ban on political parties as a severe infringement on fundamental rights, raising alarms about its potential to stifle dissent and entrench authoritarian governance. Türk urged Mali’s transitional authorities to revoke the controversial decree and release individuals held on politically motivated charges. He emphasized that restrictions on political participation must align with Mali’s international human rights commitments. The High Commissioner also stressed the importance of conducting transparent investigations into human rights violations, reinforcing that victims deserve access to … Read more

Iran Faces Intensified Global Criticism as Lawyers Suffer Severe Repression Amid Post-Protest Crackdowns

by

Tehran, Iran — Iran remains one of the most perilous countries for legal professionals, where lawyers face an escalating crackdown as they attempt to defend basic rights to fair trials and legal representation. Since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, this situation has worsened, with fears growing significantly following the Woman, Life, Freedom protests, triggered by the tragic death of Jina Mahsa Amini in morality police custody on September 16, 2022. The National Union of Iranian Bar Associations reports that since 2018, at least 54 incidents, including the deaths of 17 lawyers, have occurred. These incidents range … Read more