Plight of persecuted lawyers around the globe reaching boiling point, say groups

HUMAN RIGHTS: treatment of lawyers in Sudan, Iran, Colombia and Nepal sparks protests

There has been a sharp increase in lawyers being persecuted around the world for doing their job, international human rights groups have reported.

In recent weeks, special appeals have gone out to protest at the treatment of lawyers in several countries, such as Sudan, Iran, Colombia and Nepal.

As reported recently, the president of the Brazilian Bar Association and 130 other lawyers escaped injury despite a bomb exploding during a ceremony for new members in the state of Esprito Santo (see [2002] Gazette, 30 August, 6.

It has been linked with allegations of political corruption in the state made by various lawyers.

Jonathan O'Donoghue, who coordinates Amnesty's international lawyers' network, said the network has been 'inundated' with reports of lawyers under threat recently.

A spokeswoman for the International Bar Association's (IBA) human rights institute - which focuses on lawyers under threat - said there had been an increase in the number of cases in which it sought to intervene.

Mr O'Donoghue said: 'It is always a risky business to defend people who face persecution by agents of the state and doing so often means that you yourself can be targeted.

'Amnesty International has recorded a notable downturn in respect for human rights in various part of the world since 11 September.

The situation is difficult and seems to be getting worse.'

In Iran, a military court has sentenced lawyer Nasser Zarafshan to five years' imprisonment, 70 lashes, and a five-year ban from practising as a lawyer.

In Guatemala, leading human rights lawyer Roberto Romero has received telephone death threats and suffered gun attacks against his home.

In Nepal, Hari Prasad Phuyal, who acts for members of the armed political group Communist Party of Nepal, has been in prison since May; when he was finally allowed visitors two months later, it was reported that he had been badly beaten.

Mel James, secretary to the Law Society's international human rights working party, said Latin America was an especially problematic area, and not just in countries such as Colombia and Guatemala, where such threats are more commonplace.

She also highlighted Nepal as a country where persecution has risen since a state of emergency was ordered last October.

Mr O'Donoghue said Amnesty frequently activates its international lawyers' network 'to provide solidarity with those that are being persecuted simply for doing their job.'

The IBA and Society also work actively, sending out 'intervention letters' which protest at human rights abuses.

Ms James pointed out that lawyers are the only professional group to enjoy special protection from the United Nations, which in 1990 agreed a statement of basic principles on the role of lawyers.

Neil Rose