Lawyers In Exile

International Day of the Endangered Lawyer and the Struggle of Belarusian Lawyers

International Day of the Endangered Lawyer and the Struggle of Belarusian Lawyers

Every year on January 24, the “Day of the Endangered Lawyer” is observed to highlight the risks and challenges lawyers face while carrying out their profession. This day aims to shed light on the threats, attacks, and injustices faced by defenders of the rule of law. In 2025, this important day is dedicated to the lawyers in Belarus and the difficult conditions they endure.

 

The History of the Day of the Endangered Lawyer


The Day of the Endangered Lawyer was first observed in 2009. The date was chosen to commemorate a tragic event on January 24, 1977, in Madrid, Spain. Known as the Atocha Massacre, this incident involved the assassination of five labor rights lawyers by far-right militants in their office. This horrific event became a symbol of the dangers lawyers face while performing their duties.  

 

Since then, the day has focused on the challenges faced by lawyers in different countries each year. In the past, the spotlight has been on lawyers in Turkey, Colombia, and the Philippines, among others. This year, the focus is on the lawyers of Belarus and the hardships they encounter.  


Challenges Faced by Belarusian Lawyers


Belarus has long been criticized for ist human rights violations and lack of adherence to the rule of law. These issues worsened following the disputed presidential elections in 2020, which triggered widespread protests and heightened political repression. Lawyers in Belarus have been among the most affected by these crackdowns.

 

Since autumn 2020, Belarusian authorities have arbitrarily detained at least 23 lawyers, and then used these detentions as a pretext to prevent them from representing their clients in politically motivated cases and to dismiss them from the profession. During this time, 11 lawyers have been prosecuted, six of whom remain in prison. According to the Right to Defence initiative, more than 140 lawyers have been dismissed from the profession and nearly three hundred have been forced to leave the profession.

 

The primary challenges Belarusian lawyers face include:  

 

License Revocations and State Pressure

In Belarus, practicing law requires a state-issued license. Lawyers who defend protestors, criticize government actions, or address human rights violations risk losing their licenses. The government often uses bar associations and licensing bodies as tools to suppress independent legal defense.  

 

Arbitrary Detentions and Imprisonment

Human rights lawyers are frequently subjected to arbitrary detentions and long prison sentences. These actions, often in violation of international legal standards, make it nearly impossible for lawyers to perform their duties effectively.  

 

Physical and Psychological Intimidation

Belarusian lawyers face not only state repression but also physical threats and psychological harassment. These pressures make it extremely difficult for them to provide adequate legal defense for their clients.  

 

Lack of Independent Bar Associations

In Belarus, bar associations operate under state control, limiting lawyers’ independence and enabling the government to enforce ist repressive policies. This undermines the integrity of the legal profession and the judiciary as a whole.  

 

Two examples of endangered lawyers in Belarus

 

Lawyer Anastasiya Lazarenka volunteered to advise relatives of prisoners near the Okrestina pre-trial detention center during the most tense period of 2020 and participated in the public debate in Belarus. She was arrested in early June 2022 on charges of “incitement to hatred” for allegedly disclosing personal data in a Telegram channel.

 

When she was remanded in custody in March 2023, she learned that she had also been accused of organizing an “unauthorized mass event” in August 2020 when she was providing free legal advice to the families of detainees. She pleaded not guilty throughout the trial. However, on May 11, 2023, the Minsk City Court sentenced her to six years in prison.

https://protect-lawyers.org/de/item/anastasiya-lazarenka-5/


Belarusian lawyer Yuliya Yurhilevich has defended political prisoners and victims of persecution for 18 years. In 2022, she was disbarred, arrested and sentenced to 6 years in prison.

 

She was charged with sharing public information with journalist Pavel Mazheika and unfairly convicted of ‘repeated assistance to extremist activities’. She has pleaded not guilty.

https://protect-lawyers.org/de/item/yuliya-yurhilevich-5/


The Importance of International Solidarity

 

The Day of the Endangered Lawyer serves as an opportunity to draw global attention to the struggles of Belarusian lawyers and to show solidarity with them. Lawyers are essential to ensuring justice and protecting rights, but they often face systemic repression. As the situation in Belarus demonstrates, these challenges extend beyond the legal profession, affecting society as a whole.  

 

For this reason, international organizations and human rights advocates must intensify their support for Belarusian lawyers fighting for the rule of law and an independent judiciary. Lawyers‘ ability to practice freely is a cornerstone of any democratic society.  

 

The Day of the Endangered Lawyer not only raises awareness about the plight of lawyers but also emphasizes the importance of the rule of law and justice. The repression faced by Belarusian lawyers reflects the broader struggles faced by those seeking justice everywhere. On this significant day, standing with lawyers in Belarus and around the world is a vital step toward defending justice and human rights.

 

 Lawyers in Exile

Similar Posts

Bir cevap yazın

E-posta hesabınız yayımlanmayacak. Gerekli alanlar * ile işaretlenmişlerdir

HUKUKİ DESTEK- WhatsApp
1