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Mission and Aims

The Bar Human Rights Committee (BHRC) is dedicated to promoting principles of justice and respect for fundamental human rights through the rule of law in different parts of the world.

BHRC believes that the availability of an effective legal profession and infrastructure is a crucial development issue as well as a pre-condition for civil liberties and human rights. Most of BHRC's efforts seek to inspire, organise, inform and extend the work within the legal sectors of countries.

In doing so, BHRC's main objectives are:

• the support and protection of practising lawyers and judges who are threatened or oppressed in their work;
• upholding the rule of law and internationally recognised human rights standards;
• advising, supporting and co-operating with other organisations and individuals working for human rights;
• furthering interest in and knowledge of human rights and the laws relating to human rights;
• advising the General Council of the Bar of England & Wales in connection with any human rights issue.

The BHRC provides assistance and specialist support to the international human rights community. BHRC has a strong human rights agenda and believes in a pro-active rather than remedial approach; for example, provide local judges and lawyers themselves with the skills, resources and motivation they need to be a force for change in their own countries.

BHRC's activities and projects cover different regional geographic areas. However, the Committee does not have a domestic mandate in order to preserve its independence. Click here to read more about our programmes.

Historical Background

The Bar Human Rights Committee was set up by a group of barristers in 1991 with the aims of helping judges, lawyers and legal personnel who are being persecuted or prevented from carrying out their professional duties and protecting the rule of law where it is under attack by governments. Since then BHRC has expanded substantially both the scope of its activities and its membership. Today, the Committee counts over 100 members, including an Executive of thirteen, and over 100 associates.