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Promoting and protecting human rights through the rule of law Find out more about BHRC here Reports, statements of concern, trial observations and more Read recent BHRC publications here Supporting vulnerable human rights defenders around the world Read the latest BHRC press releases and news items here

The Bar Human Rights Committee is the independent, international human rights arm of the Bar of England and Wales. It is dedicated to promoting justice and respect for human rights through the rule of law.

GLOBAL RULE OF LAW

BHRC works around the world to uphold international human rights law, as well as internationally recognised human rights norms and standards. We provide expert guidance and advice to local partner NGOs, legal professionals and State institutions.

HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS

We support and protect lawyers, judges, human rights defenders and journalists who are oppressed in their work or face retaliations through harassment, persecution, violence or arbitrary arrest, detention and death.

PURSUING JUSTICE

BHRC challenges human rights violations around the world, pursuing accountability and remedies for victims through formal statements and letters of concern, in-depth reports, legal interventions such as through Amicus Curiae briefs, and with diplomacy through mediation.

EDUCATION & TRAINING

BHRC improves understanding and implementation of international human rights protections through public and targeted education, awareness-raising, and bespoke international human rights law training for lawyers, judges, magistrates, police, social workers, and civil society around the world.

Join the Bar Human Rights Committee today

UPDATES

UK: Joint statement of 20 Civil Society Organisations Support Historic Genocide Amendment to UK Trade Bill

UK: Joint statement of 20 Civil Society Organisations Support Historic Genocide Amendment to UK Trade Bill

In News, Statements of Concern
UK: Proposed Amendment to the Trade Bill 2019-2021 Relating to Genocide

UK: Proposed Amendment to the Trade Bill 2019-2021 Relating to Genocide

In News, Statements of Concern
Kazakhstan – International Human Rights Law training and best practice for lawyers – February 2021

Kazakhstan – International Human Rights Law training and best practice for lawyers – February 2021

In News, Training Resources
BHRC and the Bar Council write to H.E. Afghanistan Chief Justice to express solidarity with members of the judiciary and wider legal profession in Afghanistan

BHRC and the Bar Council write to H.E. Afghanistan Chief Justice to express solidarity with members of the judiciary and wider legal profession in Afghanistan

In Letters of Concern, News
BLOG: Day of the Endangered Lawyer 2021

BLOG: Day of the Endangered Lawyer 2021

In BHRC Blog, News
UK: BHRC supports the Genocide Amendment in letter to the Foreign Secretary

UK: BHRC supports the Genocide Amendment in letter to the Foreign Secretary

In Letters of Concern, News
BHRC condemns mass arrests in Hong Kong as chilling threat to democracy and human rights

BHRC condemns mass arrests in Hong Kong as chilling threat to democracy and human rights

In News, Statements of Concern
Statement: BHRC expresses concern at continued State obstruction of defence lawyers in China and Hong Kong

Statement: BHRC expresses concern at continued State obstruction of defence lawyers in China and Hong Kong

In News, Statements of Concern
BHRC and the Bar Council write a further letter of concern to Polish authorities following the treatment of Judge Tuleya

BHRC and the Bar Council write a further letter of concern to Polish authorities following the treatment of Judge Tuleya

In Letters of Concern, News, Projects
EVENT: Turkey – Using international mechanisms to protect the right to freedom of expression: challenges and ways forward

EVENT: Turkey – Using international mechanisms to protect the right to freedom of expression: challenges and ways forward

In Events, News
IRAN: Joint statement of solidarity with imprisoned human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh

IRAN: Joint statement of solidarity with imprisoned human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh

In News, Statements of Concern
TURKEY: Joint statement on the killing of Tahir Elçi and lack of effective investigation into his death

TURKEY: Joint statement on the killing of Tahir Elçi and lack of effective investigation into his death

In News, Statements of Concern
BHRC implores UK to reconsider plans to make drastic cuts to aid spending

BHRC implores UK to reconsider plans to make drastic cuts to aid spending

In Letters of Concern, News
BHRC co-sponsors film panel marking the release of the new documentary NASRIN (4 December @ 4.30pm)

BHRC co-sponsors film panel marking the release of the new documentary NASRIN (4 December @ 4.30pm)

In Events, News
CHINA: Authorities place Human Rights Lawyer Chang Weiping under ‘residential surveillance’

CHINA: Authorities place Human Rights Lawyer Chang Weiping under ‘residential surveillance’

In News, Statements of Concern
EVENT: Shrinking Space: Civil Society under Threat in South Asia

EVENT: Shrinking Space: Civil Society under Threat in South Asia

In Events, News
TURKEY: Ahmet Altan marks 1500 days in detention

TURKEY: Ahmet Altan marks 1500 days in detention

In News
SRI LANKA: Detention of human rights lawyer Hejaaz Hizbullah

SRI LANKA: Detention of human rights lawyer Hejaaz Hizbullah

In News, Statements of Concern
BHRC writes letters of condolence to the President of Afghanistan and Chancellor of Kabul University following attack on law students

BHRC writes letters of condolence to the President of Afghanistan and Chancellor of Kabul University following attack on law students

In Letters of Concern, News
BHRC is hiring! Applications for an Administrative Assistant accepted until **12 October 2020**

BHRC is hiring! Applications for an Administrative Assistant accepted until **12 October 2020**

In News
All BHRC news stories and press releases
  • EVENT: SHRINKING SPACE
  • CHINA: REPORT ON XINJIANG
  • BHRC on Twitter

The Bar Human Rights Committee of England and Wales (BHRC) has today published a new high-level Briefing Paper on the responsibility of governments under international law in relation to the widely reported severe ill-treatment, repression and abuse of Uyghurs and other Turkic Muslims by China.

The report, “Responsibility of States under international law to Uyghurs and other turkic muslims in Xinjiang, China”, has been endorsed by Baroness Helena Kennedy QC and Lord Alton of Liverpool and has been written by leading human rights barristers in England and Wales who are members of BHRC.

The report provides practical next steps which governments, and in particular the UK Government, should urgently consider. These include:

  • Creating and applying Magnitsky-style sanctions on individuals, whether state or non-state actors, where there are reasonable grounds to suspect the person is involved in serious human rights violations in Xinjiang;
  • Actively supporting the establishment of an impartial and independent United Nations mechanism – such as a United Nations Special Rapporteur, a Panel of Experts appointed by the HRC, or a Secretary General Special Envoy – to closely monitor, analyse and report annually on the human rights situation in China.
  • Using and enforcing domestic avenues of accountability, including corporate accountability relating to supply chains.
  • Using those international mechanisms which may be available, as outlined in the Briefing Paper.

Read the report here.

Follow BHRC on TwitterFollow

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Retweet on TwitterBar Human Rights Committee of England & Wales Retweeted
AvatarUN Special Procedures@UN_SPExperts·
23 Feb

🇺🇸#UnitedStates: Ongoing violations of #HumanRights being committed against the 40 remaining detainees – including torture & other ill-treatment – must be addressed in the review of how to close #GuantanamoBay detention centre – UN experts. Learn more: http://ow.ly/Ig2T50DHOWf

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AvatarBar Human Rights Committee of England & Wales@BarHumanRights·
23 Feb

Our fifth and final session on privacy and policing is now well underway with our speakers @JonathanCoopr and @BillBowring.

Thanks to all our participants, our partners at @LPRC_KZ and to the @UKinKZ for their support for this series of trainings.

Bar Human Rights Committee of England & Wales@BarHumanRights

Next week we are pleased to be returning, virtually, to Kazakhstan to deliver training in international human rights law and best practice for lawyers along with @LPRC_KZ.

With thanks for the support from @UKinKZ.

For more information see: https://www.barhumanrights.org.uk/kazakhstan-international-human-rights-law-and-best-practice-for-lawyers-february-2021/

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Retweet on TwitterBar Human Rights Committee of England & Wales Retweeted
AvatarSchona Jolly QC@WomaninHavana·
23 Feb

Yesterday the Canadian Parliament voted to recognise atrocities in Xinjiang as genocide. Today the #GenocideAmendment returns in an amended form to @UKHouseofLords today after its (second) narrow defeat in Commons. This is a helpful legal explainer of the compromise now sought. https://twitter.com/AU_Feed/status/1363177315459616769

Accountability Unit@AU_Feed

Our latest factsheet on the Revised #GenocideAmendment Explains what it is, how it works, and why this strikes the right balance & brings the UK closer to a comprehensive framework to responding to genocide. Download: https://accountabilityunit.org/s/Legal-Factsheet-Revised-Genocide-Amendment-Final-Feb-2021.pdf

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Retweet on TwitterBar Human Rights Committee of England & Wales Retweeted
AvatarSchona Jolly QC@WomaninHavana·
22 Feb

UN SecGen ⁦@antonioguterres⁩ on a pandemic of human rights abuses in the wake of Covid-19, used as a pretext to crush dissent, silence reporting and shrink civil space yet further. ⁦⁦@BarHumanRights⁩ ⁦@IBAHRI⁩ ⁦@CIJ_ICJ⁩ https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/feb/22/world-faces-pandemic-human-rights-abuses-covid-19-antonio-guterres?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

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Retweet on TwitterBar Human Rights Committee of England & Wales Retweeted
AvatarAntónio Guterres@antonioguterres·
21 Feb

I condemn the use of deadly violence in Myanmar.

The use of lethal force, intimidation & harassment against peaceful demonstrators is unacceptable.

Everyone has a right to peaceful assembly. I call on all parties to respect election results and return to civilian rule.

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AvatarBar Human Rights Committee of England & Wales@BarHumanRights·
17 Feb

Our fourth session on the right to equality and protection from discrimination is well underway!

With thanks to our BHRC speakers this week: @JonathanCoopr & Executive Committee member Kate Stone.

Bar Human Rights Committee of England & Wales@BarHumanRights

Next week we are pleased to be returning, virtually, to Kazakhstan to deliver training in international human rights law and best practice for lawyers along with @LPRC_KZ.

With thanks for the support from @UKinKZ.

For more information see: https://www.barhumanrights.org.uk/kazakhstan-international-human-rights-law-and-best-practice-for-lawyers-february-2021/

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PUBLICATIONS

  • Human Rights Reports
  • Trial Observations
  • Statements
  • Letters of Concern
  • Amicus Curiae Briefs

The Bar Human Rights Committee regularly produces in-depth reports on global human rights issues. We provide expert analysis of ongoing or historic human rights abuses and situations of concern, connecting detailed in-country research to our expertise on matters of international law.

Find all of BHRC’s Human Rights Reports here.

BHRC’s Trial Observation Unit regularly identifies legal proceedings where defendants’ fair trial rights or the rule of law are under threat. We send international law experts around the world to monitor these proceedings and report back on violations of the prosecuting country’s international human rights obligations.

Find all of BHRC’s Trial Observation Reports here

BHRC publishes widely-shared Statements on a broad range of human rights issues and alleged abuses, often in collaboration with international partners. We harness international opinion, legal expertise and media reach to highlight under-reported human rights violations, bringing them to wider attention, building consensus and evidence, and pushing forward the argument for meaningful remedies.

Find all of BHRC’s Statements of Concern here

BHRC issues formal letters of concern in relation to human rights concerns, addressed to those in positions of authority. In doing so, we aim to demonstrate to state authorities that international attention is focused on thei actions, enable dialogue to take place between BHRC and relevant officials (or other individuals), and build pressure for cases to be reviewed and any violations curtailed.

Find all of BHRC’s Letters of Concern here

BHRC intervenes in cases around the world, providing expertise on international human rights law to prevent individual injustices and strengthen broader protections in cases where legal precedents could be set.

Find all of BHRC’s Amicus Curiae Briefs here

All BHRC publications

JOIN THE BAR HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE

The Bar Human Rights Committee relies on membership subscriptions and individual donations to fund our ongoing work around the world.  As a member, you will also receive up to date news about BHRC’s work, opportunities to get involved in projects and invitations to BHRC events.

BHRC Membership is open to every practising or non-practising member of the Bar of England and Wales, and all law students (including trainees and pupils) in England and Wales.

Your support enables us to produce statements, letters of concern and amicus curiae briefs in support of people facing unfair trials and imprisonment; send our Trial Observation Unit to witness and monitor unjust or unfair trials wherever they occur; provide international training, support and leadership to lawyers, human rights defenders and civil society groups under threat, and much more.

Become a BHRC member from just £25 a year
Bar Human Rights Committee Bar Human Rights Committee
Bar Human Rights Committee, 289-293 High Holborn London WC1V 7HZ
+44 (0)207 611 4689 / +44 (0)7854 197862
[email protected]
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