UK Bar Council writes to Khamenei urging him to ‘release all lawyers’ who are currently behind bars
The Independent Online, Feb. 1, 2018 – British barristers have written to Iran‘s supreme leader Ali Khamenei to protest against the treatment of lawyers in the country and the ongoing detention of prominent human rights advocates.
A letter from the Bar Council urged Iranian authorities to “release all lawyers” and anyone who has been detained for their work defending people’s rights.
Andrew Walker QC, chair of the Bar Council, said he hoped that Iran would respond to the calls and respect the role that lawyers have to play in the country.
“Strong and confident nations recognize the role played by independent lawyers in upholding the rights of their citizens and others, and they protect the right of lawyers to act for their clients without fear or interference, including in cases that bring those clients into conflict with the state itself,” Mr Walker said.
Kirsty Brimelow QC, chair of the Bar Human Rights Committee, added that legally Iran had to allow lawyers to perform their professional functions.
“It is in breach of that obligation. President Hassan Rouhani has an opportunity to deliver upon his original campaign promise of greater respect for civil and political rights by urgently addressing the imprisonment of its lawyers,” she said.
The Iranian embassy had not responded to a request for comment from The Independent at the time of publication.
