Lawyers for Human Rights

You can send a clear message that threats made against human rights lawyers and other advocates for human rights will not be tolerated.

Lawyers in countries like Colombia are paying an extremely high price to challenge those responsible for human rights violations. Liliana Uribe, a leading human rights lawyer from CJL (Corporación Juridica Libertad - Freedom Legal Corporation), explains why she continues her work in spite of facing ongoing threats:

“Because there has to be peace, I have to contribute my grain of sand toward that goal. I want there to be real truth, and justice, and reparations for the victims of horrendous human rights abuses, and that’s why I, and the other members of the corporation, are contributing what we have to offer, which is our legal skills and our experience and knowledge of how to use the legal system in order to achieve those changes that are so badly needed.”

PBI set up the Human Rights Defenders at Risk Fund to ensure the ongoing protection of those lawyers and other human rights defenders who are at greatest risk. At the launch of the fund, Sir Adrian Fulford, a judge at the International Criminal Court (ICC) and a High Court Judge in the UK, reiterated the critical impact that lawyers like Liliana are making for human rights:

“It is often only through the efforts of lawyers like Liliana Uribe that cases are ever brought to the attention of the public and, though all too rarely, before a court of law. Without them, the chances of launching and sustaining prosecutions against serious human rights abusers are significantly reduced. Without them, victims will be unrepresented, and denied any opportunity to record their histories in a juridical setting and to receive at least some kind of recognition, justice and compensation.”

A regular gift toward the Human Rights Defenders at Risk Fund will enable us to support Liliana in her pursuit of justice for victims of human rights violations. This gift will help to make a difference to the lives and work of lawyers and other defenders who risk so much to continue advocating on behalf of victims and their families and, by doing so, help to challenge impunity and uphold the rule of law.

As a member of our Lawyers for Human Rights network you will receive the following:

• Regular updates on human rights lawyers and other defenders who are under threat
• Invitations to meet and hear first hand testimonies from human rights lawyers at risk and other defenders visiting the UK
• Information on emergency situations when your support can make a difference to the life and work of lawyers at risk accompanied by PBI facing life-threatening situations.  

As a member of our Lawyers for Human Rights network, you will help to ensure that human rights lawyers and other human rights defenders around the globe can work for the rights of others with confidence, without fearing for their lives.  

If you would like to join our “Lawyers for Human Rights” network, please make a donation to the Human Rights Defenders at Risk Fund by CLICKING HERE (please mention the Lawyers for Human Rights network on the form).

Lawyer's Advisory Committee

PBI’s Lawyers Advisory Committee is made up of lawyers and barristers who volunteer their time to support and develop links between the UK legal community, PBI, and threatened human rights defenders in the field. The Committee is made up of representatives from a number of chambers and solicitors firms who offer their profile and expertise to raise the profile of PBI in the legal community. Former Lord Justice Sir Henry Brooke (Fountain Court) is honorary president and Peter Roth QC (Monckton Chambers) is the chair of the Committee. The Committee plays a vital role in supporting the objectives of PBI by disseminating information to advocate for threatened human rights defenders and organising high profile events at the Law Society and other venues to raise the profile of threatened lawyers in the field and increase financial support for the Human Rights Defenders at Risk Fund. LAC member Saimo Chahal (Bindmans) won the 2008 Law Society’s Solicitor of the Year Award and generously offered her award to support lawyers at risk around the world. (Read more here)

“I support PBI because of their innovative and invaluable work in supporting human rights defenders who frequently stand up for those who have no voice, but who often need symbolic and practical support themselves.”
--- LAC member Henrietta Hill of Doughty Street Chambers

Law Society’s International Action Team (IAT)

PBI receives support from the IAT, made up of pro bono lawyers and students engaged in the Society’s Human Rights Work. Click here for more information.