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IBA rejects any undermining of rule of law

The IBA has said it stands in solidarity with the American Bar Association (ABA) and its statement rejecting the US administration’s efforts to undermine the courts and the legal profession.

This follows the ABA’s  recent statement expressing deep concern over the ongoing erosion of the rule of law in the United States.

The IBA said (31 March) that its mission was to uphold the bedrock principles of international law, including those outlined in the UN Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers.

Without intimidation

These principles make clear that governments must:

• Ensure that lawyers can perform their professional duties freely, without intimidation, harassment, or interference,
• Guarantee that lawyers are not subject to prosecution, sanctions, or economic penalties for actions taken in accordance with their professional duties, standards, and ethics, and
• Respect that lawyers must not be identified with their clients or their clients’ causes simply because they are fulfilling their professional obligations.

The IBA said that it “remains steadfast in its commitment to protecting the independence of the legal profession and ensuring that lawyers and judges worldwide can carry out their vital roles without fear of political retaliation or undue pressure”.