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Law Society co-signs statement on US concerns

The Law Society of Ireland has joined legal organisations across the world in expressing concern about recent actions by the US Government that have targeted legal professionals at both international and domestic levels.

The legal groups say that the US actions violate international human-rights law and undermine the rule of law.

In a statement co-signed by 21 other major legal organisations in Europe and internationally, the Law Society has called for the protection of the rule of law.

ICC interference

“Directly interfering with the International Criminal Court (ICC), targeting the judiciary, law firms, and legal professionals, demonstrates contempt for the independence of the legal profession and the separation of powers,” the Law Society says.

It describes such interference as “an attack on democracy”.

In the joint statement, the organisations urge the US Government to:

• Rescind the executive order imposing sanctions on ICC personnel and their immediate families,
• Immediately halt all acts of intimidation, hindrance, or harassment of legal professionals and any improper interference with their work, and
• Ensure respect for the fundamental principles enshrined in the UN Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers that protect legal professionals and ensure they can perform their professional duties without undue interference.

The Law Society has co-signed and endorses the statement made by 21 other major legal organisations in Europe and internationally.