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Commemoration of Day of Endangered Lawyer

To commemorate the Day of the Endangered Lawyer today (24 January), the Law Society of England and Wales has drawn attention to the risks lawyers face across the globe.

There are lawyers that are targeted by certain governments looking to dismantle the justice system and erode the independence of the legal profession.

The Day of the Endangered Lawyer this year sheds light on the persecution of lawyers in Belarus.

Following the Presidential election and mass protests in 2020, the Belarusian government targeted its critics and dissidents. The state machinery sought to punish lawyers that it said threatened state interest – preventing them from exercising their profession freely.

Law Society of England and Wales president Richard Atkinson said: “The Day of the Endangered Lawyer is a reminder that there are lawyers who put their lives at risk to defend the rule of law and ensure the vulnerable and oppressed have access to justice.

'Gravely concerned'

“We are gravely concerned about the hostile environment for lawyers in Belarus, as they face criminal sanctions, arbitrary detention and systematic harassment. This persecution of lawyers has had a chilling effect on the independence of the profession. 

“We hope today draws attention to the endemic mistreatment of legal professionals in Belarus and beyond. The Law Society’s annual intervention tracker shows that we took 42 public actions relating to mistreatment of lawyers in 14 countries in 2024 alone.

“We will continue to stand up for the advocate, the defender and the confidant. Lawyers play a critical role in championing the rule of law and we hope to play our part in supporting strong, fair justice systems everywhere.”