Following the International Bar Association's (IBA) recent statement expressing deep concern over the ongoing erosion of the rule of law in the United States, the IBA 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.
The IBA's mission is to uphold the bedrock principles of international law, including those outlined in the UN Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers . 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 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.
