Haldane supports Campaign Kazakhstan

At our annual general meeting on 15 November we passed a motion to lend our support to Campaign Kazakhstan.

Following the AGM we wrote letters to the Kazakhstan president, Nursultan Nazarbayev and to the embassy in London conveying our concern about the treatment of human rights lawyer Vadim Kuramshin.

Vadim Kuramshin was arrested on 31 October in the city of Petropavlovsk, northern Kazakhstan, when a police squad burst into his house and arrested him without presenting any warrant. He was reportedly beaten during the arrest and while held in the detention facility in Petropavlovsk. 

We are pleased that the Law Society has also written to the president expressing its concern.

Emergency Resolution on Gaza Assassinations by Israel

Passed by the AGM 15 November 2012.

"The Haldane Society denounces the assassination of Ahmed al-Jaabari, one of the leaders of HAMAS, which has to be seen against a background of the slow genocide committed by Israel in the Gaza Strip by means of blockade, destruction of infrastructure, the killings of Operation Cast Lead, and the massacre of the Palestinian people."

Emergency protests:

Saturday 17th November 1400-1600

outside the Israeli Embassy, 2 Palace Green, London W8 4QB
(nearest tube High St Ken)

Other protests happening around the UK.

Justice for the Morong 43

The Haldane Society of Socialist Lawyers supports the Alliance for the ‘Justice for the Morong 43! Justice for all victims of human rights violations! Alliance’. The Morong 43 are the 43 health workers in the Philippines who in 2010 accused of being members of the New People's Army, who were illegally arrested following an illegal search. The Morong 43 suffered both physical and psychological torture while in military custody and were denied access to lawyers for several days.

Click here to read our letter of support for the Alliance and its endeavours to hold the state to account and fight for the human rights of all in the Philippines.

National Lawyers' Guild (US) calls on U.S. to end arm sales to Bahrain, members abused in anti-democracy crackdown

Just one day after announcing their presence in Bahrain as human rights observers, National Lawyers Guild (NLG) members Huwaida Arraf and Radhika Sainath were arrested at a protest in the capital city Manama and deported back to the United States. Their mission came amid renewed street protests on the one year anniversary of the country's Arab Spring uprising. Their ordeal illustrates the U.S.-backed monarchy's harsh response to its people's continued calls for democracy.

Ms. Sainath, who works as a civil rights attorney in New York, said, "Given the Bahraini regime's treatment of American lawyers one can only imagine the torture and human rights abuses Bahraini democracy activists routinely face - and why the regime is trying to hide it."
Bahraini police arrested Ms. Sainath and Ms. Arraf February 11 near the Pearl Roundabout, the site of last year's Manama protests which were modeled after the revolutionary gatherings in Egypt's Tahrir Square. Authorities confiscated the pair's phones and camera equipment, and deported them the following morning, forcing them to endure the seven-hour flight to London with their hands cuffed behind their backs. During the flight, security officers hit Ms. Sainath on the head three times and told her that if she wanted to go the bathroom she "could go to the bathroom on herself."
"The treatment our members suffered solely for documenting human rights abuse is contemptible and it demands further investigation," said NLG Executive Director Heidi Boghosian. "Further, we call on the U.S. government to take immediate steps to protect the rights of all Bahrainis by suspending all arms sales to the Bahraini government."
The two women traveled to the country as part of the Witness Bahrain initiative, heeding a call by Bahraini democracy activists for international observers. Six more Witness Bahrain activists now face deportation after their arrests earlier today.
Now in its 75th year, the National Lawyers Guild is the oldest and largest public interest/human rights bar organization in the United States. Its headquarters are in New York and it has chapters in every state.

www.nlg.org

Contact:
Nathan Tempey,
Communications Coordinator
communications@nlg.org
(212) 679-5100, ext. 15
New York

Haldane Statement of Solidarity with MOVICE (Movement for Victims of State Crimes, Colombia)

We are writing from the Haldane Society of Socialist Lawyers, the British organisation of lawyers, academics students, legal workers, trade union and labour affiliates, to express our support and solidarity with the Movement of Victims of State Crimes (MOVICE), a coalition of more than 200 Colombian human rights organisations, lawyers' associations and trade unions.

We understand that since the organisation's creation in 2005, MOVICE leaders and the members of its component organisations have been the continuous target of human rights abuses, including assassinations, death threats, false accusations, fabricated judicial cases and unjust imprisonment.

We also recognise that in the face of these intimidations, MOVICE members continue to carry out invaluable work documenting human rights abuses, supporting and defending the rights of victims, and speaking out against those who perpetrate the violations. Their work is integral to the defence and advancement of human rights in Colombia.
It appears that many of these abuses form part of a smear campaign aimed at delegitimising and debilitating their work. Furthermore, we understand that during the first year of President Santos' administration, from August 2010-July 2011 there was a 44% increase in the abuses against MOVICE members, making it more dangerous to carry out their work on the ground.

We have for several years worked closely with the UK NGO, Justice for Colombia and in particular supported their campaign for the release of political prisoners. We specifically campaigned for the release of Carmelo Agamez, former political prisoner and leader of MOVICE Sucre, and we are currently campaigning for the release of imprisoned MOVICE leader David Rabelo.

In response to the increasing threats, and in recognition of the importance of its members work, we have decided to adopt a wider campaign in solidarity with MOVICE, through which we hope to provide increased support for MOVICE members, according to the organisation's demands and priorities. Specifically, by raising awareness within our membership and through our affiliations to the European Association of Lawyers for Democracy and Human Rights (EALDH) and the International Association of Democratic Lawyers (IADL) and by calling on the Colombian authorities to fulfil MOVICE requests.

Statement of Solidarity with NUPL Action against Major General Jovito Palparan

The Haldane Society supports the National Union of Peoples' Lawyers' actions against Maj Gen Jovito Palparan.

The arrest warrant against Gen. Palparan and three other military personnel was issued by the Malolos Regional Trial Court on December 19, 2011. After a month-long manhunt by government law enforcement agencies and after a P1-million bounty has been put up for his capture, the actual whereabouts of the retired general are yet to be known. Palparan's co-accused and sidekick M/Sgt. Rizal Hilario is also still at large.

The victims and families have been waiting for justice for the longest time. There are prevalent doubts from the victims and their families whether the Pnoy administration itself has in fact made any serious, systematic and concrete effort to initiate the effective and genuine investigation and prosecution of human rights violators of the past and the present. "We hope several other victims will, on their own, persist to throw the book at Gen. Palparan and his kind for the most horrific rights violations," said Liz Davies, Chair of the Haldane Society.

The NUPL is the private prosecutor in the case of Kidnapping and Serious Illegal Detention against Gen. Palparan and his co-accused , involving the disappearance of UP students Karen Empeno and Sherlyn Cadapan. The NUPL is also the counsel of human rights victims Raymond Manalo, Oscar Leuterio, Melissa Roxas, Ericson Acosta, and the Morong 43 health workers, among others.

Liz Davies
Chair Haldane Society of Socialist Lawyers

24th January - International Day of Solidarity with Lawyers in Turkey

Jeremy Corbyn MP joins UK lawyers protest at the Turkish Embassy: 12-1pm 43 Belgrave Square, SW1

The day of action on 24th January, which saw simultaneous actions by lawyers taking place in major cities across Europe, was marked in London with a protest outside the Turkish Embassy, and organised by CAMPACC and Haldane Society of Socialist Lawyers, to highlight the intolerable conditions faced by lawyers in Turkey.

Jeremy Corbyn MP and Prof Bill Bowring the President of the European Association of Lawyers for Democracy and World Human Rights were joined by lawyers Margaret Owen, Michael Ellman, Hugo Charlton, Ali Has, Arman Banirad and human rights activist Estella Schmid from CAMPACC and Peace in Kurdistan Campaign.

"The Day of the Endangered Lawyer wants to bring to public attention the widespread human rights violations in Turkey against with lawyers seeking to represent victims of are themselves increasingly being subject to arrest and prosecution. We are here today to show our solidarity with our Kurdish and Turkish colleagues who are being arrested and prosecuted simply for carrying out their normal professional duties. Severe restrictions are routinely placed on the way they represent and relate to their clients with, for example, the taping of conversations, which breaches the principle of confidentiality. The broad definition of terrorism under Turkey's anti-terror laws is at the root of the problem and it means that lawyers can be detained for representing clients who are accused of terrorism" said Professor Bill Bowring

The state's actions against the country's lawyers culminated in the mass arrest of some 36 Turkish and Kurdish lawyers during simultaneous raids carried out in several Turkish cities and provinces on 22 November 2011 as part of the continuing KCK operations, which are a key part of the state's oppressive measures against the Kurdish people. The lawyers arrested include members of the legal team of Abdullah Ocalan, the leader of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). The lawyers remain in custody.

The petition and letter by the Endangered Lawyers initiative which Jeremy Corbyn MP tried to hand in on behalf of the organisation was refused by the Turkish Embassy. The police officer at the entry of the Turkish Embassy was under strict instructions not to allow the delivery of any letters. For information we attach the petition/letter and urge you to circulate it.

The Day of the Endangered Lawyer was organized this year by three European lawyers' associations: the European Democratic Lawyers (AED-EDL, www.aed-edl.net), the European Association of Lawyers for Democracy and World Human Rights (ELDH, www.eldh.eu) and the European Bar Human Rights Institute (IDHAE, www.idhae.org). Together they represent lawyers all over Europe.

We urge you to support the main demands of this lawyers' initiative which is calling for the following:

• Repeal of The Turkish Anti-Terror Law of 1991 which protects the security of the state at the expense of the freedom and security of individuals and violates international human rights law;
• The immediate release of all lawyers detained for political reasons;
• A fair trial for defendants in the KCK trial, including permission for foreign legal observers to attend the trial;
• An international independent investigation into the actions carried out in Turkey against lawyers and other professionals such as journalists in order to hold those responsible for these arrests accountable for violations of basic human rights.

Download the petition here

For further information:

CAMPACC (Campaign Against Criminalising Communities)

e-mail: estella24@tiscali.co.uk

www.campacc.org.uk

24th January 2012: The Day of the Endangered Lawyers

Dear Colleagues,

I am sending you the Petition and the Press Release for the Day of the Endangered Lawyers 24th January 2012.

In order to protest against the unlawful and intolerable obstruction of lawyers in Turkey and against the severe human rights violations connected to this, on the 24th of January lawyers in many cities in Europe will organize demonstrations wearing their gown in front of Turkish Embassies and Consulates. A petition addressed to the Turkish Government will be handed over. in Amsterdam, Barcelona, Berlin, Bern, Brussels, Dusseldorf, The Hague, Hamburg, Madrid, Milan, Paris, Rome and other cities forum discussions or other activities will be organized.

All lawyers are requested to support and to participate in these activities. The protests will be organized by the local organisations of AED-EDL, ELDH and IDHAE.
Those who have not yet organized anything still have the time to organize at least a small protest in front of the Turkish Embassy or Consulate in their Country..

Best wishes,

Thomas Schmidt

ELDH European Association of Lawyers for Democracy and World Human Rights

(lawyer), Secretary General

Full press release and petition can be downloaded here

Tuesday 18th October: Haldane Parliamentary briefing on Enforcing Housing Rights in East Jerusalem

The briefing session will be conducted by members of a delegation of English barristers organised by Avocats Sans Frontiers who visited Jerusalem between 19 and 23 December 2010. International lawyers Professor Bill Bowring and Hannah Rought-Brooks joined housing rights specialists John Beckley, Liz Davies, John Hobson, and Marina Sergides in conducting the investigation. The objective of the fact finding mission was to examine the legal situation in Sheikh Jarrah, a Palestinian area located to the north of the Old City in East Jerusalem. Sheikh Jarrah, is the site of a protracted legal battle where the evictions of more than 25 families from their homes have repercussions for the viability of a future Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement and the long term status of Jerusalem. According to the United Nations, over 60 Palestinians have been forcibly evicted in Sheikh Jarrah in recent years leaving another 500 at risk of dispossession and displacement. The briefing session will discuss the findings of the delegation and how the situation in Sheikh Jarrah can be addressed within the framework of international humanitarian law and human rights law.

See a summary of the report "Enforcing Housing Rights: the Case of Sheikh Jarrah" here or download the full report from here.

Free admission. Please note that it can take up to 30 minutes to proceed through security at Westminster. Please rsvp or request to Sara Apps at: sara.apps@palestinecampaign.org

Nearest tube stations: Westminster, St James Park, Victoria. Further information www.palestinecampaign.org.

6pm, House of Lords, Westminster London SW1.

Download poster for the event here

The Haldane Society of Socialist Lawyers and Avocats Sans Frontiers present

"Enforcing Housing Rights: the case of Sheikh Jarrah": a report of the fact-finding mission to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

Tensions have flared in Sheikh Jarrah, a Palestinian area located to the north of the Old City in occupied East Jerusalem. Over the last three years, more than 60 Palestinians have been forcibly evicted in this area and at least another 500 are at risk of dispossession and displacement, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA).

Since the start of the Israeli occupation and annexation of East Jerusalem in 1967, which continues until today, the Palestinian refugee families in Sheikh Jarrah have been the target of eviction proceedings brought by the Committees and their successor, the Nahalat Shimon Company (to whom all rights and obligations were transferred in 2008-2009), before Israeli courts, resulting in the eviction of 4 refugee families to date (60 people) – the Mohammad Al-Kurd, Al-Ghawi, Hanoun and Rifqa Al-Kurd families – all of whom had already been forcibly displaced at least once before.

Following a request from local lawyers and NGOs received by Avocats Sans Frontières, an international legal expert mission visited Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) from 19 to 23 December 2010. The delegation - organised by the Haldane Society of Socialist Lawyers - consisted of four English barristers, all specializing in housing rights – John Beckley, Liz Davies, and Marina Sergides and John Hobson as well as English barrister and human rights lawyer Hannah Rought-Brooks and Bill Bowring, also a barrister practising at the European Court of Human Rights, and Professor of Law at Birkbeck College, University of London. The delegation was accompanied by ASF project coordinator Stijn Denayer and human rights lawyer Valentina Azarov.

Their report "Enforcing Housing Rights: the case of Sheikh Jarrah" examines the Palestinian housing rights crisis in East Jerusalem, Israel's breaches of international law as an occupying power, the inequalities faced by Palestinians before the Israeli Courts, law enforcement failures and breaches of international law in carrying out evictions. It contains recommendations to Israel, the UN and international community, the European Union and the UK government.

Recommendations to the UK government are:

- To declare publicly that it will use its influence and all available mechanisms within the EU to ensure that the EU acts upon the recommendations set out immediately above.

- To ensure that senior UK officials observe court hearings concerning Sheikh Jarrah, and visit Sheikh Jarrah; and join high-level groups from the EU.

- To continue and if possible intensify the present policy of providing all possible support to the Sheikh Jarrah families.

- To give urgent and public consideration to the question how it can best comply with the obligations laid upon it (and all other states) by the International Court of Justice in 2004:

- All States are under an obligation not to recognize the illegal situation resulting from the construction of the wall and not to render aid or assistance in maintaining the situation created by such construction;

- All States parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War of 12 August 1949 have in addition the obligation, while respecting the United Nations Charter and international law, to ensure compliance by Israel with international humanitarian law as embodied in that Convention.

- In particular, to take steps to implement the recommendation by Amnesty International in 2009 that the UK government should “suspend all military exports to Israel until there is no longer a substantial risk that such equipment will be used for serious violations of human rights.

The views contained in the report and the recommendations are those of the delegation.

Download full report here ( 6.7MB )