Exiled lawyers create association to protect human rights

April 12, BPN. Defense attorneys disbarred in Belarus and forced to flee the country over politically-motivated persecution have established an association to protect human rights, defenders.by reports.

They plan to work on the international level, provide legal advice and assist their colleagues in Belarus.

The association will also help Belarusian lawyers to establish contacts with their foreign colleagues, develop their skills, and maintain high standards of the profession, which may become the basis for democratic reforms of the judiciary in Belarus.

Pressure on the legal profession in Belarus mounted after the 2020 election campaign. Lawyers virtually lost their independence: since 2021, they can only work in legal consultancies whose heads are appointed by the justice ministry’s approval. Alaksandr Łukašenka said that the lawyers should be “under control.”

On April 10, the Minsk City Court sentenced defense attorney Alaksandr Danilevič to 10 years in prison on charges of promoting extremism and calling for sanctions that harmed national security. 

Human rights groups list at least six lawyers, including Danilevič, as political prisoners.