Protection of lawyers

Turkey. The President of the Istanbul Bar Association, Ümit Kocasakal, and the Nine Bar Council's Members Acquitted

Mr. Ümit Kocasakal, President of the Istanbul Bar Association, and nine members of the Bar Council   were acquitted on February 24, 2014. They had been charged with "attempting to influence a judge" after intervening in the Balyoz  (“Sledgehammer”), trial in April 2012, at which time they requested  the judges to respect the rights of the defence. They risked a two- to four-year prison sentence, as well as having their licence to practise law revoked by their own Bar Association.

The UIA, which was represented at the hearings, is very pleased with their acquittal.

http://www.uianet.org/en/content/president-istanbul-bar-association-%C3%BCmit-kocasakal

Burundi. The UIA Strongly Protested Against the Disbarment of Mr. Isidore Rufyikiri, Bujumbura Bar President

On January 28, 2014 the Court of Appeal of Bujumbura pronounced the immediate and binding disbarment of Mr. Isidore Rufyikiri, President of the Bujumbura Bar Association. The UIA strongly protested against this decision both with regard to the reasons allegedly justifying the legal proceedings and the manner in which the legal proceedings were conducted.

http://www.uianet.org/en/content/uia-protests-against-disbarment-mr-isidore-rufyiki

Equatorial Guinea. Successful Mediation Leads to the Lifting of Disciplinary Sanctions Against Mr. Ponciano Mbomio

The UIA welcomes the success of the mediation mission it made in January with the Equatorial Guinea Bar Association. The mission was carried out by Mr. Fernando Tonim and led to the immediate lifting of the two-year suspension order issued by the Bar against Mr. Mbomio on April 27, 2012.

http://www.uianet.org/en/content/uia-mediation-equatorial-guinea-disciplinary-sanct

International Criminal Court

UIA’s Comment on the Draft Policy Paper on Sexual and Gender Based Crimes published by the Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC)

On February 23, 2014 the UIA submitted observations on the Draft Policy Paper on Sexual and Gender Based Crimes published by the Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), in response to a public call for comments. The UIA emphasized the key role played by legal representatives in safeguarding the victims’ unique and specific interests and their safety and well-being.

http://www.uianet.org/en/content/uia-comments-office-prosecutor-icc-draft-policy-pa