January 30, 2022
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Remember the Dangers Lawyers Face Worldwide | New Jersey Law Journal - Law.com

Last Monday, Jan. 24, was marked around the world as the “Day of the Endangered Lawyer” (DEL). Begun 11 years ago and set on the day in 1977 when four labor lawyers in Spain were murdered in Madrid in the so-called Massacre of Atocha. Run by the Dutch-based Foundation the Day of the Endangered Lawyer. The purpose is to focus attention of the global community on the threats to lawyers seeking to do their jobs. This year the focus is on Columbia, which the DEL report notes has one of the highest murder rates for lawyers, with the highest murder rate in Latin America for defenders of human rights.

While lawyers in the United States do not generally face the same physical threats as lawyers in the countries previously singled out by DEL—Azerbaijan (2021), Pakistan (2020), Turkey (2019 & 2012), Egypt (2018), China (2017), Honduras (2016), the Philippines (2015) and Iran (2010)—the day is a reminder of how environments can change and that the rule of law is never to be taken for granted. Over 20 years ago, the Havana Declaration set forth the “Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers,” calling on governments to ensure “efficient procedures and responsive mechanisms for effective and equal access to lawyers are provided for all persons within their territory and subject to their jurisdiction,” and “the provision of sufficient funding and other resources for legal services to the poor and, as necessary, to other disadvantaged persons.”

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source: https://www.law.com/njlawjournal/2022/01/30/remember-the-dangers-lawyers-face-worldwide/

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