Webinar on the Day of the Endangered Lawyer, January 24

This year, the Day of the Endangered Lawyer, marked annually on January 24, will feature the situation of lawyers in danger in Colombia.

An online event is being planned by the Law Society of Ontario, Lawyers’ Rights Watch Canada, and Human Rights Watch Canada. The event is scheduled to take place online on January 24, from 5:00-7:00 pm EST/COT (2:00 to 4:00 pm PST).

While the event will have its main focus on Colombia, the situations in several other countries will also be discussed. Confirmed speakers include human rights defenders from Colombia, Hong Kong and Myanmar. In 2021, the dramatic increase in dangers to Colombian lawyers since 2020 led the coalition to feature Colombia for a second time in 2022.

Peace Brigades International accompanies lawyers in Colombia, Honduras, Guatemala and Mexico.

In Colombia, PBI accompanies the José Alvear Restrepo Lawyers’ Collective (CCAJAR) and Luis Carlos Pérez Lawyers’ Collective (CCALCP).

In Colombia alone, over 400 lawyers have been killed since 1991. Colombian lawyer Alirio Uribe of CCAJAR has stated: “The death sentences against each and every one of us have not been carried out because we are not alone, we have the accompaniment of PBI.”

Lawyers are also threatened.

In June 2021, CCAJAR lawyer Yessika Hoyos and her client Alfonso Mora León received threats during a hearing into the police killing of university students in September 1996.

To register for the Day of Endangered Lawyer webinar, please click here.