The Role Of Lawyers In Protecting Human Rights

A human rights-advocating legal profession is essential for countries aiming for equality and justice. Attorneys must strike a balance between their dedication to their clients and their personal safety and professional integrity in the face of growing hazards and threats. An expansive reading of the term "lawyer," derived from international norms, may grant privileges and protections to attorneys who defend human rights. This would guarantee that they receive the same treatment as other attorneys.

Legal Assistance

Human rights attorneys provide assistance to those who have been violated or who may soon be violated. This could include providing counsel and advice, standing up for people in court, or assisting in the pursuit of a lawsuit to obtain recompense or other relief. Liberty is one example of an organization a human rights lawyer could work for that is committed to "defending freedom and promoting fairness." They may participate in advocacy and campaigning efforts as part of their job to bring about change or increase awareness of specific concerns. Lawyers may also be involved in public inquiries and investigations regarding widespread human rights violations. They might speak for interested parties in certain circumstances (like the Grenfell Tower fire survivors). By making sure that pertinent witnesses are called and that the chair of the inquiry is aware of the main concerns surrounding the occurrence, they make sure that their client's voice is heard. Confidentiality is maintained throughout, which is a cornerstone of the legal profession.

Lobbying

Human rights lawyers are critical in bringing attention to human rights abuses, encouraging reform, and persuading legislators and officials to pass laws. They could accomplish this by publishing articles, giving speeches in public, or using social media. Human rights attorneys are frequently employed by large law firms and other businesses frequently employ human rights attorneys as part of their corporate social responsibility team to assist them in recognizing and resolving any human rights issues in their regular business operations. This may entail offering guidance on the implications of a country's legislation, compelling businesses to disclose their human rights performance or supporting the creation and execution of compliance policies and processes. People have an inalienable right to legal aid, protection, and representation by the lawyer of their choosing. Attorneys play a critical role in guaranteeing the preservation of this right and providing people with reasonable, efficient, and unbiased legal assistance. They play a crucial role in upholding moral principles and shielding their consumers from harm.

Public Inquiry

A nation typically holds a public inquiry to investigate a significant human rights occurrence. Lawyers frequently play a significant role in these probes because they represent interested parties, including survivors and the relatives of the deceased. The purpose of inquiries is to provide a chance for justice and peacemaking. They are meant to shed light on what transpired, assist in identifying the problems, and offer suggestions for how to keep it from happening in the future. It is important to remember, however, that in certain circumstances, human rights lawyers representing parties to a public investigation could come under pressure from people with vested interests. This may hinder them from carrying out their legal duties and have a detrimental effect on the investigation's conclusion. Because of this, it's critical that human rights attorneys continue to be devoted to their profession, even in situations where it may be in danger.

Inquiries

Inquests, which are open inquiries, are held in the UK to determine the cause of a person's death while they are in custody. In these cases, human rights lawyers represent both interested parties and the deceased's relatives. Inquests, by identifying risky activities, can contribute to practice reforms. In England and Wales (as well as other jurisdictions), attorneys also contest government decisions through the judicial review procedure. They want the ruling annulled on the grounds that the government behaved irrationally or outside its authority. In addition, human rights lawyers assist the UN in drafting human rights conventions and treaties, as well as overseeing their execution. This calls on their ability to communicate with individuals from a wide range of cultural backgrounds and comprehend complicated legal matters. They must also be able to speak convincingly and effectively. By doing this, they play a crucial role in defending human rights. It is critical that these attorneys are able to carry out their duties in a world where autocratic regimes pose a threat to impede access to justice.