The General Assembly of the European Bars Federation (FBE) in Lisbon 26 October 2019, which represents 250 member Bars of Europe and their 1 million member lawyers, expressed its grave concerns for the globally based severe violation of the lawyers’ rights and lack of effective protection for the legal profession.

Having regard to the fundamental role of the lawyers in the judicial system, crucial for strengthening the Rule of Law and defending individual human rights, and

Having regard to the need each state to provide a high standard of protection against all forms of violence, harassment, threats, imprisonment, surveillance, enforced disappearances and murders of lawyers, and

In accordance with the FBE constant position and responsibility for protection of human rights of every single individual and the constant position that lawyers shall at all times be guaranteed in order to maintain the honour and dignity of their profession as essential agents of the administration of justice.

FBE reminds that each state has the positive obligation to ensure that lawyers are able to perform all of their professional functions without intimidation, hindrance, harassment or improper interference,

FBE reminds that lack of effective remedies for protection of lawyers’ rights leads to the impossibility the legal profession to be exercised freely, independently and in accordance to its basic principles, which ruins the democracy and threatens the Rule of Law,

REQUEST the national authorities to establish a legal framework providing adequate safeguard of the legal profession when the security of lawyers is threatened as a result of discharging their functions.

FBE STATES its preparedness to support this process and to provide assistance to all national bars during the advocacy campaign in order to implement the international standards for protection of profession of the lawyer.