The Law Council of Australia (LCA) has signed a joint statement of national and international legal associations expressing dismay at the United States government targeting legal practitioners.
The statement last week denounced the executive order issued on 6 February 2025 imposing sanctions on International Criminal Court staff and their families, and expressed grave concerns about other developments in the US which threaten the independence of the profession.
LCA Treasurer and former QLS President Elizabeth Shearer said independence was fundamental to the rule of law.
“We often talk about the important role of the legal profession in ensuring the rule of law as an important element of a democracy,” Elizabeth said.
“Often this can seem like a theoretical issue with little impact on our day-to-day lives as lawyers.
“However, when governments take action that have the effect of undermining the ability of lawyers to carry out their role, the issue becomes a practical one.
“It is an essential component of the rule of law that lawyers must be able to represent their clients without fear of retaliation, and must not be punished because of who their clients are.”
The statement issued on March 18 was signed by associations including the law societies of England, Wales and Northern Ireland; the German Bar Association; the Union of the Italian Criminal Chambers; the European Criminal Bar Association; LAWASIA; and Lawyers’ Rights Watch Canada.
Read it here.
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