The European Association of Lawyers (AEA-EAL) expresses the solidarity with all endangered lawyers. We are seriously concerned at the current situation of lawyers in many countries where fundamental rights and standards are not observed and lawyers are harassed, silenced, pressured, threatened, persecuted or even tortured. It constitutes the manifest breach of the rules which are fundamental in the democratic countries.

We would like to express our grave concern for the situation of lawyers in Egypt. We call the Egyptian authorities to refrain from harassment and repression of lawyers and to reconsider the attitude to this professional group which plays a very vital role in the society.

We would like also to remind that when adopting the Declaration on Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers, the United Nations Organization stressed that “Governments shall ensure that lawyers (a) are able to perform all of their professional functions without intimidation, hindrance, harassment or improper interference; (b) are able to travel and to consult with their clients freely both within their own country and abroad; and (c) shall not suffer, or be threatened with, prosecution or administrative, economic or other sanctions for any action taken in accordance with recognized professional duties, standards and ethics.” We call the Egyptian authorities upon the observance of these rules.

We express our solidarity with Egyptian colleagues who share our beliefs in the importance of rule of law and the respect for the human rights.

Board of Directors
AEA-EAL