ECBA Human Rights Committee

Defending Justice in Challenging Times

Human Rights

The ECBA Human Rights Committee stands at the forefront of protecting fundamental rights in criminal proceedings across Europe. Established in 2017, our committee brings together distinguished criminal lawyers who work tirelessly to uphold fair trials and the rule of law through direct action and advocacy.

From intervening in landmark cases before the European Court of Human Rights to conducting trial observations, we actively safeguard the principles of justice. Our annual Scott Crosby Human Rights Award recognizes lawyers who demonstrate exceptional courage in defending human rights, while our ongoing initiatives ensure that justice remains accessible and fair for all.

Join our mission to protect human rights in criminal proceedings. Whether you’re a criminal lawyer, judge, or academic, your expertise can contribute to shaping a more just legal system across Europe.

We offer a newsletter for the Human Rights Committee — would you like to stay up to date?

Human Rights Committee | Subgroups

Defending the Defence

The ECBA Human Rights Committee advocates for lawyers facing persecution, detention, or harassment for performing their professional duties.

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Death Penalty Opposition

Our committee works actively toward the abolition of capital punishment through legal advocacy, case monitoring, and support for defence teams in death penalty cases.

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Fair Trial Standards

The ECBA Human Rights Committee champions judicial independence and procedural fairness in criminal proceedings throughout Europe.

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Safeguarding Independent Legal Institutions

We defend bar associations and legal institutions from attacks that undermine their independence.

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Human Rights Recognition

The ECBA Scott Crosby Human Rights Award represents our commitment to celebrating exemplary human rights defenders within the European legal community.

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Protest Defence Rights

Our committee supports the legal defence of protesters, activists, and civil society members exercising their rights to assembly and expression.

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Human Rights Officer: Alexis Anagnostakis

Alexis Anagnostakis is a distinguished criminal lawyer and Barrister admitted to the Hellenic Supreme Court.
His practice focuses extensively on international criminal law, human rights, and high-profile defence cases involving allegations of war crimes, genocide, and crimes against humanity.

 

Contact: human.rights.committee@ecba.org

If you are an ECBA member interested in joining a working group, please email us, providing a brief outline of your reasons for wanting to join.

Members are invited to identify and bring to the WG’s attention potential new areas of development for the WG.

Latest Posts

Strategic litigation and court interventions

The HRC files third-party interventions and amicus briefs in landmark cases before European and domestic courts, ensuring the criminal defence bar shapes the law that governs it.

Drafting and Publishing Statements

The HRC publishes expert statements on judicial independence, lawyer-client privilege, and fair trial rights – driving policy reform and solidarity across Europe and beyond.

Day of the Endangered Lawyer

Every January 24th, ECBA’s HRC stands with persecuted lawyers worldwide coordinating advocacy, public outreach, and legal interventions to defend those who defend others.

Current and future initiatives

The ECBA Human Rights Committee is engaged in a variety of current and future initiatives, ranging from legislative monitoring to practical projects supporting defence rights across Europe. Members are warmly invited to join specific projects within this groups, contributing their expertise and shaping the outcomes together.

Strategic litigation and court interventions

The HRC files third-party interventions and amicus briefs in landmark cases before European and domestic courts, ensuring the criminal defence bar shapes the law that governs it.

Drafting and Publishing Statements

The HRC publishes expert statements on judicial independence, lawyer-client privilege, and fair trial rights – driving policy reform and solidarity across Europe and beyond.

Day of the Endangered Lawyer

Every January 24th, ECBA’s HRC stands with persecuted lawyers worldwide coordinating advocacy, public outreach, and legal interventions to defend those who defend others.

If you are an ECBA member interested in joining a working group, please email the secretariat at secretariat@ecba.org, providing a brief outline of your reasons for wanting to join.