The Day of the Endangered Lawyer, observed annually on January 24th, serves as a powerful focal point for the global legal community to affirm that the independence of the legal profession is inseparable from the rule of law itself. ECBA’s Human Rights Committee plays an active coordinating role, connecting member organisations, civil society actors, and international bodies in joint advocacy campaigns that amplify the voices of lawyers facing persecution, detention, surveillance, or harassment simply for performing their professional duties.
Beyond symbolic solidarity, the HRC translates this annual moment into concrete action: engaging international organisations and human rights bodies, issuing targeted statements, and supporting or initiating legal interventions before domestic and international courts on behalf of endangered lawyers. Country-specific situations – from Turkey and Belarus to Iran and beyond – receive sustained attention, ensuring that the Day of the Endangered Lawyer marks not a single event but the visible peak of year-round commitment to the safety and dignity of legal professionals everywhere.
Coordinator
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 defense cases involving allegations of war crimes, genocide, and crimes against humanity.