NGOs
Defending rights, together
ECBA stands with NGOs to uphold for fair trials, access to justice, and the rule of law across Europe
Working with NGOs: Strengthening the Rule of Law and Protecting Human Rights
The ECBA collaborates closely civil society organisations across Europe to uphold fair trial standards, defend fundamental rights, and respond to threats to the rule of law. Our collaborations are based on shared goals: access to justice, legal accountability, and the protection of individuals in the criminal justice system — especially the most vulnerable.
Together, we raise our voices and strenghten our impact — whether by challenging unlawful practices, pushing for better legal protections, or supporting the victims of miscarriages of justice. ECBA brings legal expertise, pan-European reach, and frontline insight from the courtrooms to civil society efforts aimed at systemic change.
What We Do?
Provide legal expertise
to NGO-led human rights and justice initiatives.
Co-develop advocacy campaigns
to promote fair trials and criminal justice reform.your voice heard.
Participate in public education
policy consultations, and strategic litigation efforts.
Offer legal insight and support
in cases involving systemic abuse or rights violations.
For Whom?
Human rights NGOs
working on access to justice, detention conditions, due process, or police accountability.
Civil liberties groups
campaigning for rule of law protections in shrinking democratic spaces.
Watchdog and anti-corruption NGOs
seeking legal insight into prosecutorial and judicial independence.
Justice reform coalitions
working across borders to standardize procedural safeguards.
Why?
NGOs are critical watchdogs and change-makers
But legal systems — especially cross-border or EU-level ones — can be opaque and difficult to navigate. ECBA helps NGOs navigate these systems effectively and credibly, bringing practical legal experience and European-level influence to support their missions.
Why Partner with ECBA?
Access to a pan-European network
of practising defence lawyers and legal experts.
Contributions from lawyers
experienced in strategic litigation and EU law.
Participation in joint advocacy
at the EU level and representation in policy hearings.
Support for training, research, and capacity building
related to criminal defence, human rights, and rule of law.
Collaboration
on position papers, shadow reports, and campaign messaging that require legal accuracy and authority.
Current Activities
Joint Advocacy Initiatives
Collaborative campaigns on procedural rights, prison reform, access to legal aid, or trial monitoring.
Research Partnerships
Co-authored reports, legal briefings, or submission of joint inputs to European bodies (e.g. European Commission, UN, Council of Europe).
Strategic Legal Support
ECBA members offering advice or representation in human rights litigation or in amicus curiae briefs before national and European courts.
Public Awareness Campaigns
Engaging the public on topics such as fair trial rights, legal representation, and the role of defence lawyers in democratic societies.
Potential New Initiatives
NGO-Lawyer Task Groups
focused on shared issues (e.g. detention, surveillance, bribery and corruption).
Fellowship Programme for Legal Advocates
to learn from ECBA members.
Joint Trainings or Toolkits
on applying European criminal procedural safeguards in advocacy work.
Crisis Response Collaboration
in countries with rule of law backsliding or emergency legal threats.
Let’s Work Together!
Whether you’re planning a campaign, preparing litigation, or responding to a legal crisis — ECBA can support and strengthen your work.
If your NGO is working to defend rights, promote legal accountability, or support vulnerable individuals in the criminal justice system — we want to hear from you. Whether through ongoing partnerships or one-off projects, we’re ready to collaborate.
Propose
a joint advocacy campaign
Request
legal input for a project or report
Invite ECBA experts
to contribute to a training or roundtable
Explore
long-term partnerships with aligned goals
The defence community and civil society share a common cause.
Together, we can resist injustice, restore fairness, and shape laws that respect rights. At a time when democratic values are under pressure, collaboration between lawyers and NGOs has never been more essential.
Contact: secretariat@ecba.org
We’re ready when you are. Let’s defend rights — together.
Upcoming Conferences and Webinars
Join us Friday 15 May, 2026 for the upcoming Extradition Challenges webinar
A Brussels court ordered Belgium to negotiate the return of a wrongly extradited person to the US — a landmark case discussed with Belgian defence lawyer Christophe Marchand.
EFCL Annual Conference 2026, 12 June 2026 in London, United Kingdom
Join the next EFCL Conference which will be a joint conference with the FLA in London!
ECBA Autumn Conference 2026, 2 and 3 October in Tirana, Albania
Join the next ECBA Autumn Conference in Tirana, Albania!
Latest Posts
Writing a new Statement on the Directive on Combatting Corruption
Preparing an ECBA follow-up position on the final EU Anti-Corruption Directive, assessing reforms and remaining defence-rights concerns in Europe’s evolving enforcement framework.
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.
Engaging with INTERPOL on Policy aspects
The Interpol WG seeks to engage with Interpol on policy, addressing governing shortcomings. We drive dialogue on transparency, fairness, and human rights safeguards, promoting continued improvement in its practices.
Global Legal Community Calls for the Release of Nasrin Sotoudeh – April 2026
On 10 April 2026, the ECBA and a coalition of 30 international legal organisations issued a formal call for intervention concerning the judicial harassment...
ECBA backs call for implementation of ECtHR and CJEU judgments
The ECBA joined call for the implementation of European Court of Human Rights / Cour européenne des droits de l’homme (ECtHR) and Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) judgments.
ECBA Meets ECtHR on Case Processing and Expansion
Chair Vânia Costa Ramos and Human Rights Officer Alexis Anagnostakis attended the European Court of Human Rights’ Meeting with NGOs and Litigators in Strasbourg.
ECBA & LATR Submit Joint Response to INTERPOL’s CCF Statute Amendments
The ECBA and Lawyers Against Transnational Repression have submitted a joint response to INTERPOL’s Committee on the Processing of Data (CPD) regarding proposed amendments to the CCF Statute.
ECBA & LATR Joint Submission: Reforming INTERPOL’s Oversight – March 2026
The ECBA and Lawyers Against Transnational Repression (LATR) have submitted a joint response to INTERPOL’s Committee on the Processing of Data (CPD) regarding proposed amendments to the CCF Statute.
Data Retention and Encryption Workarounds
The ECBA contributes to FRA research on encryption workarounds by preparing input, questionnaires, and interviews with defence lawyers across Europe.
Renewal of the 2020 Videoconferencing Statement
The ECBA Cybercrime Working Group revises its 2020 videoconferencing statement, addressing trials in absentia, proportionality, and digital justice safeguards.