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.
Courts
Drafting and Publishing Statements
21 Apr 2026 | Current and future initiatives Human Rights Committee, Defending the Defence, Fair Trial Standards, Privilege, Safeguarding Independent Legal Institutions
The HRC publishes expert statements on judicial independence, lawyer-client privilege, and fair trial rights – driving policy reform and solidarity across Europe and beyond.
EPPO Webinar
20 Apr 2026 | Current and future initiatives Business Crime WG, EPPO
The webinar hosts defence lawyers and academics or magistrates that discuss practical issues and experiences regarding EPPO cases from different countries. Their scope is to describe relevant defense issues and to advise the members of the ECBA on how to handle them.
Global Legal Community Calls for the Release of Nasrin Sotoudeh – April 2026
10 Apr 2026 | Defending the Defence, Fair Trial Standards, Human Rights Committee
On 10 April 2026, the ECBA and a coalition of 30 international legal organisations issued a formal...
ECBA backs call for implementation of ECtHR and CJEU judgments
26 Mar 2026 | Fair Trial Standards, Human Rights Committee
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
20 Mar 2026 | Fair Trial Standards, Human Rights Committee
Chair Vânia Costa Ramos and Human Rights Officer Alexis Anagnostakis attended the European Court of Human Rights’ Meeting with NGOs and Litigators in Strasbourg.
Data Retention and Encryption Workarounds
16 Feb 2026 | Current and future initiatives Cybercrime, Tech & AI WG, E-Justice, AI & Lawtech
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
16 Feb 2026 | Current and future initiatives Cybercrime, Tech & AI WG, Video-conferencing
The ECBA Cybercrime Working Group revises its 2020 videoconferencing statement, addressing trials in absentia, proportionality, and digital justice safeguards.
ECBA Assurance Project
12 Feb 2026 | Current and future initiatives International Co-operation WG, EAW
States offer prison assurances to obtain surrender/extradition. These follow findings of incompliant detention conditions. We share these and seek to ensure compliance therewith.
ECBA successfully intervenes at the ECtHR in case Pietrzak vs Poland – June 2024
5 Jun 2024 | Fair Trial Standards, Human Rights Committee, Safeguarding Independent Legal Institutions
The European Court of Human Rights issued its judgment in the case Pietrzak and...
ECBA intervenes before US Military Court against evidence obtained through torture – September 2023
28 Sep 2023 | Death Penalty Opposition, Fair Trial Standards, Human Rights Committee
The European Criminal Bar Association (ECBA) has intervened as a third party in a significant case...
ECBA HR Officer at the ECHR hearing in the case Pietrzak v. Poland and Bychawska-Siniarska and Others v. Poland/Hearing – September 2022
29 Sep 2022 | Fair Trial Standards, Human Rights Committee, Safeguarding Independent Legal Institutions
The ECBA, represented by its Human Rights Officer Alexis Anagnostakis, appeared before...
Request for leave to intervene before the UN Human Rights Committee, December 2021
22 Dec 2021 | Fair Trial Standards, Human Rights Committee
The ECBA Human Rights Committee decided to submit a Request for leave to intervene before the UN...
Joint call in support of endangered lawyers in Afghanistan – November 2021
9 Nov 2021 | Defending the Defence, Human Rights Committee, Protest Defence Rights
Following the recent worrying developments in Afghanistan, many European legal organisations...
The ECBA expresses its concerns over the proceedings instigated against Judge Igor Tuleya – October 2020
5 Oct 2020 | Fair Trial Standards, Human Rights Committee, Safeguarding Independent Legal Institutions
The ECBA has written to the Supreme Court/ Disciplinary Chamber of Poland to express its concerns...
Request for leave to intervene as a third party ECHR – January 2020
15 Jan 2020 | Fair Trial Standards, Human Rights Committee, Safeguarding Independent Legal Institutions
The ECBA has sent a request for leave to intervene as a third party to Judge Ksenija Turković,...
HR Committee writes to Interpol – May 2018
22 May 2018 | Defending the Defence, Human Rights Committee, Safeguarding Independent Legal Institutions
Ms Ana Ursachi is a prominent criminal defence lawyer and human rights activist from the Republic...