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OC Media
6 days ago
- Politics
- OC Media
Azerbaijan's Bar Association attacks independent lawyers over public statements
Sign in or or Become a member to unlock the audio version of this article Join the voices Aliyev wants to silence. For over eight years, OC Media has worked with fearless journalists from Azerbaijan — some of whom now face decades behind bars — to bring you the stories the regime is afraid will get out. Help us fuel Aliyev's fears — become an OC Media member today Become a member Anar Baghirov, the chair of Azerbaijan's Bar Association, has criticised 'some lawyers' for publicly discussing their cases 'in an unethical manner'. He warned that 'more serious measures' will be taken against those lawyers in the future. Baghirov made the statement in an interview with nominally independent media outlet on 18 July. In the interview, he said that 'some lawyers are bringing individual court cases to public discussion on social media, sometimes in an unethical manner'. Baghirov added that up until today, they had only urged the lawyers in regard, but promised 'more serious measures' would be taken in the future. While Baghirov has not specified what exactly constitutes 'unethical behaviour', or which lawyers he was referring to, he announced that disciplinary measures were being planned against some of them. 'I would not like to see the opinion among judges that lawyers manipulate the process. We are free professionals and must act responsibly to protect our professional freedom. Some lawyers express unfounded, subjective, and sometimes false opinions about the courts and other state institutions, which can be regarded as slander and insult', he said. Baghirov concluded his statement by warning that 'serious control measures' would be taken by the association should lawyers continue publicly discussing their cases. 'We cannot agree with such a picture, and serious control measures will be taken in this direction. We must remember that each of us represents the entire Azerbaijani Bar. The activities, behaviour, and words of each lawyer affect the reputation of the bar as a whole.' Advertisement 'A wrong step by one lawyer can harm the entire Bar Association, as well as the attitude of society towards the bar', Baghirov said. Limiting lawyers' freedom of expression In their coverage of Baghirov's remarks, independent news outlet Meydan TV cited former human rights lawyer Yalchin Imanov, who stated he was disbarred from the association in 2017 for openly criticising cases of torture in Azerbaijan's legal system. He was disbarred after being found guilty of slandering the Deputy Head of the Penitentiary Service, Ogtay Mammadov, whom he had accused of torturing one of his clients, Abbas Huseynov. Huseynov was detained in 2015 during Azerbaijan's crackdown on Shiites and the Muslim Unity Movement in Nardaran. Imanov has sent a series of complaints to the authorities regarding Huseynov's alleged torture. 'When we talk about punishment, we talk about the removal of a lawyer from professional activity and expulsion from the Bar Association. We see that in the country, lawyers who are mainly involved in the protection of human rights are persecuted and punished, this is done under different names', Imanov told Meydan TV. He also told Meydan TV that Azerbaijan's adoption of a lawyers' code of conduct in December 2017 significantly limited lawyers' freedom of expression. 'Lawyers will refrain from speaking out about a particular decision of a court or judge, regardless of whether he or she has made a fair decision or an illegal, unfounded verdict. This deprives lawyers of the opportunity to express critical opinions about the judicial system and judges', he said, adding that he believed the association was guided by the 'instructions of political authorities'. According to its charter, the Bar Association of Azerbaijan is a non-governmental, independent, non-commercial, and self-managed organisation. However, throughout its history, the association has disbarred a number of lawyers who were engaged in political activities or were critical of the authorities, including Khalid Baghirov, Irada Javadova, Asabali Mustafayev, Fakhraddin Mehdiyev, Nemat Karimli, and a number of others.
Hans India
23-07-2025
- General
- Hans India
CVN memorial lectures organised
Vijayawada: The Bezawada Bar Association organised the CVN memorial lectures here on Tuesday to commemorate the death anniversary of the esteemed Senior Advocate, the late CV Nageswara Rao of Polavaram. Bar Association president AK Basha presided over the meeting. Second Additional District Judge A Satyanand, and 12th Additional District Judge M Sunil were Chief Guests. Principal of Siddhartha Law College Ch Divakar Babu delivered the guest lecture on the crucial topic of 'Fundamental Rights – Role of Advocate and Protection of Advocates.' During the programme, Padmaja, Senior Advocate and daughter of the late CV Nageswara Rao, shared poignant details of her father's extraordinary life. She highlighted his immense philanthropy, wherein he donated 500 acres of ancestral land in Polavaram village for the benefit of its residents. Despite being a renowned senior advocate, he tragically passed away during the COVID19 pandemic without even owning a house. Second Additional District Judge A Satyanand and 12th Additional District Judge M Sunil commended Padmaja for continuing her father's remarkable legacy. Several prominent legal figures addressed the gathering, including Chalasani Ajay Kumar, Bathula Malleswara Rao, and Sunkara Rajendra Prasad, all members of the AP Bar Council. They were joined by ASS Ramprasad, civil rights leader and senior advocate, Dittakavi Ramachandra, senior advocate. The CVN Memorial also honoured CV Nageswara Rao's disciples, including Kanakayya, Joint Secretary Varaha Lakshmi, and Women's Secretary K Anuradha.
L'Orient-Le Jour
17-07-2025
- Business
- L'Orient-Le Jour
Beirut Bar Association launches digital platform
The Beirut Bar Association has announced the launch of a digital platform and an electronic payment card for lawyers, designed to streamline various procedures and payments. During a press conference at the association's main offices, Bar President Fadi Masri welcomed this digitalization initiative. According to a statement from the Bar Association, the online platform will include, in particular, a directory of lawyers, administrative services, the ability to register powers of attorney, apply for Bar membership and pay annual dues to the Order. This will allow lawyers to avoid "endless lines or unnecessary trips." In the statement, the Bar also assured that all personal data contained on the platform will be completely secure and noted that two companies have been brought in to achieve this digitalization, including BOB Finance for payment card management. Support will also be provided to lawyers who cannot easily use digital tools. The statement also noted that this digitalization is part of the Lebanese authorities' "e-government" project, which includes, in particular, an amendment to the Code of Civil Procedure to allow for legal notifications via email. The digitization of procedures sought by the executive is primarily intended to ensure transparency in transactions.
The Hindu
16-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Lack of toilets in courts: SC anguished over non-filing of reports by many HCs
The Supreme Court on Wednesday (July 16, 2025) expressed its anguish over 20 High Courts not filing compliance reports following its verdict on ensuring toilet facilities in all courts and tribunals in the country and gave them eight weeks to do so. It was the last opportunity, a bench of Justices J.B. Pardiwala and R. Mahadevan said. Failure to file the reports in the next eight weeks will have consequences, the bench noted sternly. In January 15, the court ruled that access to proper sanitation is recognised as a fundamental right under Article 21 of the Constitution. Issuing a slew of directions, it asked High Courts, State governments and UTs to ensure availability of separate toilet facilities for men, women, persons with disabilities and transgender persons in all court premises and tribunals. It also asked for a status report within four months. On Wednesday, the bench noted that only the High Courts of Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Calcutta, Delhi and Patna had filed affidavits giving details of actions taken to comply with the directions of the judgement. There are 25 High Courts in the country. 'Last opportunity' 'Many High Courts are yet to file their affidavits/compliance report… we grant them the last opportunity to file the compliance reports within eight weeks. We make it clear that if they fail to file the status reports, then the registrar general of the High Courts will remain present personally in the court,' the bench ordered. In its January 15 judgement, the court said the High Courts shall oversee and ensure that the facilities are clearly identifiable and accessible to judges, advocates, litigants and court staff. "For the aforesaid purpose, a committee shall be constituted in each of the High Courts under the chairmanship of a Judge nominated by the Chief Justice and members comprising the Registrar General/Registrar of the High Court, the Chief Secretary, the PWD Secretary and the Finance Secretary of the State, a representative of the Bar Association and any other officers as they deem it fit..." It directed the committee to formulate a comprehensive plan and compile numbers on how many people visited the courts every day on an average and ensure that sufficient separate washrooms are built and maintained. "The State Governments/UTs shall allocate sufficient funds for construction, maintenance and cleanliness of the toilet facilities within the court premises, which shall be periodically reviewed in consultation with the committee constituted by the High Courts. A status report shall be filed by all the High Courts and the States/UTs within a period of four months," the bench said. The top court's judgement came on a PIL filed by advocate Rajeeb Kalita.
Hans India
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Bezwada Bar Assn advocates for public sanitation
Vijayawada: In a proactive move, a delegation from the Bezwada Bar Association met with Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC) Commissioner Dhyanachandra on Tuesday to discuss public sanitation and advocate for cleaner public toilets across the city. The meeting held under the directives of the Second Additional District Judge here also secured VMC's cooperation for an upcoming 'Clean & Green' programme at the court premises. The delegation included Bezwada Bar Association president AK Basha, general secretary KV Ranga Rao, vice-president Pilla Srinivasa Rao, and treasurer Muddada Satyanarayana. They were joined by former Bar Association president and Municipal Corporation Standing Counsel Pilla Ravi. During the discussion, the Bar Association submitted a formal representation emphasising the critical need for improved hygiene in public places, particularly public toilets. They also requested the Commissioner's support for a 'Clean & Green Programme' scheduled for July 19 at the court premises, asking for a sweeping machine and additional staff to assist with the clean-up. Commissioner Dhyanachandra reportedly responded positively to the requests. He assured the delegation that VMC staff would attend and participate in the 'Clean & Green Programme' at the court.
