13 May 2021
Joint Statement by the Law Societies
The Law Societies of Northern Ireland, Ireland and Scotland unreservedly condemn the recent announcement by the Government of the People’s Republic of China of sanctions against lawyers for providing legal advice on the human rights violations in the Xinjiang region of China.
The actions of the Chinese Government constitute an attack upon the rule of law and the independence of the legal profession, and should be rescinded immediately.
Notes to Editors:
- On Monday 26 April 2021 the Government of the People’s Republic of China placed Essex Court Chambers on a list of persons subject to international sanctions.
- This draconian action by the Chinese Government was in response to a Legal Opinion written by Barristers at Essex Court Chambers concerning the treatment of the Uyghur people in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China.
[Ends]