Lawyers Rights Watch Canada (LRWC) is a committee of Canadian lawyers who promote human rights and the rule of law by providing support internationally to human rights defenders in danger.

LRWC promotes the implementation and enforcement of international standards designed to protect the independence and security of human rights defenders around the world. In its work, LRWC:

• Campaigns for lawyers whose rights, freedoms or independence are threatened as a result of their human rights advocacy;
• Produces legal analyses of national and international laws and standards relevant to human rights abuses against lawyers and other human rights defenders; and
• Works in cooperation with other human rights organizations.

Around the world, lawyers and others who defend human rights are often singled out as targets of repression, much of which is perpetrated by governments or government-controlled agencies. Criminal offences against human rights defenders occur with alarming frequency. In addition, authorities use existing laws and legal procedures to prosecute or otherwise intimidate advocates representing unpopular clients or causes, often in violation of international standards. Methods used to silence intimidate or punish advocates are often illegal pursuant to the law of the state itself.

LRWC seeks to identify illegal actions against advocates, campaign for the cessation of such actions, and lobby for the implementation of effective immediate and long-term remedies.

LRWC was incorporated as a non-profit society on June 8, 2000 and Lawyers’ Rights Watch (Legal Research) Canada – LRW(LR)C – was incorporated January 2, 2002, pursuant to the provisions of the Canada Corporations Act. LRWC is run by volunteers and funded solely by membership fees and donations from individuals.  Donations are gratefully accepted.

To learn more about Lawyers’ Rights Watch Canada, please click here.