French Bar Council chief warns of rising attacks on lawyers

Attacks and pressure against lawyers are on the rise globally, warns Julie Couturier, President of the French National Bar Council.

Speaking at the international conference “Convention on the Protection of the Legal Profession: Necessity and Expectations” held in Yerevan on Wednesday, Couturier underscored the growing threats facing legal professionals in many parts of the world.

"Unfortunately, we are witnessing serious consequences. The situation is alarming," she said, emphasizing that such violations are growing not only in Europe but also in the United States, Russia, Belarus, Turkey and other countries. “This is why a convention on the protection of the legal profession is becoming ever more crucial.”

She explained that the convention outlines mechanisms that can genuinely safeguard the legal profession.

“Ratifying this convention would ensure true independence and protect the rights of lawyers,” Couturier stated.