International Bar Association calls for release of Afiuni's lawyer

The International Bar Association's Human Rights Institute (Ibahri) condemned the arrest of José Amalio Graterol, the attorney of suspended Judge María Lourdes Afiuni.

Through a statement, the president of Ibahri, Sternford Moyo, said the arrest of Graterol "is a clear violation of Venezuelan law, a clear violation of the fundamental principle of the independence of the legal profession and a serious violation of well-established international principles."

Moyo cited the United Nations Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers, stating that "Governments are obliged to ensure that lawyers shall not suffer or be threatened with sanctions for any action as part of their professional duties. The Principles also assert that in situations where the security of lawyers is threatened as a result of discharging their duties, they must be adequately protected by the authorities. As a member state of the United Nations, the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela is obligated to fulfill the requirements embodied in the Principles."

International Bar Association's Human Rights Institute asked Venezuelan authorities to take steps to release Graterol and comply with international standards and basic principles of law.