Protection of Lawyer Profession: Parliamentary Assembly gives green light to new Council of Europe treaty
Parliamentary Assembly has warmly welcomed the draft Council of Europe Convention for the Protection of the Profession of Lawyer , pointing out that lawyers play a key role in administering justice and ensuring public confidence in the law. Approving an opinion based on a report by Vladimir Vardanyan (Armenia, EPP/CD), the Assembly said lawyers are increasingly becoming targets of harassment, intimidation and attacks. The new Convention requires states to protect them in various ways, allowing them to practise without fear of discrimination or interference. It also establishes standards for professional associations of lawyers and sets up a robust monitoring mechanism. However, the Assembly regretted the lack of specific provisions on the use of secret surveillance against lawyers, and called for the addition of a clause specifically prohibiting states from entering reservations to the Convention, to ensure it is fully implemented. Taking part in the debate, the Attorne...