Every year on January 24th, the international legal community commemorates the Day of the Endangered Lawyer to raise awareness about the threats faced by legal professionals worldwide.
For the 16th edition in 2026, following a proposal by the European Criminal Bar Association (ECBA), an international coalition of 53 lawyers’ groups has designated the United States of America as the focus country.
Why the United States? The decision to focus on the US stems from a documented and escalating pattern of interference with the independence of the justice system.
According to the 2026 Coalition Report, key areas of concern include:
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Executive Interference: The targeting of law firms through executive orders that suspend security clearances and government contracts.
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Judicial Harassment: Public attacks and intimidation of judges and prosecutors who have handled cases involving the administration.
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International Pressure: The imposition of sanctions against judges and prosecutors of the International Criminal Court (ICC).
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Professional Risks: Surveillance, threats, and harassment of lawyers for carrying out their professional duties.
As ECBA Chair Vânia Costa Ramos noted in a recent Financial Times feature, “The fact that this is happening in a country that is democratic...shows that backsliding on the rule of law can happen anywhere”.
Another feature was published by The Guardian.
The ECBA invites all members and partners to:
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Read the 2026 Report: Detailed findings on the patterns of interference with the legal profession in the US.
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Read the Statement and Petition: Collective demand for the US authorities to respect international law and standards, including the UN Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers.
