Iranian Lawyers' Protests Continues Against Parliamentary Decision

Iranian lawyers remain up in arms and are protesting from various regions after a recent decision by the government to take away their independent authority.

On August 20th, a demonstration, organized jointly by lawyers' association directors and the Central Bar Association, in response to a decision by the parliament to remove their autonomy was met with security forces who attempted to prevent their protests outside the parliament building.

The protesters were denied access to their mobile phones, which were confiscated and they were barred entry. This is directly in conflict with the independence and autonomy of the associations in Iran, which has been in place for more than seven decades.

Previous protests have taken place in front of the Guardian Council's premises, and further protests at the parliament building are planned against the decision that transfers key authorities held by lawyers' associations – including license issuance and exam conduction – to the Ministry of Economy and Finance.

This increased security and quelling of freedom of speech aligns with intensified measures by the regime to discourage possible protests ahead of the anniversary of last year’s nationwide uprising, ignited by the death of Mahsa Amini in police custody.

More than 500 protesters were killed and over 22,000 were arrested during the regime’s crackdown. Although protesters were given harsh sentences and were denied legal representation and due process in most cases, independent lawyers were the only hope of the prisoners to have their voices heard in Iran and abroad.

Bar associations, as long-standing professional and legal institutions in Iran, have consistently encountered pressures from governmental bodies and the judiciary, and have gradually lost authority as the regime has restricted their movements.