The Union Internationale des Avocats (UIA – International Association of Lawyers) was set up in 1927 by a group of European lawyers who believed, among others, that the legal profession was an exceptional tool for defending human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Today, it is an association that is open to all lawyers the world over, whether general practitioners or specialists, bringing together thousands of individual members as well as about 300 bars, federations and associations (representing almost two million lawyers), spread over more than 110 countries.

In this capacity, UIA pays special attention to the protection of human rights and the defence of their universal nature, but always remains attentive to the regional dimensions of these fundamental rights.

For several years now, it has been active and has mobilised its members in protecting legal professionals (“défense de la défense "in French)– in other words, the right of all lawyers to be able to practice their profession with full freedom and independence, protected from any hindrance, intimidation, harassment or interference in their professional duties.

Finally, the UIA closely follows developments in international criminal justice through its status as member of the Advisory Panel within the two International Criminal Tribunals and its participation to the  work of the International Criminal Court  . It is regularly consulted by the Court's Registrar on texts related to the profession, participates in discussions related to crimes of aggression and closely follows the work of the Assembly of States Parties.

This website presents UIA’s most recent activities in the field of human rights, the protection of legal professionals and international criminal law, as well as certain reference documents that guide UIA’s activities in this field. It also contains a database of basic international and regional texts relating to human rights, international criminal law and international humanitarian law, as well as several national legislations on these issues.

UIA’s work extends well beyond the contents of this website.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you require any additional information about our approach or the documents placed on-line.