International Fair Trial Day 2026: Keynote Address by UN Special Rapporteur Margaret Satterthwaite at LEAP Conference in Athens
In her keynote address at the LEAP Annual Conference in Athens in February, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers, Margaret Satterthwaite, examines the growing threats facing independent justice systems and the crucial role of lawyers in protecting the right to a fair trial.
Drawing on global examples, she highlighted how attacks on legal professionals, restrictions on defence rights, and the politicisation of justice can undermine democratic institutions and turn criminal justice into a tool of repression.
On this International Fair Trial Day, her address reminds us that fair trials are not only a legal safeguard, they are a cornerstone of democratic societies. Protecting the independence of lawyers and ensuring meaningful access to defence are essential to ensuring that justice systems serve people, particularly those most vulnerable.
Download and read her full statement to learn more about the challenges facing justice systems worldwide and the importance of defending the right to a fair trial.
