Council of Europe Deputy Secretary General, Bjørn Berge, today delivered a keynote address in the Conference marking the adoption and opening for signature of the Council of Europe Convention for the Protection of the Profession of Lawyer, which has been signed already by 17 states.
In his speech, the Deputy Secretary General pointed out that in a recent CCBE survey, 57% of lawyers reported experiencing threats or aggression in the last two to three years. And that more than a third have considered leaving the profession entirely. He considered this inacceptable and a direct threat to democracy and the rule of law. "This is why the new Council of Europe Convention is critically important; to provide a shield for the lawyers and, through them, for the rule of law," he said.
The event was opened by the Director general, Directorate General Human Rights and Rule of Law, Gianluca Esposito. Other keynote speakers included the Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O'Flaherty, Ambassador Gabriel Revel, Permanent Representative of Monaco to the Council of Europe, Chair of the European Committee on Legal Co-operation (CDCJ) Eral Knight and Vladimir Vardanyan, member of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE).
In addition, on 23 June 2025, at the Prague House in Brussels, the Deputy Secretary General will deliver a video message in the Conference "Protecting Lawyers - Upholding the Rule of Law: The New Council of Europe Convention". The event is organised by the Czech Bar Association in cooperation with the German Federal Bar (BRAK), the German Bar Association (DAV), and the Bar Council of England and Wales.
Speech by Deputy Secretary General Bjørn Berge
