International Association of Democratic Lawyers (IADL) is an international organization of left-wing and progressivejurists' associations with sections and members in 50 countries and territories.[1][2] Along with facilitating contact and exchange of views between and among lawyers and lawyers' associations of all countries, the IADL works to conduct research on legal issues affecting human, political and economic rights, organizes international commissions of enquiry and conferences on legal and judicial concerns, and takes part in international legal observer missions.[3][4] Through its activities the Association works as a recognized consultative organization with the United Nations through ECOSOC, UNESCO and UNICEF.[3]
The IADL stated that it had documented proof of the US dropping poisoned mosquitoes on North Koreans and mass-torturing civilians during the Korean War. Cassin resigned his presidency in 1951 due to the resulting U.S. pressure, and the US successfully lobbied France to expel the headquarters of what it considered a communist front from Paris.[10] The Central Intelligence Agency started funding the International Commission of Jurists to counter the IADL.[11]
From 1967 the IADL was one of the original NGOs accredited with Consultative II Status with ECOSOC and is represented at UNESCO and UNICEF.[12] The Association is also a member of the Conference of NGOs (CONGO) of the United Nations.[12]
In 1990, the Soviet Union funded the organization with 100,000 US dollars.[13]
The IADL is organized on the basis of institutional member organizations, regional and affiliated sections, groups and individual membership, representing about 200,000 members in all.[3]
Institutional Members:
Bangladesh – Democratic Lawyers Association of Bangladesh (DLAB)[14]
Belgium – Progress Lawyers Network[14] As of 2010 it has offices in Antwerp and Brussels.[15]
IADL filed an amicus curiae with the US Supreme Court in 2009 relating to the trial of five Cuban intelligence officers who were convicted in Miami of conspiracy to commit espionage and murder. The IADL stated that the large Cuban exile population in Miami "supports many political and paramilitary groups dedicated to the overthrow of the Castro government". As a result, the IADL believed that the defendants had not received "a fair trial by an impartial fact finder".[9]
IADL made statement saying they oppose the use of military force against Syria and Iran in 2012.[21]
The organizations are divided into three groups: those in Category A, which have a basic interest in most of the activities of the council; those in Category B, which have a special competence
but are concerned with only a few of the council's activities; and those with a significant contribution to make to the council's work, which are placed on a Register for ad hoc consultations. At the end of 1967, there were 143 NGOs with Category B status.[26]