International Association of Democratic Lawyers

International Association of Democratic Lawyers (IADL) is an international organization of left-wing and progressive jurists' associations with sections and members in 50 countries and territories. 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. Through its activities the Association works as a recognized consultative organization with the United Nations through ECOSOC, UNESCO and UNICEF.

The Association was founded in Paris in 1946. From 1967 the IADL was one of the original NGOs accredited with Consultative II Status with ECOSOC and is represented at UNESCO and UNICEF. The Association is also a member of the Conference of NGOs (CONGO) of the United Nations.

It was considered a Communist front organization by the United States government during the Cold War period. In 1990 for example, the Soviet Union funded the organization with 100,000 US dollars.

International Headquarters - Rue Brialmont 21, B-1210, Brussels, Belgium

International Secretariat - Ito Bldg 2nd Floor, Yotsuya 1-2, Shinjuku-ku, 160-0004, Tokyo, Japan

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.

Institutional Members:

Regional and Affiliated Members:

IADL applied for Category B consultative status with ECOSOC in 1954, 1955, 1957 and 1959, but the application was rejected. The application was accepted in 1967.

At the end of 1967, there were 377 non-governmental organizations (NGO's) which the United Nations Economic and Social Council could consult on questions with which they are concerned. These 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 NGO's with Category B status.

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