Bermuda lawyers have formed a human rights advocacy group, it was announced yesterday. The organisation, the Bermuda Section of International Commission of Jurists (BSICJ), will be devoted to human rights matters and the support of the rule of law, according to a press statement. ICJ, an international network with autonomous sections and affiliated organisations in over 70 countries, formally endorsed BSICJ as one of its national sections in November, 2002.

"Bermuda is a strong community which has high regard for the protection of individual rights at all levels," said Peter Martin, BSICJ spokesman.

"However, it is important to continue to advocate for protection of fundamental rights in both our local community and the international community."

"The Foundation Members of the BSICJ have been drawn from a broad cross section of primarily senior lawyers practising in Bermuda and interested in the rule of law and human rights issues."

Membership is open to legal professionals and "others who have a commitment to the rule of law and the promotion and observance of human rights," according to the statement.

"The BSICJ has been established as a non-profit organisation whose membership is able to investigate human rights matters and rule of law issues, whether in Bermuda or elsewhere, provide assistance to government and non-government organisations and call on international co-operation and assistance as required. The BSICJ has also built relations with other international non-government organisations devoted to human rights, particularly those in the region such as Justice in the UK, the American and Canadian Sections of the ICJ and the affiliated rule of law organisations in the Caribbean."

ICJ, a non-governmental, non profit organisation, was established in 1950 and has consultative status with a number of international organisations.