On 28 March 2022, Dentons, in association with the Italian Coalition for Civil Liberties and Rights (CILD), and law firms Hogan Lovells, Linklaters and Orrick, launched the Italian Pro Bono Collaboration for Afghan Refugees (Italian acronym CIPBRA) for the protection of Afghan refugees seeking sanctuary in Italy.

The initiative, which will run for at least a year, is being launched at a critical moment in European migration flows, as the regime change in Afghanistan in August 2021 and resumption of power by the Taliban, has led to significant ramifications for existing and potential new Afghan refugees in the region.

The escalation of violence from the second half of 2021 has had a dramatic impact on the civilian population, with over 1,600 civilians killed and over 3,500 wounded, most of whom are women and children. The number of killed and wounded in 2021 alone rose by a stark 47% compared to the same period the year before. IOM Afghanistan has numbered the people affected by the crisis at over 3.6 million and over 6 months after the return of the Taliban, the IOM estimates that more than half of the Afghan population is in need of humanitarian assistance. More than 700,000 people have been displaced and Afghans, and in particular women and girls, are facing increasing vulnerabilities and protection risks.

The Italian Coalition for Civil Liberties and Rights (CILD) has received several requests from Afghan people who need legal assistance to be granted sanctuary in Italy - above all from categories of people at risk such as women and human rights activists, who urgently need help. Today their lives remain hanging in the balance.

In response, CILD has teamed up with Dentons and the other three aforementioned law firms, to deliver the CIPBRA initiative, which will provide pro bono legal advice and representation largely to Afghan asylum seekers seeking to access and settle in Italy.

Andrea Menapace, Director of the Italian Coalition for Civil Liberties and Rights says of the initiative: “CILD is thrilled to partner with colleagues in the international legal space to offer hope and help to Afghan asylum seekers in protecting their human rights. Our hope is that by helping them secure amnesty in Italy, they can begin to rebuild their lives.”

Partner Federico Fusco, who leads Dentons’ pro bono initiatives in Italy, commented, “At Dentons we are committed to making a positive impact on the community through pro bono legal advice.  Much of our pro bono work is focused on protecting the human rights of vulnerable and under-represented communities, including refugees.  We are honored to join CILD and our peers on this important initiative.” 

About the Italian Coalition for Civil Liberties and Rights (CILD)

The Italian Coalition for Civil Liberties and Rights (Coalizione Italiana per le Libertà e Diritti civili - CILD) is a network of civil society organisations that protects and expands the rights and liberties of all, through a combination of advocacy, public education and legal action.

About Dentons

Across over 80 countries, Dentons helps you grow, protect, operate and finance your organization by providing uniquely global and deeply local legal solutions. Polycentric, purpose-driven and committed to inclusion, diversity, equity and sustainability, we focus on what matters most to you. www.dentons.com