The Working Group adjudicates cases of arbitrary detention and issues legal judgments assessing the compatibility of a state’s detention of an individual and whether it is or is not compliant with its obligations of international law. The group includes five legal experts from different countries. If a person’s detention is determined to be illegal, the Working Group calls for their immediate and unconditional release.

Jared Genser, Bialiatski’s lead pro bono counsel, is author of the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention: Commentary and Guide to Practice. He has taken 50 cases to the Working Group over his career.

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