Human rights defenders have the power to change the world, but they are in grave danger. They face harassment, intimidation, the threat of arrest and even assassination but this does not stop them in their quest for a better life for all.

“Human Rights Defenders put their vision of a civil and just world for all ahead of their own safety” Mary Lawlor, Executive Director, Front Line Defenders.

On 10th December 2010 Front Line Defenders launched a new international campaign - 10 on the 10th. focusing on 10 cases from 10 different countries - each of which highlights the many challenges and dangers faced by human rights defenders.

SUCCESS

	RELEASED Jean Claude Kavumbagu was released on 16 May 2011 after the court in Bujumbura sentenced him to eight months penal servitude and a fine resulting in his release on the basis of time served.
	RELEASED On 14 April 2011 Sahrawi human rights defenders Ali Salem Tamek, Brahim Dahane and Ahmad Anasiri were released The three defenders were arrested along with four others on 8 October 2009 and had been detained since that date. The defenders undertook eight hunger strikes in protest against their detention and the deprivation of their right to a fair trial.
	KILLERS CONVICTED:On 23 June a military court in DRC announced the verdict in the trial of the alleged killers of human rights defender and founder of Voix Des Sans Voix, Floribert Chebeya Bahizire. Four of the accused were sentenced to death, one was sentenced to life imprisonment and three were acquitted. Despite this judgement Front Line Defenders remains concerned that while those who carried out the crime have been sentenced, the intellectual authors of the crime have not been identified or brought to justice.

We need your help to keep up the pressure to achieve success in the remaining cases.

Each of the cases listed below tells the story of great courage in the face of repression and great personal risk. Please click on them to find more information on each and to find out how you can help - Protect One Empower a Thousand.

Please help us help them by joining our campaign.

If you would like further information or to be kept up to date please email campaigns@frontlinedefenders.org including the name of the case you would like to follow.

	RUSSIAN FEDERATION. Natalya Estemirova was one of the most prominent human rights defenders in the Russian Federation. She documented and exposed human rights abuses in Chechnya. Natalya was abducted from her home in Grozny on the 15th July 2009. Her body was found later that day. Natalya paid the ultimate price for her beliefs. However Natalya is not the only defender to pay such a high price, since her death others have been killed. Demand justice for Natalya by joining our campaign. Demand Justice for Natalya Estemirova Follow Natalya's case on Facebook
	HONDURAS. MAO the Environmental Movement of Olancho works to promote sustainable development and campaigns against the environmental devastation caused by illegal logging. Their members have been threatened, arrested and killed. Despite these threats the members of MAO continue to work relentlessly toward a better life. MAO need your support to help them protect their rights. Help protect MAO Follow the case on Facebook
	IRAN Nasrin Sotoudeh is prominent Iranian human rights defender and lawyer. She has been sentenced to 11 years in prison and banned from working as a lawyer or leaving the country for 20 years. Nasrin is being held in the notorious Evin prison, Tehran. She has been on and off hunger strike since her detention but had to end her most recent hunger strike due to deteriorating health. For many years she has defended other human rights defenders and campaigners. Nasrin has worked with the Women's movement in Iran working tirelessly on women's issues attempting to bring an end to the vast repression women face in Iran. Help Nasrin by joining our campaign and demanding her freedom. Demand Freedom for Nasrin Sotoudeh Follow Nasrin's case on Facebook
	KYRGYZSTAN Prominent human rights defender and director of the human rights organisation "Vozdukh" (Air), Azimjan Askarov,was arrested in Bazar Korgon on 15th June 2010. He was accused of taking part in ethnic hostilities between Kyrgyz and Uzbeks in the south of Kyrgyzstan. Azimjan has been sentenced to life in prison which has since been held up on appeal. He is currently preparing his appeal to the Supreme Court. Azimjan Askarov had been working on documenting the human rights violations committed in this region for some days previous to his detention, he had been collecting data about those who had been killed and injured during the recent ethnic conflict. On 8th March 2011 Azimjan was awarded the People in Need's 'Homo Homini' award in honour of his work. Azimjan was working purely to defend human rights in a purely peaceful manner, help overturn his sentence by taking action. Demand Freedom for Azimjan Askarov Follow Azimjan's case on Facebook
	HONDURAS - Protect Defenders of Gay Rights in Honduras. Across the country, human rights defenders from various organisations working on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) rights have been targeted by threats, surveillance, kidnappings, intimidation and killings. Despite these threats the defenders of the LGBTI community continue to work for progress in this extremely dangerous environment. LGBTI defenders in Honduras are doubly discriminated against. They are discriminated firstly because they are human rights defenders and secondly because they defend LGBTI rights. Join the campaign and demand justice for LGBTI defenders. Protect Defenders of Gay Rights in Honduras Follow the case on Facebook
	CHINA - Gao Zhisheng - Currently missing in China. Human rights defender and self-taught lawyer Gao Zhisheng was named one of China's top ten lawyers by the Ministry of Justice in 2001. However, after beginning to investigate and draw attention to allegations of abuse against members of China’s religious minorities, he became subject to harassment, detentions and forced disappearances himself. The whereabouts of Gao Zhisheng are currently unknown. He has not been heard from since 20 April 2010. Join the campaign and demand freedom for Gao Zhisheng. Demand Freedom for Gao Zhisheng Follow Gao's case on Facebook
	COLOMBIA David Rabelo Crespo On 14 September 2010 human rights defender David Rabelo Crespo was arrested in Barrancabermeja, Colombia. A well known defender, David is the secretary of the Board of Directors of the Corporación Regional para la Defensa de los Derechos Humanos – CREDHOS (Regional Corporation for the Defence of Human Rights), a non-governmental organisation dedicated to the protection and promotion of human rights in Colombia. David's family have also been the subject of many death threats. Please join the campaign and demand justice for David. Demand Freedom for David Rabelo Crespo Follow David's case on Facebook