Human Rights Defenders

Sudan: Front Line welcomes the release of Osman Hummaida from detention

Case Update

Front Line welcomes the release of Osman Hummaida from detention in the office of the National Security Service (NSS) in Northern Khartoum on 28 November 2008 at around 12.30 am. Abdelmoneim Aljak and Amir Mohamed Suliman, who were arrested with Osman Hummaida and redetained several times, have not been rearrested. Despite the release of the human rights defenders from detention, Front Line condemns the torture and ill-treatment that Osman Hummaida and Abdelmoneim Aljak were subjected to in the course of interrogation.

Sudan

India - Human rights defender, Advocate Parvez Imroz, severely beaten and arrested

Front Line is deeply concerned following reports received of the severe beating and arrest of human rights defender Advocate Parvez Imroz on 17 November 2008 by Indian security forces, before being released without charge late in the evening. Advocate Parvez Imroz is the co-convener of the International People's Tribunal on Human Rights and Justice in Indian-administered Kashmir, and the co-founder and president of the Jammu and Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society (JKCCS). Front Line previously wrote to you on 1 July 2008 concerning the attempted assassination of Advocate Parvez Imroz.

India

Launch of the new website of the East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project

The East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project/Network has launched a new website at http://www.defenddefenders.org. The East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project (EHAHRDP) seeks to strengthen the work of human rights defenders (HRDs) throughout the region by reducing their vulnerability to the risk of persecution and by enhancing their capacity to effectively defend human rights.

Africa

Dr. Sima Samar wins Taiwan Foundation for Democracy’s 2008 Asia Democracy and Human Rights Award

Taiwan Foundation for Democracy (TFD) Chairman Wang Jin-pyng announced today that Dr. Sima Samar, Chairperson of the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission and founder of the Shuhada Organization, has been selected as the winner of the 2008 Asia Democracy and Human Rights Award (ADHRA). Samar is recognized for her contributions to advancing human rights and especially women’s rights and welfare in Afghanistan. She will formally receive the Award sculpture and a grant of US$100,000 at a ceremony in Taipei on December 10th, International Human Rights Day. Read more about the 2008 Asia Democracy and Human Rights Award.

Afghanistan

Front Line condemns the harsh sentencing of ´88 Generation members and other human rights defenders

Front Line is seriously concerned following reports received that on 11 November 2008, fourteen members of the ´88 Generation each received prison sentences of 65 years for their role in the August-September 2007 mass protests. Mie Mie, Nilar Thein, Ko Jimmy (a.k.a Kyaw Minn Yu), Min Zaya, Zaw Zaw Min, Than Tin (a.k.a Kyi Than), Zayar (a.k.a Kalama), Ant Bwe Kyaw, Kyaw Kyaw Htwe (a.k.a Marky), Pannate Tun, Thet Zaw, Mar Mar Oo, Sandar Min (a.k.a Shwe), and Thet Thet Aung are all prominent members of the group. Another 20 members of the ´88 Generation including Min Ko Naing, Ko Ko Gyi and Htay Kywe are still awaiting sentencing. Other Burmese human rights activists such as Nay Myo Kyaw (a.k.a Nay Phone Latt) have also received extremely harsh sentences for their roles in the 2007 anti-government rallies.

Burma

Bahrain - Call to enforce Article 134 of Bahraini Penal Code threatens human rights defenders

Front Line is deeply concerned following reports received of a statement by the Bahraini Interior Minister, Shaikh Rashid Bin Abdalla Al-Khalifa, published in the local Arabic press on 6 November 2008, calling for the enforcement of Article 134 of the Bahraini Penal Code against any citizen who attends meetings, conferences or seminars abroad or meets with representative of foreign countries, organisations or bodies to discuss the internal affairs of Bahrain, without government authorization.

Bahrain

India: Violent police repression and on-going intimidation of anti-dam activists

Front Line is seriously concerned by reports received of violent police repression and intimidation of members of the Mapithel Dam Affected Ching-Tam Organization (MDACTO) following a peaceful demonstration in Manipur State on 3 November 2008 . The demonstration was organised by Meira Paibi, the women´s group of MDACTO, an organisation which defends the rights of communities affected by the dam project. Front Line previously issued an appeal concerning the arbitrary detention and intimidation of anti-dam activists in Manipur on 19 September 2008.

India

Lebanon - Attack and threats against Abdulaziz Tarakji and members of the Palestinian Human Rights Foundation Monitor

Front Line is deeply concerned for the safety of human rights defender Abdulaziz Tarakji following an attack by unknown men on 4 October 2008. Abdulaziz Tarakji is the director of the Palestinian Human Rights Foundation (Monitor).

Lebanon

Ethiopia - Ethiopian government has indicated it will submit a new draft law on Charities and Societies to parliament

Ethiopia - The government of Ethiopia has indicated it will submit a new draft law on Charities and Societies to parliament before the end of October. Despite amendments to the previous draft, the current text remains highly restrictive and, if passed, would have the effect of heavily curtailing the work of independent civil society groups.

Ethiopia

Bahrain - Ongoing governmental and media harassment against human rights defenders

Front Line is deeply concerned following reports received concerning the ongoing media harassment of human rights defenders Nabeel Ahmed Rajab, Abduljalil Alsingace and Maryam Alkhawaja, since 16 October 2008. Nabeel Ahmed Rajab is the founder and acting chairperson of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR), Abduljalil Alsingace is the head of Human Rights Unit of the Haq Movement of Liberties and Democracy in Bahrain, and Maryam Alkhawaja is a youth activist and former leader of the student organisation AIESEC-Bahrain.

Bahrain

Side Links

Primary links