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Iraq - Leading trade union activist killedposted on: 2007/04/09

Najim Abd-Jasem's, the founder and leader of the General Federation of Iraqi Workers (GFIW) was abducted in Baghdad and his body, with evident signs of torture, was found three days later, on March 30, 2007. Since the 1980’s, Najim Abd-Jasem's has actively promoted the rights of workers and faced routine persecution on account of this work. He was fired from his job during Saddam Hussein’s regime for having opposed the government’s official union. A law, decree 150 was passed by the Iraqi administration under Sadaam Hussein and remains in force. The law bans trade unions in the public sector. Najim Abd-Jasem was extremely active in the new trade union movement that followed the collapse of Saddam Hussein's regime. Najim Abd-Jasem's was elected to the position of the General Secretary of the Mechanics Workers Union in 2003. Human rights defenders in Iraq, face huge risks to their lives and security as they carry out their work in an extremely dangerous situation.

Front line believes Najim Abd-Jasem has been targeted and killed as a result of his peaceful activities in the defense of human rights, in particular, his work to defend the rights of workers.

Iraq - Leading trade union activist killedposted on: 2007/04/09

Najim Abd-Jasem's, the founder and leader of the General Federation of Iraqi Workers (GFIW) was abducted in Baghdad and his body, with evident signs of torture, was found three days later, on March 30, 2007. Since the 1980’s, Najim Abd-Jasem's has actively promoted the rights of workers and faced routine persecution on account of this work. He was fired from his job during Saddam Hussein’s regime for having opposed the government’s official union. A law, decree 150 was passed by the Iraqi administration under Sadaam Hussein and remains in force. The law bans trade unions in the public sector. Najim Abd-Jasem was extremely active in the new trade union movement that followed the collapse of Saddam Hussein's regime. Najim Abd-Jasem's was elected to the position of the General Secretary of the Mechanics Workers Union in 2003. Human rights defenders in Iraq, face huge risks to their lives and security as they carry out their work in an extremely dangerous situation.

Front line believes Najim Abd-Jasem has been targeted and killed as a result of his peaceful activities in the defense of human rights, in particular, his work to defend the rights of workers.

Upsurge in violence in Zimbabweposted on: 2007/03/14

The youth activist, Gift Tandare was shot dead in Harare's Highfield township on 11 March 2007 as riot police arrested at least seventy people including four prominent human rights defenders while attempting to attend a Save Zimbabwe Campaign prayer meeting.

Gift Tandare is the youth Chairperson of the National Constitutional Assembly.The 4 human rights defenders are, Mike Davies - Chairperson of the Combined Harare residents association, Madock Chivasa - Spokesperson for the National Constitutional Assembly, Dr Lovemore Madhuku, member of the National Constitutional Assembly and Gladys Hlatsawo, Information officer for the Crisis Coalition. It has been reported that a number of people were ill-treated and possibly tortured while in detention. On 12 March, Dr Lovemore Madhuku received medical attention at Parirenyatwa Hospital as his arm was fractured. Mike Davies of the CHRA is in detention in Goromonzi detention centre and there are concerns for his safety, as it is believed that he may have been tortured.

Upsurge in violence in Zimbabweposted on: 2007/03/14

The youth activist, Gift Tandare was shot dead in Harare's Highfield township on 11 March 2007 as riot police arrested at least seventy people including four prominent human rights defenders while attempting to attend a Save Zimbabwe Campaign prayer meeting.

Gift Tandare is the youth Chairperson of the National Constitutional Assembly.The 4 human rights defenders are, Mike Davies - Chairperson of the Combined Harare residents association, Madock Chivasa - Spokesperson for the National Constitutional Assembly, Dr Lovemore Madhuku, member of the National Constitutional Assembly and Gladys Hlatsawo, Information officer for the Crisis Coalition. It has been reported that a number of people were ill-treated and possibly tortured while in detention. On 12 March, Dr Lovemore Madhuku received medical attention at Parirenyatwa Hospital as his arm was fractured. Mike Davies of the CHRA is in detention in Goromonzi detention centre and there are concerns for his safety, as it is believed that he may have been tortured.

Indian human rights defender released on bailposted on: 2007/03/12

Dalit activist and member of People's Watch, Mr. Vasanth arbitrarily arrested on 8 March 2007 has been released on bail facing charges under Section 353 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). He was seriously assaulted by five policemen whilst in custody in Madikeri, Karnataka State, India. On 8 March 2007, Mr. Vasanth telephoned the Executive Director of SICHREM, to inform him that he was in Madikeri Town Police station where he had gone to gather some information on an alleged torture case. While at the police station he reportedly witnessed two individuals being tortured by members of the police. He enquired to the police as to why this was happening and as a result was himself arrested. He was transferred to Madikeri District jail later that day. At around six o'clock that evening the State Program Coordinator of SICHREM, contacted the police station and spoke with the Head Constable who informed him that Mr. Vasanth had been taken to the hospital for a medical check up. The People’s Watch is a human rights organisation that carries out human rights activities including the monitoring of violations, research and educational activities.

Indian human rights defender released on bailposted on: 2007/03/12

Dalit activist and member of People's Watch, Mr. Vasanth arbitrarily arrested on 8 March 2007 has been released on bail facing charges under Section 353 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). He was seriously assaulted by five policemen whilst in custody in Madikeri, Karnataka State, India. On 8 March 2007, Mr. Vasanth telephoned the Executive Director of SICHREM, to inform him that he was in Madikeri Town Police station where he had gone to gather some information on an alleged torture case. While at the police station he reportedly witnessed two individuals being tortured by members of the police. He enquired to the police as to why this was happening and as a result was himself arrested. He was transferred to Madikeri District jail later that day. At around six o'clock that evening the State Program Coordinator of SICHREM, contacted the police station and spoke with the Head Constable who informed him that Mr. Vasanth had been taken to the hospital for a medical check up. The People’s Watch is a human rights organisation that carries out human rights activities including the monitoring of violations, research and educational activities.

Concern for Iranian human rights defender and his wifeposted on: 2007/02/26

Ahmad Batebi, a former student activist and human rights defender serving a ten-year sentence in Evin Prison, Tehran is reportedly in poor physical and mental health and it is said to be deteriorating.

Ahmad Batebi is suffering from a number of medical problems as a result of being tortured and ill treated during his period of detention, including stomach and kidney problems and permanent hearing problems and poor vision. Despite the seriousness of his medical condition, prison authorities are allegedly not permitting Ahmad Batebi to receive any medical treatment beyond a few painkillers. Ahmad Batebi's doctor, wrote to the authorities on 6 August 2006 stating that his patient was at risk of paralysis or heart attack, and needed to receive specialist treatment outside prison.

Ahmad Batebi was originally detained for his student activism in 1999 and sentenced to death on charges relating to "endangering national security" following a closed-door trial by a Revolutionary Court in Tehran. His death sentence was later commuted to a 15-year prison term and in 2000 reduced further to a ten-year prison sentence.

Concern for Iranian human rights defender and his wifeposted on: 2007/02/26

Ahmad Batebi, a former student activist and human rights defender serving a ten-year sentence in Evin Prison, Tehran is reportedly in poor physical and mental health and it is said to be deteriorating.

Ahmad Batebi is suffering from a number of medical problems as a result of being tortured and ill treated during his period of detention, including stomach and kidney problems and permanent hearing problems and poor vision. Despite the seriousness of his medical condition, prison authorities are allegedly not permitting Ahmad Batebi to receive any medical treatment beyond a few painkillers. Ahmad Batebi's doctor, wrote to the authorities on 6 August 2006 stating that his patient was at risk of paralysis or heart attack, and needed to receive specialist treatment outside prison.

Ahmad Batebi was originally detained for his student activism in 1999 and sentenced to death on charges relating to "endangering national security" following a closed-door trial by a Revolutionary Court in Tehran. His death sentence was later commuted to a 15-year prison term and in 2000 reduced further to a ten-year prison sentence.

Detention and torture of Bangladeshi human rights defenderposted on: 2007/02/01

Shahidul Islam a human rights defender and the Executive Director of Uttaran, a non-governmental organisation promoting the rights of landless people in the Satkhira area of Bangladesh has reportedly been tortured whilst in detention at the Uttaran training centre in the Tala Upazilla region of Bangladesh.

Shahidul Islam was taken to a joint forces interrogation cell on 27 January where he was tortured before he was transferred to the local Tala Police Station at approximately three o'clock. He is reportedly in poor physical condition and urgently in need of medical attention. On 28 January 2007, he was sentenced to one month's imprisonment under the Special Powers Act.

Front Line is deeply concerned about the current state of emergency and the suspension of civil rights declared in Bangladesh, which has serious implications for members of the public and in particular for human rights defenders.

Front Line firmly believes that Shahidul Islam is been targeted in an attempt to prevent him from carrying out his legitimate activities in defence of human rights, in particular the land rights of the people in the Satkhira area.

Detention and torture of Bangladeshi human rights defenderposted on: 2007/02/01

Shahidul Islam a human rights defender and the Executive Director of Uttaran, a non-governmental organisation promoting the rights of landless people in the Satkhira area of Bangladesh has reportedly been tortured whilst in detention at the Uttaran training centre in the Tala Upazilla region of Bangladesh.

Shahidul Islam was taken to a joint forces interrogation cell on 27 January where he was tortured before he was transferred to the local Tala Police Station at approximately three o'clock. He is reportedly in poor physical condition and urgently in need of medical attention. On 28 January 2007, he was sentenced to one month's imprisonment under the Special Powers Act.

Front Line is deeply concerned about the current state of emergency and the suspension of civil rights declared in Bangladesh, which has serious implications for members of the public and in particular for human rights defenders.

Front Line firmly believes that Shahidul Islam is been targeted in an attempt to prevent him from carrying out his legitimate activities in defence of human rights, in particular the land rights of the people in the Satkhira area.