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Front Line News Archive

Oman: Update – Release of several human rights defenders on bailposted on: 2013/03/21

On 17 March 2013, several human rights defenders were granted bail by the Appeals Court during a retrial ordered by the Supreme Court. Amongst the human rights defenders released are writer Mr Said Al Hashimi, lawyer Ms Basma Al Kiyumi, Ms Basima Al Rajihi, Mr Khalid Al Nawfali and Mr Mohammed Al Fazari. The next hearing was adjourned until 24 March 2013.

Somalia: Update – Release of human rights defender Mr Abdiasis Abdinur Ibrahimposted on: 2013/03/20

On 17 March 2013, Somalia’s Supreme Court dropped all charges against human rights defender Mr Abdiasis Abdinur Ibrahim and ordered his immediate release.

Vietnam : Joint Press Statement calling for the immediate release of Le Quoc Quanposted on: 2013/03/19

On 13 March 2013, a broad coalition of human rights organisations called for UN free speech and human rights watchdogs to intervene and secure the immediate release of Vietnamese blogger and human rights activist Le Quoc Quan.

Bahrain: UPDATE – Human rights defender Mr Sayed Yousif Al-Muhafdha cleared of all chargesposted on: 2013/03/15

On 11 March 2013, human rights defender Mr Sayed Yousif Al-Muhafdha was cleared of all charges relating to spreading false information on social media network Twitter.

Cambodia: UPDATE - Human rights defender Mr Mam Sonando to be releasedposted on: 2013/03/15

On 14 March 2013, the Court of Appeal ruled that jailed human rights defender Mr Mam Sonando is to be released on 16 March 2013, while his prison sentence was reduced to five years and suspended for eight months.

Mauritania: UPDATE - Case against members of anti-slavery movement thrown out for lack of evidenceposted on: 2013/03/14

On 12 March 2013, nine human rights defenders and members of Initiative pour la Résurgence du Mouvement Abolitionniste en Mauritanie (Initiative for the Resurgence of the Abolitionist Movement IRA), who had been arbitrarily detained on 9 March 2013, were released due to lack of evidence.

Kenya: Verdict in "malicious prosecution" case against human rights defenders deferred posted on: 2013/03/14

On 21 February 2013 the case resumed at the Makadara Law Courts in Nairobi against human rights defenders and women's rights activists Ms Ruth Mumbi and Ms Victoria Atieno who are accused of incitement to violence.

Palestine: Letter from imprisoned human rights defender Hasan Karajahposted on: 2013/03/12

Hasan Karajah has sent a letter from his prison cell "to his mother, friends, and the free people world wide". The letter makes allegations about the poor treatment he has faced since he was first arrested on 23 January 2013, at his family home in the village of Saffa, near Ramallah, by Israeli forces.

Exclusive: Interview with Gloria Amparo Suárez on International Women's Day.posted on: 2013/03/08

On 8 March 2013, International Women's Day, Colombian women human rights defender Ms Gloria Amparo Suárez gave an exclusive interview to Front Line Defenders detailing the current situation in her country with a focus on the current spate of threats and attacks against women human rights defenders in the city of Barrancabermeja.

NOAM CHOMSKY TO SPEAK IN DUBLIN AT INAUGURAL FRONT LINE DEFENDERS LECTURE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH UCD AND TCDposted on: 2013/03/08

Solidarity and the Responsibility to Protect - A public lecture by Professor Noam Chomsky will take place at 7.30pm on Wednesday 03 April 2013 at the RDS Concert Hall, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4.

Front Line Defenders: A message on the 102nd Anniversary of International Women’s Day.posted on: 2013/03/08

Front Line Defenders invites you to celebrate the 102nd anniversary of International Women's Day. This day has been marked every year since the beginning of the 20th century by women worldwide to attract attention to the issues that women face from both governments and the general public..

Bahrain: Joint Statement Supported by 44 Countries Expressing 'Serious Concern' over Human Rights Situation in Bahrain posted on: 2013/03/07

On 28th February, a joint statement was delivered by Switzerland in the United Nations Human Rights Council on behalf of a group of 44 countries including all 27 member states of the European Union and the United States, expressing 'serious concern' over the human rights situation in the country.

Kazakhstan: Update – Human rights defender Mr Vadim Kuramshin transferred to prison colony where ill-treatment he reported took placeposted on: 2013/03/06

On 4 March 2013, imprisoned human rights defender Mr Vadim Kuramshin was transferred from a temporary detention facility in the town of Taraz to prison colony EC 164/4 near the village of Gorny, Zhaman sopka, in North Kazakhstan.

India: Update - Release on bail of human rights defender Mr Debendra Swainposted on: 2013/03/05

On 28 February 2013, human rights defender Mr Debendra Swain was released on bail by Jagatsingpur District Court. Debendra Swain, leader of Posco Pratirodh Sangram Samiti (anti-POSCO People's Movement PPSS), was arrested by police on 3 February 2013 and faces ten criminal charges, reportedly including attempted murder.

Front Line Defenders - First Ever Report by United Nations Special Rapporteur on Ireland raises concerns about Irish system of Protection for Human Rights Defenders posted on: 2013/03/04

The publication of the report by United Nations Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders, Ms Margaret Sekaggya, following the mandate holder's first ever visit to Ireland,(indeed to any EU country) highlights the many positive steps taken by the Irish Government to contribute both domestically and internationally to the security and protection of human rights defenders at risk, while also highlighting gaps in the system which need to be addressed.