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Winners of Reporters Without Borders 2012 Prize for Press Freedom announced.posted on: 2012/12/21

On 19 December Mazen Darwish, the head of the Syrian Centre for Media and Freedom of Expression (SCM), and the Afghan daily newspaper 8Sobh were announced as the recipients of the 2012 Prize for Press Freedom. The award is presented every year, by Reporters Without Borders, Le Monde and TV5 Monde, to a journalist and a news media source anywhere in the world felt to 'have made a significant contribution to the defence and promotion of press freedom'.

Joint letter on the killing of human rights defenders and members of Southern Peasants Federation of Thailand Ms Montha Chukaew and Ms Pranee Boonratposted on: 2012/12/21

Front Line Defenders has signed a joint letter that has been issued to Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinnawatra regarding the killing of two women human rights defenders. On 19 November 2012, members of the Southern Peasants' Federation of Thailand (SPFT) Ms. Montha Chukaew (50) and Ms. Pranee Boonrat (54) were shot and killed.

5 Vietnamese Bloggers receive Human Rights Watch Hellman/Hammett Awardsposted on: 2012/12/20

Human rights watch has announced the results of the 2012 Hellman/Hammet awards. Amongst the 41 recipients are 5 Vietnamese bloggers Huynh Ngoc Tuan, Huynh Thuc Vy, Nguyen Huu Vinh, Pham Minh Hoang, and Vu Quoc Tu.

THE NOMINATION PROCESS FOR THE NINTH FRONT LINE DEFENDERS AWARD FOR HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS AT RISK IS NOW OPENposted on: 2012/12/19

Front Line Defenders is currently accepting nominations for the Front Line Defenders Award for Human Rights Defenders at Risk 2013. Please click here if you would like more information about the Front Line Defenders Award and the nomination process.

Joint statement calling for end to Russian crack-down on civil societyposted on: 2012/12/19

A summit between the European Union and Russia is due to take place this week in Brussels on 21 December. In response a collection of international civil society organisations, including Front Line Defenders, have released a joint statement calling upon European leaders to join them in urging Russian President Vladimir Putin to repeal a series of new laws 'significantly hindering the operation of national non-governmental organisations (NGOs) as well as international NGOs supporting them'

Bahrain: Update – Sentencing and extended detention of human rights defender Ms Zainab Al Khawajaposted on: 2012/12/17

On 13 December 2012, human rights defender Ms Zainab Al Khawaja's pre-trial detention was extended by the Public Prosecutor's Office until 27 December 2012. The decision follows charges brought against her on 10 December 2012 for alleged “incitement of hatred against the regime” in connection to her arrest the previous day.

Oman: Update – Conviction of human rights defenders Mr Hamad Al Kharousi and Mr Hamoud Al Rashidiposted on: 2012/12/13

On 5 December 2012, the Criminal Court of First Instance convicted two human rights defenders, Mr Hamad Al Kharousi and Mr Hamoud Al Rashidi, to prison sentences for insulting Sultan Qaboos. Hamad Al Kharousi was sentenced to one year in prison and Hamoud Al Rashidi to six months.

2012 Sahkarov Prize awarded to Iranian Human Rights Defender Nasrin Sotoudeh posted on: 2012/12/12

On 12 December 2012 the award ceremony of the annual Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought was held in Strasbourg. This years winners, human rights defender and lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh and the film director Jafar Panahi, are both Iranian. The recipients were unable to attend the ceremony in person and as a result they were represented by a group of delegates of their choosing.

Bahrain: Update – Sentence of human rights defender Mr Nabeel Rajab reducedposted on: 2012/12/11

On 11 December 2012, the Higher Appeals Court in Manama reduced the sentence of human rights defender Mr Nabeel Rajab, who was convicted on charges of inciting illegal gatherings, from three to two years in prison. He was acquitted on all charges of insulting the Ministry of Interior over Twitter, even though he had been previously convicted and fined 300 Bahraini Dinars (approx. 612 EUR) for it.

Joint Statement released expressing grave concerns with the conviction of David Rabelo Crespo, Colombian human rights defenderposted on: 2012/12/10

On 10 December 2012, International Human Rights Day, a joint statement was issued by a collection of international NGOs and networks including Front Line Defenders. The statement raises concerns on behalf of the Colombian human rights defender David Rabelo Crespo who has been sentenced to 18 years in jail on charges of aggravated homicide.

Colombia: Update - Human rights defender Mr David Rabelo Crespo sentenced to 18 years imprisonmentposted on: 2012/12/07

On 7 December 2012, human rights defender Mr. David Rabelo Crespo was sentenced to 18 years and 3 months' imprisonment on charges of aggravated homicide following a lengthy trial marred with irregularities.

“Voices from the Front Line”, a star studded show with Martin Sheen and Special Guests, in aid of international human rights organisation “Front Line Defenders”. posted on: 2012/12/07

Available internationally, the show will be streamed on RTE.ie and on YouTube from 8.00 pm GMT on Sunday 9th December

Cambodia: Update – Human rights defender Mr San Samneang summoned by the Provincial Court for questioning posted on: 2012/12/07

On 4 December 2012, human rights defender Mr San Samneang appeared at the Battambang Provincial Court for questioning. The summons, which was issued by the Court on 23 October 2012, was only delivered to the human rights defender on 3 December 2012, thus allowing him only one day to meet with his lawyer to prepare.

Joint Letter Sent to Hungarian Minister of Public Administration and Justice Calling for a Review of the Case of Dr. Agnes Gereb posted on: 2012/12/06

On 6 December 2012 the trial began of Hungarian human rights defender Dr. Agnes Gereb who has been under house arrest for 770 days. In response a letter has been issued, by Front Line Defenders and several other organisations, to the Hungarian Minister of Public Administration and Justice Dr. Tibor Navracsics calling on him to urgently review her case.

Call for OSCE Action on Human Rights Defendersposted on: 2012/12/05

The Organization of Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) was founded with a commitment to human rights as one of its three key pillars. Sadly OSCE member states have not been living up to those ideals and human rights defenders face imprisonment, threats, harassment, defamation and restrictive legislation in countries across the region. Front Line Defenders is calling for strengthened OSCE action to protect those who speak out for the rights of others through the creation of a Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders.