Front Line News Archive

Western Sahara: human rights defender Aminatou Haidar wins Silver Rose Award 2007posted on: 2007/07/25

Aminatou Haidar the Saharawi woman human rights defender and member of the Collective of Saharawi Human Rights Defenders (CODESA), has won the Silver Rose Award 2007. The Silver Rose is awarded annually by the international organisation Solidar, to celebrate the outstanding achievements of individuals and organizations who are active in the fight for social justice.

Women who oppose Robert Mugabe's regime in Zimbabwe suffer violence and repression, says new report by Amnesty Internationalposted on: 2007/07/25

Amnesty International claims that female demonstrators can be subjected to arbitrary arrest, beatings and in some cases torture in police custody. The human rights group, which interviewed dozens of activists, urged the country's authorities to "stamp out any discrimination against women". Zimbabwe is in the grip of a severe economic crisis. Shops are running out of even the most basic items and inflation is approaching 5,000%.

Released: Tunisian human rights defender Mohammed Abbou freed from prison and reunited with his family.posted on: 2007/07/24

Mohamed Abbou jailed for three and a half years in 2005 for disrupting public order and defaming the judiciary with an article condemning detention conditions in Tunisia was released on 24 July 2007. Front Line has lobbied intensively on this case which was also raised directly with the Tunisian authorities during the Front Line mission to Tunisia in May this year.

Kampala: solidarity message from East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Network to mark Somali Human Rights Day.posted on: 2007/07/23

On the occasion of the Somali Human Rights Day celebrations, the East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Network (EHAHRD-Net) wishes to extend sincere regards to the human rights defenders in Somalia, who have stood the test of the present times to farther the noble work to which they have committed themselves.

Chinese human rights defender, Chen Xiaoming, dies shortly after release according to statement by HRIC, Human Rights in China.posted on: 2007/07/23

According to a recent report by Human Rights in China (HRIC) the organisation has learned that Shanghai human rights defender Chen Xiaoming died on July 1, shortly after being released on medical parole. Numerous earlier requests by Chen's family for medical parole had been refused.

Iran: Abduction of trade union leader and human rights defenderposted on: 2007/07/13

Human rights defender and President of Sandikaye Kargarane Sherkat-e Vahed (Syndicate of Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company), Mansour Osanloo abducted on 10 July 2007 by unknown assailants is now been held in Evin Prison, Front Line has learned.

Bahrain: Ongoing harassment of human rights defenderposted on: 2007/07/13

Since 1 July 2007, human rights defender and Vice-President of the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights (BCHR), Nabeel Ahmed Rajab has faced ongoing harassment and has been followed by civilian vehicles on a daily basis to and from his home

Front Line mission to Serbia, Bosnia and Kosovoposted on: 2007/07/12

Front Line delegates are currently on mission to Serbia, Bosnia and Kosovo to meet with human rights defenders and assess the risks they face.To date, the delegates have met with local human rights organization, LGBT groups and with government representatives in Serbia. Read Front Line’s Media and Communications Manager, Jim Loughran’s account of the mission

Iran: Sentencing of women's rights defenderposted on: 2007/07/09

Prominent women's rights defender, Delaram Ali was sentenced to 2 years, 10 months jail term and 10 lashes, on 2 July 2007, for her participation in a peaceful gathering of women human rights defenders in Tehran in June 2006.

Zimbabwe: Arbitrary arrest and torture of two human rights defendersposted on: 2007/07/09

Front Line is deeply concerned following the abduction and torture of human rights defenders and student activists, Beloved Chiweshe and Munjodzi Mutandiri, on 26 June 2007

Indonesia: Targeting of four human rights defendersposted on: 2007/07/06

Front Line is deeply concerned for the safety of human rights defenders, Frederika Korain, Priest Perinus Kogoya, Yan Christian Warinussy and Albert Rumbekwan who were subjected to intimidation, threats and attacks following meetings with the United Nations Special Representative to the Secretary General on Human Rights Defenders, Ms Hina Jilani on her official visit to Indonesia on 7 June 2007.

Yemen: Arrest of human rights defender and journalistposted on: 2007/07/02

Front Line is deeply concerned over the arrest and detention of human rights defender and journalist Abdul-Karim al-Khaiwani in Sana'a, on 20 June 2007

Hungary: Brutal assault of human rights defenderposted on: 2007/06/28

On 22 June 2007, human rights defender and investigative journalist, Iren Karman was brutally attacked by unknown assailants on the outskirts of Budapest

Russia: Attack against human rights defender and lawyerposted on: 2007/06/26

Human rights defender and lawyer, Valentina Uzunova was attacked on 17 June 2007 by an unidentified assailant (woman) in St. Petersburg and suffered head injuries, including concussion.

Ethiopia: Upcoming verdict in the trial of two human rights defendersposted on: 2007/06/26

Two human rights defenders, Netsanet Demissie and Daniel Bekele, detained since November 2005 are due in court to give their defence on 12 July 2007. The charges against them carry a possible life sentence or death penalty.