Front Line is launching a new campaign focusing specifically on ten high profile cases from all different regions of the world. Each case illustrates the risk that human rights defenders face for their work and their beliefs.

Human rights defenders have the power to change the world, but they are in grave danger. They face harassment, intimidation, the threat of arrest and even assassination but this does not stop them in their quest for a better life for all.

Please help us help them by joining our campaign.

“Human Rights Defenders put their vision of a civil and just world for all ahead of their own safety” Mary Lawlor.

Each of the cases listed below tells the story of great courage in the face of repression and great personal risk. Please click on them to find more information on each and to find out how you can help.

If you would like further information or to be kept up to date please email campaigns@frontlinedefenders.org including the name of the case you would like to follow.

	RUSSIAN FEDERATION. Natalya Estemirova was one of the most prominent human rights defenders in the Russian Federation. She documented and exposed human rights abuses in Chechnya. Natalya was abducted from her home in Grozny on the 15th July 2009. Her body was found later that day. Natalya Estemirova paid the ultimate price for her beliefs. However Natalya is not the only defender to pay such a high price, since her death others have been killed. Demand justice for Natalya and all human rights defenders working in the Russian Federation. Demand Justice for Natalya Estemirova
	HONDURAS. MAO the Environmental Movement of Olancho works to promote sustainable development and campaigns against the environmental devastation caused by illegal logging. Their members have been threatened arrested and killed. Despite these threats the members of MAO continue to work relentlessly toward a better life. MAO need your support to help them protect their rights. Help protect MAO
	IRAN Prominent human rights defender and lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh is currently on hunger strike in Evin prison in protest at poor conditions. For many years she has defended other human rights defenders and campaigners arrested in the recent crackdown. Nasrin has worked with the Women's movement in Iran working tirelessly on women's issues attempting to bring an end to the vast repression women face in Iran. Help women human rights defenders in Iran and globally. Demand Freedom for Nasrin Sotoudeh
	WESTERN SAHARA Ali Salem Tamek, Brahim Dahane, Ahmed Anasiri are scheduled for trial on 5 November, charged with "harming state security" because of their work defending the rights of the Saharawi people. They were arrested on their return to Western Sahara following a visit to Saharawi refugee camps in Algeria. The defenders are advocating self determination for the Saharawi people living in Moroccan controlled Western Sahara. Demand justice for the imprisoned and self determination for the Saharawi people by joining the campaign and taking action. Demand Freedom for Ali Salem Tamek, Brahim Dahane and Ahmad Anasiri
	BURUNDI Journalist , human rights defender and editor of online news agency Net Press, Jean - Claude Kavumbagu was arrested for treason as he made his way to work. Following two hours of interrogation, Jean-Claude Kavumbagu was taken to Mpimba Prison. He reportedly faces charges of treason under Article 570 and 571 of the Criminal Code. In Burundi there have been a number of cases of arbitrary detention, torture, ill-treatment and in the stigmatization of human rights defenders. There has also been an increase in restrictions placed on freedom of expression and freedom of association in relation to human rights defenders. In particular journalists and trade unionists are targeted. Join the campaign and help all hrds in Burundi. Demand Freedom for Human Rights Defender Jean Claude Kavumbagu
	KYRGYZSTAN Prominent human rights defender and director of the human rights organisation "Vozdukh" (Air)Azimjan Askarov,was arrested in Bazar Korgon on 15th June 2010. He was suspected of taking part in ethnic hostilities between Kyrgyz and Uzbeks in the south of Kyrgyzstan. Azimjan has been sentenced to life in prison. The case is currently on appeal. Azimjan Askarov had been working on documenting the human rights violations committed in this region: for some days previous to his detention, he had been collecting data about those who had been killed and injured during the recent ethnic conflict. Azimjan was working purely to defend human rights in a purely peaceful manner, help overturn his sentence by taking action. Demand Freedom for Azimjan Askarov
	DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO The body of human rights defender and director of La Voix des Sans-Voix(The Voice of the Voiceless)found dead. Floribert Chebeya Bahizire's body was found in suspicious circumstances after he had been summoned to a meeting at central Police headquaters which required him to meet the Inspector General of the Congolese National Police. Congolese human rights defenders are frequent targets of intimidation, judicial proceedings, stigmatisation, death threats,arbitrary arrest, gender based violence, ill treatment in prison, physical assault and in some cases torture or even killing by DRC government agents or armed groups. Demand Justice for Floribert Chebeya Bahizire
	HONDURAS - Protect Defenders of Gay Rights in Honduras Across the country, human rights defenders from various organisations working on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) rights have been targeted by threats, surveillance, kidnappings, intimidation and killings. Despite these threats the defenders of the LGBTI community continue to work for progress in this extremely dangerous environment. LGBTI defenders in Honduras are doubly discriminated against. They are discriminated firstly because they are human rights defenders and secondly because they defend LGBTI rights. Protect Defenders of Gay Rights in Honduras
	CHINA - Gao Zhisheng - Currently missing in China. Human rights defender and self-taught lawyer Gao Zhisheng was named one of China's top ten lawyers by the Ministry of Justice in 2001. However, after beginning to investigate and draw attention to allegations of abuse against members of China’s religious minorities, he became subject to harassment, detentions and forced disappearances himself. The whereabouts of Gao Zhisheng are currently unknown. He has not been heard from since 20 April 2010. Demand Freedom for Gao Zhisheng
	COLOMBIA - David Rabelo Crespo - Detained human rights defender David Rabelo Crespo On 14 September 2010 human rights defender David Rabelo Crespo was arrested in Barrancabermeja, Colombia.A well known defender, David is the secretary of the Board of Directors of the Corporación Regional para la Defensa de los Derechos Humanos – CREDHOS (Regional Corporation for the Defence of Human Rights), a non-governmental organisation dedicated to the protection and promotion of human rights in Colombia.Prior to his arrest David and his extended family had death threats directed towards them which have only increased since his arrest. Demand Freedom for David Rabelo Crespo