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Uncategorized (3) 2008 Tolerance Prize (1) Abdulhadi Al Khawaja (3) Abdulhadi Al-khawaja (1) Africa (2) Algeria (1) Ali Abdulemam (2) Ali Abdulemam (2) Alik Lechayevich Dzhabrailov (1) allegations of torture (1) Anwar al-Bunni (2) arrest (1) assassination (1) attack and death threats (2) Azimjan Askarov (1)

Berlin/Uganda: Call me Kuchu - film on the life of murdered LGBTI human rights Defender David Kato Premieres at Berlin International film Festival posted on: 2012/02/09

As the Berlin International Film Festival this weekend premieres “Call Me Kuchu” – the story of murdered gay rights defender David Kato - the inflammatory Anti-Homosexuality Bill is once again before the Ugandan Parliament.

France: Human Rights Organisations Call for Refusal of Request for extradition of Dr Mourad Dhina by Algerian Authorities posted on: 2012/01/24

A coalition of ten international and national NGOs today addressed French Prime Minister François Fillon in a public letter calling for Alkarama’s executive director Dr Mourad Dhina not be extradited to Algeria, where he risks torture.

Dublin/London: International Mission to Bahrain Report "Justice Denied in Bahrain: Freedom of Expression and Assembly Curtailed" says promises for reform unfulfilled, while situation deteriorates posted on: 2012/01/24

The report from a six-member mission of international organisations to Bahrain last November called out Bahraini authorities for failing to deliver on promises of reform, despite a highly-touted commission of inquiry which made numerous recommendations.

Dublin/Bahrain: BICI report confirms systematic use of torture posted on: 2011/11/24

Front Line Defenders welcomes the launch of the report of the Government appointed Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI) BICI Report which confirms the systematic torture of human rights defenders including medical professionals in Bahrain and calls for those responsible to be held accountable.

Dublin: The 2011 GALAS International Prize for Gay Rights Activist of the year goes to Paisarn Likhitpreechakul of Thailand. posted on: 2011/10/23

"Without equality, tolerance is just a myth." The 2011 GALAS International Prize for Gay Rights Activist of the year, organised by the National Lesbian and Gay Federation of Ireland (NLGF) goes to Paisarn Likhitpreechakul of Thailand.

Ghana-Dublin: Former child slave to speak at Front Line Dublin Platform posted on: 2011/08/23

Today Tuesday 23 August is International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition

The United Nations’ (UN) International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition is annually observed on August 23 to remind people of the tragedy of the transatlantic slave trade. It gives people a chance to think about the historic causes, the methods and the consequences of slave trade. However the slave trade continues today.

UAE security agency engages in dirty tricks on Facebook posted on: 2011/08/20

Front Line would like to clarify that it has no any connection with the Facebook page that is called Lena Khalid which has the following URL:

facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002421722880

Front Line stresses the fact that the owner of this page is not authorized to represent or speak on behalf of our organization.

Front Line condemns the attempt by a male individual to impersonate the identity of a Front Line member of staff, by creating a false Facebook page with a female name "Lena Khalid" . This man has been trying to lure human rights defenders to talk with him, in order to publish fabricated statements that are against the government of UAE on his Web Site (www.emarati001.com).

Bahrain/Dublin: Professor Damian McCormack rebuts misrepresentation and inaccuracies in official statements and commentary in the Bahrain media re Irish delegation. posted on: 2011/08/04

Professor Damian McCormack, head of the recent Irish humanitarian delegation to Bahrain rebuts the misrepresentation and inaccuracies contained in recent official statements and commentary in the Bahrain media re the visit of the delegation. He also reiterates the delegation's concern at ongoing risk of torture and ill treatment of medics in custody.

Full Text of Press Release

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

On 13 July 2011 an Irish humanitarian delegation travelled to Bahrain to offer solidarity to doctors, nurses and other health professionals currently held in prison or facing charges in Bahrain. The delegation consisted of myself Professor Damian Mc Cormack, Professor Eoin O'Brien, Ms Marion Hakin MEP, Ms Averil Power TD (member of the Irish Parliament) and Front Line representatives Deputy Director Andrew Anderson and Khalid Ibrahim.

In the course of the mission we heard repeated testimonies of torture and ill treatment, including the threat of sexual assault. One testimony stated:

“I was taken to a room blindfolded and handcuffed with my hands behind my back.

Bahrain: Front Line condemns life sentence for the organisation's former Protection Coordinator Abdulhadi Al Khawaja posted on: 2011/06/22

Front Line, the Dublin based International Foundation for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders deplores and condems the life sentence passed against the organisation's former Protection Coordinator for the Middle East and prominent member of the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights, Abdulhadi Al Khawaja. Front Line also condemns the 15 year prison sentence passed in absentia on blogger and founder of Bahrainonline.org Ali Abdulemam and calls for both men to be acquitted.

Further Information

Today's verdict and the fact that the trial took place before a military court whose procedures fall far short of internationally recognised fair trial standards underlines the determination of the Government of Bahrain to secure a conviction at any cost” said Mary Lawlor, Executive Director of Front Line in Dublin today.

Abdulhadi Al Khawaja and the 20 other defendants were tried before the State of Safety Court which has consistently refused to address repeated and credible allegations of torture in pre-trial detention and during the trial itself.

Russian Federation: UPDATE – Libel charges dropped against head of Human Rights Center 'Memorial' Oleg Orlov posted on: 2011/06/14

Front Line welcomes today's decision of Khamovniki district court of Moscow to drop all libel charges against human rights defender Oleg Orlov head of the Human Rights Centre 'Memorial'. HRC 'Memorial' is a leading human rights organisation in the Russian Federation, particularly known for its work in the North Caucasus.

Further Information

The criminal case was initiated against Oleg Orlov by the Prosecutor's office in accordance with part 2 and 3 of Article 129 (libel) of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation in October 2009 following comments which Oleg Orlov made in connection with the assassination of his colleague, Natalya Estemirova, a human rights defender and member of staff of the Grozny office of 'Memorial' who was abducted and murdered on 15 July 2009.

That same day, Oleg Orlov made a public statement regarding the responsibility of the President of the Chechen Republic, Ramzan Kadyrov, in the killing.

Bahrain: Show trial of prominent human rights defender Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja continues before military court against background of torture and intimidation posted on: 2011/06/01

As the trial of human rights defender Abdulhadi Al Khawaja enters its final stages before a military court Front Line is reiterating its call for the immediate and unconditional release of Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja on the basis that he has been detained because of his legitimate exercise of the rights of freedom of association and freedom of expression.

DRC - Front Line demands justice for murdered human rights defender Floribert Chebeya Bahizire on first anniversary of his killing. posted on: 2011/06/01

02 June 2011 marks the first anniversary of the killing of the Democratic Republic of Congo's most prominent human rights defender Floribert Chebeya Bahizire, Director of Voix des sans Voix (Voice of the Voiceless) and his driver Fidèle Bazana Edadi, also a member of VSV. Both men disappeared on 1 June 2010 after going to the police headquarters, upon police request, to meet General John Numbi Banza Tambo. Mr Chebeya Bahizire's body was found in his car on the outskirts of Kinshasa on 2 June 2010. The body of Mr Bazana Edadi has never been found.

Full text of press release

Press Release 01 June 2011 For Immediate Release

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO - FRONT LINE DEMANDS JUSTICE FOR FLORIBERT CHEBEYA ON FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF HIS KILLING

02 June 2011 marks the first anniversary of the killing of the Democratic Republic of Congo's most prominent human rights defender Floribert Chebeya Bahizire, Director of Voix des sans Voix (Voice of the Voiceless) and his driver Fidèle Bazana Edadi, also a member of VSV.

Bahrain: Front Line fears for life of Abdulhadi Alkhawaja amid credible allegations of torture and sexual assault posted on: 2011/05/17

Following reports of torture including an attempted rape against former Front Line Protection Coordinator Abdulhadi Alkhawaja there are grave concerns that his health and even his life may be in danger.

Further Information

Abdulhadi Alkhawaja has been held in detention in Bahrain since 9th April and has reportedly been subjected to torture which resulted in his requiring a 4 hour operation in a military hospital following injuries to his head. At a hearing yesterday the Judges refused to listen to his complaints of an attempted rape and refused again to order an investigation into torture.

Dublin: 2011 Front Line Award for Human Rights Defenders at Risk goes to the Joint Mobile Group of the Russian Federation for their outstanding work in Chechnya posted on: 2011/05/05

Today in Dublin Mary Robinson, president of the Mary Robinson Foundation – Climate Justice, presented the annual Front Line Award for Human Rights Defenders at Risk to the Joint Mobile Group of the Russian Federation for their outstanding work investigating torture and disappearances in Chechnya despite the serious risks.

The Award was presented to Mr Igor Kalyapin founder and President of the Joint Mobile Group at the Award ceremony in Dublin's City Hall. Presenting the Award Mrs Robinson said '''“The work of the Joint Mobile Group is an inspirational example of how committed individuals, despite all the pressures that are brought to bear on them, can hold the line in defence of justice, truth and the rule of law. It is the denial of access to justice that enables tyrants to prevail.

China: One year on human rights defender Gao Zhisheng remains missing and at serious risk of torture posted on: 2011/04/19

It is now one year to the day since human rights defender and self-taught lawyer Mr Gao Zhisheng was last heard from. This anniversary marks the second time that Gao Zhisheng has been disappeared for over a year by the Chinese authorities.

Further Information

“Front Line demands that the Chinese Government immediately release Gao Zhisheng from this arbitrary detention, ensure his well-being and guarantee that he will not be disappeared again”, said Front Line Executive Director Mary Lawlor in Dublin today. “Furthermore, Front Line is calling on the Chinese Government to end the use of extralegal methods to target human rights defenders working in that country” added Ms Lawlor.

Gao Zhisheng is a human rights lawyer who 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.