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Front Line Country & Regional Reports

Joint Submission by Front Line Defenders and the Adala Center for Human Rights to the 17th Session of United Nations Universal Periodic Review re situation of HRDs in Saudi Arabia (October 2013)posted on: 2013/05/21

Front Line Defenders and the Adala Center for Human Rights are gravely concerned by the ongoing persecution of human rights defenders (HRDs) in Saudi Arabia. Human rights defenders, activists and individuals who criticise government policies or expression dissent or diverging opinion to those of the authorities are subjected to harassment, surveillance, arbitrary detention, smear campaigns, prolonged and unfair trials. Family members of HRDs are also targeted and subjected to intimidation and harassment at the hands of the authorities.

In March 2011, peaceful protests were met with arbitrary arrests and violent repression and the authorities subsequently banned public gatherings. Human rights defenders, democracy activists and critical voices rely on the Internet and online media for their work. Many of them have been arrested for expressing criticism of the regime.

Submission by Front Line Defenders to the 17th Session of United Nations Universal Periodic Review re situation of HRDs in Mexico (October 2013)posted on: 2013/04/30

Human rights defenders (HRDs) and journalists in Mexico work in continuously violent and insecure environment, with the country consistently ranking as one of the most dangerous states in the world for those individuals and organisations actively engaging in the defence of human rights and freedom of expression.

Submission by Front Line Defenders to the 17th Session of United Nations Universal Periodic Review re situation of HRDs in Malaysia (October 2013)posted on: 2013/04/23

Human rights defenders (HRDs) in Malaysia continue to face many challenges, including in particular judicial harassment, smear campaigns, arbitrary arrest, threats and intimidations. Laws which are not in line with international human rights standards in relation to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association have also been used to hindering the legitimate work of human rights defenders.

Joint Submission by Front Line Defenders and the Chinese Urgent Action Working Group to the 17th Session of United Nations Universal Periodic Review re situation of HRDs in China (October 2013)posted on: 2013/04/16

Human rights defenders (HRDs) in China face severe restrictions on and punishment for their legitimate work in defence of human rights. Since China's last UPR examination in 2009, authorities have continued, and in certain cases increased, their repression of HRDs through legal and illegal means. In mid-2011 the Chinese government announced that it had successfully met all tasks and goals of the country's first National Human Rights Action Plan (2009-2010); a second plan was announced to cover the years 2012-2015. Despite this, HRDs have reported a reduced, rather than enlarged, space in which to work since the implementation of the plan.

Dublin: Front Line launches 2011 Annual Report which analyses the global situation for human rights defendersposted on: 2011/11/11

On 25 March 2011, Front Line launched its second Annual Report on Human Rights Defenders which highlights global trends and developments in the situation of human rights defenders in 2010 and analyses the situation in each region of the world.

Dublin: Front Line Defenders launches new security workbook for human rights defenders at riskposted on: 2011/11/18

Human rights defenders need new strategies that are inspired by a theory of security and human rights, of dignity, freedom and justice. This new Security Workbook, created with a view to protecting human rights defenders, is aimed at them.

Front Line report “Strategies for Survival” documents dangerous reality for human rights defenders in Indonesia, Zimbabwe and Colombiaposted on: 2011/12/12

A top Indonesian human rights lawyer is fatally poisoned with arsenic on an international flight. A Zimbabwean activist is abducted and held incommunicado before being tried on baseless charges. Leaked documents reveal plans to assassinate Colombian human rights defenders. And these shocking incidents occur in a day-to-day context of surveillance, threats, and other harassment.

Dublin Front Line launches new report Breakdown of Trust: the Corrib Gas Disputeposted on: 2010/09/15

In its report Breakdown of Trust: the Corrib Gas Dispute, written by Irish barrister Brian Barrington, Front Line called for a review of policies and practices by the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC). The report also raises concerns about the police response to the assault on Willie Corduff on 22/23 April 2009 and the vetting of private security personnel.

Dublin: Front Line Launches 2010 Annual Report on Global Situation for Human RIghts Defenders During 5th Dublin Platformposted on: 2010/09/22

The report which was launched by Front Line to coincide with the 5th Dublin Platform highlights the fact that to be a human rights defender remains a high risk occupation in many countries.

Front Line Iraq: Testimonies of Human Rights Defendersposted on: 2009/02/10

The largely untold story of Iraq has been the struggle of Iraqis to make things better. It’s the story of those who sought to work non-violently for peace and justice and human rights. The story of human rights defenders who sought to document and publish the truth, to help and support the families of victims, to bring help to the most vulnerable.

Front Line Central Asia: Threats, Attacks, Arrests and Harassment of Human Rights Defendersposted on: 2007/07/17

In Central Asia 2006 was marked by a strong trend towards limiting the rights to freedom of expression and association and making life as difficult as possible for human rights defenders. Human rights defenders are particularly vulnerable to attack when they highlight the absence of democracy, the abuse of power, corruption or the use of torture.

Front Line Guatemala: Attacks Against Human Rights Defenders 2000-2005posted on: 2007/07/17

This report details the surge in attacks against human rights defenders in Guatemala over the past six years. It illustrates how the phenomenon and its consequences have developed into a resurgence of the terror experienced during the internal armed conflict (1960-1996).

Front Line USA :Threats Attacks Arrests and Harassment of Human Rights Defendersposted on: 2007/06/25

This report examines the situation for human rights defenders in the USA in the aftermath of 9/11 and the way the “war on terror” was being used to repress the work of human rights defenders internationally.

Front Line Brazil: Murder Death Threats and other Intimidations of Human Rights Defenders 1997-2001posted on: 2007/06/25

This report analyzes fifty-six separate incidents of violence and harassment of human rights defenders over the past five years in Brazil.

Towards Full and Effective Implementation of the EU Guidelines on Human Rights Defenders in Democratic Republic of Congoposted on: 2007/06/25

In November 2005, Front Line carried out a mission in the DRC in order to research the extent to which the EU guidelines for the protection of human rights defenders are being implemented in the country, especially with respect to Eastern DRC, one-and-a-half years after their adoption. See report for full details.