On 19 October 2009 human rights defender, Mrs Tran Khai Thanh Thuy was reportedly moved to iHoa Lu prison, Hanoi, following her arrest on 8 October on charges of assault. Members of her family have reported that she was the victim of an assault at the hands of police agents, and that the photograph used as evidence against her has been doctored.
On 29 September 2009, human rights defender Veerakumar, Community Organiser for Vizhuthugal Organisation, was attacked and severely injured with a sharp-edged weapon, allegedly by a Gongu Velalar upper caste member. He has been undergoing intensive care in the Government Hospital of Thiruppur.
On 6 October 2009, human rights defenders Ms Tawakkol Karman and Ms Lubna Al-Gedsi were reportedly attacked by security men during a peaceful protest in Sana'a. Tawakkol Karman is the chairwoman of Women Journalists Without Chains (WJWC), which campaigns for freedom of the press in Yemen. Lubna Al-Gedsi is the coordinator of the Rights and Freedoms section at WJWC.
Human rights defender, Mr Ricardo Lagunes Gasca, has been ambushed by armed paramilitaries while working in the Tila area of Chiapas on 18 September 2009. Ricardo Lagunes Gasca is a lawyer with the Human Rights Centre Fray Bartolomé de Las Casas (Frayba).
Human rights defender, Mr Maxim Efimov, was assaulted by an unknown assailant in his home in Karelia on 31 July 2009. Maxim Efimov is the chairperson of the Karelia office of Youth Human Rights Group and the editor of the antifascist human rights newspaper, /Chas Nol/ (Hour zero), and of the booklet, Essays on contemporary racism.
Human rights defender, Mr Albert Pchelintsev, was shot in the mouth with a stun gun in the Moscow suburb of Khimki on 25 July 2009. Albert Pchelinstev is the chairman of "Against Corruption, Lies and Dishonour", an organisation that works to expose corrupt practices in the local administration of Khimki.
Front Line is deeply concerned following reports of an attack on human rights defender, Ms Rosa Etelvina Misacango Chuñir on 22 April 2009. Rosa Etelvina Misacango Chuñir is a member of the Frente de Mujeres Defensoras de la Pachamama (Women Defenders of the Pachamama Front), an organisation addressing the issue of challenges facing women as a result of mining projects.
Front Line is deeply concerned following reports of an attack on human rights defender, Ms Yelena Urlaeva, and her five-year-old son. Yelena Urlaeva is a member of the Human Rights Alliance of Uzbekistan. Front Line has issued previous appeals concerning Yelena Urlaeva, most recently on 14 May 2008 and 23 March 2007.
Front Line is concerned at reports that human rights defender and journalist Mr Hafnaoui Ghoul was attacked late at night on 6 January by a group of hooded assailants at his home in Djelfa.
Front Line is deeply concerned following reports of the attack against human rights defender Luisa Fernanda Malo Rodríguez, member of the Fundación Esperanza (Hope Foundation), an organisation working in the defence of the rights of displaced peoples, migrants, and of women and girls who have been victims of exploitation.
