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Hina Jilani

Guatemala: Statement of the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General on the situation of human rights defendersposted on: 2008/02/21

The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General on the situation of human rights defenders, Ms. Hina Jilani, issued the following statement on her preliminary findings of her official visit to Guatemala. In her report Ms.Jilani highlighted the deteriorating situation for human rights defenders.

Meeting to discuss situation of human rights defenders in Colombia with Vice President Francisco Santos, March 2004posted on: 2004/06/28

Meeting to discuss situation of human rights defenders in Colombia with Vice President Francisco Santos

The Director of Front Line, Mary Lawlor, met with Vice President Francisco Santos, Tuesday 23rd March 2004, to raise the ongoing grave situation for human rights defenders in Colombia, including widespread death threats, assassination attempts, intimidation, harassment, “disappearances”, lawsuits, arbitrary detentions, torture and murder, as well as the gender specific risks faced by women human rights defenders in Colombian society. Vice President Santos has responsibility for human rights in the Colombian government.

Radhia Nasraoui on Hunger Strike in Tunisia, December 2003posted on: 2004/06/17

Radhia Nasraoui, Human Rights Defender and lawyer from Tunisia ended her hunger strike on 10th December, after 56 days. As a result of her action, there has been some movement on the investigation into the incident in July where she was assaulted. Equipment, books and files that were taken from her office have been returned and the telephone line to her sister, her daughter and her aunt in Paris has been reconnected. Radhia is recovering well and expects to be back working in defence of human rights again as soon as possible.

She went on hunger strike on Wednesday, 15th October. Ms Nasraoui is a prominent member of the Tunisian bar who has represented many political clients. As a result she has been under constant pressure from the Tunisian authorities. The purpose of her hunger strike was to protest the harassment she faces as she tries to carry out her work, which she says has become intolerable.