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Human Rights Defenders

Dublin: Stories of Courage - a new campaign to highlight work of human rights defenders around the worldposted on: 2013/04/25

Front Line Defenders has launched a new promotional campaign using outdoor advertising and social media to highlight the exceptional work being done by all 6 finalists for this year's Front Line Defenders Award.

Azerbaijan:Human rights defenders accused of "trying to destabilise the country"posted on: 2013/03/20

On 15 March 2013, the Head of the Office of the President of Azerbaijan Mr Ramiz Mehtiyev publicly censured non-governmental organisations (NGOs) receiving financial support from foreign donors, alleging that this would result in an interference in the domestic affairs of the country.

Bahrain: UPDATE – Human rights defender Mr Sayed Yousif Al-Muhafdha cleared of all chargesposted on: 2013/03/15

On 11 March 2013, human rights defender Mr Sayed Yousif Al-Muhafdha was cleared of all charges relating to spreading false information on social media network Twitter.

A great leap forward for human rights in China or maybe even just one small step?

15/03/2013 - This week the world’s most populous country is finalising a once-in-a-decade leadership transition which began in November 2012 .The conclusion of the National People's Congress will see Xi Jinping assume the position of President of China, and will usher in a new era in which China is expected to surpass the United States in terms of size of its economy.

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The Gambia: Human rights defender Mr Fabakary Ceesay in hiding following death threatsposted on: 2013/03/14

On 12 March 2013, approximately one month after he was forced to go into hiding due to threats, human rights defender Mr Fabakary Ceesay received a tip off that the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) had issued an alert to its agents to search for him.

Mauritania: UPDATE - Case against members of anti-slavery movement thrown out for lack of evidenceposted on: 2013/03/14

On 12 March 2013, nine human rights defenders and members of Initiative pour la Résurgence du Mouvement Abolitionniste en Mauritanie (Initiative for the Resurgence of the Abolitionist Movement IRA), who had been arbitrarily detained on 9 March 2013, were released due to lack of evidence.

Kenya: Verdict in "malicious prosecution" case against human rights defenders deferred posted on: 2013/03/14

On 21 February 2013 the case resumed at the Makadara Law Courts in Nairobi against human rights defenders and women's rights activists Ms Ruth Mumbi and Ms Victoria Atieno who are accused of incitement to violence.

Finalists for 2013 Front Line Defenders Award for human rights defenders at risk

The selection of the finalists for the 2013 Front Line Defenders Award for Human Rights Defenders at Risk has now taken place and the overall winner will be chosen by an independent jury of cross-party Ministers, Parliamentarians and Members of the European Parliament. Having read the 90 nominations- and seen the quality and dedicated commitment of the human rights defenders - it is clear that so many would be a worthy finalist or winner and how impossible the task for the decision makers is. To all who were nominated, let me say on behalf or Front Line Defenders how much you inspire us and how much we value your unrelenting work for the rights of others. If you need support at any time, please contact us.

The finalists are:-

Bahtiyor Hamraev, the head of the Djizak regional branch of the Human Rights Society of Uzbekistan has been a dedicated human rights defender for the last 15 years. Despite being attacked and threatened many times and despite the arrest of his son to punish his father for his human rights work, Bahtiyor has refused to leave the country and tried to make a difference in one of the worst human rights situations in the region.

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Uganda: Update - Human rights defenders Messrs Gerald Kankya, Simon Amanyire and Gilbert Kayondo released but face new chargesposted on: 2013/01/24

During the evening of 23 January 2013, detained human rights defenders and Twerwaneho Listeners Club (TLC) members Mr Gerald Kankya, Simon Amanyire and Gilbert Kayondo were released on bail.

Uganda: Detention of human rights defenders Messrs Gerald Kankya, Simon Amanyire and Gilbert Kayondoposted on: 2013/01/23

On 21 January 2013, human rights defenders Messrs Gerald Kankya, Simon Amanyire and Gilbert Kayondo were detained following an extensive police interrogation of several members of the Twerwaneho Listeners Club (TLC) at the Criminal Investigation Directorate of the Fort Portal Police Station. The human rights defenders were each accused of making defamatory statements against Uganda's First Family during a radio talk show aired in late November 2012.