charges

On 16 December 2009 human rights defender Ms Umida Ahmedova, a photographer and film-maker, learnt that she is facing charges of slander and insult in relation to a book of her photographs. The charges relate to an investigation opened in November 2009 by the Uzbek Agency of Media and Information into several books and films created on gender issues, whose authors were examined by officials from the Ministry of Internal Affairs. 

Front Line is deeply concerned following reports that charges of trespassing have been brought against Pepe Julian Onziema, Valentine Kalende and Usaam Mukwaaya, defenders of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights in Kampala, Uganda. Pepe Julian Onziema, Valentine Kalende and Usaam Mukwaaya work for Sexual Minorities in Uganda (SMUG), an organisation dedicated to the defence of LGBT rights. The charges were brought against them following their arrests on 4 June 2008 during a peaceful protest at the HIV/AIDS Implementers' Meeting, an annual event described as an opportunity for HIV programme implementers to share lessons learned and best practices in an effort to strengthen the efficacy of HIV/AIDS programmes. The event is co-sponsored by the President's Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), UNAIDS, the World Bank, the Global Fund, UNICEF, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Global Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS (GNP+). 

Front Line is deeply concerned over the detention and upcoming trial of two human rights defenders, Netsanet Demissie and Daniel Bekele. They have been detained since 2005 and are due in court on 12 July 2007. The charges against them carry a possible life sentence or death penalty.