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defamation

Dominican Republic: Defamation of human rights defender Ms Sonia Pierre following statements by public officialsposted on: 2011/10/17

Public officials have insulted and defamed human rights defender, Ms Sonia Pierre, as a result of a complaint that was submitted before the Inter-American Commission of Human Rights (IACHR), an autonomous organ of the Organisation of American States (OAS).

Malaysia: Update – Settlement reached in defamation case against human rights defender Charles Hector Fernandezposted on: 2011/08/31

On 25 August 2011, a settlement was reached in the defamation suit by Japanese-company Asahi Kosei against human rights defender and lawyer Charles Hector Fernandez following a trial which lasted six months.

Further Information

Under the terms of the settlement, Charles Hector Fernandez must pay 2 Malaysian Ringgits (less than €1) in costs and damages to the Asahi Kosei company. As a part of the settlement, he is required to publicise an apology which will be printed as a half-page advertisement in two national newspapers, The Star, and The Nanyang Siang Pau, which will cost him 22,000 Malaysian Ringits (approximately €5,100). In addition, he has to pay 10,000 Malaysian Ringits (€2,310) to the court in legal fees.

Charles Hector Fernandez is a prominent human rights defender and lawyer in Malaysia. He was sued for US$3.3 million (appx.

Venezuela: Defamation of human rights defender Dr Humberto Prado Sifontes following statements by a public officialposted on: 2011/06/23

Human rights defender, Dr Humberto Prado Sifontes, has been defamed in a number of media outlets, particularly online media, following statements made by a Government Minister. He has been accused of instigating violent incidents within the prison system in Venezuela in a renewed campaign to discredit the lawyer and his human rights activities. Dr Humberto Prado Sifontes is the Director of the Observatorio Venezolano de Prisiones – OVP (Venezuelan Prisons Observatory). The OVP documents cases of violations against, and promotes the rights of, persons in detention in Venezuela.

India: Threats, attacks, defamation and harassment against human rights defender Mrs K. Saraswathyposted on: 2010/06/25

Human rights defender Mrs K. Saraswathy has been subjected to attacks, death threats, attempted murder and a campaign of public defamation as a result of her human rights activities in Tamil Nadu State, India.

Russian Federation - Human rights defender Mr Oleg Orlov fined following defamation suitposted on: 2009/10/13

On 6 October 2009, human rights defender Mr Oleg Orlov, chairman of Human Rights Center Memorial, was fined and ordered to retract public statements following a defamation lawsuit brought against him by the President of the Republic of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov. Human Rights Centre Memorial concentrates its activities on human rights violations in zones of armed conflicts in the Russian Federation, and on the protection of refugees and victims of discrimination and political persecution.

Ecuador - Criminal charges, intimidation and defamation against human rights defender Lina Solanoposted on: 2008/11/14

Front Line is deeply concerned following reports of criminal charges, intimidation and defamation against human rights defender Lina Solano. Lina Solano is a founding member of the Popular Peasants Association, a member of the executive committee of the National Co-ordinating Committee for the Defence of Life and Sovereignty (NCCDLS), a member of the Women Defenders of Mother Earth (WDME), and a founding member of the Women’s Latin American Union, a regional network of women defenders of environmental rights.

Tunisia: Front Line welcomes decision to dismiss the case against human rights defender Omar Mestiriposted on: 2007/03/12

Front Line welcomes the decision to dismiss the case against the HRD Omar Mestiri after the plantiff retracted charges against him, following the trial which took place on 28 August 2007.