https://observatoryfordefenders.org/es/ Mon, 19 May 2025 14:38:38 +0000 es-ES hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 https://observatoryfordefenders.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/cropped-OB-eye-orange-32x32.png https://observatoryfordefenders.org/es/ 32 32 https://observatoryfordefenders.org/es/alert/colombia-asesinato-del-defensor-de-derechos-humanos-walberto-quintero-medina/ Mon, 19 May 2025 14:37:52 +0000 https://observatoryfordefenders.org/?post_type=alert&p=23470 Walberto Quintero Medina, vicepresidente de la Central Unitaria de Trabajadores (CUT) en el departamento del Cesar y directivo de Sinaltrainal, subdirectiva Cesar, dos entidades sindicales con el objetivo de consolidar movimientos sindicales fuertes y unificados, capaces de defender los derechos laborales y sociales. El 28 de abril de 2025, Walberto Quintero Medina fue víctima de un ataque armado perpetrado por un sicario cuando se encontraba en un establecimiento público del barrio Sicarare de Valledupar. El ataque, consistente en seis disparos en la espalda, le ocasionó lesiones severas que causaron su muerte en la mañana del 29 de abril de 2025, después de ser llevado a un centro de asistencia médica. Este suceso ocurre en medio de constantes amenazas y ataques a líderes sindicales y defensores de derechos humanos en Colombia, especialmente en el departamento del Cesar, donde aún existen serios peligros para aquellos que protegen los derechos laborales y sociales. De acuerdo con información del Instituto de Estudios para el Desarrollo y la Paz (INDEPAZ), Walberto Quintero Medina se convierte en el líder social número 56 que ha sido asesinado desde el inicio del año 2025. El Ministro del Trabajo, Antonio Sanguino, así como la CUT, han exigido públicamente una investigación urgente e imparcial, y a las autoridades que arresten a los culpables de este asesinato, así como la adopción de medidas efectivas de protección para los y las sindicalistas. En Colombia, la situación de las personas defensoras de los derechos humanos ha llegado a un nivel crítico, caracterizado por un incremento notable de la violencia, que incluye homicidios, torturas, represalias judiciales y amenazas constantes. De acuerdo con las cifras de la iniciativa HRD Memorial (de la cual la FIDH y OMCT son miembros), Colombia resultó ser el país con más muertes para las personas defensoras de los derechos humanos en el 2024, con 157 asesinatos. Esto resalta los serios y constantes peligros a los que se exponen aquellos que protegen y defienden los derechos humanos en Colombia. Las personas defensoras de los derechos de los trabajadores, en particular, pagan un precio muy alto: según las cifras del Ministerio de Trabajo, el 63 % de los casos de sindicalistas asesinados en el mundo pasaron en Colombia. El Observatorio expresa su más profunda preocupación ante este nuevo crimen y recuerda que la impunidad y la falta de garantías de protección continúan facilitando la sistematicidad de los ataques contra el movimiento sindical colombiano. El Observatorio también insta a las autoridades de Colombia a llevar a cabo una investigación inmediata, independiente, exhaustiva e imparcial sobre el asesinato de Walberto Quintero Medina con el fin de identificar a todos los responsables materiales e intelectuales, llevarlos ante un tribunal competente, independiente, justo e imparcial, y aplicarles las sanciones penales y de otra naturaleza judicial previstas en la normativa interna.]]> Walberto Quintero Medina, vicepresidente de la Central Unitaria de Trabajadores (CUT) en el departamento del Cesar y directivo de Sinaltrainal, subdirectiva Cesar, dos entidades sindicales con el objetivo de consolidar movimientos sindicales fuertes y unificados, capaces de defender los derechos laborales y sociales. El 28 de abril de 2025, Walberto Quintero Medina fue víctima de un ataque armado perpetrado por un sicario cuando se encontraba en un establecimiento público del barrio Sicarare de Valledupar. El ataque, consistente en seis disparos en la espalda, le ocasionó lesiones severas que causaron su muerte en la mañana del 29 de abril de 2025, después de ser llevado a un centro de asistencia médica. Este suceso ocurre en medio de constantes amenazas y ataques a líderes sindicales y defensores de derechos humanos en Colombia, especialmente en el departamento del Cesar, donde aún existen serios peligros para aquellos que protegen los derechos laborales y sociales. De acuerdo con información del Instituto de Estudios para el Desarrollo y la Paz (INDEPAZ), Walberto Quintero Medina se convierte en el líder social número 56 que ha sido asesinado desde el inicio del año 2025. El Ministro del Trabajo, Antonio Sanguino, así como la CUT, han exigido públicamente una investigación urgente e imparcial, y a las autoridades que arresten a los culpables de este asesinato, así como la adopción de medidas efectivas de protección para los y las sindicalistas. En Colombia, la situación de las personas defensoras de los derechos humanos ha llegado a un nivel crítico, caracterizado por un incremento notable de la violencia, que incluye homicidios, torturas, represalias judiciales y amenazas constantes. De acuerdo con las cifras de la iniciativa HRD Memorial (de la cual la FIDH y OMCT son miembros), Colombia resultó ser el país con más muertes para las personas defensoras de los derechos humanos en el 2024, con 157 asesinatos. Esto resalta los serios y constantes peligros a los que se exponen aquellos que protegen y defienden los derechos humanos en Colombia. Las personas defensoras de los derechos de los trabajadores, en particular, pagan un precio muy alto: según las cifras del Ministerio de Trabajo, el 63 % de los casos de sindicalistas asesinados en el mundo pasaron en Colombia. El Observatorio expresa su más profunda preocupación ante este nuevo crimen y recuerda que la impunidad y la falta de garantías de protección continúan facilitando la sistematicidad de los ataques contra el movimiento sindical colombiano. El Observatorio también insta a las autoridades de Colombia a llevar a cabo una investigación inmediata, independiente, exhaustiva e imparcial sobre el asesinato de Walberto Quintero Medina con el fin de identificar a todos los responsables materiales e intelectuales, llevarlos ante un tribunal competente, independiente, justo e imparcial, y aplicarles las sanciones penales y de otra naturaleza judicial previstas en la normativa interna.]]> https://observatoryfordefenders.org/es/alert/cambodia-sentencing-of-chhim-sithar-and-eight-other-members-of-the-lrsu/ Fri, 26 May 2023 11:21:20 +0000 https://observatoryfordefenders.org/?post_type=alert&p=20356 Chhim Sithar, union leader and President of the LRSU, as well as the ongoing arbitrary detention of the latter. On May 25, 2023, the Phnom Penh Municipal Court found Ms Sithar, Ms Chhim Sokhorn, Ms Hay Sopheap, Ms Kleang Soben, Ms Sun Srey Pich, Ms Touch Sereymeas, Ms Ry Sovandy, Mr Sok Narith, and Mr Sok Kongkea guilty of “incitement” under Articles 494 and 495 of the Criminal Code of Cambodia in relation to an ongoing LRSU’s peaceful strike action. The Court sentenced Ms Sithar to the maximum penalty of two years in prison. She was immediately transferred to Correctional Centre 2 (CC2) in Phnom Penh, where she had been arbitrarily detained since November 26, 2022, to serve the remainder of her sentence – that is, approximately one year and four months, taking into account the time already served during her two pre-trial detentions. Chhim Sokhorn, Hay Sopheap, Kleang Soben, Sun Srey Pich, and Touch Sereymeas were sentenced to one year and six months in prison, but they will not yet be imprisoned and will remain under judicial supervision until a final verdict is reached – that is, if no party appeals within one month, or when potential appeals are exhausted when the Supreme Court issues its decision. Ry Sovandy, Sok Narith, and Sok Kongkea were sentenced to a one-year suspended prison term, and are not detained. At the time of publication of this Urgent Appeal, seven of the nine defendants were planning to appeal the verdict. The Observatory recalls that in April 2021, Naga Corp., which operates the NagaWorld casino, dismissed 1,329 employees of the casino, including many union members, allegedly due to the financial consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic. Since December 2021, LRSU members have been leading almost daily strikes in Phnom Penh demanding the reinstatement of the dismissed employees and respect for their labour rights. The authorities responded to these strikes by beating, arresting, and assaulting strikers, and sexually harassing female striking workers. On January 4, 2022, Ms Sithar was violently arrested by plainclothes police officers while she attempted to join a strike by the NagaWorld casino workers, initiated by LRSU in Phnom Penh. Ms Sithar was charged with “incitement” and remanded in pre-trial detention at CC2, until her release on bail on March 14, 2022. The Observatory further recalls that on November 26, 2022, Ms Sithar was arbitrarily rearrested by immigration police officers at Phnom Penh International Airport upon her return from a trip to Australia, where she attended the International Trade Union Confederation World Conference. Ms Sithar was accused of violating her judicial supervision, which the Phnom Penh Municipal Court claimed prohibited her from leaving the country. However, upon her release in March 2022, neither Ms Sithar nor her lawyers were informed that any judicial supervision, such as travel restrictions, was imposed on her, and she had travelled abroad two other times since her release on bail without incident before being rearrested. Ms Sithar was then transferred to the Phnom Penh Municipal Court, which ordered her immediate pre-trial detention in CC2. In addition to Ms Sithar and the eight other co-defendants in the “incitement” case, many other LRSU leaders and members have faced legal reprisals in connection with their labour rights actions. Another six union members were charged in February 2022 with “obstruction of enforcement measures” under Article 11 of Cambodia’s Law on Preventive Measures Against the Spread of Covid-19 and Other Severe and Dangerous Contagious Diseases – a law which has been repeatedly used to criminalise the actions of the striking workers. In another criminal case initiated by NagaWorld in August 2022 against LRSU leaders and members, at least 18 identified LRSU members face charges under the following provisions of Cambodia’s Criminal Code: “breaking and entering into dwelling place” (Article 299); intentionally causing damage with aggravating circumstances” (Articles 410 and 411); and “unlawful arrest, detention and confinement” (Article 253). The Observatory strongly condemns the conviction and sentencing of Chhim Sithar, Chhim Sokhorn, Hay Sopheap, Kleang Soben, Sun Srey Pich, Touch Sereymeas, Ry Sovandy, Sok Narith and Sok Kongkea, which seem to be only aimed at punishing them for their peaceful and legitimate human rights activities. The Observatory urges the Cambodian authorities to quash their convictions and to put an end to all acts of harassment, including at the judicial level, against them, all other union leaders and members, and all other human rights defenders in the country. The Observatory further condemns the ongoing arbitrary detention of Chhim Sithar, and urges the Cambodian authorities to immediately and unconditionally release her. The Observatory lastly condemns the attacks against labour rights defenders and urges the Cambodian authorities to guarantee in all circumstances labour rights in the country, including the right to strike, as enshrined in international human rights law and particularly in Articles 6 to 8 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, to which Cambodia is a state party.]]> Chhim Sithar, union leader and President of the LRSU, as well as the ongoing arbitrary detention of the latter. On May 25, 2023, the Phnom Penh Municipal Court found Ms Sithar, Ms Chhim Sokhorn, Ms Hay Sopheap, Ms Kleang Soben, Ms Sun Srey Pich, Ms Touch Sereymeas, Ms Ry Sovandy, Mr Sok Narith, and Mr Sok Kongkea guilty of “incitement” under Articles 494 and 495 of the Criminal Code of Cambodia in relation to an ongoing LRSU’s peaceful strike action. The Court sentenced Ms Sithar to the maximum penalty of two years in prison. She was immediately transferred to Correctional Centre 2 (CC2) in Phnom Penh, where she had been arbitrarily detained since November 26, 2022, to serve the remainder of her sentence – that is, approximately one year and four months, taking into account the time already served during her two pre-trial detentions. Chhim Sokhorn, Hay Sopheap, Kleang Soben, Sun Srey Pich, and Touch Sereymeas were sentenced to one year and six months in prison, but they will not yet be imprisoned and will remain under judicial supervision until a final verdict is reached – that is, if no party appeals within one month, or when potential appeals are exhausted when the Supreme Court issues its decision. Ry Sovandy, Sok Narith, and Sok Kongkea were sentenced to a one-year suspended prison term, and are not detained. At the time of publication of this Urgent Appeal, seven of the nine defendants were planning to appeal the verdict. The Observatory recalls that in April 2021, Naga Corp., which operates the NagaWorld casino, dismissed 1,329 employees of the casino, including many union members, allegedly due to the financial consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic. Since December 2021, LRSU members have been leading almost daily strikes in Phnom Penh demanding the reinstatement of the dismissed employees and respect for their labour rights. The authorities responded to these strikes by beating, arresting, and assaulting strikers, and sexually harassing female striking workers. On January 4, 2022, Ms Sithar was violently arrested by plainclothes police officers while she attempted to join a strike by the NagaWorld casino workers, initiated by LRSU in Phnom Penh. Ms Sithar was charged with “incitement” and remanded in pre-trial detention at CC2, until her release on bail on March 14, 2022. The Observatory further recalls that on November 26, 2022, Ms Sithar was arbitrarily rearrested by immigration police officers at Phnom Penh International Airport upon her return from a trip to Australia, where she attended the International Trade Union Confederation World Conference. Ms Sithar was accused of violating her judicial supervision, which the Phnom Penh Municipal Court claimed prohibited her from leaving the country. However, upon her release in March 2022, neither Ms Sithar nor her lawyers were informed that any judicial supervision, such as travel restrictions, was imposed on her, and she had travelled abroad two other times since her release on bail without incident before being rearrested. Ms Sithar was then transferred to the Phnom Penh Municipal Court, which ordered her immediate pre-trial detention in CC2. In addition to Ms Sithar and the eight other co-defendants in the “incitement” case, many other LRSU leaders and members have faced legal reprisals in connection with their labour rights actions. Another six union members were charged in February 2022 with “obstruction of enforcement measures” under Article 11 of Cambodia’s Law on Preventive Measures Against the Spread of Covid-19 and Other Severe and Dangerous Contagious Diseases – a law which has been repeatedly used to criminalise the actions of the striking workers. In another criminal case initiated by NagaWorld in August 2022 against LRSU leaders and members, at least 18 identified LRSU members face charges under the following provisions of Cambodia’s Criminal Code: “breaking and entering into dwelling place” (Article 299); intentionally causing damage with aggravating circumstances” (Articles 410 and 411); and “unlawful arrest, detention and confinement” (Article 253). The Observatory strongly condemns the conviction and sentencing of Chhim Sithar, Chhim Sokhorn, Hay Sopheap, Kleang Soben, Sun Srey Pich, Touch Sereymeas, Ry Sovandy, Sok Narith and Sok Kongkea, which seem to be only aimed at punishing them for their peaceful and legitimate human rights activities. The Observatory urges the Cambodian authorities to quash their convictions and to put an end to all acts of harassment, including at the judicial level, against them, all other union leaders and members, and all other human rights defenders in the country. The Observatory further condemns the ongoing arbitrary detention of Chhim Sithar, and urges the Cambodian authorities to immediately and unconditionally release her. The Observatory lastly condemns the attacks against labour rights defenders and urges the Cambodian authorities to guarantee in all circumstances labour rights in the country, including the right to strike, as enshrined in international human rights law and particularly in Articles 6 to 8 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, to which Cambodia is a state party.]]> https://observatoryfordefenders.org/es/alert/ukraine-russia-abduction-of-citizen-journalist-iryna-danilovich/ Wed, 04 May 2022 00:00:00 +0000 https://pods.local/alert/ukraine-russia-abduction-of-citizen-journalist-iryna-danilovich/ Crimean Tatars. The Observatory recalls that, in this framework, Vladyslav Yesypenko, Ukranian journalist of “Radio Liberty”, was convicted of possession of explosives and sentenced to six years of prison in a colony and a fine after being detained on March 2021 by the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) in Crimea. He was detained incommunicado and subjected to torture to extract to seek evidence. The Russian FSB stated that Yesypenko allegedly "conducted intelligence and subversive activities in the interests of Ukrainian special services," namely, "photographed and videotaped areas, livelihoods, and places of mass stay in the Crimea." Mr. Yesypenko’s conviction is exemplary regarding the criminalisation of journalists who defend freedom of speech and media independence in occupied Crimea. The Observatory expresses its utmost concern over the abduction of Iryna Danilovich and urges the Russian authorities to immediately and unconditionally disclose her whereabouts, release her and to put an end to all acts of harassment, including at the administrative and judicial levels, against her and all human rights defenders and journalists in Crimea.]]> Crimean Tatars. The Observatory recalls that, in this framework, Vladyslav Yesypenko, Ukranian journalist of “Radio Liberty”, was convicted of possession of explosives and sentenced to six years of prison in a colony and a fine after being detained on March 2021 by the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) in Crimea. He was detained incommunicado and subjected to torture to extract to seek evidence. The Russian FSB stated that Yesypenko allegedly "conducted intelligence and subversive activities in the interests of Ukrainian special services," namely, "photographed and videotaped areas, livelihoods, and places of mass stay in the Crimea." Mr. Yesypenko’s conviction is exemplary regarding the criminalisation of journalists who defend freedom of speech and media independence in occupied Crimea. The Observatory expresses its utmost concern over the abduction of Iryna Danilovich and urges the Russian authorities to immediately and unconditionally disclose her whereabouts, release her and to put an end to all acts of harassment, including at the administrative and judicial levels, against her and all human rights defenders and journalists in Crimea.]]> https://observatoryfordefenders.org/es/alert/ind-002-1121-obs-119-jyoti-jogtap/ Wed, 17 Nov 2021 00:00:00 +0000 https://pods.local/?post_type=alert&p=17783 Sudha Bhardwaj ; Mr. Vernon Gonsalves; Mr. Gautam Navlakha ; Mr. Arun Ferreira; Mr.Sudhir Dhawale; Mr. Rona Wilson; Ms. Shoma Sen; Mr. Anand Teltumbde; Mr. Mahesh Raut; Mr. Surendra Gadling; Mr. Hany Babu; Mr. Ramesh Gaichour; Mr. Sagar Gorkhe; and Ms. Jyoti Jagtap. The above-mentioned human rights defenders have been denied phone and video calls with their relatives since October 2021, following a decision of the Inspector General of Prisons and Correctional Services of Maharashtra State to reinstitute the prison visit system that was in force before the Covid-19 pandemic in India. According to the 2016 Model Prison Manual of India, in-person meetings with relatives are preferred over other means of communication to guarantee detainees’ contact with the outside world. However, following the suspension of prison visits adopted in March 2020 to prevent the spread of Covid-19, the penitentiary authorities of Maharashtra State replaced in-person visits with a system of bi-weekly phone calls with their relatives, which ended in October 2021. Given that they reside in states all across India, the families of the above-mentioned human rights defenders face significant challenges to visit the detainees, as they are unable to afford traveling long distances to the prisons in Maharashtra State. This situation has a negative impact on the defenders’ psychological well-being. Moreover, it is inconsistent with the UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (Nelson Mandela Rules), particularly Rule 58 which states that detainees shall be allowed to communicate with their family and friends at regular intervals by corresponding in writing and using telecommunication, electronic, digital or other means, as well as with the “Interim Guidance on Covid-19” issued by the World Health Organisation and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in March 2020. The Observatory recalls that the detention conditions in which Sudha Bhardwaj, Vernon Gonsalves, Gautam Navlakha, Arun Ferreira, Sudhir Dhawale, Rona Wilson, Shoma Sen, Anand Teltumbde, Mahesh Raut, Surendra Gadling, Hany Babu, Ramesh Gaichour, Sagar Gorkhe, and Jyoti Jagtap are held pose a serious risk to their health. They are detained in overcrowded jails in unsanitary conditions, where there is a lack of access to proper medical care, including Covid-19 testing and vaccination. According to his relatives, on October 12, 2021, 70-year-old Gautam Navlakha, detained in Taloja Central jail, west of Mumbai, Maharashtra State, was transferred to a high-security barrack in the same facility. He has been denied access to open spaces since then and consequently his health has deteriorated. In this regard, the Observatory further recalls that prominent human rights defender Mr. Stan Swamy died in custody at the age of 85 on July 5, 2021, after 270 days of arbitrary detention in connection with the Bhima Koregaon case. Despite having tested positive for Covid-19 and his critical health situation, the authorities systematically denied him bail. Mr. Varavara Rao , an 80-year-old human rights defender detained for two and a half years in Taloja Central jail in connection with the same case, was granted bail on medical grounds on February 22, 2021, after he had tested positive for Covid-19 and was denied adequate medical care. Eight of the above-mentioned human rights defenders have been detained without trial since 2018 and six since 2020 under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) [1] in relation to the anti-caste violence that took place in Bhima Koregaon in Maharashtra State on January 1, 2018. Their arrest is particularly concerning given that a digital forensics investigation found that some of the evidence relied on by the prosecution had been planted through malicious software onto computer of one of them, Rona Wilson, and that there was no evidence that the defender interacted with these files. The Observatory condemns the ongoing arbitrary detention of the above-mentioned human rights defenders and expresses deep concern over the Maharashtra State prison authorithies’ decision to prevent them from having regular communications with their families. The Observatory urges the Indian authorities to comply with the UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, particularly Rule 58. The Observatory reiterates its concern over the misuse of the UAPA by the Indian authorities to target human rights defenders and silence dissent, and condemns all acts of harassment and persecution of human rights defenders in India. The Observatory urges the authorities to immediately and unconditionally release and drop all charges against the above-mentioned human rights defenders and put an end to all acts of harassment against them.]]> Sudha Bhardwaj ; Mr. Vernon Gonsalves; Mr. Gautam Navlakha ; Mr. Arun Ferreira; Mr.Sudhir Dhawale; Mr. Rona Wilson; Ms. Shoma Sen; Mr. Anand Teltumbde; Mr. Mahesh Raut; Mr. Surendra Gadling; Mr. Hany Babu; Mr. Ramesh Gaichour; Mr. Sagar Gorkhe; and Ms. Jyoti Jagtap. The above-mentioned human rights defenders have been denied phone and video calls with their relatives since October 2021, following a decision of the Inspector General of Prisons and Correctional Services of Maharashtra State to reinstitute the prison visit system that was in force before the Covid-19 pandemic in India. According to the 2016 Model Prison Manual of India, in-person meetings with relatives are preferred over other means of communication to guarantee detainees’ contact with the outside world. However, following the suspension of prison visits adopted in March 2020 to prevent the spread of Covid-19, the penitentiary authorities of Maharashtra State replaced in-person visits with a system of bi-weekly phone calls with their relatives, which ended in October 2021. Given that they reside in states all across India, the families of the above-mentioned human rights defenders face significant challenges to visit the detainees, as they are unable to afford traveling long distances to the prisons in Maharashtra State. This situation has a negative impact on the defenders’ psychological well-being. Moreover, it is inconsistent with the UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (Nelson Mandela Rules), particularly Rule 58 which states that detainees shall be allowed to communicate with their family and friends at regular intervals by corresponding in writing and using telecommunication, electronic, digital or other means, as well as with the “Interim Guidance on Covid-19” issued by the World Health Organisation and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in March 2020. The Observatory recalls that the detention conditions in which Sudha Bhardwaj, Vernon Gonsalves, Gautam Navlakha, Arun Ferreira, Sudhir Dhawale, Rona Wilson, Shoma Sen, Anand Teltumbde, Mahesh Raut, Surendra Gadling, Hany Babu, Ramesh Gaichour, Sagar Gorkhe, and Jyoti Jagtap are held pose a serious risk to their health. They are detained in overcrowded jails in unsanitary conditions, where there is a lack of access to proper medical care, including Covid-19 testing and vaccination. According to his relatives, on October 12, 2021, 70-year-old Gautam Navlakha, detained in Taloja Central jail, west of Mumbai, Maharashtra State, was transferred to a high-security barrack in the same facility. He has been denied access to open spaces since then and consequently his health has deteriorated. In this regard, the Observatory further recalls that prominent human rights defender Mr. Stan Swamy died in custody at the age of 85 on July 5, 2021, after 270 days of arbitrary detention in connection with the Bhima Koregaon case. Despite having tested positive for Covid-19 and his critical health situation, the authorities systematically denied him bail. Mr. Varavara Rao , an 80-year-old human rights defender detained for two and a half years in Taloja Central jail in connection with the same case, was granted bail on medical grounds on February 22, 2021, after he had tested positive for Covid-19 and was denied adequate medical care. Eight of the above-mentioned human rights defenders have been detained without trial since 2018 and six since 2020 under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) [1] in relation to the anti-caste violence that took place in Bhima Koregaon in Maharashtra State on January 1, 2018. Their arrest is particularly concerning given that a digital forensics investigation found that some of the evidence relied on by the prosecution had been planted through malicious software onto computer of one of them, Rona Wilson, and that there was no evidence that the defender interacted with these files. The Observatory condemns the ongoing arbitrary detention of the above-mentioned human rights defenders and expresses deep concern over the Maharashtra State prison authorithies’ decision to prevent them from having regular communications with their families. The Observatory urges the Indian authorities to comply with the UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, particularly Rule 58. The Observatory reiterates its concern over the misuse of the UAPA by the Indian authorities to target human rights defenders and silence dissent, and condemns all acts of harassment and persecution of human rights defenders in India. The Observatory urges the authorities to immediately and unconditionally release and drop all charges against the above-mentioned human rights defenders and put an end to all acts of harassment against them.]]> https://observatoryfordefenders.org/es/alert/cambodia-conviction-of-human-rights-defender-rong-chhun-to-two-years-in-prison/ Tue, 24 Aug 2021 00:00:00 +0000 https://pods.local/?post_type=alert&p=17537 Rong Chhun to two years in prison. Mr. Chhun, a prominent labour rights defender, is the President of the Cambodian Confederation of Unions (CCU), and a member of the Cambodian Watchdog Council (CWC) [1]. On August 18, 2021, the Phnom Penh Municipal Court sentenced Rong Chhun to two years in prison and a fine for “incitement to commit a felony or cause social arrest” under Article 495 of the Criminal Code of Cambodia. Two other human rights activists, Sar Kanika, a member of the youth group Khmer Thavrak [2] and an ex-member of the dissolved Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), and Ton Nimol were sentenced on the same charge to 20 months in prison and a fine, for publicly calling for Rong Chhun’s release. Along with a fine of two million riel (approximately 420 Euros) each, the three human rights defenders were also ordered to jointly pay 400 million riel (approximately 83 800 Euros) to the Cambodian Border Affairs Committee, plaintiff in the case, as compensation. The Observatory recalls that Rong Chhun was arbitrarily arrested at his home in Phnom Penh on July 31, 2020. On August 1, 2020, the Phnom Penh Municipal Court charged him with “incitement to commit a felony or cause social unrest” and ordered his pre-trial detention in Phnom Penh’s Correction Centre 1 (CC1). Rong Chhun’s detention came following several public statements he made on behalf of the CWC in which he reported community land loss as a result of the demarcation of the Cambodia-Vietnam border. Sar Kanika and Ton Nimol were arbitrarily detained in August 2020, amid a wave of arrests of human rights defenders and activists in relation to their planning of peaceful assemblies that were to take place at Freedom Park in Phnom Penh in September 2020 in order to demand the release of Rong Chhun. The Phnom Penh Municipal Court charged Sar Kanika with “incitement to commit a felony or cause social unrest” and placed her in pre-trial detention in Phnom Penh’s Correction Centre 2 (CC2). On June 8, 2021, Rong Chhun and Sar Kanika were denied bail by the Phnom Penh Municipal Court, which claimed that the crime for which they were being detained affected social security and was therefore unbailable. The Observatory further recalls that Hun Vannak, Chhoeun Daravy, Tha Lavy, Koet Saray, and Eng Malai (aka So Metta), members of Khmer Thavrak, as well as Muong Sopheak and Mean Prommony, member and Vice-President of the Khmer Student Intelligent League Association (KSILA), respectively, remain detained on the same charges in relation to the same acts. Their bail application was rejected by the Phnom Penh Municipal Court on May 18, 2021. The Observatory strongly condemns the ongoing arbitrary detention of the above-mentioned human rights defenders and reiterates its deepest concern about the Cambodian authorities’ systematic legal harassment to target all critical voices, and about the serious deterioration of the human rights situation in the country, including through increasing obstacles to the exercise of the rights to freedom of expression and freedom of peaceful assembly in Cambodia. The Observatory is further concerned about the risks for the health of all human rights defenders arbitrarily detained in the overcrowded Cambodian prisons and calls on the authorities to immediately take all necessary measures to ensure their access to adequate healthcare and protective equipment, and reduce the prison population through the adoption of non-custodial measures. The Observatory urges the Cambodian authorities to guarantee the physical integrity and psychological well-being of Rong Chhun, Sar Kanika, Ton Nimol, Hun Vannak, Chhoeun Daravy, Tha Lavy, Koet Saray, Eng Malai (aka So Metta), Muong Sopheak, and Mean Prommony. The Observatory also calls for their immediate and unconditional release, along with the release of all other human rights defenders arbitrarily detained in Cambodia, in order to protect their right to health during the COVID-19 pandemic.]]> Rong Chhun to two years in prison. Mr. Chhun, a prominent labour rights defender, is the President of the Cambodian Confederation of Unions (CCU), and a member of the Cambodian Watchdog Council (CWC) [1]. On August 18, 2021, the Phnom Penh Municipal Court sentenced Rong Chhun to two years in prison and a fine for “incitement to commit a felony or cause social arrest” under Article 495 of the Criminal Code of Cambodia. Two other human rights activists, Sar Kanika, a member of the youth group Khmer Thavrak [2] and an ex-member of the dissolved Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), and Ton Nimol were sentenced on the same charge to 20 months in prison and a fine, for publicly calling for Rong Chhun’s release. Along with a fine of two million riel (approximately 420 Euros) each, the three human rights defenders were also ordered to jointly pay 400 million riel (approximately 83 800 Euros) to the Cambodian Border Affairs Committee, plaintiff in the case, as compensation. The Observatory recalls that Rong Chhun was arbitrarily arrested at his home in Phnom Penh on July 31, 2020. On August 1, 2020, the Phnom Penh Municipal Court charged him with “incitement to commit a felony or cause social unrest” and ordered his pre-trial detention in Phnom Penh’s Correction Centre 1 (CC1). Rong Chhun’s detention came following several public statements he made on behalf of the CWC in which he reported community land loss as a result of the demarcation of the Cambodia-Vietnam border. Sar Kanika and Ton Nimol were arbitrarily detained in August 2020, amid a wave of arrests of human rights defenders and activists in relation to their planning of peaceful assemblies that were to take place at Freedom Park in Phnom Penh in September 2020 in order to demand the release of Rong Chhun. The Phnom Penh Municipal Court charged Sar Kanika with “incitement to commit a felony or cause social unrest” and placed her in pre-trial detention in Phnom Penh’s Correction Centre 2 (CC2). On June 8, 2021, Rong Chhun and Sar Kanika were denied bail by the Phnom Penh Municipal Court, which claimed that the crime for which they were being detained affected social security and was therefore unbailable. The Observatory further recalls that Hun Vannak, Chhoeun Daravy, Tha Lavy, Koet Saray, and Eng Malai (aka So Metta), members of Khmer Thavrak, as well as Muong Sopheak and Mean Prommony, member and Vice-President of the Khmer Student Intelligent League Association (KSILA), respectively, remain detained on the same charges in relation to the same acts. Their bail application was rejected by the Phnom Penh Municipal Court on May 18, 2021. The Observatory strongly condemns the ongoing arbitrary detention of the above-mentioned human rights defenders and reiterates its deepest concern about the Cambodian authorities’ systematic legal harassment to target all critical voices, and about the serious deterioration of the human rights situation in the country, including through increasing obstacles to the exercise of the rights to freedom of expression and freedom of peaceful assembly in Cambodia. The Observatory is further concerned about the risks for the health of all human rights defenders arbitrarily detained in the overcrowded Cambodian prisons and calls on the authorities to immediately take all necessary measures to ensure their access to adequate healthcare and protective equipment, and reduce the prison population through the adoption of non-custodial measures. The Observatory urges the Cambodian authorities to guarantee the physical integrity and psychological well-being of Rong Chhun, Sar Kanika, Ton Nimol, Hun Vannak, Chhoeun Daravy, Tha Lavy, Koet Saray, Eng Malai (aka So Metta), Muong Sopheak, and Mean Prommony. The Observatory also calls for their immediate and unconditional release, along with the release of all other human rights defenders arbitrarily detained in Cambodia, in order to protect their right to health during the COVID-19 pandemic.]]> https://observatoryfordefenders.org/es/alert/khm-001-0820-obs-089-1-chhun-rong/ Wed, 09 Jun 2021 00:00:00 +0000 https://pods.local/?post_type=alert&p=17259 Rong Chhun and Sar Kanika amid a COVID-19 outbreak in many Cambodian prisons. Mr. Chhun, a prominent labour rights defender, is the President of the Cambodian Confederation of Unions (CCU), and a member of the Cambodian Watchdog Council (CWC) [1]. Ms. Kanika is a member of the youth group Khmer Thavrak [2] and an ex-member of the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP). On June 8, 2021, Rong Chhun and Sar Kanika were denied bail by the Phnom Penh Municipal Court, which claimed that the crime for which they have been detained affects social security and is therefore unbailable. Rong Chhun and Sar Kanika were not present at the bail hearing as prison officers requested the court to suspend the transportation of inmates to tribunals due to public health concerns. Since mid-May 2021, many Cambodian prisons have been affected by an outbreak of COVID-19. These prisons include Phnom Penh’s Correction Centre 1 (CC1) and Correction Centre 2 (CC2), where the two human rights defenders remain detained, respectively. Rong Chhun and Sar Kanika have been denied access to their lawyers for over four months, raising concerns over their current health condition. The Observatory recalls that Rong Chhun was arbitrarily arrested at his home in Phnom Penh on July 31, 2020. On August 1, 2020, the Phnom Penh Municipal Court charged him with “incitement to commit a felony or cause social unrest” (Article 495 of the Cambodian Criminal Court) and ordered his pre-trial detention in CC1. Rong Chhun’s detention came following several public statements he made on behalf of the CWC in which he reported community land loss as a result of the demarcation of the Cambodia-Vietnam border. Sar Kanika was arbitrarily detained in August 2020, amid a wave of arrests of human rights defenders and activists in relation to their planning of peaceful assemblies that were to take place at Freedom Park in Phnom Penh in September 2020 in order to demand the release of Rong Chhun. The Phnom Penh Municipal Court charged Sar Kanika with “incitement to commit a felony or cause social unrest” and placed her in pre-trial detention in CC2. The Observatory further recalls that Hun Vannak, Chhoeun Daravy , Tha Lavy, Koet Saray, and Eng Malai (aka So Metta), members of Khmer Thavrak, as well as Muong Sopheak and Mean Prommony, member and Vice-President of the Khmer Student Intelligent League Association (KSILA), respectively, remain detained under the same charges in relation to the same acts. Their bail application was likewise rejected by the Phnom Penh Municipal Court on May 18, 2021. The Observatory strongly condemns the ongoing arbitrary detention of the above-mentioned human rights defenders and reiterates its deepest concern about the Cambodian authorities’ systematic legal harassment to target all critical voices, and about the serious deterioration of the human rights situation in the country, including through increasing obstacles to the exercise of the rights to freedom of expression and freedom of peaceful assembly in Cambodia. The Observatory is further concerned about the risks for the health of all human rights defenders arbitrarily detained in the overcrowded Cambodian prisons and calls on the authorities to immediately take all necessary measures to ensure their access to adequate healthcare and protective equipment, and reduce the prison population through the adoption of non-custodial measures. The Observatory urges the Cambodian authorities to guarantee the physical integrity and psychological well-being of Rong Chhun, Sar Kanika, Hun Vannak, Chhoeun Daravy, Tha Lavy, Koet Saray, Eng Malai (aka So Metta), Muong Sopheak, and Mean Prommony. The Observatory also calls fortheir immediate and unconditional release, along with all other human rights defenders arbitrarily detained in Cambodia, in order to protect their right to health during the COVID-19 pandemic.]]> Rong Chhun and Sar Kanika amid a COVID-19 outbreak in many Cambodian prisons. Mr. Chhun, a prominent labour rights defender, is the President of the Cambodian Confederation of Unions (CCU), and a member of the Cambodian Watchdog Council (CWC) [1]. Ms. Kanika is a member of the youth group Khmer Thavrak [2] and an ex-member of the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP). On June 8, 2021, Rong Chhun and Sar Kanika were denied bail by the Phnom Penh Municipal Court, which claimed that the crime for which they have been detained affects social security and is therefore unbailable. Rong Chhun and Sar Kanika were not present at the bail hearing as prison officers requested the court to suspend the transportation of inmates to tribunals due to public health concerns. Since mid-May 2021, many Cambodian prisons have been affected by an outbreak of COVID-19. These prisons include Phnom Penh’s Correction Centre 1 (CC1) and Correction Centre 2 (CC2), where the two human rights defenders remain detained, respectively. Rong Chhun and Sar Kanika have been denied access to their lawyers for over four months, raising concerns over their current health condition. The Observatory recalls that Rong Chhun was arbitrarily arrested at his home in Phnom Penh on July 31, 2020. On August 1, 2020, the Phnom Penh Municipal Court charged him with “incitement to commit a felony or cause social unrest” (Article 495 of the Cambodian Criminal Court) and ordered his pre-trial detention in CC1. Rong Chhun’s detention came following several public statements he made on behalf of the CWC in which he reported community land loss as a result of the demarcation of the Cambodia-Vietnam border. Sar Kanika was arbitrarily detained in August 2020, amid a wave of arrests of human rights defenders and activists in relation to their planning of peaceful assemblies that were to take place at Freedom Park in Phnom Penh in September 2020 in order to demand the release of Rong Chhun. The Phnom Penh Municipal Court charged Sar Kanika with “incitement to commit a felony or cause social unrest” and placed her in pre-trial detention in CC2. The Observatory further recalls that Hun Vannak, Chhoeun Daravy , Tha Lavy, Koet Saray, and Eng Malai (aka So Metta), members of Khmer Thavrak, as well as Muong Sopheak and Mean Prommony, member and Vice-President of the Khmer Student Intelligent League Association (KSILA), respectively, remain detained under the same charges in relation to the same acts. Their bail application was likewise rejected by the Phnom Penh Municipal Court on May 18, 2021. The Observatory strongly condemns the ongoing arbitrary detention of the above-mentioned human rights defenders and reiterates its deepest concern about the Cambodian authorities’ systematic legal harassment to target all critical voices, and about the serious deterioration of the human rights situation in the country, including through increasing obstacles to the exercise of the rights to freedom of expression and freedom of peaceful assembly in Cambodia. The Observatory is further concerned about the risks for the health of all human rights defenders arbitrarily detained in the overcrowded Cambodian prisons and calls on the authorities to immediately take all necessary measures to ensure their access to adequate healthcare and protective equipment, and reduce the prison population through the adoption of non-custodial measures. The Observatory urges the Cambodian authorities to guarantee the physical integrity and psychological well-being of Rong Chhun, Sar Kanika, Hun Vannak, Chhoeun Daravy, Tha Lavy, Koet Saray, Eng Malai (aka So Metta), Muong Sopheak, and Mean Prommony. The Observatory also calls fortheir immediate and unconditional release, along with all other human rights defenders arbitrarily detained in Cambodia, in order to protect their right to health during the COVID-19 pandemic.]]> https://observatoryfordefenders.org/es/alert/phl-002-0321-obs-031-emmanuel-manny-asuncion/ Tue, 09 Mar 2021 00:00:00 +0000 https://pods.local/?post_type=alert&p=16948 https://observatoryfordefenders.org/es/alert/phl-006-1220-obs-141-dennise-velasco/ Wed, 23 Dec 2020 00:00:00 +0000 https://pods.local/?post_type=alert&p=16704 https://observatoryfordefenders.org/es/alert/ven-005-1020-obs-116-franklin-gascon/ Tue, 27 Oct 2020 00:00:00 +0000 https://pods.local/?post_type=alert&p=16569