https://observatoryfordefenders.org/es/ Wed, 11 Feb 2026 14:29:22 +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/kazakhstan-judicial-harassment-against-journalist-gulnara-bazhkenova-and-disbarment-of-her-lawyer-murat-adam/ Wed, 11 Feb 2026 14:29:22 +0000 https://observatoryfordefenders.org/?post_type=alert&p=24407 Gulnara Bazhkenova – shareholder and, at the time, editor-in-chief of the independent online media outlet Orda.kz –, and her lawyer, Mr Murat Adam, who has been disbarred in apparent retaliation for his legal defence and public criticism of procedural violations in her case. Between 12 January 2026 and 16 January 2026, at the Bostandyk District Court of Almaty, Mr Murat Adam was subjected to a hearing on a claim brought by the Ministry of Justice. His trial was considered of “urgent resolution”, meaning it had to be concluded within four days, curtailing defence guarantees. During this hearing, Mr Adam was defended by over 110 lawyers. As the court room only fitted about 40 lawyers, the judge issued a private ruling against all the present lawyers for “abuse of rights” and allegedly delaying the case resolution. The hearing also culminated in a court decision to revoke Mr Adam’s license, unless he was able to provide evidence to counter a claim submitted against him. The claim seems to have been submitted in retaliation for his role as defence lawyer for Ms Gulnara Bazhkenova and from his public statements concerning the conduct of investigative authorities in her case. On 1 December 2025, armed police officers conducted coordinated raids at Orda.kz’editorial offices in Almaty and Astana, as well as at Ms Gulnara Bazhkenova’s, editor-in-chief of Orda.kz, private residence. During the searches, law enforcement officers prevented her lawyers, including Mr Murat Adam, from entering the premises and refused to present search warrants. At the Almaty office, officers forced staff members to open a safe and seized cash intended for staff salaries, along with computers, documents, and journalists’ mobile phones. On the same day, Ms Gulnara Bazhkenova, the heads of Orda.kz’s Almaty and Astana offices, a news editor, and the outlet’s accountant were taken to police stations for questioning. Ms Gulnara Bazhkenova was arbitrarily detained for questioning from 9 a.m, when the searches started at Orda.kz’s offices and her home, to approximately 9:10 p.m., during which time no detention protocol was drawn up. Orda.kz’s staff members were reportedly held in the offices by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Department of Police of the Almaty city for several hours before being released. That night, the investigating judge of the Bostandyk District Court of Almaty city, Dauren Tleubayev ordered for Ms Gulnara Bazhkenova to be placed under house arrest for a period of two months pending investigation. Ms Gulnara Bazhkenova was formally designated as a suspect in several criminal cases related to the alleged “dissemination of false information”, under Article 274 of the Criminal Code. The remaining staff members were released without charges. On 10 December 2025, the Bostandyk District Court of Almaty city dismissed a complaint lodged by Mr Murat Adam challenging the lawfulness of certain investigative measures against Orda.kz and Ms Gulnara Bazhkenova, despite the fact that filing such complaints forms part of a lawyer’s professional duties. On 23 December 2025, the Ministry of Internal Affairs did a submission to the Ministry of Justice of Kazakhstan, where it was alleged that Mr Murat Adam had committed serious and repeated professional misconduct. On 29 December 2025, the Ministry of Justice of Kazakhstan filed the civil claim before the Bostandyk District Court of Almaty requesting the revocation of Mr Murat Adam’s licence to act as a lawyer. In their claim, the Ministry of Justice explicitly refered to Mr Murat Adam’s comments to the media and on social networks, in which he criticised the legality of searches against Orda.kz and Ms Gulnara Bazhkenova, the lack of judicial oversight, and the denial of access to lawyers during investigative actions. The authorities characterised these statements as “inaccurate information” that allegedly “discredited the pre-trial investigation and the courts”. In the meantime, as a consequence of her arrest and even though she owns 30% stocks of Orda.kz, Ms Gulnara Bazhkenova has been dismissed from her position the news outlet and replaced by a new editor-in-chief. These actions followed months of pressure against Ms Gulnara Bazhkenova and Orda.kz, one of Kazakhstan’s most widely read independent and critical media outlets. Since mid-2025, the outlet and its editor-in-chief have reportedly been subjected to cyberattacks, hacking attempts, threats of violence, and disinformation campaigns. The Observatory is deeply concerned by the criminal prosecution and house arrest of Ms Gulnara Bazhkenova, which appear to constitute a misuse of criminal law to sanction legitimate journalistic work and critical reporting. The Observatory is also alarmed by the civil proceedings initiated against Mr Murat Adam, which seek to impose permanent disbarment for actions that were an integral part of his legitimate defence of a client facing criminal prosecution. Such measures raise serious concerns regarding Kazakhstan’s compliance with international human rights standards relating to freedom of expression, the right to a fair trial, as enshrined on the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), and the independence of the legal profession, in accordance with the United Nations (UN) Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers. The Observatory strongly condemns the judicial and administrative harassment against Ms Gulnara Bazhkenova and Mr Murat Adam, which appear aimed at silencing independent journalism and deterring lawyers from defending journalists and human rights defenders who carry out their legitimate work.]]> Gulnara Bazhkenova – shareholder and, at the time, editor-in-chief of the independent online media outlet Orda.kz –, and her lawyer, Mr Murat Adam, who has been disbarred in apparent retaliation for his legal defence and public criticism of procedural violations in her case. Between 12 January 2026 and 16 January 2026, at the Bostandyk District Court of Almaty, Mr Murat Adam was subjected to a hearing on a claim brought by the Ministry of Justice. His trial was considered of “urgent resolution”, meaning it had to be concluded within four days, curtailing defence guarantees. During this hearing, Mr Adam was defended by over 110 lawyers. As the court room only fitted about 40 lawyers, the judge issued a private ruling against all the present lawyers for “abuse of rights” and allegedly delaying the case resolution. The hearing also culminated in a court decision to revoke Mr Adam’s license, unless he was able to provide evidence to counter a claim submitted against him. The claim seems to have been submitted in retaliation for his role as defence lawyer for Ms Gulnara Bazhkenova and from his public statements concerning the conduct of investigative authorities in her case. On 1 December 2025, armed police officers conducted coordinated raids at Orda.kz’editorial offices in Almaty and Astana, as well as at Ms Gulnara Bazhkenova’s, editor-in-chief of Orda.kz, private residence. During the searches, law enforcement officers prevented her lawyers, including Mr Murat Adam, from entering the premises and refused to present search warrants. At the Almaty office, officers forced staff members to open a safe and seized cash intended for staff salaries, along with computers, documents, and journalists’ mobile phones. On the same day, Ms Gulnara Bazhkenova, the heads of Orda.kz’s Almaty and Astana offices, a news editor, and the outlet’s accountant were taken to police stations for questioning. Ms Gulnara Bazhkenova was arbitrarily detained for questioning from 9 a.m, when the searches started at Orda.kz’s offices and her home, to approximately 9:10 p.m., during which time no detention protocol was drawn up. Orda.kz’s staff members were reportedly held in the offices by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Department of Police of the Almaty city for several hours before being released. That night, the investigating judge of the Bostandyk District Court of Almaty city, Dauren Tleubayev ordered for Ms Gulnara Bazhkenova to be placed under house arrest for a period of two months pending investigation. Ms Gulnara Bazhkenova was formally designated as a suspect in several criminal cases related to the alleged “dissemination of false information”, under Article 274 of the Criminal Code. The remaining staff members were released without charges. On 10 December 2025, the Bostandyk District Court of Almaty city dismissed a complaint lodged by Mr Murat Adam challenging the lawfulness of certain investigative measures against Orda.kz and Ms Gulnara Bazhkenova, despite the fact that filing such complaints forms part of a lawyer’s professional duties. On 23 December 2025, the Ministry of Internal Affairs did a submission to the Ministry of Justice of Kazakhstan, where it was alleged that Mr Murat Adam had committed serious and repeated professional misconduct. On 29 December 2025, the Ministry of Justice of Kazakhstan filed the civil claim before the Bostandyk District Court of Almaty requesting the revocation of Mr Murat Adam’s licence to act as a lawyer. In their claim, the Ministry of Justice explicitly refered to Mr Murat Adam’s comments to the media and on social networks, in which he criticised the legality of searches against Orda.kz and Ms Gulnara Bazhkenova, the lack of judicial oversight, and the denial of access to lawyers during investigative actions. The authorities characterised these statements as “inaccurate information” that allegedly “discredited the pre-trial investigation and the courts”. In the meantime, as a consequence of her arrest and even though she owns 30% stocks of Orda.kz, Ms Gulnara Bazhkenova has been dismissed from her position the news outlet and replaced by a new editor-in-chief. These actions followed months of pressure against Ms Gulnara Bazhkenova and Orda.kz, one of Kazakhstan’s most widely read independent and critical media outlets. Since mid-2025, the outlet and its editor-in-chief have reportedly been subjected to cyberattacks, hacking attempts, threats of violence, and disinformation campaigns. The Observatory is deeply concerned by the criminal prosecution and house arrest of Ms Gulnara Bazhkenova, which appear to constitute a misuse of criminal law to sanction legitimate journalistic work and critical reporting. The Observatory is also alarmed by the civil proceedings initiated against Mr Murat Adam, which seek to impose permanent disbarment for actions that were an integral part of his legitimate defence of a client facing criminal prosecution. Such measures raise serious concerns regarding Kazakhstan’s compliance with international human rights standards relating to freedom of expression, the right to a fair trial, as enshrined on the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), and the independence of the legal profession, in accordance with the United Nations (UN) Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers. The Observatory strongly condemns the judicial and administrative harassment against Ms Gulnara Bazhkenova and Mr Murat Adam, which appear aimed at silencing independent journalism and deterring lawyers from defending journalists and human rights defenders who carry out their legitimate work.]]> https://observatoryfordefenders.org/es/alert/hnd-003-0621-obs-073-silvia-bonilla-flores/ Mon, 21 Jun 2021 00:00:00 +0000 https://pods.local/?post_type=alert&p=17313 https://observatoryfordefenders.org/es/alert/china-wang-quanzhang-should-be-free-to-join-his-family/ Fri, 17 Apr 2020 00:00:00 +0000 https://pods.local/?post_type=alert&p=15900 Wang Quanzhang endured more than 1200 days of arbitrary detention in the absence of any due process and in January 2019 was sentenced to four and a half years in prison. Wang was released on 5 April 2020 after completing his sentence, but has yet to reclaim his personal freedom. The Chinese authorities used the pandemic as a pretext to restrict Wang’s right to reunite with his family in Beijing; instead they sent him to Jinan, the location of his household registration, for fourteen days of “quarantine”. During the quarantine, his communication with the outside world is being unreasonably and unlawfully restricted. The phone for which he paid was confiscated by a community officer, and agents were sent to guard his door. Wang’s cousin and a delivery employee trying to reach him in Jinan were brought to the police station, threatened and interrogated. Evidently, Wang Quanzhang is still living under the constant surveillance of the authorities despite his release, and we fear that he will continue to be effectively under house arrest, much like lawyer Jiang Tianyong who was also released during the past year. We strongly condemn such practice, and ask that Chinese government to: 1. Ensure Wang Quanzhang’s personal freedom after his release, including his right to communicate with the outside world, and to reunite with his family in Beijing 2. Ensure Wang Quanzhang and his family’s rights to privacy, home and family, as well as their freedom of movement and residence within China, as guaranteed by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights Articles 12 and 13; and 3. Protect Wang Quanzhang and his family from any future harassment, surveillance or persecution. Using the Pandemic as a Pretext to Restrain Freedom China is notorious for its tarnished human rights record. The catastrophe of the COVID-19 virus, which had swept China and the globe, killing scores of thousands, is attributed to the long-term violation of basic civil rights and freedoms by China. News of the initial outbreak was suppressed. Not only did Dr Li Wenliang and other medical professionals die as a result, but other whistle-blowers and activists such as legal scholar Xu Zhiyong, citizen journalist lawyer Chen Qiushi and Wuhan resident Fang Bin were suppressed, and subjected to enforced disappearances. The harassment, surveillance and effective house arrest of Wang Quanzhang after his “release”, as well as the persecution of his family, vividly illustrate China’s use of the pandemic to extend Wang’s imprisonment in violation of Chinese and International Law. Police told Wang’s sister that Shandong Province had ordered that all individuals being released from prison must return to their household registration locations to be quarantined for 14 days. Wang was therefore sent to his property in Jinan on 5 April upon release. However, the authorities have yet to provide Wang’s family with any document containing such an order, and the Beijing municipal government has not banned anyone from Shandong. According to Article 38 of the Prison Law of the People’s Republic of China, those who are released from jail shall enjoy the same rights as any other citizens. This should include their freedom of movement and communication. Even if Wang Quanzhang must practise home quarantine immediately upon release, he has the right to do so in Beijing. Furthermore, Wang’s property in Jinan was originally rented, but the police forced the tenant to leave. Evidently, the authorities intend to prevent Wang Quanzhang from returning to Beijing no matter what. Regardless of the location of Wang’s quarantine, he has the right to communicate with anyone at any time. On the day of his release, Wang already purchased a new mobile phone from an official in the area of his registered residence, in order to communicate with his family and friends. The next day, 6 April 2020, Wang Quanzhang called his wife Li Wenzu in the evening, telling her that the local official had confiscated his phone, and would only allow him to call his family once a day, using a borrowed phone. Furthermore, the authorities have also intercepted supplies sent to Wang by family and friends; moreover, even the delivery person was taken to the police station to be interrogated. When Wang Quanzhang’s cousin arrived at the gate of the district in which Wang’s property is located, he was stopped and taken to the police station for interrogation. He was threatened and warned not to contact Wang in person. Unknown Health Conditions The day after his release, Wang Quanzhang had a phone conversation with fellow 709 lawyer Li Heping, during which Wang revealed that he had undergone nucleic acid testing five times before his release; Wang also stated that he has a hole in his eardrum, and that he needs to press the phone to his ear in order to hear clearly. When Li Heping asked him about his weight, he tried to avoid the topic, and hastily turned to a different subject. That was the day on which Wang’s phone was confiscated. Li Wenzu visited Wang Quanzhang several times before his release, and found that he looked gaunt, his memory had worsened, and he had even lost a few teeth. There was also news that Wang was tortured during his time in prison, and was forced to take unidentified medications. The authorities’ actions to prevent Wang Quanzhang from interacting with the outside world appear in part to be motivated by the desire to suppress evidence of Wang’s inhuman treatment during his incarceration. Harassment of Family Members On 3 April 2020, two days before Wang Quanzhang’s release from prison, his sister Wang Quanxiu was informed by police officers that she would not be allowed to travel to Linyi Prison in Shandong to meet Wang after his release. The next day, on 4 April, police in plain clothes were stationed at her workplace to prevent her from going to Linyi Prison. Police snatched her phone from her after she had filmed the police who were threatening her. She was dragged onto a car and almost taken away. After negotiations between her office manager and the police, Wang Quanxiu was eventually brought back to the office and detained there. We once again urge the Chinese government to comply with Article 37 of the Constitution of the People’s Republic of China, to comply with Articles 3, 12 and 13 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, to respect the personal freedom of Wang Quanzhang after his release, and to cease and desist from imposing any form of house arrest, surveillance or restriction on his personal freedoms and to allow him to return to Beijing and reunite with his family.]]> Wang Quanzhang endured more than 1200 days of arbitrary detention in the absence of any due process and in January 2019 was sentenced to four and a half years in prison. Wang was released on 5 April 2020 after completing his sentence, but has yet to reclaim his personal freedom. The Chinese authorities used the pandemic as a pretext to restrict Wang’s right to reunite with his family in Beijing; instead they sent him to Jinan, the location of his household registration, for fourteen days of “quarantine”. During the quarantine, his communication with the outside world is being unreasonably and unlawfully restricted. The phone for which he paid was confiscated by a community officer, and agents were sent to guard his door. Wang’s cousin and a delivery employee trying to reach him in Jinan were brought to the police station, threatened and interrogated. Evidently, Wang Quanzhang is still living under the constant surveillance of the authorities despite his release, and we fear that he will continue to be effectively under house arrest, much like lawyer Jiang Tianyong who was also released during the past year. We strongly condemn such practice, and ask that Chinese government to: 1. Ensure Wang Quanzhang’s personal freedom after his release, including his right to communicate with the outside world, and to reunite with his family in Beijing 2. Ensure Wang Quanzhang and his family’s rights to privacy, home and family, as well as their freedom of movement and residence within China, as guaranteed by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights Articles 12 and 13; and 3. Protect Wang Quanzhang and his family from any future harassment, surveillance or persecution. Using the Pandemic as a Pretext to Restrain Freedom China is notorious for its tarnished human rights record. The catastrophe of the COVID-19 virus, which had swept China and the globe, killing scores of thousands, is attributed to the long-term violation of basic civil rights and freedoms by China. News of the initial outbreak was suppressed. Not only did Dr Li Wenliang and other medical professionals die as a result, but other whistle-blowers and activists such as legal scholar Xu Zhiyong, citizen journalist lawyer Chen Qiushi and Wuhan resident Fang Bin were suppressed, and subjected to enforced disappearances. The harassment, surveillance and effective house arrest of Wang Quanzhang after his “release”, as well as the persecution of his family, vividly illustrate China’s use of the pandemic to extend Wang’s imprisonment in violation of Chinese and International Law. Police told Wang’s sister that Shandong Province had ordered that all individuals being released from prison must return to their household registration locations to be quarantined for 14 days. Wang was therefore sent to his property in Jinan on 5 April upon release. However, the authorities have yet to provide Wang’s family with any document containing such an order, and the Beijing municipal government has not banned anyone from Shandong. According to Article 38 of the Prison Law of the People’s Republic of China, those who are released from jail shall enjoy the same rights as any other citizens. This should include their freedom of movement and communication. Even if Wang Quanzhang must practise home quarantine immediately upon release, he has the right to do so in Beijing. Furthermore, Wang’s property in Jinan was originally rented, but the police forced the tenant to leave. Evidently, the authorities intend to prevent Wang Quanzhang from returning to Beijing no matter what. Regardless of the location of Wang’s quarantine, he has the right to communicate with anyone at any time. On the day of his release, Wang already purchased a new mobile phone from an official in the area of his registered residence, in order to communicate with his family and friends. The next day, 6 April 2020, Wang Quanzhang called his wife Li Wenzu in the evening, telling her that the local official had confiscated his phone, and would only allow him to call his family once a day, using a borrowed phone. Furthermore, the authorities have also intercepted supplies sent to Wang by family and friends; moreover, even the delivery person was taken to the police station to be interrogated. When Wang Quanzhang’s cousin arrived at the gate of the district in which Wang’s property is located, he was stopped and taken to the police station for interrogation. He was threatened and warned not to contact Wang in person. Unknown Health Conditions The day after his release, Wang Quanzhang had a phone conversation with fellow 709 lawyer Li Heping, during which Wang revealed that he had undergone nucleic acid testing five times before his release; Wang also stated that he has a hole in his eardrum, and that he needs to press the phone to his ear in order to hear clearly. When Li Heping asked him about his weight, he tried to avoid the topic, and hastily turned to a different subject. That was the day on which Wang’s phone was confiscated. Li Wenzu visited Wang Quanzhang several times before his release, and found that he looked gaunt, his memory had worsened, and he had even lost a few teeth. There was also news that Wang was tortured during his time in prison, and was forced to take unidentified medications. The authorities’ actions to prevent Wang Quanzhang from interacting with the outside world appear in part to be motivated by the desire to suppress evidence of Wang’s inhuman treatment during his incarceration. Harassment of Family Members On 3 April 2020, two days before Wang Quanzhang’s release from prison, his sister Wang Quanxiu was informed by police officers that she would not be allowed to travel to Linyi Prison in Shandong to meet Wang after his release. The next day, on 4 April, police in plain clothes were stationed at her workplace to prevent her from going to Linyi Prison. Police snatched her phone from her after she had filmed the police who were threatening her. She was dragged onto a car and almost taken away. After negotiations between her office manager and the police, Wang Quanxiu was eventually brought back to the office and detained there. We once again urge the Chinese government to comply with Article 37 of the Constitution of the People’s Republic of China, to comply with Articles 3, 12 and 13 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, to respect the personal freedom of Wang Quanzhang after his release, and to cease and desist from imposing any form of house arrest, surveillance or restriction on his personal freedoms and to allow him to return to Beijing and reunite with his family.]]> https://observatoryfordefenders.org/es/alert/china-release-and-transfer-400km-far-from-home-of-mr-wang-quanzhang/ Tue, 07 Apr 2020 00:00:00 +0000 https://pods.local/?post_type=alert&p=15887 https://observatoryfordefenders.org/es/alert/fra-001-0817-obs-092-2-cedric-herrou/ Tue, 18 Dec 2018 00:00:00 +0000 https://pods.local/?post_type=alert&p=14639 Cédric Herrou, militant engagé dans des actions d’aide et d’accueil des personnes migrantes et réfugiées notamment dans la vallée de la Roya, région des Alpes Maritimes qui borde la frontière italienne, et président de Défends ta citoyenneté (DTC)[1]. M. Herrou dénonce particulièrement le refoulement illégal de migrants, notamment des mineurs, des Alpes Maritimes vers l’Italie. Selon les informations reçues, le 12 décembre 2018, la Chambre criminelle de la Cour de cassation[2] a partiellement annulé la condamnation de M. Cédric Herrou. Faisant application de la loi nouvellen° 2018-778 du 10 septembre 2018 « pour une immigration maîtrisée, un droit d’asile effectif et une intégration réussie », qui tire les conséquences de la décision du Conseil constitutionnel n° 2018/718 du 6 juillet 2018[3] concernant le « délit de solidarité », la Cour de Cassation a annulé la décision de la Cour d’appel d’Aix-en-Provence concernant la déclaration de culpabilité du chef d’infractions au Code de l’entrée et du séjour des Étrangers et du droit d’asile (Ceseda) et la peine, toutes les autres dispositions étant expressément maintenues. Mr. Cédric Herrou est renvoyé devant la Cour d’appel de Lyon pour y être à nouveau jugé, à la lumière de la nouvelle rédaction de l’article 622-4 du Ceseda qui exonère de poursuites pénales l’aide à la circulation ou au séjour irrégulier d’un étranger « lorsque l’acte reproché n’a donné lieu à aucune contrepartie directe ou indirecte et a consisté à fournir des conseils ou accompagnements juridiques, linguistiques ou sociaux, ou toute autre aide apportée dans un but exclusivement humanitaire » [4]. L’annulation de la condamnation en raison d’une aide humanitaire apportée sans contrepartie ne s’applique que pour le chef d’accusation d’aide au séjour et à la circulation d’un étranger, mais ne vaut pas pour celui d’aide à l’entrée sur le territoire national, ni pour l’installation sur le terrain d’autrui (celui de la SNCF) sans autorisation. Le 8 août 2017, M. Cédric Herrou avait été condamné par la Cour d’appel d’Aix-en-Provence à quatre mois de prison avec sursis pour avoir porté assistance à 200 migrants Soudanais et Érythréens en 2016 (voir rappel des faits). M. Herrou n’est pas le seul défenseur des droits humains harcelé en France pour son soutien aux personnes migrantes et réfugiées. Plusieurs se sont plaints de la multiplication des cas de convocations au commissariat, de gardes à vue et de poursuites pour aide au séjour irrégulier ou autres délits[5]. L’Observatoire salue l’annulation partielle de la condamnation de M. Cédric Herrou par la Cour de Cassation, mais rappelle que celle-ci n’aurait jamais dû arriver en premier lieu. L’Observatoire appelle donc les autorités françaises à mettre un terme à toute forme de harcèlement, y compris au niveau judiciaire, à l’encontre de M. Cédric Herrou et celle de l’ensemble des défenseurs des droits humains visés dans le cadre de leurs actions en faveur des personnes migrantes et réfugiées en France. Rappel des faits : La vallée de la Roya dans les Alpes Maritimes, qui compte 5 000 habitants, est le théâtre d’une vaste opération policière visant à intimider le passage et la présence de migrants. La vallée est en permanence surveillée par environ quatre cents policiers et/ou gendarmes, qui opèrent un contrôle strict du déplacement de toute personne « d’apparence étrangère », selon les témoignages des associations. Des dizaines de migrants se cachent et se mettent en danger pour échapper à la police. Ainsi, il y aurait eu officiellement 18 décès de personnes migrantes constatés par les pompiers depuis l’été 2016. En outre, lorsque des personnes sont appréhendées par la police aux frontières française, plusieurs témoignages font état de refoulement vers l’Italie, en violation des procédures relatives au droit d’asile. En l’absence de processus d’accueil et d’accompagnements, des habitants se mobilisent pour apporter une aide humanitaire ou un soutien juridique ou social aux personnes migrantes présentes dans la région. Le 11 août 2016, M. Cédric Herrou a été interpellé à la sortie de son domicile et placé en garde à vue par la police aux frontières de Menton, alors qu’il conduisait un véhicule avec à son bord huit personnes migrantes d’origine érythréenne sans papiers d’identité. Lors de son interrogatoire, M. Cédric Herrou revendiquait une action humanitaire ancienne auprès des migrants afin de leur permettre de se nourrir, de se laver et de se réchauffer avant de les conduire à la gare ferroviaire la plus proche sans percevoir aucune contrepartie. L’affaire fut classée sans suite par la justice française au motif de l’« exemption humanitaire » prévue par la loi. En effet, le Ceseda exonère de poursuites pénales « toute personne physique ou morale, lorsque l’acte reproché n’a donné lieu à aucune contrepartie directe ou indirecte et consistait à fournir des conseils juridiques ou des prestations de restauration, d’hébergement ou de soins médicaux destinées à assurer des conditions de vie dignes et décentes à l’étranger, ou bien toute autre aide visant à préserver la dignité ou l’intégrité physique de celui-ci » (article L. 622-4 du Ceseda). Le 20 octobre 2016, une patrouille de gendarmerie a évacué un immeuble désaffecté de la Société nationale des chemins de fer (SNCF) à Saint Dalmas de Tende, organisé en centre d’accueil temporaire pour étrangers en situation irrégulière en provenance d’Érythrée et du Soudan, dont 29 mineurs, par plusieurs associations dont Roya citoyenne, Médecins du monde, Amnesty International, Association démocratie Nice (ADN), Habitat & citoyenneté, Réseau éducation sans frontières (RESF), Cimade 06, MRAP 06, et la Ligue des droits de l’Homme (LDH). Sur place étaient également présents plusieurs représentants d’associations locales, y compris la section de Cannes et de Grasse de la LDH et M. Cédric Herrou. Trois bénévoles ont été arrêtés dont M. Herrou. Dans leur procès-verbal, les gendarmes ont conclu à une occupation illicite du bien immobilier appartenant à la SNCF « ne permettant pas d’accueillir dans des conditions sanitaires et sécuritaires les personnes affaiblies, malades et souvent mineures ». M. Herrou a été gardé 48 heures en garde à vue et les deux autres bénévoles 24 heures. Le parquet de Nice a alors décidé d’engager des poursuites pénales contre M. Herrou à la suite de ce procès-verbal. Aucun des autres bénévoles ou associations présentes n’a été inquiété. M. Herrou a été placé sous contrôle judiciaire : il a été assigné à résidence, interdit de quitter le département des Alpes Maritimes et interdit de conduire un véhicule. Son mini van a de plus été saisi par la police. Le 10 février 2017, le Tribunal correctionnel de Nice a condamné M. Cédric Herrou pour « aide à l’entrée, à la circulation et au séjour irrégulier d’un étranger en France » à une amende de 3 000 Euros. Il a été fait appel de la décision. Le 26 juillet 2017, le parquet de Grasse a mis M. Cédric Herrou en examen pour « aide à l’entrée et à la circulation d’étrangers en situation irrégulière », infraction soumise à une peine allant jusqu’à cinq ans de prison et 30 000 euros d’amende.. M. Cédric Herrou avait été arrêté le 24 juillet 2017 à la gare de Cannes dans un train dans lequel voyageaient 156 personnes migrantes qui se rendaient à Marseille pour déposer une demande d’asile. M. Herrou était présent dans le train de Nice à Cannes afin de filmer d’éventuelles interpellations. Après avoir été maintenu en garde à vue pendant deux jours, sa sixième depuis 2016, M. Cédric Herrou a été placé sous contrôle judiciaire avec interdiction de quitter le territoire français et d’accéder aux gares et aux parvis de gare des Alpes Maritimes. Le 8 août 2017, la Cour d’appel d’Aix-en-Provence a condamné M. Cédric Herrou à quatre mois de prison avec sursis et à verser 1 000 Euros de dommages et intérêt à la Société nationale des chemins de fer (SNCF pour « aide à l’entrée, à la circulation et au séjour irréguliers d’un étranger en France » commis en octobre 2016 (article L. 622-1 du Ceseda) et « faits d’installation en réunion sur le terrain d’autrui [la SNCF], sans autorisation, en vue d’y habiter » (article 322-4-1 du Code pénal). Pendant le procès, l’avocat général a invoqué qu’il y avait eu une contrepartie à l’aide apportée par M. Herrou, car « lorsque l’aide s’inscrit dans la contestation globale de la loi, elle sert une cause militante et constitue à ce titre une contrepartie ».L’avocat général avait requis huit mois de prison avec sursis lors de l’audience du 19 juin 2017. Le 17 août 2017, M. Herrou a été convoqué à une audition libre car il est « soupçonné d’avoir commis ou tenté de commettre l’infraction d’injure publique envers un fonctionnaire dépositaire de l’autorité publique par un moyen de communication par voie électronique et ce les 12 et 13 juin 2017 ». Cette convocation, qui fait suite à une plainte déposée par le préfet, est liée à un post Facebook dans lequel il critiquait la politique mise en place à l’encontre des migrants dans la région. En outre, plusieurs gendarmes sont postés dans la montagne autour du domicile de M. Cédric Herrou et les bénévoles qui travaillent chez M. Herrou en faveur des droits des migrants sont très souvent contrôlés par la police, au même titre que toute personne qui descend de chez lui. Des actes d’intimidation et des insultes de la part de membres des forces de l’ordre visant M. Herrou, son avocat et les bénévoles qui travaillent avec lui auraient également été rapportés. M. Herrou reçoit enfin de nombreuses menaces et insultes par courrier et sur les réseaux sociaux. Le 12 septembre 2017 vers 9h, M. Cédric Herrou et un demandeur d’asile qui vit chez lui se sont rendus à la gendarmerie de Breil suite à une convocation donnée sans explications. A leur arrivée, ils ont été arrêtés et mis en garde à vue pour « violences » et « séquestration ». Vers 10h, 15 policiers ont mené une perquisition sur le terrain de M. Herrou, et ont fouillé la caravane où vit le demandeur d’asile. Au cours de cette perquisition, des dégâts ont été occasionnés sur une caravane et trois tentes ont été déchirées. M. Herrou et le requérant d’asile ont ensuite été transférés de la gendarmerie de Breil à la police aux frontières de Menton puis à la caserne de police Auvare à Nice. Les deux n’ont été libérés qu’aux environs de 16h le 13 septembre, après plusieurs interrogatoires et une confrontation. Cette nouvelle procédure fait suite à une plainte déposée par un trafiquant d’êtres humains dénoncé par M. Herrou fin juillet et condamné à huit mois de prison ferme dans la foulée. En effet, fin juillet, M. Herrou avait découvert un passeur parmi les personnes qu’il hébergeait et qui avait reconnu les faits. M. Herrou et son équipe avait alors contacté la gendarmerie vers 11h du matin. En attendant l’arrivée de cette dernière, M. Herrou et ses bénévoles se sont relayés sur le canapé à côté du passeur pour éviter qu’il ne s’échappe. Pendant cette attente, il a pu avoir de l’eau, le droit d’aller aux toilettes, et des repas. Vers 19h, alors que la gendarmerie ne s’était toujours pas déplacée, M. Herrou et son équipe l’avaient conduit à la gendarmerie, où il a été arrêté. Aucune violence n’a été exercée pendant cette période. Le demandeur d’asile placé en garde à vue le 12 septembre en compagnie de M. Cédric Herrou avait également participé à son arrestation par la police. Depuis le 10 août 2018, le contrôle judiciaire de M. Herrou a été assoupli. Ce dernier peut désormais se rendre à l’étranger, sauf en Italie – où il ne peut se rendre que pour les besoins de son exploitation agricole.]]> Cédric Herrou, militant engagé dans des actions d’aide et d’accueil des personnes migrantes et réfugiées notamment dans la vallée de la Roya, région des Alpes Maritimes qui borde la frontière italienne, et président de Défends ta citoyenneté (DTC)[1]. M. Herrou dénonce particulièrement le refoulement illégal de migrants, notamment des mineurs, des Alpes Maritimes vers l’Italie. Selon les informations reçues, le 12 décembre 2018, la Chambre criminelle de la Cour de cassation[2] a partiellement annulé la condamnation de M. Cédric Herrou. Faisant application de la loi nouvellen° 2018-778 du 10 septembre 2018 « pour une immigration maîtrisée, un droit d’asile effectif et une intégration réussie », qui tire les conséquences de la décision du Conseil constitutionnel n° 2018/718 du 6 juillet 2018[3] concernant le « délit de solidarité », la Cour de Cassation a annulé la décision de la Cour d’appel d’Aix-en-Provence concernant la déclaration de culpabilité du chef d’infractions au Code de l’entrée et du séjour des Étrangers et du droit d’asile (Ceseda) et la peine, toutes les autres dispositions étant expressément maintenues. Mr. Cédric Herrou est renvoyé devant la Cour d’appel de Lyon pour y être à nouveau jugé, à la lumière de la nouvelle rédaction de l’article 622-4 du Ceseda qui exonère de poursuites pénales l’aide à la circulation ou au séjour irrégulier d’un étranger « lorsque l’acte reproché n’a donné lieu à aucune contrepartie directe ou indirecte et a consisté à fournir des conseils ou accompagnements juridiques, linguistiques ou sociaux, ou toute autre aide apportée dans un but exclusivement humanitaire » [4]. L’annulation de la condamnation en raison d’une aide humanitaire apportée sans contrepartie ne s’applique que pour le chef d’accusation d’aide au séjour et à la circulation d’un étranger, mais ne vaut pas pour celui d’aide à l’entrée sur le territoire national, ni pour l’installation sur le terrain d’autrui (celui de la SNCF) sans autorisation. Le 8 août 2017, M. Cédric Herrou avait été condamné par la Cour d’appel d’Aix-en-Provence à quatre mois de prison avec sursis pour avoir porté assistance à 200 migrants Soudanais et Érythréens en 2016 (voir rappel des faits). M. Herrou n’est pas le seul défenseur des droits humains harcelé en France pour son soutien aux personnes migrantes et réfugiées. Plusieurs se sont plaints de la multiplication des cas de convocations au commissariat, de gardes à vue et de poursuites pour aide au séjour irrégulier ou autres délits[5]. L’Observatoire salue l’annulation partielle de la condamnation de M. Cédric Herrou par la Cour de Cassation, mais rappelle que celle-ci n’aurait jamais dû arriver en premier lieu. L’Observatoire appelle donc les autorités françaises à mettre un terme à toute forme de harcèlement, y compris au niveau judiciaire, à l’encontre de M. Cédric Herrou et celle de l’ensemble des défenseurs des droits humains visés dans le cadre de leurs actions en faveur des personnes migrantes et réfugiées en France. Rappel des faits : La vallée de la Roya dans les Alpes Maritimes, qui compte 5 000 habitants, est le théâtre d’une vaste opération policière visant à intimider le passage et la présence de migrants. La vallée est en permanence surveillée par environ quatre cents policiers et/ou gendarmes, qui opèrent un contrôle strict du déplacement de toute personne « d’apparence étrangère », selon les témoignages des associations. Des dizaines de migrants se cachent et se mettent en danger pour échapper à la police. Ainsi, il y aurait eu officiellement 18 décès de personnes migrantes constatés par les pompiers depuis l’été 2016. En outre, lorsque des personnes sont appréhendées par la police aux frontières française, plusieurs témoignages font état de refoulement vers l’Italie, en violation des procédures relatives au droit d’asile. En l’absence de processus d’accueil et d’accompagnements, des habitants se mobilisent pour apporter une aide humanitaire ou un soutien juridique ou social aux personnes migrantes présentes dans la région. Le 11 août 2016, M. Cédric Herrou a été interpellé à la sortie de son domicile et placé en garde à vue par la police aux frontières de Menton, alors qu’il conduisait un véhicule avec à son bord huit personnes migrantes d’origine érythréenne sans papiers d’identité. Lors de son interrogatoire, M. Cédric Herrou revendiquait une action humanitaire ancienne auprès des migrants afin de leur permettre de se nourrir, de se laver et de se réchauffer avant de les conduire à la gare ferroviaire la plus proche sans percevoir aucune contrepartie. L’affaire fut classée sans suite par la justice française au motif de l’« exemption humanitaire » prévue par la loi. En effet, le Ceseda exonère de poursuites pénales « toute personne physique ou morale, lorsque l’acte reproché n’a donné lieu à aucune contrepartie directe ou indirecte et consistait à fournir des conseils juridiques ou des prestations de restauration, d’hébergement ou de soins médicaux destinées à assurer des conditions de vie dignes et décentes à l’étranger, ou bien toute autre aide visant à préserver la dignité ou l’intégrité physique de celui-ci » (article L. 622-4 du Ceseda). Le 20 octobre 2016, une patrouille de gendarmerie a évacué un immeuble désaffecté de la Société nationale des chemins de fer (SNCF) à Saint Dalmas de Tende, organisé en centre d’accueil temporaire pour étrangers en situation irrégulière en provenance d’Érythrée et du Soudan, dont 29 mineurs, par plusieurs associations dont Roya citoyenne, Médecins du monde, Amnesty International, Association démocratie Nice (ADN), Habitat & citoyenneté, Réseau éducation sans frontières (RESF), Cimade 06, MRAP 06, et la Ligue des droits de l’Homme (LDH). Sur place étaient également présents plusieurs représentants d’associations locales, y compris la section de Cannes et de Grasse de la LDH et M. Cédric Herrou. Trois bénévoles ont été arrêtés dont M. Herrou. Dans leur procès-verbal, les gendarmes ont conclu à une occupation illicite du bien immobilier appartenant à la SNCF « ne permettant pas d’accueillir dans des conditions sanitaires et sécuritaires les personnes affaiblies, malades et souvent mineures ». M. Herrou a été gardé 48 heures en garde à vue et les deux autres bénévoles 24 heures. Le parquet de Nice a alors décidé d’engager des poursuites pénales contre M. Herrou à la suite de ce procès-verbal. Aucun des autres bénévoles ou associations présentes n’a été inquiété. M. Herrou a été placé sous contrôle judiciaire : il a été assigné à résidence, interdit de quitter le département des Alpes Maritimes et interdit de conduire un véhicule. Son mini van a de plus été saisi par la police. Le 10 février 2017, le Tribunal correctionnel de Nice a condamné M. Cédric Herrou pour « aide à l’entrée, à la circulation et au séjour irrégulier d’un étranger en France » à une amende de 3 000 Euros. Il a été fait appel de la décision. Le 26 juillet 2017, le parquet de Grasse a mis M. Cédric Herrou en examen pour « aide à l’entrée et à la circulation d’étrangers en situation irrégulière », infraction soumise à une peine allant jusqu’à cinq ans de prison et 30 000 euros d’amende.. M. Cédric Herrou avait été arrêté le 24 juillet 2017 à la gare de Cannes dans un train dans lequel voyageaient 156 personnes migrantes qui se rendaient à Marseille pour déposer une demande d’asile. M. Herrou était présent dans le train de Nice à Cannes afin de filmer d’éventuelles interpellations. Après avoir été maintenu en garde à vue pendant deux jours, sa sixième depuis 2016, M. Cédric Herrou a été placé sous contrôle judiciaire avec interdiction de quitter le territoire français et d’accéder aux gares et aux parvis de gare des Alpes Maritimes. Le 8 août 2017, la Cour d’appel d’Aix-en-Provence a condamné M. Cédric Herrou à quatre mois de prison avec sursis et à verser 1 000 Euros de dommages et intérêt à la Société nationale des chemins de fer (SNCF pour « aide à l’entrée, à la circulation et au séjour irréguliers d’un étranger en France » commis en octobre 2016 (article L. 622-1 du Ceseda) et « faits d’installation en réunion sur le terrain d’autrui [la SNCF], sans autorisation, en vue d’y habiter » (article 322-4-1 du Code pénal). Pendant le procès, l’avocat général a invoqué qu’il y avait eu une contrepartie à l’aide apportée par M. Herrou, car « lorsque l’aide s’inscrit dans la contestation globale de la loi, elle sert une cause militante et constitue à ce titre une contrepartie ».L’avocat général avait requis huit mois de prison avec sursis lors de l’audience du 19 juin 2017. Le 17 août 2017, M. Herrou a été convoqué à une audition libre car il est « soupçonné d’avoir commis ou tenté de commettre l’infraction d’injure publique envers un fonctionnaire dépositaire de l’autorité publique par un moyen de communication par voie électronique et ce les 12 et 13 juin 2017 ». Cette convocation, qui fait suite à une plainte déposée par le préfet, est liée à un post Facebook dans lequel il critiquait la politique mise en place à l’encontre des migrants dans la région. En outre, plusieurs gendarmes sont postés dans la montagne autour du domicile de M. Cédric Herrou et les bénévoles qui travaillent chez M. Herrou en faveur des droits des migrants sont très souvent contrôlés par la police, au même titre que toute personne qui descend de chez lui. Des actes d’intimidation et des insultes de la part de membres des forces de l’ordre visant M. Herrou, son avocat et les bénévoles qui travaillent avec lui auraient également été rapportés. M. Herrou reçoit enfin de nombreuses menaces et insultes par courrier et sur les réseaux sociaux. Le 12 septembre 2017 vers 9h, M. Cédric Herrou et un demandeur d’asile qui vit chez lui se sont rendus à la gendarmerie de Breil suite à une convocation donnée sans explications. A leur arrivée, ils ont été arrêtés et mis en garde à vue pour « violences » et « séquestration ». Vers 10h, 15 policiers ont mené une perquisition sur le terrain de M. Herrou, et ont fouillé la caravane où vit le demandeur d’asile. Au cours de cette perquisition, des dégâts ont été occasionnés sur une caravane et trois tentes ont été déchirées. M. Herrou et le requérant d’asile ont ensuite été transférés de la gendarmerie de Breil à la police aux frontières de Menton puis à la caserne de police Auvare à Nice. Les deux n’ont été libérés qu’aux environs de 16h le 13 septembre, après plusieurs interrogatoires et une confrontation. Cette nouvelle procédure fait suite à une plainte déposée par un trafiquant d’êtres humains dénoncé par M. Herrou fin juillet et condamné à huit mois de prison ferme dans la foulée. En effet, fin juillet, M. Herrou avait découvert un passeur parmi les personnes qu’il hébergeait et qui avait reconnu les faits. M. Herrou et son équipe avait alors contacté la gendarmerie vers 11h du matin. En attendant l’arrivée de cette dernière, M. Herrou et ses bénévoles se sont relayés sur le canapé à côté du passeur pour éviter qu’il ne s’échappe. Pendant cette attente, il a pu avoir de l’eau, le droit d’aller aux toilettes, et des repas. Vers 19h, alors que la gendarmerie ne s’était toujours pas déplacée, M. Herrou et son équipe l’avaient conduit à la gendarmerie, où il a été arrêté. Aucune violence n’a été exercée pendant cette période. Le demandeur d’asile placé en garde à vue le 12 septembre en compagnie de M. Cédric Herrou avait également participé à son arrestation par la police. Depuis le 10 août 2018, le contrôle judiciaire de M. Herrou a été assoupli. Ce dernier peut désormais se rendre à l’étranger, sauf en Italie – où il ne peut se rendre que pour les besoins de son exploitation agricole.]]> https://observatoryfordefenders.org/es/alert/itl-001-1018-obs-125-domenico-lucano/ Tue, 16 Oct 2018 00:00:00 +0000 https://pods.local/?post_type=alert&p=14471 Domenico Lucano (known as Mimmo), human rights defender and Mayor of the village of Riace, in Calabria, southern Italy, and the prohibition of residence for his partner, Ms. Tesfahun Lemlem. Mr. Domenico Lucano has been implementing local policies in favour of migrants and refugees’ socio-economic integration, which allowed around 600 newcomers to settle among the 2,000 inhabitants of his village. This model of integration had revitalised the village, source of emigration for the past decades, and prevented the closure of Riace’s local school. For this reason, Mr. Domenico Lucano has become internationally renowned and received several awards for his work in promotion of migrants and refugees’ human rights [1]. According to the information received, on October 1, 2018, Mr. Domenico Lucano and his partner, Ms. Tesfahun Lemlem, were arrested by the customs of Locri, in the context of the so-called “Xenia” Operation [2]. Mr. Lucano is accused of facilitating illegal immigration (under Article 12 of legislative decree n°286/1998 from July 25, 1998) [3] and of “violation of the call for tenders” (Article 353 bis of the Penal Code). Ms. Lemlem is accused of being an accomplice of the same offences. Italian authorities have reproached them with irregularities in awarding public contracts and suspected them of having organised sham marriages between Italian citizens and foreign women in order to allow the latter to stay in Italy. On September 26, 2018, the Locri investigative judge (G.I.P) issued a decree authorising a pre-trial restrictive order against Mr. Domenico Lucano and his partner [4]. On October 2, 2018, Mr. Lucano was consequently put under house arrest and Ms. Lelem was banned from living in the town area. On the same day, the office of the Prosecutor of Locri issued a press release in which it presented the charges against Mr. Domenico Lucano in strongly stigmatizing and non-objective tones, by describing the facts and the evidence with biased terms and by putting together different pieces of telephone tapping in order to prove him guilty. Of the nine charges presented against Mr. Lucano by the Prosecutor of Locri, only two have been considered grounded by the Locri investigative judge. With the above-mentioned decree, the Locri judge for the G.I.P. already dismissed seven charges against Mr. Lucano. Among the charges that were dropped were that of “criminal association with aggravated fraud”, “falsification and corruption”, and “abuse of power for embezzlement”. With regard to the management of public funds for migrants, the magistrate noted that, although irregularities and unclear management were found, the professional misconducts found during the investigations did not amount to criminal offences. The Locri investigative judge will now have to determine the validity of Mr. Lucano and Ms. Lemlem’s house arrest. The Locri Public Prosecutor’s Office specifically imputed to the Mayor a direct attribution of the waste collection and transport service of Riace in favour of two social cooperatives employing refugees, Ecoriace and L’Aquilone, without a call for tenders (Article 353 bis of the Criminal Code). According to the prosecution, the two cooperatives did not fulfil the legal conditions required to obtain the public contract because they were not declared in the specific regional register required by the legislation of the sector [5]. The investigation against Lucano and 31 other people for alleged irregularities in the management of the reception system in Riace had begun a year and a half ago. In October 2017, Mr. Domenico Lucano received a warrant for aggravated fraud, bribery and abuse of office. Moreover, the Observatory recalls that Mr. Lucano’s work had been verbally attacked several times by the Italian government, who had recently defined him a “buonista” (goody-goody) who wants to “fill Italy with migrants”. In August 2018, Mr. Domenico Lucano undertook a hunger strike to protest against the decision of the Interior Ministry to cut the Protection System for Asylum Seekers and Refugees (SPRAR)’s funding for sheltering refugees in his village as a result of alleged irregularities in the management of the fund. The revocation of this fund would have turned into 165 refugees, among which 50 children, without assistance and 80 operators unemployed, and more generally meant the end of Riace’s “system”. The SPRAR is still blocked for Riace, in the attendance of the definitive ruling about the irregularities examined in the aforementioned restrictive order. The Observatory expresses its deepest concern about the arbitrary arrest and judicial harassment against Mr. Domenico Lucano and Ms. Tesfahun Lemlem as they seem to be only aimed at punishing them for their solidarity and legitimate human rights activities. The Observatory calls on the Italian authorities to immediately lift the house-arrest order against Mr. Domenico Lucano and Ms. Tesfahun Lemlem and drop all charges against them, as well as against all the defenders of the rights of migrants and refugees in Italy.]]> Domenico Lucano (known as Mimmo), human rights defender and Mayor of the village of Riace, in Calabria, southern Italy, and the prohibition of residence for his partner, Ms. Tesfahun Lemlem. Mr. Domenico Lucano has been implementing local policies in favour of migrants and refugees’ socio-economic integration, which allowed around 600 newcomers to settle among the 2,000 inhabitants of his village. This model of integration had revitalised the village, source of emigration for the past decades, and prevented the closure of Riace’s local school. For this reason, Mr. Domenico Lucano has become internationally renowned and received several awards for his work in promotion of migrants and refugees’ human rights [1]. According to the information received, on October 1, 2018, Mr. Domenico Lucano and his partner, Ms. Tesfahun Lemlem, were arrested by the customs of Locri, in the context of the so-called “Xenia” Operation [2]. Mr. Lucano is accused of facilitating illegal immigration (under Article 12 of legislative decree n°286/1998 from July 25, 1998) [3] and of “violation of the call for tenders” (Article 353 bis of the Penal Code). Ms. Lemlem is accused of being an accomplice of the same offences. Italian authorities have reproached them with irregularities in awarding public contracts and suspected them of having organised sham marriages between Italian citizens and foreign women in order to allow the latter to stay in Italy. On September 26, 2018, the Locri investigative judge (G.I.P) issued a decree authorising a pre-trial restrictive order against Mr. Domenico Lucano and his partner [4]. On October 2, 2018, Mr. Lucano was consequently put under house arrest and Ms. Lelem was banned from living in the town area. On the same day, the office of the Prosecutor of Locri issued a press release in which it presented the charges against Mr. Domenico Lucano in strongly stigmatizing and non-objective tones, by describing the facts and the evidence with biased terms and by putting together different pieces of telephone tapping in order to prove him guilty. Of the nine charges presented against Mr. Lucano by the Prosecutor of Locri, only two have been considered grounded by the Locri investigative judge. With the above-mentioned decree, the Locri judge for the G.I.P. already dismissed seven charges against Mr. Lucano. Among the charges that were dropped were that of “criminal association with aggravated fraud”, “falsification and corruption”, and “abuse of power for embezzlement”. With regard to the management of public funds for migrants, the magistrate noted that, although irregularities and unclear management were found, the professional misconducts found during the investigations did not amount to criminal offences. The Locri investigative judge will now have to determine the validity of Mr. Lucano and Ms. Lemlem’s house arrest. The Locri Public Prosecutor’s Office specifically imputed to the Mayor a direct attribution of the waste collection and transport service of Riace in favour of two social cooperatives employing refugees, Ecoriace and L’Aquilone, without a call for tenders (Article 353 bis of the Criminal Code). According to the prosecution, the two cooperatives did not fulfil the legal conditions required to obtain the public contract because they were not declared in the specific regional register required by the legislation of the sector [5]. The investigation against Lucano and 31 other people for alleged irregularities in the management of the reception system in Riace had begun a year and a half ago. In October 2017, Mr. Domenico Lucano received a warrant for aggravated fraud, bribery and abuse of office. Moreover, the Observatory recalls that Mr. Lucano’s work had been verbally attacked several times by the Italian government, who had recently defined him a “buonista” (goody-goody) who wants to “fill Italy with migrants”. In August 2018, Mr. Domenico Lucano undertook a hunger strike to protest against the decision of the Interior Ministry to cut the Protection System for Asylum Seekers and Refugees (SPRAR)’s funding for sheltering refugees in his village as a result of alleged irregularities in the management of the fund. The revocation of this fund would have turned into 165 refugees, among which 50 children, without assistance and 80 operators unemployed, and more generally meant the end of Riace’s “system”. The SPRAR is still blocked for Riace, in the attendance of the definitive ruling about the irregularities examined in the aforementioned restrictive order. The Observatory expresses its deepest concern about the arbitrary arrest and judicial harassment against Mr. Domenico Lucano and Ms. Tesfahun Lemlem as they seem to be only aimed at punishing them for their solidarity and legitimate human rights activities. The Observatory calls on the Italian authorities to immediately lift the house-arrest order against Mr. Domenico Lucano and Ms. Tesfahun Lemlem and drop all charges against them, as well as against all the defenders of the rights of migrants and refugees in Italy.]]>