https://observatoryfordefenders.org/es/ Tue, 26 May 2026 07:54:55 +0000 es-ES hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.1.3 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/el-salvador-criminalizar-al-periodismo-independiente-es-un-ataque-a-la-democracia/ Mon, 18 May 2026 09:40:15 +0000 https://observatoryfordefenders.org/?post_type=alert&p=24708 12 de mayo de 2026.- Las organizaciones de la sociedad civil abajo firmantes, incluido el Observatorio para la Protección de los Defensores de Derechos Humanos (OMCT-FIDH), condenan la persecución sistemática contra el periódico digital El Faro. Las organizaciones, medios y colectivos abajo firmantes expresamos nuestra profunda solidaridad con el periódico digital El Faro, sus socios, su equipo periodístico y sus familias, ante la más reciente escalada de hostigamiento del gobierno de Nayib Bukele en su contra. El congelamiento de una cuenta bancaria y de un inmueble pertenecientes a dos socios de Trípode S.A. de C.V., sociedad fundadora del medio. La medida fue ejecutada sin notificación judicial previa y se enmarca en la persecución fiscal a la que este medio de comunicación ha sido objeto desde 2020. Estas medidas sólo son posibles en regímenes autoritarios, donde se utilizan todos los poderes del Estado para silenciar las voces independientes. Esta acción hace parte de un patrón sistemático de represalias que se activa cada vez que El Faro publica investigaciones que incomodan al poder: los pactos del Ejecutivo salvadoreño con estructuras criminales, la corrupción gubernamental y los abusos cometidos bajo el régimen de excepción documentados por el Grupo Internacional de Expertas y Expertos (GIPES). El espionaje con Pegasus, las campañas de desprestigio, el exilio forzado de su redacción y, ahora, el ataque a los bienes personales de sus socios constituyen una estrategia deliberada de disciplinamiento contra la prensa independiente. Denunciamos la instrumentalización del aparato fiscal y judicial salvadoreño como herramienta de censura y respaldamos las medidas cautelares dictadas por la Comisión Interamericana de Derechos Humanos en favor del personal de El Faro. Exigimos al Estado salvadoreño que cumpla con ellas y que cese de manera inmediata el acoso, restituya los bienes congelados y respete la libertad de prensa y de expresión consagradas en los instrumentos internacionales de derechos humanos. Hacemos un llamado a la comunidad internacional, a la sociedad civil y a la población en general a apoyar el periodismo independiente, un pilar esencial de toda sociedad democrática. Alzamos nuestras voces en defensa de El Faro y de la democracia en El Salvador.]]> 12 de mayo de 2026.- Las organizaciones de la sociedad civil abajo firmantes, incluido el Observatorio para la Protección de los Defensores de Derechos Humanos (OMCT-FIDH), condenan la persecución sistemática contra el periódico digital El Faro. Las organizaciones, medios y colectivos abajo firmantes expresamos nuestra profunda solidaridad con el periódico digital El Faro, sus socios, su equipo periodístico y sus familias, ante la más reciente escalada de hostigamiento del gobierno de Nayib Bukele en su contra. El congelamiento de una cuenta bancaria y de un inmueble pertenecientes a dos socios de Trípode S.A. de C.V., sociedad fundadora del medio. La medida fue ejecutada sin notificación judicial previa y se enmarca en la persecución fiscal a la que este medio de comunicación ha sido objeto desde 2020. Estas medidas sólo son posibles en regímenes autoritarios, donde se utilizan todos los poderes del Estado para silenciar las voces independientes. Esta acción hace parte de un patrón sistemático de represalias que se activa cada vez que El Faro publica investigaciones que incomodan al poder: los pactos del Ejecutivo salvadoreño con estructuras criminales, la corrupción gubernamental y los abusos cometidos bajo el régimen de excepción documentados por el Grupo Internacional de Expertas y Expertos (GIPES). El espionaje con Pegasus, las campañas de desprestigio, el exilio forzado de su redacción y, ahora, el ataque a los bienes personales de sus socios constituyen una estrategia deliberada de disciplinamiento contra la prensa independiente. Denunciamos la instrumentalización del aparato fiscal y judicial salvadoreño como herramienta de censura y respaldamos las medidas cautelares dictadas por la Comisión Interamericana de Derechos Humanos en favor del personal de El Faro. Exigimos al Estado salvadoreño que cumpla con ellas y que cese de manera inmediata el acoso, restituya los bienes congelados y respete la libertad de prensa y de expresión consagradas en los instrumentos internacionales de derechos humanos. Hacemos un llamado a la comunidad internacional, a la sociedad civil y a la población en general a apoyar el periodismo independiente, un pilar esencial de toda sociedad democrática. Alzamos nuestras voces en defensa de El Faro y de la democracia en El Salvador.]]> https://observatoryfordefenders.org/es/alert/uganda-suspension-of-at-least-seven-human-rights-ngos-ahead-of-general-elections/ Wed, 14 Jan 2026 11:18:13 +0000 https://observatoryfordefenders.org/?post_type=alert&p=24322 Chapter Four Uganda, Alliance for Election Finance Monitoring (ACFIM), Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-U), the National NGO Forum, the Center for Constitutional Governance, the National Coalition of Human Rights Defenders, and African Centre for Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture Victims (ACTV) - member of the OMCT SOS-Torture network. On 9 January 2025, the National Bureau for Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO Bureau), under the Ministry of Internal Affairs, suspended the operating permit of the above-mentioned seven human rights organisations with immediate effect. In the letters sent to the organisations, the NGO Bureau mentioned “intelligence information” and justified the suspension by alleging prejudice "to the security and the laws of Uganda" in violation of Section 42(d) of the NGO Act Cap. 109 (as amended). According to these letters, all the operations of those NGOs should be ceased pending the conclusion of investigations which, according to the Bureau, should be conducted "within reasonable time". The NGO Bureau further requested the Inspector General of Police to ensure compliance with the suspension orders. The directive also extends to the financial operations of the affected seven human rights organisations. In the suspension letters, copied to the Executive Director of the Uganda Bankers Association, the Bureau asked banks holding the organisations’ accounts to freeze all transactions pending the outcome of the investigations. This implies the closure of the offices of the above-mentioned NGOs, the suspension of all their operational activities, as well as suspension of payments for staff and service providers, among others. The Observatory considers that these suspensions of NGOs raise serious concerns about the freedom of association in Uganda, as well as about the treatment of electoral observers and all those seeking to independently monitor and criticise the upcoming general elections, taking place on 15 January 2026. The Observatory recalls that this pre-election period has been marred with systematic repression and restrictions on fundamental freedoms, which threaten to undermine the legitimacy of the electoral process. With the country's main opposition leader imprisoned, hundreds of supporters arrested, journalists assaulted, human rights defenders arbitrarily detained, such as Dr. Sarah Bireete, Executive Director of Center for Constitutional Governance, affected by this suspension- and digital communications having been shutdown since 13 January at 6pm local time, Uganda's elections risk taking place in an environment incompatible with free and fair democratic competition. The Observatory strongly condemns the suspension of the operating permit of Chapter Four Uganda, Alliance for Election Finance Monitoring (ACFIM), Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-U), the National NGO Forum, the Center for Constitutional Governance, the National Coalition of Human Rights Defenders, and African Centre for Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture Victims (ACTV), which seems only aimed at punishing them for their human rights activities and impeding them to take any critical position in the context of the upcoming general elections. The Observatory urges the Ugandan authorities to immediately and unconditionally overturn the suspension orders against the above-mentioned seven human rights NGOs, and to respect, in all circumstances, the right to freedom of association as enshrined in Article 22 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and Article 29 (1)(e) of the Ugandan Constitution.]]> Chapter Four Uganda, Alliance for Election Finance Monitoring (ACFIM), Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-U), the National NGO Forum, the Center for Constitutional Governance, the National Coalition of Human Rights Defenders, and African Centre for Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture Victims (ACTV) - member of the OMCT SOS-Torture network. On 9 January 2025, the National Bureau for Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO Bureau), under the Ministry of Internal Affairs, suspended the operating permit of the above-mentioned seven human rights organisations with immediate effect. In the letters sent to the organisations, the NGO Bureau mentioned “intelligence information” and justified the suspension by alleging prejudice "to the security and the laws of Uganda" in violation of Section 42(d) of the NGO Act Cap. 109 (as amended). According to these letters, all the operations of those NGOs should be ceased pending the conclusion of investigations which, according to the Bureau, should be conducted "within reasonable time". The NGO Bureau further requested the Inspector General of Police to ensure compliance with the suspension orders. The directive also extends to the financial operations of the affected seven human rights organisations. In the suspension letters, copied to the Executive Director of the Uganda Bankers Association, the Bureau asked banks holding the organisations’ accounts to freeze all transactions pending the outcome of the investigations. This implies the closure of the offices of the above-mentioned NGOs, the suspension of all their operational activities, as well as suspension of payments for staff and service providers, among others. The Observatory considers that these suspensions of NGOs raise serious concerns about the freedom of association in Uganda, as well as about the treatment of electoral observers and all those seeking to independently monitor and criticise the upcoming general elections, taking place on 15 January 2026. The Observatory recalls that this pre-election period has been marred with systematic repression and restrictions on fundamental freedoms, which threaten to undermine the legitimacy of the electoral process. With the country's main opposition leader imprisoned, hundreds of supporters arrested, journalists assaulted, human rights defenders arbitrarily detained, such as Dr. Sarah Bireete, Executive Director of Center for Constitutional Governance, affected by this suspension- and digital communications having been shutdown since 13 January at 6pm local time, Uganda's elections risk taking place in an environment incompatible with free and fair democratic competition. The Observatory strongly condemns the suspension of the operating permit of Chapter Four Uganda, Alliance for Election Finance Monitoring (ACFIM), Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-U), the National NGO Forum, the Center for Constitutional Governance, the National Coalition of Human Rights Defenders, and African Centre for Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture Victims (ACTV), which seems only aimed at punishing them for their human rights activities and impeding them to take any critical position in the context of the upcoming general elections. The Observatory urges the Ugandan authorities to immediately and unconditionally overturn the suspension orders against the above-mentioned seven human rights NGOs, and to respect, in all circumstances, the right to freedom of association as enshrined in Article 22 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and Article 29 (1)(e) of the Ugandan Constitution.]]> https://observatoryfordefenders.org/es/alert/georgia-eu-and-its-member-states-should-take-urgent-coordinated-measures-to-respond-to-georgias-crackdown-on-civil-society-and-human-rights-organisations/ Thu, 11 Sep 2025 17:02:10 +0000 https://observatoryfordefenders.org/?post_type=alert&p=23933 Nine international human rights organisations express profound concerns regarding the Georgian government’s all-out assault on human rights and civil society organisations in the country and call on the authorities to immediately and unconditionally end all persecution of civil society and media groups for their peaceful and legitimate work. The European Union, its member states and the broader international community should take urgent and coordinated measures to respond to and end this crackdown. On 27 August 2025, the Georgian authorities froze the bank accounts of seven human rights and civil society organisations as part of a so-called “sabotage” investigation, claiming the groups had equipped protesters who committed “violent acts” against police in 2024. The Tbilisi City Court ordered the freezing of the bank accounts of the following organisations: International Society of Fair Elections and Democracy, Institute for Development of Freedom of Information, Georgian Democracy Initiative, Union Sapari, Social Justice Center, Civil Society Foundation and Democracy Defenders. The prosecutor’s office has been carrying out investigations under several criminal code articles, including “sabotage, attempted sabotage under aggravated circumstances, assisting a foreign organisation or an organisation under foreign influence in hostile activities, and financing actions against Georgia’s constitutional order and national security.” These articles carry penalties ranging from seven years to life in prison. Earlier, in March 2025, the Georgian authorities froze the bank accounts of human rights organisations “Human Rights House Tbilisi” and “Shame Movement” along with three other civil society groups - “Nanuka’s Fund”, “Prosperity Georgia”, and “Fund for Each Other 24/7” over similar charges. The authorities blatantly misrepresent the organisations’ legitimate human rights work and falsely claim that civil society groups used their funds to endorse and sponsor protests in Georgia’s capital, Tbilisi. The protests erupted in response to the widespread election manipulations in October 2024, and following the government’s decision to suspend Georgia’s EU accession negotiations a month later. The prosecutor’s office points to the organisations’ purchase of protest gear, such as medical supplies and face masks, special gas helmets, protective goggles, and pepper spray, as well as their support of protesters and their families by covering fines and providing free legal aid as basis for their “sabotage” investigation. On 1 September, days after freezing their bank accounts, the prosecutor’s office summoned several heads of the same non-governmental organisations to testify in the probe. Since April 2024, the ruling Georgian Dream party has repeatedly introduced and adopted laws aimed at restricting the work of human rights organisations and independent media. The raft of legislative changes included the notorious law on foreign interference and anti-LGBT bills. In March 2025, the government adopted the Law on Registration of Foreign Agents (FARA), requiring individuals or organisations to register as foreign agents if they operate under the vaguely defined “influence” of, or receive funding from, a foreign principal and engage in “political activities” in the interests of this principal. Non-compliance may lead to criminalfines and/or to a maximum five-year prison sentence. The Anti-Corruption Bureau, the public agency in charge of FARA’s implementation, and largely seen as loyal to the ruling party, has alleged that several leading Georgian non-governmental organisations, many of those whose bank accounts were frozen, had engaged in “political activities” under the scope of the law, and warned them of criminal liability for failing to register. In April, the authorities also amended the Law on Grants, requiring foreign donors to obtain official governmental approval prior to distributing grants to local organisations. Receiving a grant without official approval results in a fine equal to twice the amount of the grant. The authorities further amended the law in June to expand the requirement for official consent to include “technical assistance” and “knowledge sharing.” The adopted laws and ongoing investigations are clearly aimed at criminally penalising and eradicating all dissent and nonconformity in the country, and go against Georgia’s international legal obligations. In addition, the Georgian authorities have repeatedly used excessive force and brutal violence against largely peaceful demonstrators protesting the government’s decision to abort the EU accession negotiations. Riot police and informal violent groups associated with the authorities have also beaten opposition and independent journalists and interfered with their work with impunity. Although authorities launched some investigations into allegations of police abuse, they have not identified or prosecuted any law enforcement officials. While failing to take effective steps to address serious allegations of police abuse, the authorities charged and convicted dozens of protesters on spurious criminal charges of using violence against law enforcement officials, sentencing some to lengthy prison terms. International actors have a critical role to play in Georgia’s human rights crisis. We therefore call on the EU and its member states to:

• In line with the EU Guidelines on Human Rights Defenders, publicly condemn the judicial and other harassment of Georgian human rights organisations for their peaceful and legitimate human rights work;
• Use all diplomatic and legal tools at their disposal to exert pressure on Georgian officials and members of the judiciary, prosecution and law enforcement, involved in human rights abuses, and prosecutions of human rights defenders and civil society activists.
• Follow up on their joint statement at the United Nations Human Rights Council session 59 by delivering a joint statement on human rights in Georgia during the 60th session (in the general debate under item 2 or 10), further highlighting the deteriorating human rights situation in Georgia, bringing heightened visibility to the systemic attacks against human rights defenders, and pressing the government of Georgia to change course;
• Take the lead to ensure that the forthcoming UN Item 10 resolution on Georgia mandates comprehensive OHCHR reporting to the Human Rights Council on the human rights situation across the entirety of the country;
• Mobilize collective efforts in invoking the OSCE Moscow Mechanism as a follow-up to the Vienna Mechanism triggered in December 2024; and
• Urgently overcome administrative blockages to provide additional funding to Georgian civil society and human rights organisations to help them withstand the immediate impact of the asset freezes and continue their important work.

]]> Nine international human rights organisations express profound concerns regarding the Georgian government’s all-out assault on human rights and civil society organisations in the country and call on the authorities to immediately and unconditionally end all persecution of civil society and media groups for their peaceful and legitimate work. The European Union, its member states and the broader international community should take urgent and coordinated measures to respond to and end this crackdown. On 27 August 2025, the Georgian authorities froze the bank accounts of seven human rights and civil society organisations as part of a so-called “sabotage” investigation, claiming the groups had equipped protesters who committed “violent acts” against police in 2024. The Tbilisi City Court ordered the freezing of the bank accounts of the following organisations: International Society of Fair Elections and Democracy, Institute for Development of Freedom of Information, Georgian Democracy Initiative, Union Sapari, Social Justice Center, Civil Society Foundation and Democracy Defenders. The prosecutor’s office has been carrying out investigations under several criminal code articles, including “sabotage, attempted sabotage under aggravated circumstances, assisting a foreign organisation or an organisation under foreign influence in hostile activities, and financing actions against Georgia’s constitutional order and national security.” These articles carry penalties ranging from seven years to life in prison. Earlier, in March 2025, the Georgian authorities froze the bank accounts of human rights organisations “Human Rights House Tbilisi” and “Shame Movement” along with three other civil society groups - “Nanuka’s Fund”, “Prosperity Georgia”, and “Fund for Each Other 24/7” over similar charges. The authorities blatantly misrepresent the organisations’ legitimate human rights work and falsely claim that civil society groups used their funds to endorse and sponsor protests in Georgia’s capital, Tbilisi. The protests erupted in response to the widespread election manipulations in October 2024, and following the government’s decision to suspend Georgia’s EU accession negotiations a month later. The prosecutor’s office points to the organisations’ purchase of protest gear, such as medical supplies and face masks, special gas helmets, protective goggles, and pepper spray, as well as their support of protesters and their families by covering fines and providing free legal aid as basis for their “sabotage” investigation. On 1 September, days after freezing their bank accounts, the prosecutor’s office summoned several heads of the same non-governmental organisations to testify in the probe. Since April 2024, the ruling Georgian Dream party has repeatedly introduced and adopted laws aimed at restricting the work of human rights organisations and independent media. The raft of legislative changes included the notorious law on foreign interference and anti-LGBT bills. In March 2025, the government adopted the Law on Registration of Foreign Agents (FARA), requiring individuals or organisations to register as foreign agents if they operate under the vaguely defined “influence” of, or receive funding from, a foreign principal and engage in “political activities” in the interests of this principal. Non-compliance may lead to criminalfines and/or to a maximum five-year prison sentence. The Anti-Corruption Bureau, the public agency in charge of FARA’s implementation, and largely seen as loyal to the ruling party, has alleged that several leading Georgian non-governmental organisations, many of those whose bank accounts were frozen, had engaged in “political activities” under the scope of the law, and warned them of criminal liability for failing to register. In April, the authorities also amended the Law on Grants, requiring foreign donors to obtain official governmental approval prior to distributing grants to local organisations. Receiving a grant without official approval results in a fine equal to twice the amount of the grant. The authorities further amended the law in June to expand the requirement for official consent to include “technical assistance” and “knowledge sharing.” The adopted laws and ongoing investigations are clearly aimed at criminally penalising and eradicating all dissent and nonconformity in the country, and go against Georgia’s international legal obligations. In addition, the Georgian authorities have repeatedly used excessive force and brutal violence against largely peaceful demonstrators protesting the government’s decision to abort the EU accession negotiations. Riot police and informal violent groups associated with the authorities have also beaten opposition and independent journalists and interfered with their work with impunity. Although authorities launched some investigations into allegations of police abuse, they have not identified or prosecuted any law enforcement officials. While failing to take effective steps to address serious allegations of police abuse, the authorities charged and convicted dozens of protesters on spurious criminal charges of using violence against law enforcement officials, sentencing some to lengthy prison terms. International actors have a critical role to play in Georgia’s human rights crisis. We therefore call on the EU and its member states to:

• In line with the EU Guidelines on Human Rights Defenders, publicly condemn the judicial and other harassment of Georgian human rights organisations for their peaceful and legitimate human rights work;
• Use all diplomatic and legal tools at their disposal to exert pressure on Georgian officials and members of the judiciary, prosecution and law enforcement, involved in human rights abuses, and prosecutions of human rights defenders and civil society activists.
• Follow up on their joint statement at the United Nations Human Rights Council session 59 by delivering a joint statement on human rights in Georgia during the 60th session (in the general debate under item 2 or 10), further highlighting the deteriorating human rights situation in Georgia, bringing heightened visibility to the systemic attacks against human rights defenders, and pressing the government of Georgia to change course;
• Take the lead to ensure that the forthcoming UN Item 10 resolution on Georgia mandates comprehensive OHCHR reporting to the Human Rights Council on the human rights situation across the entirety of the country;
• Mobilize collective efforts in invoking the OSCE Moscow Mechanism as a follow-up to the Vienna Mechanism triggered in December 2024; and
• Urgently overcome administrative blockages to provide additional funding to Georgian civil society and human rights organisations to help them withstand the immediate impact of the asset freezes and continue their important work.

]]> https://observatoryfordefenders.org/es/alert/georgia-tbilisi-city-court-freezes-bank-accounts-of-seven-further-leading-civil-society-organisations-amid-unfounded-investigations-for-sabotage/ Fri, 29 Aug 2025 13:53:53 +0000 https://observatoryfordefenders.org/?post_type=alert&p=23885 announced that the Tbilisi City Court had granted its motion to freeze the bank accounts of the Civil Society Foundation, the International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy (ISFED), the Institute for the Development of Freedom of Information, Democracy Defenders, the Georgian Democratic Initiative, Sapari, and the Social Justice Center as part of a criminal investigation launched against the heads of the organisations. In particular, the Prosecutor’s Office alleged that the “leaders of the aforementioned organisations” took “coordinated action (...) to weaken law enforcement agencies and disrupt their normal functioning” by purchasing equipment such as protective goggles and pepper spray, which was “actively used by the protesters during violent confrontations with the police”, and by providing financial and legal support for protesters who were arbitrarily detained and fined for their participation in the mass demonstrations against the adoption of the Law “On Transparency of Foreign Influence”; and the unilateral suspension of the accession to the European Union. According to the statement, the Georgian authorities are investigating these acts as “sabotage” (Article 318, part 1 of Georgia’s Criminal Code), “attempted sabotage under aggravating circumstances” (Article 318, part 2 of the same Code), “assistance to a foreign organisation and an organisation under foreign control in hostile activities” (Article 314 of the same Code), and “mobilisation of funds for activities directed against the constitutional order and foundations of national security of Georgia” (Article 315 of the same Code). However, the details of the investigation, including the names of the individuals under investigation, remain unknown at the time of publication of this Urgent Appeal as the heads of the concerned organisations have no procedural status and no access to the case materials. If convicted under these charges, individuals would face lengthy prison terms ranging up to life imprisonment, as provided under Article 314 of Georgia’s Criminal Code. Representatives of several targeted organisations reported that they were not notified that their organisations were investigated by the authorities, nor did they receive any preliminary notification from the authorities about the order to freeze their accounts. The Observatory recalls that the targeted organisations had been providing crucial financial support to protesters arbitrarily detained during the mass demonstrations, paying the administrative fines unlawfully imposed against them, and providing legal assistance, representation and other forms of support. The freezing of the organisations’ bank accounts severely disrupts the organisations’ activities, leaving hundreds of beneficiaries, including those from vulnerable groups, without legal protection in both national and international courts, and rendering it impossible to pay salaries, office rents, and further expenses in support of victims of gross human rights violations. The Observatory recalls that earlier this spring an investigation on similar allegations of “sabotage” was launched, leading to the freezing of bank accounts belonging to Human Right House Tbilisi, the Shame Movement, as well as several crowdfunding initiatives organised by well-known journalists, for providing protesters with financial, legal, and medical support. Although as of August 2025 no charges have been filed, the leaders of the organisations were subjected to interrogations and searches of their homes and offices, and some organisations, including Human Rights House Tbilisi, were forced to cease operations. The freezing of the organisations’ bank accounts forms part of a systematic campaign targeting leading Georgian civil society organisations, including the Civil Society Foundation, Sapari, and the Social Justice Center. Thus, in addition to the bank account freezing, at least eight civil society organisations had already been targeted twice by the Georgian Anti-Corruption Bureau over the course of three months. In June 2025, shortly after the end of the 10-days registration deadline provided under the newly adopted Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), the Anti-Corruption Bureau proceeded to initiate inspections against eight prominent civil society organisations. Based on the Bureau’s motion, the Tbilisi City Court issued judicial orders against eight organisations obliging them to submit extensive information, including sensitive personal data of their beneficiaries, to the Anti-Corruption Bureau. While the Anti-Corruption Bureau based its initial requests on four laws – the Law on Combating Corruption, the Law on Political Associations, the Law “On Grants” and the FARA –, the Tbilisi City Court omitted the FARA as a legal basis, compelling disclosure solely under the other three laws. The Court also granted the Bureau’s request and obliged several banks to disclose all financial transactions received by the organisations over the same period. All targeted organisations publicly refused to provide personal information of their beneficiaries to the authorities, citing their obligations to ensure data confidentiality vis-à-vis their beneficiaries, and declared that they had partially destroyed sensitive information. Subsequently, in mid-August 2025, overall six civil society organisations reported that they received letters from the Anti-Corruption Bureau, informing them that an inspection against their organisations had now been launched to investigate violations of the FARA, including their failure to register as “foreign agents”, as well as the destruction of beneficiary information. The Observatory recalls that since April 2024, the Georgian authorities have massively intensified their crackdown on civil society and dissenting voices, notably by introducing legislation aimed at restricting human rights and civic space. This includes the adoption of the Law on “Transparency of Foreign Influence” in 2024, as well as the subsequent 2025 “Foreign Agents Registration Act” and the recent amendments to the Law “On Grants”, which are designed to stigmatise, defund and suppress civil society organisations and independent media. The Observatory further recalls that amid the widespread violence used by law enforcement officers against protesters to repress the peaceful demonstrations against the adoption of the Law “On Transparency of Foreign Influence”, many protesters, human rights defenders and journalists were physically assaulted, including by law enforcement officers. Following the November 2024 elections, the Georgian Dream Party eventually announced the suspension of negotiations for accession to the European Union, which led to a new wave of protests that are still ongoing as of August 2025. The Observatory strongly condemns the ongoing judicial harassment against human rights defenders and civil society organisations, which aims to punish them and criminalise their legitimate human rights activities in support of victims of police brutality and arbitrary detentions. The Observatory calls on the Georgian authorities to immediately stop the investigations, to unconditionally revoke the freezing of the bank accounts of the Civil Society Foundation, Sapari, the Social Justice Center and the other civil society organisations, and to respect in all circumstances the internationally recognised rights to freedom of association and peaceful assembly.]]> announced that the Tbilisi City Court had granted its motion to freeze the bank accounts of the Civil Society Foundation, the International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy (ISFED), the Institute for the Development of Freedom of Information, Democracy Defenders, the Georgian Democratic Initiative, Sapari, and the Social Justice Center as part of a criminal investigation launched against the heads of the organisations. In particular, the Prosecutor’s Office alleged that the “leaders of the aforementioned organisations” took “coordinated action (...) to weaken law enforcement agencies and disrupt their normal functioning” by purchasing equipment such as protective goggles and pepper spray, which was “actively used by the protesters during violent confrontations with the police”, and by providing financial and legal support for protesters who were arbitrarily detained and fined for their participation in the mass demonstrations against the adoption of the Law “On Transparency of Foreign Influence”; and the unilateral suspension of the accession to the European Union. According to the statement, the Georgian authorities are investigating these acts as “sabotage” (Article 318, part 1 of Georgia’s Criminal Code), “attempted sabotage under aggravating circumstances” (Article 318, part 2 of the same Code), “assistance to a foreign organisation and an organisation under foreign control in hostile activities” (Article 314 of the same Code), and “mobilisation of funds for activities directed against the constitutional order and foundations of national security of Georgia” (Article 315 of the same Code). However, the details of the investigation, including the names of the individuals under investigation, remain unknown at the time of publication of this Urgent Appeal as the heads of the concerned organisations have no procedural status and no access to the case materials. If convicted under these charges, individuals would face lengthy prison terms ranging up to life imprisonment, as provided under Article 314 of Georgia’s Criminal Code. Representatives of several targeted organisations reported that they were not notified that their organisations were investigated by the authorities, nor did they receive any preliminary notification from the authorities about the order to freeze their accounts. The Observatory recalls that the targeted organisations had been providing crucial financial support to protesters arbitrarily detained during the mass demonstrations, paying the administrative fines unlawfully imposed against them, and providing legal assistance, representation and other forms of support. The freezing of the organisations’ bank accounts severely disrupts the organisations’ activities, leaving hundreds of beneficiaries, including those from vulnerable groups, without legal protection in both national and international courts, and rendering it impossible to pay salaries, office rents, and further expenses in support of victims of gross human rights violations. The Observatory recalls that earlier this spring an investigation on similar allegations of “sabotage” was launched, leading to the freezing of bank accounts belonging to Human Right House Tbilisi, the Shame Movement, as well as several crowdfunding initiatives organised by well-known journalists, for providing protesters with financial, legal, and medical support. Although as of August 2025 no charges have been filed, the leaders of the organisations were subjected to interrogations and searches of their homes and offices, and some organisations, including Human Rights House Tbilisi, were forced to cease operations. The freezing of the organisations’ bank accounts forms part of a systematic campaign targeting leading Georgian civil society organisations, including the Civil Society Foundation, Sapari, and the Social Justice Center. Thus, in addition to the bank account freezing, at least eight civil society organisations had already been targeted twice by the Georgian Anti-Corruption Bureau over the course of three months. In June 2025, shortly after the end of the 10-days registration deadline provided under the newly adopted Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), the Anti-Corruption Bureau proceeded to initiate inspections against eight prominent civil society organisations. Based on the Bureau’s motion, the Tbilisi City Court issued judicial orders against eight organisations obliging them to submit extensive information, including sensitive personal data of their beneficiaries, to the Anti-Corruption Bureau. While the Anti-Corruption Bureau based its initial requests on four laws – the Law on Combating Corruption, the Law on Political Associations, the Law “On Grants” and the FARA –, the Tbilisi City Court omitted the FARA as a legal basis, compelling disclosure solely under the other three laws. The Court also granted the Bureau’s request and obliged several banks to disclose all financial transactions received by the organisations over the same period. All targeted organisations publicly refused to provide personal information of their beneficiaries to the authorities, citing their obligations to ensure data confidentiality vis-à-vis their beneficiaries, and declared that they had partially destroyed sensitive information. Subsequently, in mid-August 2025, overall six civil society organisations reported that they received letters from the Anti-Corruption Bureau, informing them that an inspection against their organisations had now been launched to investigate violations of the FARA, including their failure to register as “foreign agents”, as well as the destruction of beneficiary information. The Observatory recalls that since April 2024, the Georgian authorities have massively intensified their crackdown on civil society and dissenting voices, notably by introducing legislation aimed at restricting human rights and civic space. This includes the adoption of the Law on “Transparency of Foreign Influence” in 2024, as well as the subsequent 2025 “Foreign Agents Registration Act” and the recent amendments to the Law “On Grants”, which are designed to stigmatise, defund and suppress civil society organisations and independent media. The Observatory further recalls that amid the widespread violence used by law enforcement officers against protesters to repress the peaceful demonstrations against the adoption of the Law “On Transparency of Foreign Influence”, many protesters, human rights defenders and journalists were physically assaulted, including by law enforcement officers. Following the November 2024 elections, the Georgian Dream Party eventually announced the suspension of negotiations for accession to the European Union, which led to a new wave of protests that are still ongoing as of August 2025. The Observatory strongly condemns the ongoing judicial harassment against human rights defenders and civil society organisations, which aims to punish them and criminalise their legitimate human rights activities in support of victims of police brutality and arbitrary detentions. The Observatory calls on the Georgian authorities to immediately stop the investigations, to unconditionally revoke the freezing of the bank accounts of the Civil Society Foundation, Sapari, the Social Justice Center and the other civil society organisations, and to respect in all circumstances the internationally recognised rights to freedom of association and peaceful assembly.]]> https://observatoryfordefenders.org/es/alert/egypt-joint-call-to-lift-punitive-measures-against-eipr-staff/ Wed, 04 Dec 2024 18:48:48 +0000 https://observatoryfordefenders.org/?post_type=alert&p=23303 The Observatory (FIDH-OMCT) joins 32 human rights organisations in calling on the Egyptian government to lift arbitrary travel bans and asset freezes imposed on three directors of the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR), and to end the targeting of human rights defenders for their legitimate work. December 4, 2024 The Egyptian government must immediately lift the arbitrary travel bans and asset freezes imposed upon three directors of the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR), a prominent Egyptian human rights organisation, solely for their legitimate human rights work, a coalition of 34 rights groups said today, four years after the men were released from prison following an international outcry at their persecution. The then EIPR Executive Director Gasser Abdel Razek, Administrative Director Mohamed Bashir, and then Criminal Justice Unit Director Karim Ennarah were arrested between November 15-19, 2020. Following significant domestic and international pressure, the three were released on December 3, 2020 pending investigations in Case No 855/200. However, upon their release all three men had travel bans imposed on them, preventing them from leaving the country, and on December 6, 2020, their assets were frozen by the Anti-Terrorism Circuit of the Cairo Criminal Court. Since then, four years after the court's decision, neither they or their lawyers have been allowed to access case documents for Case No. 855/2020, under which they were accused of offences such as joining a terrorist group and spreading false news. The authorities have never produced any evidence for these baseless charges. On December 7, 2020, a group of UN experts stated in relation to the case that, “no human rights defender should face financial restrictions, criminalisation, bail conditions or be imprisoned for their legitimate human rights work.” EIPR has submitted multiple appeals to the courts regarding these punitive measures, including most recently to the Supreme Judicial Council, but, in violation of Egyptian law, have not been granted any court session to challenge them. In April this year, the Egyptian government closed Case 173 of 2011, the notorious “civil society organisations case”, after 13 years, leading to the lifting of travel bans and asset freezes against a number of civil society representatives, including EIPR current executive director Hossam Bahgat. However, as Abdel Razek, Bashir and Ennarah were arrested and prosecuted in a separate case, this decision had no effect on them. Egypt continues to witness a protracted human rights crisis fuelled by impunity and disregard to rule of law. Egyptian civil society organisations and NGO workers continue to face severe repression from the authorities, including arbitrary detentions and unjust convictions, a restrictive NGO law, and widespread restrictions on their rights to freedom of association, peaceful assembly, and expression. In recent months, authorities have taken steps to amend the Criminal Procedures Law, which the Egyptian authorities are already violating in the ongoing case against the EIPR staff. Egyptian and international human rights groups have raised serious concerns about this draft law further enabling violations of fair trials, and according to several UN special procedures mandate holders, “some of the amendments seem to violate provisions of the Egyptian Constitution and thereby undermine constitutionally protected rights and freedoms.” In January 2025, Egypt will have its human rights record examined by other governments at the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, in what is known as the Universal Periodic Review (UPR). The organisations call upon States that will make recommendations to the Egyptian government in a dedicated session on January 28, 2025, to ensure that they use the opportunity to call for the lifting of all travel bans, asset freezes and other punitive measures against human rights defenders, including EIPR’s staff members, and to end the targeting of human rights defenders and human rights organisations solely for their legitimate work.]]> The Observatory (FIDH-OMCT) joins 32 human rights organisations in calling on the Egyptian government to lift arbitrary travel bans and asset freezes imposed on three directors of the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR), and to end the targeting of human rights defenders for their legitimate work. December 4, 2024 The Egyptian government must immediately lift the arbitrary travel bans and asset freezes imposed upon three directors of the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR), a prominent Egyptian human rights organisation, solely for their legitimate human rights work, a coalition of 34 rights groups said today, four years after the men were released from prison following an international outcry at their persecution. The then EIPR Executive Director Gasser Abdel Razek, Administrative Director Mohamed Bashir, and then Criminal Justice Unit Director Karim Ennarah were arrested between November 15-19, 2020. Following significant domestic and international pressure, the three were released on December 3, 2020 pending investigations in Case No 855/200. However, upon their release all three men had travel bans imposed on them, preventing them from leaving the country, and on December 6, 2020, their assets were frozen by the Anti-Terrorism Circuit of the Cairo Criminal Court. Since then, four years after the court's decision, neither they or their lawyers have been allowed to access case documents for Case No. 855/2020, under which they were accused of offences such as joining a terrorist group and spreading false news. The authorities have never produced any evidence for these baseless charges. On December 7, 2020, a group of UN experts stated in relation to the case that, “no human rights defender should face financial restrictions, criminalisation, bail conditions or be imprisoned for their legitimate human rights work.” EIPR has submitted multiple appeals to the courts regarding these punitive measures, including most recently to the Supreme Judicial Council, but, in violation of Egyptian law, have not been granted any court session to challenge them. In April this year, the Egyptian government closed Case 173 of 2011, the notorious “civil society organisations case”, after 13 years, leading to the lifting of travel bans and asset freezes against a number of civil society representatives, including EIPR current executive director Hossam Bahgat. However, as Abdel Razek, Bashir and Ennarah were arrested and prosecuted in a separate case, this decision had no effect on them. Egypt continues to witness a protracted human rights crisis fuelled by impunity and disregard to rule of law. Egyptian civil society organisations and NGO workers continue to face severe repression from the authorities, including arbitrary detentions and unjust convictions, a restrictive NGO law, and widespread restrictions on their rights to freedom of association, peaceful assembly, and expression. In recent months, authorities have taken steps to amend the Criminal Procedures Law, which the Egyptian authorities are already violating in the ongoing case against the EIPR staff. Egyptian and international human rights groups have raised serious concerns about this draft law further enabling violations of fair trials, and according to several UN special procedures mandate holders, “some of the amendments seem to violate provisions of the Egyptian Constitution and thereby undermine constitutionally protected rights and freedoms.” In January 2025, Egypt will have its human rights record examined by other governments at the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, in what is known as the Universal Periodic Review (UPR). The organisations call upon States that will make recommendations to the Egyptian government in a dedicated session on January 28, 2025, to ensure that they use the opportunity to call for the lifting of all travel bans, asset freezes and other punitive measures against human rights defenders, including EIPR’s staff members, and to end the targeting of human rights defenders and human rights organisations solely for their legitimate work.]]>