Violencia sexual – The Observatory For Defenders https://observatoryfordefenders.org/es/ Fri, 06 Feb 2026 11:37:12 +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 Violencia sexual – The Observatory For Defenders https://observatoryfordefenders.org/es/ 32 32 Azerbaijan: Unlawfully Detained Women Journalists Face Sexual Violence amidst On-going Crackdown on Civil Society https://observatoryfordefenders.org/es/alert/azerbaijan-unlawfully-detained-women-journalists-face-sexual-violence-amidst-on-going-crackdown-on-civil-society/ Thu, 05 Feb 2026 10:59:08 +0000 https://observatoryfordefenders.org/?post_type=alert&p=24393 5 February 2026- The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders (OMCT-FIDH) and the undersigned organisations, express their serious concern regarding the recent letter of Azerbaijani journalist Aysel Umudova sent to media outlets from Baku Pre-trial Investigation Facility, in which she has reported being subjected to sexual harassment and ill-treatment by police officers during her arrest on 6 December 2024. Umudova’s letter published in December 2025 echoes the earlier case of a journalist and human rights defender, Ulviyya (Ali) Guliyeva, who faced arbitrary detention, torture, and explicit rape threats by a police officer while in police custody on 6 May 2025. Umudova’s letter describes her arbitrary detention in connection with the so-called “Meydan TV case”, three-hour long transfer to Baku, denial of timely access to legal and medical assistance, and degrading conditions of detention. During transportation, while experiencing a panic attack and in a state of acute vulnerability, she reported having been subjected to an “unwanted physical contact”, constituting sexual harassment according to Article 40 of the Council of Europe Istanbul Convention, by a police officer sitting next to her in a police car, an incident she clearly resisted, and which has had lasting psychological consequences. Upon arrival at the Baku City Police Department, she was further subjected to intimidation and coercion, including threats related to unlocking her phone, before being taken to the investigator. Umudova has stated that it took her approximately one year to stabilise and bring herself to publicly disclose the psychological impact of these events, which continue to affect her well-being. These allegations are similar to the case of a journalist and human rights defender, Ulviyya (Ali) Guliyeva, who has faced sustained harassment in connection with the same so-called “Meydan TV case”. Since early 2025, she has been repeatedly summoned for questioning, subjected to an unlawful travel ban, and ultimately detained on 6 May 2025. While in police custody, she reported being subjected to beatings and explicit rape threats by a police officer aimed at forcing her to disclose passwords to her electronic devices. Her apartment was searched in the absence of a lawyer, and evidence allegedly discovered during that search was later used against her in criminal proceedings. Following that treatment, she submitted contemporaneous handwritten complaints to her lawyer and the authorities. Thereafter, she described ongoing symptoms such as severe headaches, vomiting, dizziness, and fainting, which also aggravated her pre-existing mental health condition. Despite the seriousness of these allegations and the clear risk of long-term harm, the authorities have refused to order an independent forensic examination or provide adequate medical care. These events unfolded in relation to the “Meydan TV case”, under which on 6 December 2024 six journalists, including Aysel Umudova, and the head of Baku Journalism School were arrested and then remanded in custody on 8 December 2024 by the Baku City Khatai District Court. Under the same case, three other journalists were arrested on 5 February, 21 February, and 1 March 2025, and Ulviyya (Ali) Guliyeva was arrested on 6 May 2025. As the next hearing in the so-called “Meydan TV case” is scheduled for 6 February 2026 before the Baku Grave Crimes Court, these credible and consistent allegations raise serious concerns. In the continued absence of any effective, independent investigation, they call into question whether Azerbaijan’s judicial and investigative authorities will fulfil their duties to take prompt, meaningful, and independent accountability measures in response to such grave violations of fundamental rights and human dignity. Aysel Umudova and Ulviyya (Ali) Guliyeva, along with their journalist colleagues arrested and still remaining in custody in connection with the so-called “Meydan TV case”, have been charged under multiple provisions of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan, including illegal entrepreneurship and smuggling carried out by an organised group. These charges, which are widely regarded by independent observers as fabricated and politically motivated, have been systematically used against dozens of other journalists and civil society members in Azerbaijan over the past two years. The beatings, rape threats and sexual harassment against Guliyeva and Umudova constitute sexual and gender-based violence and the treatment they experienced violates the prohibition of torture and of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment. The authorities’ failure to investigate allegations of sexual harassment, sexual violence, and ill-treatment, together with their disregard of multiple requests for timely medical care and their failure to ensure independent investigations, constitutes a clear breach of their duty to prevent, investigate, and punish ill-treatment and sexual violence against women, contrary to Azerbaijan’s Constitution and other domestic law, as well as the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), the Convention Against Torture (CAT) and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), all ratified by Azerbaijan. The cases of Aysel Umudova and Ulviyya (Ali) Guliyeva indicate a deeply troubling pattern within the broader context of politically motivated prosecutions in Azerbaijan, in which punitive pre-trial detention and sexual violence appear to be used as instruments to intimidate, silence, and punish human rights defenders and independent women journalists in Azerbaijan. We call on the authorities of Azerbaijan to:
  • Immediately and unconditionally release Ulviyya Guliyeva and Aysel Umudova and drop all politically motivated charges against them and other political prisoners;
  • Conduct independent, impartial, prompt, and effective investigations into allegations of torture, ill-treatment, sexual harassment, and other violations, in line with international standards, and ensure accountability for all those responsible;
  • Guarantee access to adequate, independent medical care, including specialist examinations, for both journalists;
  • End the judicial harassment of journalists, human rights defenders, and other critical voices in Azerbaijan with abusive criminal prosecutions.
We also urge Azerbaijan’s international partners, including the Council of Europe, the European Union, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe and relevant United Nations bodies and Special Procedures, to:
  • Publicly condemn the arbitrary detention and sexual harassment of Ulviyya Guliyeva and Aysel Umudova and other political prisoners cases;
  • Raise their cases at the highest political levels;
  • Closely monitor court proceedings and detention conditions; and
  • Ensure that concrete and measurable progress in ending the crackdown on independent media and ensuring accountability for torture, ill-treatment and gender-based violence are central in all steps toward developing closer cooperation with Azerbaijan.
]]> 5 February 2026- The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders (OMCT-FIDH) and the undersigned organisations, express their serious concern regarding the recent letter of Azerbaijani journalist Aysel Umudova sent to media outlets from Baku Pre-trial Investigation Facility, in which she has reported being subjected to sexual harassment and ill-treatment by police officers during her arrest on 6 December 2024. Umudova’s letter published in December 2025 echoes the earlier case of a journalist and human rights defender, Ulviyya (Ali) Guliyeva, who faced arbitrary detention, torture, and explicit rape threats by a police officer while in police custody on 6 May 2025. Umudova’s letter describes her arbitrary detention in connection with the so-called “Meydan TV case”, three-hour long transfer to Baku, denial of timely access to legal and medical assistance, and degrading conditions of detention. During transportation, while experiencing a panic attack and in a state of acute vulnerability, she reported having been subjected to an “unwanted physical contact”, constituting sexual harassment according to Article 40 of the Council of Europe Istanbul Convention, by a police officer sitting next to her in a police car, an incident she clearly resisted, and which has had lasting psychological consequences. Upon arrival at the Baku City Police Department, she was further subjected to intimidation and coercion, including threats related to unlocking her phone, before being taken to the investigator. Umudova has stated that it took her approximately one year to stabilise and bring herself to publicly disclose the psychological impact of these events, which continue to affect her well-being. These allegations are similar to the case of a journalist and human rights defender, Ulviyya (Ali) Guliyeva, who has faced sustained harassment in connection with the same so-called “Meydan TV case”. Since early 2025, she has been repeatedly summoned for questioning, subjected to an unlawful travel ban, and ultimately detained on 6 May 2025. While in police custody, she reported being subjected to beatings and explicit rape threats by a police officer aimed at forcing her to disclose passwords to her electronic devices. Her apartment was searched in the absence of a lawyer, and evidence allegedly discovered during that search was later used against her in criminal proceedings. Following that treatment, she submitted contemporaneous handwritten complaints to her lawyer and the authorities. Thereafter, she described ongoing symptoms such as severe headaches, vomiting, dizziness, and fainting, which also aggravated her pre-existing mental health condition. Despite the seriousness of these allegations and the clear risk of long-term harm, the authorities have refused to order an independent forensic examination or provide adequate medical care. These events unfolded in relation to the “Meydan TV case”, under which on 6 December 2024 six journalists, including Aysel Umudova, and the head of Baku Journalism School were arrested and then remanded in custody on 8 December 2024 by the Baku City Khatai District Court. Under the same case, three other journalists were arrested on 5 February, 21 February, and 1 March 2025, and Ulviyya (Ali) Guliyeva was arrested on 6 May 2025. As the next hearing in the so-called “Meydan TV case” is scheduled for 6 February 2026 before the Baku Grave Crimes Court, these credible and consistent allegations raise serious concerns. In the continued absence of any effective, independent investigation, they call into question whether Azerbaijan’s judicial and investigative authorities will fulfil their duties to take prompt, meaningful, and independent accountability measures in response to such grave violations of fundamental rights and human dignity. Aysel Umudova and Ulviyya (Ali) Guliyeva, along with their journalist colleagues arrested and still remaining in custody in connection with the so-called “Meydan TV case”, have been charged under multiple provisions of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan, including illegal entrepreneurship and smuggling carried out by an organised group. These charges, which are widely regarded by independent observers as fabricated and politically motivated, have been systematically used against dozens of other journalists and civil society members in Azerbaijan over the past two years. The beatings, rape threats and sexual harassment against Guliyeva and Umudova constitute sexual and gender-based violence and the treatment they experienced violates the prohibition of torture and of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment. The authorities’ failure to investigate allegations of sexual harassment, sexual violence, and ill-treatment, together with their disregard of multiple requests for timely medical care and their failure to ensure independent investigations, constitutes a clear breach of their duty to prevent, investigate, and punish ill-treatment and sexual violence against women, contrary to Azerbaijan’s Constitution and other domestic law, as well as the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), the Convention Against Torture (CAT) and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), all ratified by Azerbaijan. The cases of Aysel Umudova and Ulviyya (Ali) Guliyeva indicate a deeply troubling pattern within the broader context of politically motivated prosecutions in Azerbaijan, in which punitive pre-trial detention and sexual violence appear to be used as instruments to intimidate, silence, and punish human rights defenders and independent women journalists in Azerbaijan. We call on the authorities of Azerbaijan to:
  • Immediately and unconditionally release Ulviyya Guliyeva and Aysel Umudova and drop all politically motivated charges against them and other political prisoners;
  • Conduct independent, impartial, prompt, and effective investigations into allegations of torture, ill-treatment, sexual harassment, and other violations, in line with international standards, and ensure accountability for all those responsible;
  • Guarantee access to adequate, independent medical care, including specialist examinations, for both journalists;
  • End the judicial harassment of journalists, human rights defenders, and other critical voices in Azerbaijan with abusive criminal prosecutions.
We also urge Azerbaijan’s international partners, including the Council of Europe, the European Union, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe and relevant United Nations bodies and Special Procedures, to:
  • Publicly condemn the arbitrary detention and sexual harassment of Ulviyya Guliyeva and Aysel Umudova and other political prisoners cases;
  • Raise their cases at the highest political levels;
  • Closely monitor court proceedings and detention conditions; and
  • Ensure that concrete and measurable progress in ending the crackdown on independent media and ensuring accountability for torture, ill-treatment and gender-based violence are central in all steps toward developing closer cooperation with Azerbaijan.
]]> Colombia: Ataques sistemáticos contra personas defensoras en el marco del Paro Nacional deben cesar https://observatoryfordefenders.org/es/alert/dcl-col-090721/ Fri, 09 Jul 2021 00:00:00 +0000 https://pods.local/?post_type=alert&p=17346 graves abusos y violaciones de derechos humanos por parte de la fuerza pública contra manifestantes, incluidos asesinatos, actos constitutivos de tortura y otros malos tratos, desapariciones forzadas, detenciones arbitrarias y violencia sexual basada en género. En este marco de violencia y represión de la protesta social, el trabajo llevado a cabo por las organizaciones y personas defensoras de los derechos humanos para monitorear las manifestaciones y el actuar de la fuerza pública de Colombia son esenciales para la protección de las y los manifestantes, así como para recopilar información sobre las violaciones de derechos humanos cometidas en su contra. Sin embargo, el Estado no sólo está fallando en su deber de implementar políticas de protección para quienes monitorean las protestas, sino que está cometiendo agresiones directas en su contra, principalmente por parte de integrantes de la Policía Nacional y de su Escuadrón Móvil Antidisturbios (ESMAD). De acuerdo con los datos publicados por la ‘Campaña Defender la Libertad: Asunto de Todas [1] ’, hasta el 30 de junio de 2021, al menos 298 personas defensoras de los derechos humanos que ejercen un trabajo de monitoreo han sido agredidas en el marco de las protestas. Estas agresiones incluyen 34 detenciones arbitrarias o amenazas de detención, 117 casos de lesiones personales, un homicidio, 112 actos de estigmatización y 18 casos de violencia basadas en género. Es especialmente preocupante la situación en la ciudad de Bogotá, con 118 agresiones contra personas defensoras, así como en los departamentos del Valle del Cauca, el Cauca, Antioquia, Cundinamarca, Nariño y Atlántico. El informe “El riesgo de defender la libertad en las calles”, publicado por la ‘Campaña Defender la Libertad’ el 6 de julio de 2021, señala además que, con el objetivo de impedir la verificación de la situación de derechos en las protestas, agentes de la policía usan su armamento y escudos para golpear e impedir el acceso a los lugares de detención, así como para impedir el registro audiovisual. Además, las autoridades colombianas han estigmatizado públicamente el trabajo de monitoreo llevado a cabo por las organizaciones de derechos humanos, señalando que sus denuncias de violaciones de derechos humanos tienen por objetivo “acabar con la Fuerza Pública”, e incluso señalándolas como cómplices de la violencia que está viviendo el país. Asimismo, la ‘Campaña Defender la Libertad’ también ha registrado en Cundinamarca, Boyacá, Valle del Cauca y Bogotá, agresiones cometidas por personas armadas no identificadas, que incluyen amenazas de muerte, disparos con armas de fuego y violencia de género contra mujeres defensoras de los derechos humanos. El Observatorio rechaza contundentemente los hechos de violencia cometidos contra las personas y organizaciones defensoras de derechos humanos que están monitoreando las protestas sociales en Colombia, y reitera su más alta preocupación por la represión sin precedentes ejercida contra las y los manifestantes. En este sentido, en el informe publicado por la Comisión Interamericana de Derechos Humanos (CIDH) el 7 de julio de 2021 tras su visita a Colombia entre el 8 y el 10 de junio de 2021, este organismo expresó preocupación por la persistencia de lógicas del conflicto armado en la interpretación y respuesta a la actual movilización social, así como por las numerosas violaciones de derechos humanos cometidas en este marco y las inconsistencias en el registro de cifras por parte del Estado. La CIDH llamó además a las autoridades colombianas a abstenerse de estigmatizar públicamente a manifestantes y personas defensoras de los derechos humanos. El Observatorio urge a las autoridades colombianas a cesar de manera inmediata el hostigamiento contra las personas defensoras de derechos humanos y la represión contra manifestantes, a investigar todos los hechos de violencia arriba mencionados y adoptar de manera urgente las medidas necesarias para asegurar garantías para el ejercicio de la defensa de los derechos humanos. El Observatorio para la Protección de los Defensores de Derechos Humanos (el Observatorio) es un programa creado en 1997 por la Organización Mundial Contra la Tortura (OMCT) y la FIDH y tiene por objetivo intervenir para prevenir o remediar situaciones concretas de represión contra los defensores y defensoras de los derechos humanos. OMCT y FIDH son ambos miembros de ProtectDefenders.eu, el Mecanismo de la Unión Europea para Defensores de Derechos Humanos implementado por sociedad civil internacional.

Notas

[1] La Campaña Defender la Libertad: Asunto de Todas es una red de organizaciones de la sociedad civil colombiana -incluido el Comité de Solidaridad con los Presos Políticos (CSPP), organización miembro de la OMCT- que trabaja para denunciar detenciones arbitrarias, hostigamiento judicial y la criminalización de la protesta social en Colombia.]]> graves abusos y violaciones de derechos humanos por parte de la fuerza pública contra manifestantes, incluidos asesinatos, actos constitutivos de tortura y otros malos tratos, desapariciones forzadas, detenciones arbitrarias y violencia sexual basada en género. En este marco de violencia y represión de la protesta social, el trabajo llevado a cabo por las organizaciones y personas defensoras de los derechos humanos para monitorear las manifestaciones y el actuar de la fuerza pública de Colombia son esenciales para la protección de las y los manifestantes, así como para recopilar información sobre las violaciones de derechos humanos cometidas en su contra. Sin embargo, el Estado no sólo está fallando en su deber de implementar políticas de protección para quienes monitorean las protestas, sino que está cometiendo agresiones directas en su contra, principalmente por parte de integrantes de la Policía Nacional y de su Escuadrón Móvil Antidisturbios (ESMAD). De acuerdo con los datos publicados por la ‘Campaña Defender la Libertad: Asunto de Todas [1] ’, hasta el 30 de junio de 2021, al menos 298 personas defensoras de los derechos humanos que ejercen un trabajo de monitoreo han sido agredidas en el marco de las protestas. Estas agresiones incluyen 34 detenciones arbitrarias o amenazas de detención, 117 casos de lesiones personales, un homicidio, 112 actos de estigmatización y 18 casos de violencia basadas en género. Es especialmente preocupante la situación en la ciudad de Bogotá, con 118 agresiones contra personas defensoras, así como en los departamentos del Valle del Cauca, el Cauca, Antioquia, Cundinamarca, Nariño y Atlántico. El informe “El riesgo de defender la libertad en las calles”, publicado por la ‘Campaña Defender la Libertad’ el 6 de julio de 2021, señala además que, con el objetivo de impedir la verificación de la situación de derechos en las protestas, agentes de la policía usan su armamento y escudos para golpear e impedir el acceso a los lugares de detención, así como para impedir el registro audiovisual. Además, las autoridades colombianas han estigmatizado públicamente el trabajo de monitoreo llevado a cabo por las organizaciones de derechos humanos, señalando que sus denuncias de violaciones de derechos humanos tienen por objetivo “acabar con la Fuerza Pública”, e incluso señalándolas como cómplices de la violencia que está viviendo el país. Asimismo, la ‘Campaña Defender la Libertad’ también ha registrado en Cundinamarca, Boyacá, Valle del Cauca y Bogotá, agresiones cometidas por personas armadas no identificadas, que incluyen amenazas de muerte, disparos con armas de fuego y violencia de género contra mujeres defensoras de los derechos humanos. El Observatorio rechaza contundentemente los hechos de violencia cometidos contra las personas y organizaciones defensoras de derechos humanos que están monitoreando las protestas sociales en Colombia, y reitera su más alta preocupación por la represión sin precedentes ejercida contra las y los manifestantes. En este sentido, en el informe publicado por la Comisión Interamericana de Derechos Humanos (CIDH) el 7 de julio de 2021 tras su visita a Colombia entre el 8 y el 10 de junio de 2021, este organismo expresó preocupación por la persistencia de lógicas del conflicto armado en la interpretación y respuesta a la actual movilización social, así como por las numerosas violaciones de derechos humanos cometidas en este marco y las inconsistencias en el registro de cifras por parte del Estado. La CIDH llamó además a las autoridades colombianas a abstenerse de estigmatizar públicamente a manifestantes y personas defensoras de los derechos humanos. El Observatorio urge a las autoridades colombianas a cesar de manera inmediata el hostigamiento contra las personas defensoras de derechos humanos y la represión contra manifestantes, a investigar todos los hechos de violencia arriba mencionados y adoptar de manera urgente las medidas necesarias para asegurar garantías para el ejercicio de la defensa de los derechos humanos. El Observatorio para la Protección de los Defensores de Derechos Humanos (el Observatorio) es un programa creado en 1997 por la Organización Mundial Contra la Tortura (OMCT) y la FIDH y tiene por objetivo intervenir para prevenir o remediar situaciones concretas de represión contra los defensores y defensoras de los derechos humanos. OMCT y FIDH son ambos miembros de ProtectDefenders.eu, el Mecanismo de la Unión Europea para Defensores de Derechos Humanos implementado por sociedad civil internacional.

Notas

[1] La Campaña Defender la Libertad: Asunto de Todas es una red de organizaciones de la sociedad civil colombiana -incluido el Comité de Solidaridad con los Presos Políticos (CSPP), organización miembro de la OMCT- que trabaja para denunciar detenciones arbitrarias, hostigamiento judicial y la criminalización de la protesta social en Colombia.]]> Turkey: Arbitrary detention and inhuman treatment of Ms. Sevil Rojbin https://observatoryfordefenders.org/es/alert/turkey-arbitrary-detention-and-inhuman-treatment-of-ms-sevil-rojbin/ Tue, 30 Jun 2020 00:00:00 +0000 https://pods.local/?post_type=alert&p=16191 Sevil Rojbin, a women’s rights defender, member of the women’s rights initiative Free Women’s Movement (TJA - Tevgera Jinen Azad) and member of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP). According to the information received, on June 26, 2020, Ms. Sevil Rojbin was taken into police custody in Diyarbakır and her house was raided by the police, within the scope of an investigation launched by the Prosecutors’ Office in Mardin into her activities with TJA on women’s rights and her membership to HDP’s commission on local governance. Ms. Sevil Rojbin was reportedly subjected to inhuman treatment, which may amount to torture, during the raid of her house and during her arrest in Diyarbakır. It was reported that she was subjected to sexual harassment in addition to other forms of violence. The forensic examination report found bite marks by police dogs on her legs, shoe marks on her belly and other marks of battery. Her lawyer, who has taken pictures of her showing the marks to form an official complaint, was later summoned to the Prosecutors’ Office. As of issuing this Urgent Appeal, no measures had been taken against the police officers accused of these abuses. On June 27, 2020, she was transferred to the Anti-Terror Branch in Mardin, where the investigation is being conducted. On June 30, 2020, the court extended Ms. Sevil Rojbin’s arrest for another four days, at the request of the Prosecutor on the basis that “the review was ongoing”. As of issuing this Urgent Appeal, Ms. Rojbin remains under arrest in Mardin. Ms. Sevil Rojbin has advanced stage cancer and her health may be compromised by her detention. The Observatory recalls that inhuman treatment is prohibited, and that allegations of inhuman treatment must be thoroughly investigated and may result in individual convictions. The Observatory condemns the arbitrary detention of Ms. Sevil Rojbin and the inhuman treatments she allegedly suffered, as it seems to be merely aimed at punishing her for exercising her legitimate human rights activities. The Observatory urges the Turkish authorities to put an end to all forms of harassment, including at the judicial level, against her and against all human rights defenders in Turkey.]]> Sevil Rojbin, a women’s rights defender, member of the women’s rights initiative Free Women’s Movement (TJA - Tevgera Jinen Azad) and member of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP). According to the information received, on June 26, 2020, Ms. Sevil Rojbin was taken into police custody in Diyarbakır and her house was raided by the police, within the scope of an investigation launched by the Prosecutors’ Office in Mardin into her activities with TJA on women’s rights and her membership to HDP’s commission on local governance. Ms. Sevil Rojbin was reportedly subjected to inhuman treatment, which may amount to torture, during the raid of her house and during her arrest in Diyarbakır. It was reported that she was subjected to sexual harassment in addition to other forms of violence. The forensic examination report found bite marks by police dogs on her legs, shoe marks on her belly and other marks of battery. Her lawyer, who has taken pictures of her showing the marks to form an official complaint, was later summoned to the Prosecutors’ Office. As of issuing this Urgent Appeal, no measures had been taken against the police officers accused of these abuses. On June 27, 2020, she was transferred to the Anti-Terror Branch in Mardin, where the investigation is being conducted. On June 30, 2020, the court extended Ms. Sevil Rojbin’s arrest for another four days, at the request of the Prosecutor on the basis that “the review was ongoing”. As of issuing this Urgent Appeal, Ms. Rojbin remains under arrest in Mardin. Ms. Sevil Rojbin has advanced stage cancer and her health may be compromised by her detention. The Observatory recalls that inhuman treatment is prohibited, and that allegations of inhuman treatment must be thoroughly investigated and may result in individual convictions. The Observatory condemns the arbitrary detention of Ms. Sevil Rojbin and the inhuman treatments she allegedly suffered, as it seems to be merely aimed at punishing her for exercising her legitimate human rights activities. The Observatory urges the Turkish authorities to put an end to all forms of harassment, including at the judicial level, against her and against all human rights defenders in Turkey.]]> Egypt: Arbitrary detention and judicial harassment of LGBT+ rights defender Malak Al-Kashif https://observatoryfordefenders.org/es/alert/egy-001-0319-obs-025-malak-al-kashif/ Mon, 18 Mar 2019 00:00:00 +0000 https://pods.local/?post_type=alert&p=14873 Malak Al-Kashif, a LGBT+ human rights defender, after calling for peaceful protests to denounce how the Ramses Station Accident [1] was handled by the authorities. According to the information received, on March 6, 2019, at dawn, members of the National Security forces arrested Ms. Malak Al-Kashif from her home in Giza. She was held for three days in incommunicado detention, until her whereabouts were finally revealed on March 10, 2019. It was then revealed that following more than 24 hours of detention in an unknown location, on March 7, 2019, Ms. Malak Al-Kashif appeared before the National Security Prosecution, where she was charged with “aiding a terrorist organisation” and “misusing social media to commit a crime punishable by law”. The Prosecution then ordered that she be remanded in pre-trial. The renewal of her pre-trial detention is expected to be announced on March 19, 2019. At the moment of publication of this appeal, she was kept in solitary confinement in Al-Haram Police Station and has now access to her lawyer and family. In order to arrest her, it appears that the national security forces forced Ms. Malak Al-Kashif’s mother to call her pretending to be very ill, in order to lure her into going to her apartment. The Observatory is particularly concerned by the fact that on March 10, 2019, Ms. Malak Al-Kashif was subjected to forced anal examination, which amounts to a form of torture or cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment [2]. Moreover, according to the same information a police officer sexually harassed her on that same day. Ms. Malak Al-Kashif’s arrest is reportedly related to her calls for peaceful protests in solidarity with the victims of the Ramses Station Accident and their families. In particular, she has been asking for those responsible of the accident to be held accountable. The Observatory considers that Ms. Malak Al-Kashif’s arbitrary detention and ill-treatment is particularly concerning in light of the general climate of discrimination and human rights violations against LGBT+ individuals and defenders of their rights in Egypt and fears that she may be subjected to sexual harassment during her detention because of her gender identity. The Observatory urges the Egyptian authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Ms. Malak Al-Kashif’s, as her detention is arbitrary and only aims at silencing her human rights work and her freedom of expression. In the meanwhile, the Egyptian authorities should ensure the physical and psychological integrity of Ms. Malak Al-Kashif and take all necessary measures to ensure that, during her detention, she will not be subjected to any form of sexual abuse, ill-treatment or discrimination because of her gender identity or to any other form of ill-treatment. As her official documents are still stating her gender as male, it is feared that the authorities will place her in male’s detention centers.]]> Malak Al-Kashif, a LGBT+ human rights defender, after calling for peaceful protests to denounce how the Ramses Station Accident [1] was handled by the authorities. According to the information received, on March 6, 2019, at dawn, members of the National Security forces arrested Ms. Malak Al-Kashif from her home in Giza. She was held for three days in incommunicado detention, until her whereabouts were finally revealed on March 10, 2019. It was then revealed that following more than 24 hours of detention in an unknown location, on March 7, 2019, Ms. Malak Al-Kashif appeared before the National Security Prosecution, where she was charged with “aiding a terrorist organisation” and “misusing social media to commit a crime punishable by law”. The Prosecution then ordered that she be remanded in pre-trial. The renewal of her pre-trial detention is expected to be announced on March 19, 2019. At the moment of publication of this appeal, she was kept in solitary confinement in Al-Haram Police Station and has now access to her lawyer and family. In order to arrest her, it appears that the national security forces forced Ms. Malak Al-Kashif’s mother to call her pretending to be very ill, in order to lure her into going to her apartment. The Observatory is particularly concerned by the fact that on March 10, 2019, Ms. Malak Al-Kashif was subjected to forced anal examination, which amounts to a form of torture or cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment [2]. Moreover, according to the same information a police officer sexually harassed her on that same day. Ms. Malak Al-Kashif’s arrest is reportedly related to her calls for peaceful protests in solidarity with the victims of the Ramses Station Accident and their families. In particular, she has been asking for those responsible of the accident to be held accountable. The Observatory considers that Ms. Malak Al-Kashif’s arbitrary detention and ill-treatment is particularly concerning in light of the general climate of discrimination and human rights violations against LGBT+ individuals and defenders of their rights in Egypt and fears that she may be subjected to sexual harassment during her detention because of her gender identity. The Observatory urges the Egyptian authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Ms. Malak Al-Kashif’s, as her detention is arbitrary and only aims at silencing her human rights work and her freedom of expression. In the meanwhile, the Egyptian authorities should ensure the physical and psychological integrity of Ms. Malak Al-Kashif and take all necessary measures to ensure that, during her detention, she will not be subjected to any form of sexual abuse, ill-treatment or discrimination because of her gender identity or to any other form of ill-treatment. As her official documents are still stating her gender as male, it is feared that the authorities will place her in male’s detention centers.]]> Bahrain: Ongoing arbitrary detention of Naji Fateel https://observatoryfordefenders.org/es/alert/bhr-001-0614-obs-049-2-naji-fateel/ Fri, 30 Nov 2018 00:00:00 +0000 https://pods.local/?post_type=alert&p=14586 Naji Fateel, blogger and co-founder of the Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR), who is currently serving a 25-year combined prison sentence for monitoring human rights violations committed during Bahrain’s uprising. According to the information received, on November 12, 2018, Mr. Naji Fateel was placed on solitary confinement for three days, after he leaked an audio recording in which he appealed to human rights organisations to intervene about his conditions of detention (see below). In solitary confinement, Mr. Naji Fateel started a hunger strike demanding an end to the ill-treatment he has been suffering since his detention. Once back to cell with the other inmates, he continued his hunger strike even though his health has been rapidly deteriorating. Mr. Naji Fateel was supposed to call his family on November 19, 2018, but they never received any call, and his fate remains unknown as of issuing this Urgent Appeal. At the beginning of November 2018, several human rights organisations received an audio-recording in which Mr. Naji Fateel was complaining that he had been denied the right to a fair trial and urged them to intervene in order to help him get access to adequate medical treatment and stop the harassment he faces in Jaw prison, where he has been incarcerated since September 2013 (see background information). The Observatory is deeply concerned over the physical and psychological integrity of Mr. Naji Fateel and calls on the authorities to give him an immediate and unconditional access to medical treatment. The Observatory further urges the Bahraini authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Mr. Naji Fateel and end any act of harassment, including at the judicial level, against him and all human rights defenders in the country. The Observatory further denounces the long-standing pattern of harassment against human rights defenders in Bahrain and recalls that many of them are currently under arbitrary detention to sanction their legitimate human rights activities, including Mr. Nabeel Rajab, arbitrarily detained since June 13, 2016 under particularly harsh conditions [1]. Background information: On May 2, 2013, Mr. Naji Fateel was arrested at dawn without warrant by security men in civilian clothes at his home in the village of Bani-Jamra and held incommunicado for three days, during which time it is reported that he was severely tortured. He was then allegedly subjected to severe torture at the Criminal Investigation Directorate. Reports allege that he was subjected to electrical shocks to his genitals, left foot and back in addition to simulated drowning, severe beatings, threats to publish his wife’s photographs (taken from a camera confiscated by the security forces when his house was raided), insults, hanging by his hands from the ceiling, sexual harassment and threats of rape, standing for hours, and sleep deprivation. He was taken to the Ministry of Interior hospital twice for treatment due to the torture. Mr. Naji Fateel was detained in Dry Dock Detention Centre. On May 22, 2013, Mr. Naji Fateel was sentenced by the Manama Criminal Court to six months of imprisonment on charges of “attending illegal gatherings” in relation to a gathering organised on January 24, 2012 in Bani-Jamra in which he did not participate. He was charged in another case with the establishment of a group for the purpose of disabling the Constitution. On September 29, 2013, Mr. Naji Fateel was sentenced by the Fourth Criminal Court to 15 years in prison for “the establishment of a group for the purpose of disabling the constitution” under Article 6 of Law No. 58 of 2006 on Terrorism. Mr. Naji Fateel was then moved to the Central Prison “Jaw”. The charges relate to an allegedly terrorist group known as the “February 14 Youth Coalition”, which organised demonstrations and protests during Bahrain’s uprising. On November 18, 2013, when the appeal trial against Mr. Naji Fateel started, the authorities of Bahrain denied entry to a lawyer who was mandated by a coalition of NGOs, including the Observatory, to observe the appeal trial. On May 29, 2014, the Court of Appeal upheld the 15-year imprisonment sentence against Mr. Naji Fateel. No evidence against Mr. Fateel was provided during the trial. The sentence was solely based on coerced confessions made under torture and without thoroughly and impartially investigating the allegations of torture which the defender was subjected to during his detention. During a hearing, Mr. Naji Fateel removed his shirt and showed the torture marks on his back; however, it was totally ignored by the court. Mr. Fateel also filed a complaint before the Ombudsman as well as his wife, who filed another complaint before the same institution on September 14, 2014, following which the Ombudsman announced that it was investigating the complaint. To date, the complaints have been to no avail. On March 10, 2015, Bahraini security forces beat and attacked more than 100 prisoners at Jaw Prison, using rubber bullets, tear gas, and shotgun pellets. Several detainees, including Mr. Naji Fateel, were severely injured. This incident followed an altercation between the family of a prisoner, who was denied visitation, and security officers. It is reported that detainees started protesting after hearing the sound of clashes. In response to the protest, security officers ordered a dozen of the detainees to be taken to another building within the prison, including Mr. Naji Fateel. Mr. Fateel was then denied visitation and communication rights and no information about his fate and whereabouts were available for several weeks. Mr. Fateel was not involved in the protest, but was injured during the attack, suffering a broken leg, and was subsequently sentenced to an additional 10 years for assault and damage to prison property. Following this incident, Mr. Fateel submitted complaints to report acts of ill-treatment/torture to the Special Investigation Unit, the Public Prosecutor’s Office, the Prisoners’ Commission, the National Human Rights Foundation, the Punishment Enforcement Judge and the Attorney-General. To date, the complaints were not followed through. The Observatory recalls the authorities of Bahrain their responsibility to effectively ensure the physical and psychological integrity of all persons deprived of liberty in accordance with international human rights law, and in particular the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment of Punishment, and the UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners. On July 2, 2018, Mr. Naji Fateel was allowed to attend one of his daughter’s wedding in family court wearing handcuffs. He also attended another daughter’s wedding on April 19, 2018.]]> Naji Fateel, blogger and co-founder of the Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR), who is currently serving a 25-year combined prison sentence for monitoring human rights violations committed during Bahrain’s uprising. According to the information received, on November 12, 2018, Mr. Naji Fateel was placed on solitary confinement for three days, after he leaked an audio recording in which he appealed to human rights organisations to intervene about his conditions of detention (see below). In solitary confinement, Mr. Naji Fateel started a hunger strike demanding an end to the ill-treatment he has been suffering since his detention. Once back to cell with the other inmates, he continued his hunger strike even though his health has been rapidly deteriorating. Mr. Naji Fateel was supposed to call his family on November 19, 2018, but they never received any call, and his fate remains unknown as of issuing this Urgent Appeal. At the beginning of November 2018, several human rights organisations received an audio-recording in which Mr. Naji Fateel was complaining that he had been denied the right to a fair trial and urged them to intervene in order to help him get access to adequate medical treatment and stop the harassment he faces in Jaw prison, where he has been incarcerated since September 2013 (see background information). The Observatory is deeply concerned over the physical and psychological integrity of Mr. Naji Fateel and calls on the authorities to give him an immediate and unconditional access to medical treatment. The Observatory further urges the Bahraini authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Mr. Naji Fateel and end any act of harassment, including at the judicial level, against him and all human rights defenders in the country. The Observatory further denounces the long-standing pattern of harassment against human rights defenders in Bahrain and recalls that many of them are currently under arbitrary detention to sanction their legitimate human rights activities, including Mr. Nabeel Rajab, arbitrarily detained since June 13, 2016 under particularly harsh conditions [1]. Background information: On May 2, 2013, Mr. Naji Fateel was arrested at dawn without warrant by security men in civilian clothes at his home in the village of Bani-Jamra and held incommunicado for three days, during which time it is reported that he was severely tortured. He was then allegedly subjected to severe torture at the Criminal Investigation Directorate. Reports allege that he was subjected to electrical shocks to his genitals, left foot and back in addition to simulated drowning, severe beatings, threats to publish his wife’s photographs (taken from a camera confiscated by the security forces when his house was raided), insults, hanging by his hands from the ceiling, sexual harassment and threats of rape, standing for hours, and sleep deprivation. He was taken to the Ministry of Interior hospital twice for treatment due to the torture. Mr. Naji Fateel was detained in Dry Dock Detention Centre. On May 22, 2013, Mr. Naji Fateel was sentenced by the Manama Criminal Court to six months of imprisonment on charges of “attending illegal gatherings” in relation to a gathering organised on January 24, 2012 in Bani-Jamra in which he did not participate. He was charged in another case with the establishment of a group for the purpose of disabling the Constitution. On September 29, 2013, Mr. Naji Fateel was sentenced by the Fourth Criminal Court to 15 years in prison for “the establishment of a group for the purpose of disabling the constitution” under Article 6 of Law No. 58 of 2006 on Terrorism. Mr. Naji Fateel was then moved to the Central Prison “Jaw”. The charges relate to an allegedly terrorist group known as the “February 14 Youth Coalition”, which organised demonstrations and protests during Bahrain’s uprising. On November 18, 2013, when the appeal trial against Mr. Naji Fateel started, the authorities of Bahrain denied entry to a lawyer who was mandated by a coalition of NGOs, including the Observatory, to observe the appeal trial. On May 29, 2014, the Court of Appeal upheld the 15-year imprisonment sentence against Mr. Naji Fateel. No evidence against Mr. Fateel was provided during the trial. The sentence was solely based on coerced confessions made under torture and without thoroughly and impartially investigating the allegations of torture which the defender was subjected to during his detention. During a hearing, Mr. Naji Fateel removed his shirt and showed the torture marks on his back; however, it was totally ignored by the court. Mr. Fateel also filed a complaint before the Ombudsman as well as his wife, who filed another complaint before the same institution on September 14, 2014, following which the Ombudsman announced that it was investigating the complaint. To date, the complaints have been to no avail. On March 10, 2015, Bahraini security forces beat and attacked more than 100 prisoners at Jaw Prison, using rubber bullets, tear gas, and shotgun pellets. Several detainees, including Mr. Naji Fateel, were severely injured. This incident followed an altercation between the family of a prisoner, who was denied visitation, and security officers. It is reported that detainees started protesting after hearing the sound of clashes. In response to the protest, security officers ordered a dozen of the detainees to be taken to another building within the prison, including Mr. Naji Fateel. Mr. Fateel was then denied visitation and communication rights and no information about his fate and whereabouts were available for several weeks. Mr. Fateel was not involved in the protest, but was injured during the attack, suffering a broken leg, and was subsequently sentenced to an additional 10 years for assault and damage to prison property. Following this incident, Mr. Fateel submitted complaints to report acts of ill-treatment/torture to the Special Investigation Unit, the Public Prosecutor’s Office, the Prisoners’ Commission, the National Human Rights Foundation, the Punishment Enforcement Judge and the Attorney-General. To date, the complaints were not followed through. The Observatory recalls the authorities of Bahrain their responsibility to effectively ensure the physical and psychological integrity of all persons deprived of liberty in accordance with international human rights law, and in particular the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment of Punishment, and the UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners. On July 2, 2018, Mr. Naji Fateel was allowed to attend one of his daughter’s wedding in family court wearing handcuffs. He also attended another daughter’s wedding on April 19, 2018.]]>