Droits des femmes – The Observatory For Defenders https://observatoryfordefenders.org/fr/ Wed, 11 Mar 2026 13:43:24 +0000 fr-FR hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 https://observatoryfordefenders.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/cropped-OB-eye-orange-32x32.png Droits des femmes – The Observatory For Defenders https://observatoryfordefenders.org/fr/ 32 32 Iraq: Assassination of WHRD Yanar Mohammed, emblematic figure of the feminist movement, condemned https://observatoryfordefenders.org/fr/alert/iraq-assassination-of-whrd-yanar-mohammed-emblematic-figure-of-the-feminist-movement-condemned/ Wed, 11 Mar 2026 09:21:18 +0000 https://observatoryfordefenders.org/?post_type=alert&p=24497 Paris, Geneva, Baghdad, 5 March 2026. At approximately 9:00 a.m. on 02 March 2026, two armed men who were riding a motorcycle, opened fire on Yanar Mohammed inside her residence in northern Baghdad. Seriously injured, Yanar Mohammed was transferred to hospital, where she succumbed to her wounds. At the time of publication of this statement, no one has claimed responsibility for the attack, and the identities of those responsible, as well as the motives behind the killing, remain unknown. It is essential that an independent and thorough investigation should be established to examine that assassination which is linked to her human rights activism, as reported by reliable local sources. Yanar Mohammed was an internationally-recognised human rights defender. She co-founded OWFI in 2003, following the fall of Saddam Hussein’s regime, with the aim of promoting women’s rights and combating gender-based violence. For over two decades, she worked to protect women facing domestic abuse, forced marriage, trafficking, and so-called “honour” killings. Under her leadership, OWFI established a network of safe houses across numerous Iraqi cities, providing protection and support to hundreds of women at risk. Yanar Mohammed publicly defended gender equality, and universal human rights. She consistently denounced the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war, the impunity of armed groups, and systemic discrimination against women and minorities. In 2016, she was awarded the Norwegian Rafto Prize for Human Rights in recognition of her courageous commitment. She carried out her activism in a highly-dangerous environment. She had been subjected to repeated death threats and, at times, was forced to restrict her movements. In 2020, she and OWFI were targeted by judicial proceedings initiated by the General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers, notably in relation to the organisation’s operation of shelters for women fleeing violence. These proceedings, widely considered to lack legal basis, took place in a broader context of judicial pressure against organisations defending women’s rights. In her recent activities, Yanar Mohammed focused on following up cases of Yazidi women and other survivors of abuses linked to ISIS elements in Iraq, calling for investigations into these violations and accountability for those responsible. The assassination of Yanar Mohammed occurs within a broader pattern of attacks, abductions, and killings targeting activists, journalists, and human rights defenders in Iraq in recent years. This context reflects persistent shortcomings in the protection of human rights defenders and in combating impunity for such crimes. Our organisations recall that Iraq, as a State Party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), has an obligation to protect the right to life and to take all necessary measures to prevent, investigate, and punish violations of this right (Article 6). Also, in accordance with the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, authorities have a duty to ensure a safe and enabling environment for those engaged in the promotion and protection of human rights. Our organisations call on the Iraqi authorities to immediately conduct an independent, impartial and transparent investigation to identify the perpetrators and those who may have ordered this assassination, and to bring them to justice in accordance with international standards. The authorities must also adopt effective protection measures for human rights defenders, in particular those working on women’s rights, who face heightened risks. The undersigned organisations also call on the Iraqi authorities to investigate all forms of incitement that preceded this crime, particularly the content disseminated through media outlets and social media platforms that included hate speech and direct or indirect incitement against Yanar Mohammed, as well as against women human rights defenders and other women’s activists. Impunity for such incitement creates a dangerous environment that facilitates the targeting of human rights defenders. We call for accountability for these crimes committed online or beyond. This killing sends a deeply alarming signal to women human rights defenders across Iraq. Our organisations urge the Iraqi authorities to take immediate and concrete measures to guarantee, in all circumstances, that human rights defenders, in particularly those who defend women rights, can carry out their work without fear of violence or reprisals.]]> Paris, Geneva, Baghdad, 5 March 2026. At approximately 9:00 a.m. on 02 March 2026, two armed men who were riding a motorcycle, opened fire on Yanar Mohammed inside her residence in northern Baghdad. Seriously injured, Yanar Mohammed was transferred to hospital, where she succumbed to her wounds. At the time of publication of this statement, no one has claimed responsibility for the attack, and the identities of those responsible, as well as the motives behind the killing, remain unknown. It is essential that an independent and thorough investigation should be established to examine that assassination which is linked to her human rights activism, as reported by reliable local sources. Yanar Mohammed was an internationally-recognised human rights defender. She co-founded OWFI in 2003, following the fall of Saddam Hussein’s regime, with the aim of promoting women’s rights and combating gender-based violence. For over two decades, she worked to protect women facing domestic abuse, forced marriage, trafficking, and so-called “honour” killings. Under her leadership, OWFI established a network of safe houses across numerous Iraqi cities, providing protection and support to hundreds of women at risk. Yanar Mohammed publicly defended gender equality, and universal human rights. She consistently denounced the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war, the impunity of armed groups, and systemic discrimination against women and minorities. In 2016, she was awarded the Norwegian Rafto Prize for Human Rights in recognition of her courageous commitment. She carried out her activism in a highly-dangerous environment. She had been subjected to repeated death threats and, at times, was forced to restrict her movements. In 2020, she and OWFI were targeted by judicial proceedings initiated by the General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers, notably in relation to the organisation’s operation of shelters for women fleeing violence. These proceedings, widely considered to lack legal basis, took place in a broader context of judicial pressure against organisations defending women’s rights. In her recent activities, Yanar Mohammed focused on following up cases of Yazidi women and other survivors of abuses linked to ISIS elements in Iraq, calling for investigations into these violations and accountability for those responsible. The assassination of Yanar Mohammed occurs within a broader pattern of attacks, abductions, and killings targeting activists, journalists, and human rights defenders in Iraq in recent years. This context reflects persistent shortcomings in the protection of human rights defenders and in combating impunity for such crimes. Our organisations recall that Iraq, as a State Party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), has an obligation to protect the right to life and to take all necessary measures to prevent, investigate, and punish violations of this right (Article 6). Also, in accordance with the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, authorities have a duty to ensure a safe and enabling environment for those engaged in the promotion and protection of human rights. Our organisations call on the Iraqi authorities to immediately conduct an independent, impartial and transparent investigation to identify the perpetrators and those who may have ordered this assassination, and to bring them to justice in accordance with international standards. The authorities must also adopt effective protection measures for human rights defenders, in particular those working on women’s rights, who face heightened risks. The undersigned organisations also call on the Iraqi authorities to investigate all forms of incitement that preceded this crime, particularly the content disseminated through media outlets and social media platforms that included hate speech and direct or indirect incitement against Yanar Mohammed, as well as against women human rights defenders and other women’s activists. Impunity for such incitement creates a dangerous environment that facilitates the targeting of human rights defenders. We call for accountability for these crimes committed online or beyond. This killing sends a deeply alarming signal to women human rights defenders across Iraq. Our organisations urge the Iraqi authorities to take immediate and concrete measures to guarantee, in all circumstances, that human rights defenders, in particularly those who defend women rights, can carry out their work without fear of violence or reprisals.]]> Iran: Additional prison sentences against Narges Mohammadi https://observatoryfordefenders.org/fr/alert/iran-additional-prison-sentences-against-narges-mohammadi/ Wed, 18 Feb 2026 16:29:42 +0000 https://observatoryfordefenders.org/?post_type=alert&p=24432 17 February 2026. The Free Narges Coalition Steering Committee stated: “The situation of Iran’s Nobel Peace Prize laureate under detention is not an isolated example, but an indicator of the vulnerability and risks faced by those detained for their defense of human rights or expression. The information we have received from verified sources about the condition of Narges Mohammadi and other political prisoners is deeply worrying. Following the nationwide demonstrations and ensuing massacre of protesters, the government is doubling down on dangerously harsh treatment of its growing number of political prisoners. Human rights defenders, journalists, writers, and artists are at the forefront of the fight for a free and democratic Iran. Narges Mohammadi and all prisoners of conscience must be freed immediately; they must have access to their chosen lawyer, regular contact with family, and medical care.” On 7 February 2026, Mohammadi’s lawyer announced that the Nobel laureate was transferred to Branch 1 of the Mashhad Revolutionary Court despite her objections. In protest against the unjust judicial process, she refused to provide a defense and was immediately handed down two harsh sentences. According to these new rulings, the human rights defender was sentenced to six years prison for “assembly and collusion against national security” and 18 months on the charge of “propaganda against the state.” Additionally, the judge issued supplementary punishments, including two years of internal exile to the city of Khosf, South Khorasan province in Iran and a two-year additional travel ban. Mohammadi, currently serving multiple prison sentences in a high security detention center in Mashhad, is facing more than 17 years of imprisonment since 2021. On 12 December 2025, Narges Mohammadi was arrested with a level of brutality unprecedented in her long history of judicial harassment. While attending the funeral of the late Iranian human rights lawyer Khosrow Alikordi in Mashhad, Mohammadi spoke to those gathered, offering a message of peace, unity, and national solidarity. It was during this peaceful assembly that plainclothes agents arrested her and others in an extremely violent manner. According to verified information, security forces encircled Mohammadi and other women defenders present and beat them repeatedly with wooden sticks and batons over their heads and between their legs, bruising her genital area and possibly fracturing her pelvic bone. During this assault, the agents threatened Mohammadi that “We will make your mother sit in mourning for you,” and that “Today is the last day of your life.” She was told that because they believed that she had “driven a dagger into the heart of the Islamic Republic,” they would “put a dagger back into her heart.” She was dragged across the ground by her hair with such force that sections of her scalp were torn away, leaving visible bald patches and open wounds. Inside the transport vehicle, agents broke another woman’s nose while forcing her to surrender her phone. Suffering from nausea, intense chest pain, and unusually high blood pressure, Mohammadi has reported feeling numb and being unable to breathe. When in solitary confinement, she has been overheard asking for help while shouting “I’m dying,” raising the possibility that she thought she was suffering a heart attack. Furthermore, she reported to not be able to sit down for several days due to the pelvic injury. Officials took detailed photographs of her extensive injuries, focusing specifically on the raw wounds on her scalp. During the first week of her arbitrary detention, Narges Mohammadi was transferred twice to hospital under heavy security measures. A physician confirmed that Mohammadi, who has a heart stent from a previous surgery, required urgent specialized cardiac care after serious medical negligence underdetention. In the first week of February, suffering from severe nausea, she was transferred again for a head scan, likely to Razavi Hospital in Mashhad, where doctors also provided an ointment for her scalp and gave her several unexplained injections. She was then returned to solitary confinement for weeks, kept in a windowless cell with constant artificial lighting that made it impossible to distinguish day from night, forced to sleep on a thin rug over ceramic tiles and not appropriately fed. Narges Mohammadi’s life remains in immediate danger. Despite her critical state, she is subjected to lengthy interrogation sessions to force a confession and a condemnation of the protests, which began on 28 December and continued for several weeks in January, leading to the killing of thousands of protesters. She has refused to comply, despite direct threats that she “won’t live to see the sun.” On the evening of 2 February, guards raided her cell and assaulted all detainees with electric shock devices. Prior to her arrest, Mohammadi was undergoing diagnostic testing for breast tumors; interrupting this, combined with cardiac distress and physical trauma, presents a high risk. Over two months into her unjust arrest, Mohammadi has been allowed only two short phone calls, both of which were abruptly cut short as she tried to recount her detention situation and current health condition. The Nobel Peace Prize laureate began a hunger strike on Monday, 2 February, to protest her continued unlawful detention, her dire detention conditions, and the denial of contact with her family or lawyers—realities faced by numerous prisoners currently held in Iran. Mohammadi ended her hunger strike six days later, amidst alarming reports about her health. Narges Mohammadi is a human rights defender, journalist, author, and the deputy director and spokesperson of the Defenders of Human Rights Centre (DHRC) in Iran. Having spent more than 10 years of her life behind bars, her current period of detention began in December 2025. Throughout her life, she has been sentenced to a total of 44 years in prison, which includes previous sentences totaling 13 years and nine months for charges such as committing “propaganda activity against the state” and “collusion against state security.” She is the recipient of numerous international awards for her tireless struggle for human rights, including the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize, the 2023 UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize, the 2023 PEN/Barbey Freedom to Write Award, and the 2022 Reporters Without Borders Prize for Courage. This statement is issued by the Free Narges Coalition steering committee and does not necessarily reflect the position of all Coalition members. The steering committee is led by the Narges Foundation, PEN America, Reporters Without Borders (RSF), and Front Line Defenders. Join us in calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Narges Mohammadi and other political prisoners in Iran.]]> 17 February 2026. The Free Narges Coalition Steering Committee stated: “The situation of Iran’s Nobel Peace Prize laureate under detention is not an isolated example, but an indicator of the vulnerability and risks faced by those detained for their defense of human rights or expression. The information we have received from verified sources about the condition of Narges Mohammadi and other political prisoners is deeply worrying. Following the nationwide demonstrations and ensuing massacre of protesters, the government is doubling down on dangerously harsh treatment of its growing number of political prisoners. Human rights defenders, journalists, writers, and artists are at the forefront of the fight for a free and democratic Iran. Narges Mohammadi and all prisoners of conscience must be freed immediately; they must have access to their chosen lawyer, regular contact with family, and medical care.” On 7 February 2026, Mohammadi’s lawyer announced that the Nobel laureate was transferred to Branch 1 of the Mashhad Revolutionary Court despite her objections. In protest against the unjust judicial process, she refused to provide a defense and was immediately handed down two harsh sentences. According to these new rulings, the human rights defender was sentenced to six years prison for “assembly and collusion against national security” and 18 months on the charge of “propaganda against the state.” Additionally, the judge issued supplementary punishments, including two years of internal exile to the city of Khosf, South Khorasan province in Iran and a two-year additional travel ban. Mohammadi, currently serving multiple prison sentences in a high security detention center in Mashhad, is facing more than 17 years of imprisonment since 2021. On 12 December 2025, Narges Mohammadi was arrested with a level of brutality unprecedented in her long history of judicial harassment. While attending the funeral of the late Iranian human rights lawyer Khosrow Alikordi in Mashhad, Mohammadi spoke to those gathered, offering a message of peace, unity, and national solidarity. It was during this peaceful assembly that plainclothes agents arrested her and others in an extremely violent manner. According to verified information, security forces encircled Mohammadi and other women defenders present and beat them repeatedly with wooden sticks and batons over their heads and between their legs, bruising her genital area and possibly fracturing her pelvic bone. During this assault, the agents threatened Mohammadi that “We will make your mother sit in mourning for you,” and that “Today is the last day of your life.” She was told that because they believed that she had “driven a dagger into the heart of the Islamic Republic,” they would “put a dagger back into her heart.” She was dragged across the ground by her hair with such force that sections of her scalp were torn away, leaving visible bald patches and open wounds. Inside the transport vehicle, agents broke another woman’s nose while forcing her to surrender her phone. Suffering from nausea, intense chest pain, and unusually high blood pressure, Mohammadi has reported feeling numb and being unable to breathe. When in solitary confinement, she has been overheard asking for help while shouting “I’m dying,” raising the possibility that she thought she was suffering a heart attack. Furthermore, she reported to not be able to sit down for several days due to the pelvic injury. Officials took detailed photographs of her extensive injuries, focusing specifically on the raw wounds on her scalp. During the first week of her arbitrary detention, Narges Mohammadi was transferred twice to hospital under heavy security measures. A physician confirmed that Mohammadi, who has a heart stent from a previous surgery, required urgent specialized cardiac care after serious medical negligence underdetention. In the first week of February, suffering from severe nausea, she was transferred again for a head scan, likely to Razavi Hospital in Mashhad, where doctors also provided an ointment for her scalp and gave her several unexplained injections. She was then returned to solitary confinement for weeks, kept in a windowless cell with constant artificial lighting that made it impossible to distinguish day from night, forced to sleep on a thin rug over ceramic tiles and not appropriately fed. Narges Mohammadi’s life remains in immediate danger. Despite her critical state, she is subjected to lengthy interrogation sessions to force a confession and a condemnation of the protests, which began on 28 December and continued for several weeks in January, leading to the killing of thousands of protesters. She has refused to comply, despite direct threats that she “won’t live to see the sun.” On the evening of 2 February, guards raided her cell and assaulted all detainees with electric shock devices. Prior to her arrest, Mohammadi was undergoing diagnostic testing for breast tumors; interrupting this, combined with cardiac distress and physical trauma, presents a high risk. Over two months into her unjust arrest, Mohammadi has been allowed only two short phone calls, both of which were abruptly cut short as she tried to recount her detention situation and current health condition. The Nobel Peace Prize laureate began a hunger strike on Monday, 2 February, to protest her continued unlawful detention, her dire detention conditions, and the denial of contact with her family or lawyers—realities faced by numerous prisoners currently held in Iran. Mohammadi ended her hunger strike six days later, amidst alarming reports about her health. Narges Mohammadi is a human rights defender, journalist, author, and the deputy director and spokesperson of the Defenders of Human Rights Centre (DHRC) in Iran. Having spent more than 10 years of her life behind bars, her current period of detention began in December 2025. Throughout her life, she has been sentenced to a total of 44 years in prison, which includes previous sentences totaling 13 years and nine months for charges such as committing “propaganda activity against the state” and “collusion against state security.” She is the recipient of numerous international awards for her tireless struggle for human rights, including the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize, the 2023 UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize, the 2023 PEN/Barbey Freedom to Write Award, and the 2022 Reporters Without Borders Prize for Courage. This statement is issued by the Free Narges Coalition steering committee and does not necessarily reflect the position of all Coalition members. The steering committee is led by the Narges Foundation, PEN America, Reporters Without Borders (RSF), and Front Line Defenders. Join us in calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Narges Mohammadi and other political prisoners in Iran.]]> Iran: Narges Mohammadi, several other human rights defenders arbitrarily arrested in massive crackdown https://observatoryfordefenders.org/fr/alert/iran-narges-mohammadi-several-other-human-rights-defenders-arbitrarily-arrested-in-massive-crackdown/ Thu, 18 Dec 2025 13:23:12 +0000 https://observatoryfordefenders.org/?post_type=alert&p=24278 Paris-Geneva, 18 December 2025 – More than 50 people were arrested, including five women human rights defenders, while they were taking part in a memorial ceremony honouring a recently deceased fellow human rights defender. The Observatory (FIDH-OMCT) and the League for the Defence of Human Rights in Iran (LDDHI) strongly condemn these new arrests and call on the Iranian authorities to immediately and unconditionally release all those arbitrarily detained, including human rights defenders. On 12 December 2025, more than 50 people were arbitrarily arrested by plainclothes agents of the Ministry of Intelligence and the Intelligence Unit of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) using batons and tear gas canisters in the city of Mashhad, Razavi Khorasan Province, at a memorial honouring human rights lawyer Khosrow Alikordi, who died on 5 December 2025 under suspicious circumstances. Detainees include: journalist, spokesperson of Defenders of Human Rights Centre (DHRC), and 2023 Nobel Peace laureate Narges Mohammadi; documentary filmmaker and vice-president of the Iranian Association for Defence of Press Freedom Alieh Motallebzadeh; labour rights activist and freelance journalist Sepideh Gholian; students’ rights activist Hasti Amiri; writer and civil rights activist Pooran Nazemi; human rights lawyer Javad Alikordi, brother of the deceased; two other lawyers; family members of victims of post September 2022 protests; and several members of Khosrow Alikordi’s family. A few of the arrested people have been released on bail, while the Mashhad prosecutor confirmed the detention of 39 persons. Some of the detainees are being held in Mashhad’s Vakilabad prison, some others in Mashhad’s Soroush detention centre. The whereabouts of others remain unknown. Narges Mohammadi, Sepideh Gholian, Javad Alikordi‎ and a number of other detainees have been charged with “spreading propaganda against the system” and “assembly and collusion against national security”. Some of the cases have been referred to Branch 902 of Mashhad Justice Department, including that of Narges Mohammadi, and some others to Branch 901. Detaining agents also accused Narges Mohammadi of “collaborating with Israel.” Narges Mohammadi was able to call her family and reported that she was violently beaten with batons and sticks on the head and neck by security forces during her arrest, and was taken to the hospital twice since her detention due to the injuries she suffered. Sepideh Gholian and Pooran Nazemi were also beaten during their arrest, according to eyewitnesses. The Observatory and LDDHI recall that Narges Mohammadi had been released in December 2024, under a three-week temporary medical leave, which was extended as she was undergoing medical treatment. Prior to her temporary release, Narges Mohammadi had been arbitrarily detained in Tehran’s Evin prison since November 2021. During her three years of arbitrary detention, her health condition deteriorated severely, as the prison administration repeatedly denied her medical care. The Observatory and LDDHI further recall that Narges Mohammadi was brutally arrested in November 2021 while taking part in a ceremony to pay tribute to a victim killed during anti-government protests in November 2019. She was sent to Evin prison, where she was sometimes placed in solitary confinement. Since 2021, Narges Mohammadi has been sentenced while in detention to a total of 15 years and six months in prison, 154 lashes, and bans on travelling abroad, conducting political and social activities, and using smartphones. As her release in December 2024 was granted on medical grounds, if she is convicted again, she may face the enforcement of all those sentences and the remainder of any pending sentence. Between 2015 and 2020, she was arbitrarily detained in Zanjan prison, Zanjan Province, where her health deteriorated. Throughout her imprisonment, she has suffered physical assaults and sexual abuses. Alieh Motallebzadeh, Sepideh Gholian, Hasti Amiri, and Pooran Nazemi all previously served prison terms as well, and some of them have pending cases against them. Pooran Nazemi is in poor health. The Observatory and LDDHI strongly condemn the arbitrary arrest of Narges Mohammadi, Alieh Motallebzadeh, Sepideh Gholian, Hasti Amiri, Pooran Nazemi, Javad Alikordi, and all others detained at the memorial service. The Observatory and LDDHI express their utmost concern over the great risk of deterioration of the health in detention of Narges Mohammadi and Pooran Nazemi, as their conditions warrant timely and adequate medical treatment, which cannot be provided in prison due to the deplorable sanitary conditions, as evidenced during their previous detentions. The Observatory and LDDHI urge the Iranian authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Narges Mohammadi, Alieh Motallebzadeh, Sepideh Gholian, Hasti Amiri, Pooran Nazemi, Javad Alikordi, and all other human rights defenders and activists arbitrarily detained, including women human rights defenders, who are deprived of their liberty solely because of their legitimate and peaceful human rights activities. The signatories further urge the Iranian authorities to provide Ms Mohammadi, Ms Nazemi, and any other detainee in need, with timely and adequate medical care while they remain detained.]]> Paris-Geneva, 18 December 2025 – More than 50 people were arrested, including five women human rights defenders, while they were taking part in a memorial ceremony honouring a recently deceased fellow human rights defender. The Observatory (FIDH-OMCT) and the League for the Defence of Human Rights in Iran (LDDHI) strongly condemn these new arrests and call on the Iranian authorities to immediately and unconditionally release all those arbitrarily detained, including human rights defenders. On 12 December 2025, more than 50 people were arbitrarily arrested by plainclothes agents of the Ministry of Intelligence and the Intelligence Unit of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) using batons and tear gas canisters in the city of Mashhad, Razavi Khorasan Province, at a memorial honouring human rights lawyer Khosrow Alikordi, who died on 5 December 2025 under suspicious circumstances. Detainees include: journalist, spokesperson of Defenders of Human Rights Centre (DHRC), and 2023 Nobel Peace laureate Narges Mohammadi; documentary filmmaker and vice-president of the Iranian Association for Defence of Press Freedom Alieh Motallebzadeh; labour rights activist and freelance journalist Sepideh Gholian; students’ rights activist Hasti Amiri; writer and civil rights activist Pooran Nazemi; human rights lawyer Javad Alikordi, brother of the deceased; two other lawyers; family members of victims of post September 2022 protests; and several members of Khosrow Alikordi’s family. A few of the arrested people have been released on bail, while the Mashhad prosecutor confirmed the detention of 39 persons. Some of the detainees are being held in Mashhad’s Vakilabad prison, some others in Mashhad’s Soroush detention centre. The whereabouts of others remain unknown. Narges Mohammadi, Sepideh Gholian, Javad Alikordi‎ and a number of other detainees have been charged with “spreading propaganda against the system” and “assembly and collusion against national security”. Some of the cases have been referred to Branch 902 of Mashhad Justice Department, including that of Narges Mohammadi, and some others to Branch 901. Detaining agents also accused Narges Mohammadi of “collaborating with Israel.” Narges Mohammadi was able to call her family and reported that she was violently beaten with batons and sticks on the head and neck by security forces during her arrest, and was taken to the hospital twice since her detention due to the injuries she suffered. Sepideh Gholian and Pooran Nazemi were also beaten during their arrest, according to eyewitnesses. The Observatory and LDDHI recall that Narges Mohammadi had been released in December 2024, under a three-week temporary medical leave, which was extended as she was undergoing medical treatment. Prior to her temporary release, Narges Mohammadi had been arbitrarily detained in Tehran’s Evin prison since November 2021. During her three years of arbitrary detention, her health condition deteriorated severely, as the prison administration repeatedly denied her medical care. The Observatory and LDDHI further recall that Narges Mohammadi was brutally arrested in November 2021 while taking part in a ceremony to pay tribute to a victim killed during anti-government protests in November 2019. She was sent to Evin prison, where she was sometimes placed in solitary confinement. Since 2021, Narges Mohammadi has been sentenced while in detention to a total of 15 years and six months in prison, 154 lashes, and bans on travelling abroad, conducting political and social activities, and using smartphones. As her release in December 2024 was granted on medical grounds, if she is convicted again, she may face the enforcement of all those sentences and the remainder of any pending sentence. Between 2015 and 2020, she was arbitrarily detained in Zanjan prison, Zanjan Province, where her health deteriorated. Throughout her imprisonment, she has suffered physical assaults and sexual abuses. Alieh Motallebzadeh, Sepideh Gholian, Hasti Amiri, and Pooran Nazemi all previously served prison terms as well, and some of them have pending cases against them. Pooran Nazemi is in poor health. The Observatory and LDDHI strongly condemn the arbitrary arrest of Narges Mohammadi, Alieh Motallebzadeh, Sepideh Gholian, Hasti Amiri, Pooran Nazemi, Javad Alikordi, and all others detained at the memorial service. The Observatory and LDDHI express their utmost concern over the great risk of deterioration of the health in detention of Narges Mohammadi and Pooran Nazemi, as their conditions warrant timely and adequate medical treatment, which cannot be provided in prison due to the deplorable sanitary conditions, as evidenced during their previous detentions. The Observatory and LDDHI urge the Iranian authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Narges Mohammadi, Alieh Motallebzadeh, Sepideh Gholian, Hasti Amiri, Pooran Nazemi, Javad Alikordi, and all other human rights defenders and activists arbitrarily detained, including women human rights defenders, who are deprived of their liberty solely because of their legitimate and peaceful human rights activities. The signatories further urge the Iranian authorities to provide Ms Mohammadi, Ms Nazemi, and any other detainee in need, with timely and adequate medical care while they remain detained.]]> Uganda : Stop judicial harassment against human rights defender Ssuuna James https://observatoryfordefenders.org/fr/alert/uganda-stop-judicial-harassment-against-human-rights-defender-ssuuna-james/ Fri, 16 May 2025 14:36:34 +0000 https://observatoryfordefenders.org/?post_type=alert&p=23443 The Observatory has been informed about the ongoing judicial harassment of Mr. Ssuuna James, a cyberactivist and human rights defender, founder and Executive Director of Freedom Hive Uganda, an organisation committed to social justice, gender equality, and rights of marginalized groups in Uganda.

On 19 May 2025, Ssuuna James is expected to appear before the Chief Magistrates’ Court of Kampala for the next hearing in his trial for “common nuisance” (Section 148 (1) cap 128 of the Penal code) charges. If convicted, Mr. Ssuuna could face up to two years in prison.

The charge against Mr. Ssuuna stems from his participation to a peaceful protest against the government’s delay in implementing the Supreme Court ruling ordering the transfer of civilian cases from military to civilian courts1, which took place on 10 February 2025 at Constitutional Square in Kampala. During this protest, more than five uniformed and plain-clothed police officers violently dragged Mr. Ssuuna to the ground, forcefully lifted him and arrested him. These acts of ill-treatment resulted in physical injuries, including serious harm to his genital area, with lasting effects to this day. Following his arrest, Mr. Ssuuna was arbitrarily detained for two nights at the Central Police Station in Kampala, beyond the 48-hour limit set by Article 23(4)(b) of the Constitution.

On 12 February 2025, he was charged with “common nuisance” before Grade 1 Magistrate Alex Niyonzima and remanded to Luzira Prison. On the same day, his bail application was denied, but he was released on bail the following day.

Subsequently, Mr. Ssuuna appeared multiple times before the same magistrate on 4 March, 14 March and 15 April 2025 regarding the same charge. As the prosecution failed to present any witnesses, another hearing has been scheduled for 19 May 2025.

On 4 May 2025, Mr. Ssuuna received the following threat from an unidentified user in response to his post on the social media X about the arbitrary suspension of 17 Kyambogo University students : "You're always with those who seek to cause instability and chaos! We get you, you'll go learn Runyankole too". This warning refers to the abduction and acts of torture suffered by Eddie Ssebuufu, alias Eddie Mutwe, the civilian bodyguard of opposition leader Bobi Wine. A picture of this bodyguard, showing visible marks of torture, has been posted online with the caption “Learning Runyankore”.

The Observatory strongly condemns the acts of ill-treatment and online treats committed against Ssuuna James and calls on the Ugandan judicial authorities to carry out an immediate, independent, thorough, and impartial investigation in order to identify the perpetrators and instigators and hold those responsible accountable.

The Observatory urges the Ugandan judicial authorities to drop all charges against Mr. Ssuna, which appear to be aimed at intimidating and silencing him for his legitimate human rights work and calls on them to put an end to any act of judicial harassment against him, as well as against all human rights defenders in the country.

The Observatory calls on the Ugandan judicial authorities to guarantee in all circumstances the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and freedom of expression, as enshrined in Article 29 of the Ugandan Constitution and in regional and international human rights treaties, and in particular in Articles 11 and 9 of the African Charter of Human and People’s Rights, as well as in Articles 21 and 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), to which Uganda is a party.

1 On 31 January 2025, in the case Attorney General V Micheal Kabaziguruka Civil Appeal No. 02 of 2021, the Supreme Court of Uganda delivered a landmark judgement which quashed the authority of the General Court Martial to try civilians, declaring that all charges, ongoing and pending criminal trials, and convictions (which have been appealed) involving civilians before a military court must immediately cease and be transferred to the ordinary courts of law with competent jurisdiction.]]> The Observatory has been informed about the ongoing judicial harassment of Mr. Ssuuna James, a cyberactivist and human rights defender, founder and Executive Director of Freedom Hive Uganda, an organisation committed to social justice, gender equality, and rights of marginalized groups in Uganda.

On 19 May 2025, Ssuuna James is expected to appear before the Chief Magistrates’ Court of Kampala for the next hearing in his trial for “common nuisance” (Section 148 (1) cap 128 of the Penal code) charges. If convicted, Mr. Ssuuna could face up to two years in prison.

The charge against Mr. Ssuuna stems from his participation to a peaceful protest against the government’s delay in implementing the Supreme Court ruling ordering the transfer of civilian cases from military to civilian courts1, which took place on 10 February 2025 at Constitutional Square in Kampala. During this protest, more than five uniformed and plain-clothed police officers violently dragged Mr. Ssuuna to the ground, forcefully lifted him and arrested him. These acts of ill-treatment resulted in physical injuries, including serious harm to his genital area, with lasting effects to this day. Following his arrest, Mr. Ssuuna was arbitrarily detained for two nights at the Central Police Station in Kampala, beyond the 48-hour limit set by Article 23(4)(b) of the Constitution.

On 12 February 2025, he was charged with “common nuisance” before Grade 1 Magistrate Alex Niyonzima and remanded to Luzira Prison. On the same day, his bail application was denied, but he was released on bail the following day.

Subsequently, Mr. Ssuuna appeared multiple times before the same magistrate on 4 March, 14 March and 15 April 2025 regarding the same charge. As the prosecution failed to present any witnesses, another hearing has been scheduled for 19 May 2025.

On 4 May 2025, Mr. Ssuuna received the following threat from an unidentified user in response to his post on the social media X about the arbitrary suspension of 17 Kyambogo University students : "You're always with those who seek to cause instability and chaos! We get you, you'll go learn Runyankole too". This warning refers to the abduction and acts of torture suffered by Eddie Ssebuufu, alias Eddie Mutwe, the civilian bodyguard of opposition leader Bobi Wine. A picture of this bodyguard, showing visible marks of torture, has been posted online with the caption “Learning Runyankore”.

The Observatory strongly condemns the acts of ill-treatment and online treats committed against Ssuuna James and calls on the Ugandan judicial authorities to carry out an immediate, independent, thorough, and impartial investigation in order to identify the perpetrators and instigators and hold those responsible accountable.

The Observatory urges the Ugandan judicial authorities to drop all charges against Mr. Ssuna, which appear to be aimed at intimidating and silencing him for his legitimate human rights work and calls on them to put an end to any act of judicial harassment against him, as well as against all human rights defenders in the country.

The Observatory calls on the Ugandan judicial authorities to guarantee in all circumstances the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and freedom of expression, as enshrined in Article 29 of the Ugandan Constitution and in regional and international human rights treaties, and in particular in Articles 11 and 9 of the African Charter of Human and People’s Rights, as well as in Articles 21 and 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), to which Uganda is a party.

1 On 31 January 2025, in the case Attorney General V Micheal Kabaziguruka Civil Appeal No. 02 of 2021, the Supreme Court of Uganda delivered a landmark judgement which quashed the authority of the General Court Martial to try civilians, declaring that all charges, ongoing and pending criminal trials, and convictions (which have been appealed) involving civilians before a military court must immediately cease and be transferred to the ordinary courts of law with competent jurisdiction.]]> Turquie : Acharnement judiciaire contre Pinar Selek, sociologue, militante, autrice, féministe https://observatoryfordefenders.org/fr/alert/turquie-acharnement-judiciaire-contre-pinar-selek-sociologue-militante-autrice-feministe/ Fri, 07 Feb 2025 15:52:49 +0000 https://observatoryfordefenders.org/?post_type=alert&p=22923 Alors qu’un cinquième procès se tiendra demain, le 7 février 2025, à Istanbul, l’Observatoire pour la protection des défenseurs des droits humains (FIDH-OMCT) et la LDH tiennent à réaffirmer leur soutien permanent à Pinar Selek, écrivaine et défenseure des droits humains franco-turque. Les autorités turques doivent cesser leur acharnement judiciaire. Paris, Istanbul, le 6 février 2025 - Pinar Selek est poursuivie depuis plus de 25 ans par le gouvernement turc en raison de ses travaux de sociologue menés dans les années 90. Des travaux qui l’ont conduite à des prises de position féministes, en faveur des droits de toutes les minorités et en particulier des populations kurdes et arméniennes. Elle a été arbitrairement arrêtée en juillet 1998 par la police, qui lui demande les noms des personnes sur lesquelles elle a enquêté. Même sous la torture, elle ne les révélera pas. Pendant sa détention, une explosion secoue le bazar aux épices d’Istanbul. « L’attentat », en réalité l’explosion accidentelle d’une bonbonne de gaz oubliée depuis presque 30 ans, lui sera « attribué ». Malgré l’absurdité de l’accusation, la justice turque s’acharne depuis 27 ans. Le dossier est évidemment vide : Pinar Selek est acquittée au cours de quatre audiences, en 2006, en 2008, en 2011 et en 2014. À chaque fois, le parquet fait appel. Un acharnement insensé. Cet acharnement et la menace de prison à perpétuité ont conduit Pinar Selek à l’exil en France où elle a obtenu la nationalité française, ce qui ne la met pas pour autant à l’abri des poursuites abusives dans son pays d’origine. La justice turque a lancé contre elle un mandat d’arrêt international avec demande d’extradition. Les trois dernières audiences qui ont eu lieu au Tribunal criminel d’Istanbul (31 mars et 29 septembre 2023, 28 juin 2024) se sont soldées par des reports motivés par la volonté d’entendre Pinar Selek en personne alors même qu’elle risquerait d’être emprisonnée à perpétuité. Elle pourrait par ailleurs être entendue depuis un tribunal français, par voie de commission rogatoire, ce que proposent ses avocats mais que refuse évidemment la justice turque.

Absurdités juridiques dans un contexte inquiétant

Autre accusation absurde, lors de l’audience du 28 juin 2024, le ministère de l’Intérieur turc l’a accusée d’avoir participé à un « événement en lien avec l’organisation terroriste PKK ». Le 11 avril 2024, elle modérait simplement une table-ronde organisée par l’Université Côte d’Azur. L’objectif des autorités turques ? Forcer Interpol à produire une « notice rouge » qui obligerait la France à extrader Pinar Selek. Le 7 février 2025, les avocats de Pinar plaideront sur toutes les illégalités accumulées au cours de cette interminable procédure et pour que justice lui soit enfin rendue. Ce procès intervient dans un contexte de répression accrue contre toutes les voix critiques en Turquie. Les mesures arbitraires liées à l’état d’urgence et aux dérives autoritaires ont aggravé le climat de peur. L’indépendance de la justice turque continue de se dégrader : les juges en charge de l’affaire de Pinar Selek ont été révoqués et remplacés par des magistrats plus conciliants envers le pouvoir, connus pour la sévérité de leurs verdicts. Ce contexte inquiétant est dénoncé dans le rapport conjoint de l’Observatoire et de l’Association des droits humains (İnsan Hakları Derneği - IHD) de mai 2021, “La société civile turque dans la ligne de mire : une érosion de l’espace pour la liberté d’association”. Il fournit un aperçu des défis juridiques et pratiques rencontrés par les défenseurs à différents niveaux. Il révèle non seulement l’incapacité de l’État turc à garantir un environnement favorable au développement de la société civile en Turquie, mais aussi ses tentatives délibérées d’en saboter les actions. En distillant un discours hostile et stigmatisant, le pouvoir dépeint les organisations de défense des droits humains comme des agents étrangers représentant une menace pour la sécurité nationale et promouvant les objectifs des organisations terroristes. Il est donc essentiel de maintenir notre soutien à l’infatigable militante, membre de la LDH, qu’est Pinar Selek. Nous serons présents lors de son audience demain.]]> Alors qu’un cinquième procès se tiendra demain, le 7 février 2025, à Istanbul, l’Observatoire pour la protection des défenseurs des droits humains (FIDH-OMCT) et la LDH tiennent à réaffirmer leur soutien permanent à Pinar Selek, écrivaine et défenseure des droits humains franco-turque. Les autorités turques doivent cesser leur acharnement judiciaire. Paris, Istanbul, le 6 février 2025 - Pinar Selek est poursuivie depuis plus de 25 ans par le gouvernement turc en raison de ses travaux de sociologue menés dans les années 90. Des travaux qui l’ont conduite à des prises de position féministes, en faveur des droits de toutes les minorités et en particulier des populations kurdes et arméniennes. Elle a été arbitrairement arrêtée en juillet 1998 par la police, qui lui demande les noms des personnes sur lesquelles elle a enquêté. Même sous la torture, elle ne les révélera pas. Pendant sa détention, une explosion secoue le bazar aux épices d’Istanbul. « L’attentat », en réalité l’explosion accidentelle d’une bonbonne de gaz oubliée depuis presque 30 ans, lui sera « attribué ». Malgré l’absurdité de l’accusation, la justice turque s’acharne depuis 27 ans. Le dossier est évidemment vide : Pinar Selek est acquittée au cours de quatre audiences, en 2006, en 2008, en 2011 et en 2014. À chaque fois, le parquet fait appel. Un acharnement insensé. Cet acharnement et la menace de prison à perpétuité ont conduit Pinar Selek à l’exil en France où elle a obtenu la nationalité française, ce qui ne la met pas pour autant à l’abri des poursuites abusives dans son pays d’origine. La justice turque a lancé contre elle un mandat d’arrêt international avec demande d’extradition. Les trois dernières audiences qui ont eu lieu au Tribunal criminel d’Istanbul (31 mars et 29 septembre 2023, 28 juin 2024) se sont soldées par des reports motivés par la volonté d’entendre Pinar Selek en personne alors même qu’elle risquerait d’être emprisonnée à perpétuité. Elle pourrait par ailleurs être entendue depuis un tribunal français, par voie de commission rogatoire, ce que proposent ses avocats mais que refuse évidemment la justice turque.

Absurdités juridiques dans un contexte inquiétant

Autre accusation absurde, lors de l’audience du 28 juin 2024, le ministère de l’Intérieur turc l’a accusée d’avoir participé à un « événement en lien avec l’organisation terroriste PKK ». Le 11 avril 2024, elle modérait simplement une table-ronde organisée par l’Université Côte d’Azur. L’objectif des autorités turques ? Forcer Interpol à produire une « notice rouge » qui obligerait la France à extrader Pinar Selek. Le 7 février 2025, les avocats de Pinar plaideront sur toutes les illégalités accumulées au cours de cette interminable procédure et pour que justice lui soit enfin rendue. Ce procès intervient dans un contexte de répression accrue contre toutes les voix critiques en Turquie. Les mesures arbitraires liées à l’état d’urgence et aux dérives autoritaires ont aggravé le climat de peur. L’indépendance de la justice turque continue de se dégrader : les juges en charge de l’affaire de Pinar Selek ont été révoqués et remplacés par des magistrats plus conciliants envers le pouvoir, connus pour la sévérité de leurs verdicts. Ce contexte inquiétant est dénoncé dans le rapport conjoint de l’Observatoire et de l’Association des droits humains (İnsan Hakları Derneği - IHD) de mai 2021, “La société civile turque dans la ligne de mire : une érosion de l’espace pour la liberté d’association”. Il fournit un aperçu des défis juridiques et pratiques rencontrés par les défenseurs à différents niveaux. Il révèle non seulement l’incapacité de l’État turc à garantir un environnement favorable au développement de la société civile en Turquie, mais aussi ses tentatives délibérées d’en saboter les actions. En distillant un discours hostile et stigmatisant, le pouvoir dépeint les organisations de défense des droits humains comme des agents étrangers représentant une menace pour la sécurité nationale et promouvant les objectifs des organisations terroristes. Il est donc essentiel de maintenir notre soutien à l’infatigable militante, membre de la LDH, qu’est Pinar Selek. Nous serons présents lors de son audience demain.]]> Iran: Free Narges Coalition and partners urge UN Human Rights Council to intervene for Narges Mohammadi’s urgent medical release https://observatoryfordefenders.org/fr/alert/iran-free-narges-coalition-and-partners-urge-un-human-rights-council-to-intervene-for-narges-mohammadis-urgent-medical-release/ Tue, 19 Nov 2024 17:58:05 +0000 https://observatoryfordefenders.org/?post_type=alert&p=22555 In a joint letter addressed to the UN Human Rights Council, the Free Narges Coalition and other human rights groups, including the Observatory (FIDH-OMCT), urge for the immediate medical release of the journalist and woman human rights defender Narges Mohammadi. To the United Nations Human Rights Council, We, the undersigned free expression and human rights organisations, write to you in response to the recent news that jailed Iranian Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Narges Mohammadi is in urgent need of medical care. Ahead of Iran’s review under the UN Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) mechanism, which takes place over the next two months in Geneva, we urge you to call on the Iranian authorities to grant Mohammadi a medical furlough on humanitarian grounds so that she is able to receive comprehensive and essential care for a range of serious medical conditions. Mohammadi, a woman human rights defender, journalist, author, and former deputy director and spokesperson of the Defenders of Human Rights Centre (DHRC) in Iran, has spent more than 10 years of her life in prison, with her current period of detention starting in November 2021. She is currently serving sentences totalling 13 years and nine months in prison, on charges including committing “propaganda activity against the state” and “collusion against state security.” An internationally renowned writer and activist, she is the recipient of numerous international awards for her tireless struggle for human rights, including the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize, the 2023 UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize, the 2023 PEN/Barbey Freedom to Write Award, and the 2022 Reporters Without Borders Prize for Courage. Mohammadi’s health has deteriorated drastically during her long incarceration, most notably in 2022, when she suffered multiple heart attacks before ultimately being transferred to hospital for emergency heart surgery. In early October 2024, Mohammadi’s family expressed serious concerns regarding repeated refusals by Evin prison officials to transfer her to a hospital for appointments to carry out an angiography, an intervention that was prescribed by her cardiologist in March; she was finally allowed to attend an appointment on October 27, 2024. On November 3, her lawyer announced that during her recent medical visit, doctors discovered a bone lesion in her right leg suspected of being cancerous. Although Mohammadi underwent surgery to remove part of the bone in her lower leg, including a bone graft, on November 14, she was transferred back to prison after only two days, against her doctor’s advice and another request from her legal team that she be granted a medical furlough and sentence suspension. Years of imprisonment and months of solitary confinement have severely compromised Mohammadi’s health, leaving her with multiple serious conditions that cannot be addressed through a short, incomplete hospital visit. Prison authorities’ withholding of essential urgent medical treatment from Mohammadi displays a callous disregard for her health and well-being under detention. Worryingly, her case is not unique, but is part of a systematic pattern of arbitrary medical neglect of prisoners, including human rights defenders, journalists, and writers. In a particularly egregious example, poet and filmmaker Baktash Abtin died in state custody in January 2022 after delays in being provided with timely medical care. The news of Mohammadi’s deteriorating medical condition comes amid a current wave of denying medical care to multiple prisoners of conscience in Iran, particularly less well-known detainees. We echo the recent call from 22 prisoners in the women’s ward of Evin Prison, in which they hold the Iranian government and judiciary responsible for creating the conditions whereby the lives of prisoners are put at grave risk, and appeal to international human rights stakeholders in joining them to push for change.   As Mohammadi marks the third anniversary of her unjust detention on November 16, we, the undersigned organisations, are making an urgent call for her full and unconditional release as she should not be in prison in the first place, and in the interim, to be granted an immediate medical furlough on humanitarian grounds, given the precarious state of her health and her need for comprehensive care. In addition, we urge that Iranian authorities stop the criminalisation of human rights, and refrain from summoning human rights defenders, journalists, and writers to serve their prison sentences while their health situation is precarious. We urge the UN Human Rights Council to ensure that the Iranian government commits to implementing without delay a recommendation that it accepted during the last UPR cycle five years ago, namely to ensure that “all individuals in custody receive adequate health care and treatment, including preventive measures, such as screening for medical conditions, free of charge and without discrimination.” Finally, we reiterate our broader call that all those unjustly detained for their human rights work, including expression, be immediately and unconditionally released, and urge the UN Human Rights Council and national and international stakeholders to join us in pressing the Iranian authorities to uphold the basic human rights of all Iranians, especially those who are being prosecuted for their human rights work.]]> In a joint letter addressed to the UN Human Rights Council, the Free Narges Coalition and other human rights groups, including the Observatory (FIDH-OMCT), urge for the immediate medical release of the journalist and woman human rights defender Narges Mohammadi. To the United Nations Human Rights Council, We, the undersigned free expression and human rights organisations, write to you in response to the recent news that jailed Iranian Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Narges Mohammadi is in urgent need of medical care. Ahead of Iran’s review under the UN Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) mechanism, which takes place over the next two months in Geneva, we urge you to call on the Iranian authorities to grant Mohammadi a medical furlough on humanitarian grounds so that she is able to receive comprehensive and essential care for a range of serious medical conditions. Mohammadi, a woman human rights defender, journalist, author, and former deputy director and spokesperson of the Defenders of Human Rights Centre (DHRC) in Iran, has spent more than 10 years of her life in prison, with her current period of detention starting in November 2021. She is currently serving sentences totalling 13 years and nine months in prison, on charges including committing “propaganda activity against the state” and “collusion against state security.” An internationally renowned writer and activist, she is the recipient of numerous international awards for her tireless struggle for human rights, including the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize, the 2023 UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize, the 2023 PEN/Barbey Freedom to Write Award, and the 2022 Reporters Without Borders Prize for Courage. Mohammadi’s health has deteriorated drastically during her long incarceration, most notably in 2022, when she suffered multiple heart attacks before ultimately being transferred to hospital for emergency heart surgery. In early October 2024, Mohammadi’s family expressed serious concerns regarding repeated refusals by Evin prison officials to transfer her to a hospital for appointments to carry out an angiography, an intervention that was prescribed by her cardiologist in March; she was finally allowed to attend an appointment on October 27, 2024. On November 3, her lawyer announced that during her recent medical visit, doctors discovered a bone lesion in her right leg suspected of being cancerous. Although Mohammadi underwent surgery to remove part of the bone in her lower leg, including a bone graft, on November 14, she was transferred back to prison after only two days, against her doctor’s advice and another request from her legal team that she be granted a medical furlough and sentence suspension. Years of imprisonment and months of solitary confinement have severely compromised Mohammadi’s health, leaving her with multiple serious conditions that cannot be addressed through a short, incomplete hospital visit. Prison authorities’ withholding of essential urgent medical treatment from Mohammadi displays a callous disregard for her health and well-being under detention. Worryingly, her case is not unique, but is part of a systematic pattern of arbitrary medical neglect of prisoners, including human rights defenders, journalists, and writers. In a particularly egregious example, poet and filmmaker Baktash Abtin died in state custody in January 2022 after delays in being provided with timely medical care. The news of Mohammadi’s deteriorating medical condition comes amid a current wave of denying medical care to multiple prisoners of conscience in Iran, particularly less well-known detainees. We echo the recent call from 22 prisoners in the women’s ward of Evin Prison, in which they hold the Iranian government and judiciary responsible for creating the conditions whereby the lives of prisoners are put at grave risk, and appeal to international human rights stakeholders in joining them to push for change.   As Mohammadi marks the third anniversary of her unjust detention on November 16, we, the undersigned organisations, are making an urgent call for her full and unconditional release as she should not be in prison in the first place, and in the interim, to be granted an immediate medical furlough on humanitarian grounds, given the precarious state of her health and her need for comprehensive care. In addition, we urge that Iranian authorities stop the criminalisation of human rights, and refrain from summoning human rights defenders, journalists, and writers to serve their prison sentences while their health situation is precarious. We urge the UN Human Rights Council to ensure that the Iranian government commits to implementing without delay a recommendation that it accepted during the last UPR cycle five years ago, namely to ensure that “all individuals in custody receive adequate health care and treatment, including preventive measures, such as screening for medical conditions, free of charge and without discrimination.” Finally, we reiterate our broader call that all those unjustly detained for their human rights work, including expression, be immediately and unconditionally released, and urge the UN Human Rights Council and national and international stakeholders to join us in pressing the Iranian authorities to uphold the basic human rights of all Iranians, especially those who are being prosecuted for their human rights work.]]> Israel/Occupied Palestinian Territory: Arbitrary arrest, ill-treatment and abusive administrative detention of WHRD Tahreer Jaber https://observatoryfordefenders.org/fr/alert/22514/ Fri, 08 Nov 2024 11:21:55 +0000 https://observatoryfordefenders.org/?post_type=alert&p=22514 Tahreer Jaber. Ms Jaber is a Palestinian human rights defender and feminist activist, member of the General Union of Palestinian Women. At 4 a.m. on September 17, 2024, Israeli occupation army officers presented themselves to Tahreer Jaber’s house in Betunia, Ramallah, and checked both her and her husband's identity documents before a female soldier took Ms Jaber in a room to carry out a search on her, without being provided with any reason or presented with any warrant. Once the search was completed, the occupation officers tied Ms Jaber’s hands behind her back with plastic cuffs and blindfolded her. She was then loaded into a jeep, which drove for a long distance, before being transferred to another vehicle in which there were already some young male detainees. The detainees were all moved to a camp, which Ms Jaber estimated to be Beit El Settlement Compound, located just outside the city limits of Ramallah, and put in a room with six other detainees. An Israeli occupation soldier placed some black adhesive tape over Ms Jaber’s blindfold, extending it to her mouth, and making it very difficult for her to breathe. The detainees stayed there for two hours. The soldiers would enter and bang on the walls, while Ms Jaber was sitting on the ground. Later that same day, Ms Jaber was seen by a doctor for a general examination, and later transferred to Ofer prison. At the Ofer prison, the detainees were deprived of water and only allowed to use the bathroom after repeatedly requesting it. Ms Jaber underwent a 15-minute interrogation, and all the other detainees were also questioned. After the interrogations, they were all transferred to Hasharon prison. They were dragged down the stairs towards the vehicle, with a black bag covering Ms Jaber’s face. Upon arriving at Hasharon prison, the detainees were dragged to the yard and made to sit on the ground. Ms Jaber felt unwell because of the lack of air due to the bag covering her face. Notwithstanding that, she underwent a new search by hand and with a metal detector. All the detainees remained in a dirty waiting room for about ten hours, unable to eat because of the filth in the room. On September 18, 2024, all the detainees were transferred to Damon prison, where they were subjected to a strip search upon arrival. The jailer who handled Ms Jaber behaved aggressively and did not accommodate Ms Jaber’s request to address her in English instead of Hebrew. Ms Jaber was taken for a medical examination, followed by an intelligence interrogation session, and then transferred to the prison section. On September 29, 2024, Ms Jaber was sentenced by judge Shum’oon Ashual to administrative detention from September 24, 2024, until January 16, 2025. The official reason given for this conviction, as in all cases of administrative detention, is that Ms Jaber poses a “threat to the security of the nation of Israel”. The detention conditions at Damon prison are deleterious, with prisoners being allowed only 15 minutes per day in the yard to use the bathroom, and anyone who is late is being punished. In those 15 minutes, 25 prisoners have to shower using only six bathrooms. On September 25, 2024, the prison guards entered the prison section in which Ms Jaber is arbitrarily detained and confiscated everything they could find, including essential items such as toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo and laundry soap. Prison authorities also confiscated blankets, books, food containers, hijab clothing, prayer garments, and jilbabs. The prisoners were left with only the clothes they were wearing. The toothbrushes were eventually returned, while other essentials, such as sanitary pads, are still being rationed. Since September 25, 2024, the amount of food and beverages provided to prisoners has decreased significantly. From two cups of tea per day, prisoners are now only receiving half a cup. At 5 a.m. on October 7, 2024, Ms Jaber and all other detainees woke up to the sound of dogs running and barking, while the guards were shouting loudly. They entered the rooms spraying gas in the air, conducted strip searches, restrained the prisoners with their hands behind their backs, blindfolded them, and took them out to the yard. There, prisoners were subjected to insults in both Arabic and Hebrew. They were made to kneel on the ground while the Israeli national anthem was played, accompanied by filming, shouting and cursing. Afterwards, they were returned to their rooms, not allowed outside for yard time and were given only a small amount of food for the day. Since October 7, 2023, the Israeli occupation authorities and the Israeli Prison Service (IPS) have suspended family visits to detainees and imposed severe restrictions on lawyers’ access to their clients. As a result, detainees have been deprived of the regular visits to which they are entitled. The IPS has repeatedly cited "emergency situations" to justify these restrictions. Ms Jaber was unable to meet with her lawyer during the first 21 days of her detention. During the first 21 days of her detention and until October 9, 2024, when her lawyer was able to visit her, Ms Jaber has been allowed yard time for only five days, totalling just one hour. She has spent the rest of the time in jail. The Observatory strongly condemns the arbitrary arrest, detention, sentencing and ill-treatment of Tahreer Jaber, which appear to constitute retaliation for her legitimate human rights activities. The Observatory urges the Israeli occupation authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Ms Jaber and to put an end to any acts of harassment, including at the judicial level, against her, as well as against all human rights defenders in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory. The Observatory calls on the Israeli occupation authorities to carry out an immediate investigation into the above-mentioned alleged acts of ill-treatment against Tahreer Jaber, and to bring the perpetrators to justice in accordance with international human rights standards.]]> Tahreer Jaber. Ms Jaber is a Palestinian human rights defender and feminist activist, member of the General Union of Palestinian Women. At 4 a.m. on September 17, 2024, Israeli occupation army officers presented themselves to Tahreer Jaber’s house in Betunia, Ramallah, and checked both her and her husband's identity documents before a female soldier took Ms Jaber in a room to carry out a search on her, without being provided with any reason or presented with any warrant. Once the search was completed, the occupation officers tied Ms Jaber’s hands behind her back with plastic cuffs and blindfolded her. She was then loaded into a jeep, which drove for a long distance, before being transferred to another vehicle in which there were already some young male detainees. The detainees were all moved to a camp, which Ms Jaber estimated to be Beit El Settlement Compound, located just outside the city limits of Ramallah, and put in a room with six other detainees. An Israeli occupation soldier placed some black adhesive tape over Ms Jaber’s blindfold, extending it to her mouth, and making it very difficult for her to breathe. The detainees stayed there for two hours. The soldiers would enter and bang on the walls, while Ms Jaber was sitting on the ground. Later that same day, Ms Jaber was seen by a doctor for a general examination, and later transferred to Ofer prison. At the Ofer prison, the detainees were deprived of water and only allowed to use the bathroom after repeatedly requesting it. Ms Jaber underwent a 15-minute interrogation, and all the other detainees were also questioned. After the interrogations, they were all transferred to Hasharon prison. They were dragged down the stairs towards the vehicle, with a black bag covering Ms Jaber’s face. Upon arriving at Hasharon prison, the detainees were dragged to the yard and made to sit on the ground. Ms Jaber felt unwell because of the lack of air due to the bag covering her face. Notwithstanding that, she underwent a new search by hand and with a metal detector. All the detainees remained in a dirty waiting room for about ten hours, unable to eat because of the filth in the room. On September 18, 2024, all the detainees were transferred to Damon prison, where they were subjected to a strip search upon arrival. The jailer who handled Ms Jaber behaved aggressively and did not accommodate Ms Jaber’s request to address her in English instead of Hebrew. Ms Jaber was taken for a medical examination, followed by an intelligence interrogation session, and then transferred to the prison section. On September 29, 2024, Ms Jaber was sentenced by judge Shum’oon Ashual to administrative detention from September 24, 2024, until January 16, 2025. The official reason given for this conviction, as in all cases of administrative detention, is that Ms Jaber poses a “threat to the security of the nation of Israel”. The detention conditions at Damon prison are deleterious, with prisoners being allowed only 15 minutes per day in the yard to use the bathroom, and anyone who is late is being punished. In those 15 minutes, 25 prisoners have to shower using only six bathrooms. On September 25, 2024, the prison guards entered the prison section in which Ms Jaber is arbitrarily detained and confiscated everything they could find, including essential items such as toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo and laundry soap. Prison authorities also confiscated blankets, books, food containers, hijab clothing, prayer garments, and jilbabs. The prisoners were left with only the clothes they were wearing. The toothbrushes were eventually returned, while other essentials, such as sanitary pads, are still being rationed. Since September 25, 2024, the amount of food and beverages provided to prisoners has decreased significantly. From two cups of tea per day, prisoners are now only receiving half a cup. At 5 a.m. on October 7, 2024, Ms Jaber and all other detainees woke up to the sound of dogs running and barking, while the guards were shouting loudly. They entered the rooms spraying gas in the air, conducted strip searches, restrained the prisoners with their hands behind their backs, blindfolded them, and took them out to the yard. There, prisoners were subjected to insults in both Arabic and Hebrew. They were made to kneel on the ground while the Israeli national anthem was played, accompanied by filming, shouting and cursing. Afterwards, they were returned to their rooms, not allowed outside for yard time and were given only a small amount of food for the day. Since October 7, 2023, the Israeli occupation authorities and the Israeli Prison Service (IPS) have suspended family visits to detainees and imposed severe restrictions on lawyers’ access to their clients. As a result, detainees have been deprived of the regular visits to which they are entitled. The IPS has repeatedly cited "emergency situations" to justify these restrictions. Ms Jaber was unable to meet with her lawyer during the first 21 days of her detention. During the first 21 days of her detention and until October 9, 2024, when her lawyer was able to visit her, Ms Jaber has been allowed yard time for only five days, totalling just one hour. She has spent the rest of the time in jail. The Observatory strongly condemns the arbitrary arrest, detention, sentencing and ill-treatment of Tahreer Jaber, which appear to constitute retaliation for her legitimate human rights activities. The Observatory urges the Israeli occupation authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Ms Jaber and to put an end to any acts of harassment, including at the judicial level, against her, as well as against all human rights defenders in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory. The Observatory calls on the Israeli occupation authorities to carry out an immediate investigation into the above-mentioned alleged acts of ill-treatment against Tahreer Jaber, and to bring the perpetrators to justice in accordance with international human rights standards.]]> México: Desaparición de la defensora de derechos humanos Sandra Domínguez Martínez https://observatoryfordefenders.org/fr/alert/mexico-desaparicion-de-la-defensora-de-derechos-humanos-sandra-dominguez-martinez/ Fri, 25 Oct 2024 14:35:51 +0000 https://observatoryfordefenders.org/?post_type=alert&p=22506 Sandra Estéfana Domínguez Martínez, abogada originaria de la Sierra Mixe y defensora de los derechos de las mujeres indígenas. Sandra fue vista por última vez el 4 de octubre de 2024 en la comunidad de María Lombardo de Caso, en el municipio de San Juan Cotzocón, Oaxaca. El 9 de octubre de 2024, la Fiscalía General del Estado de Oaxaca (FGEO) anunció haber empezado labores de búsqueda y localización de Sandra Domínguez a través de un equipo multidisciplinario integrado por personal de la Unidad de Búsqueda y de Personas No Localizadas. En la misma fecha, la Oficina en México del Alto Comisionado de las Naciones Unidas para los Derechos Humanos expresó su preocupación por el caso e instó a las autoridades de investigación y búsqueda a coordinar estratégicamente sus esfuerzos para localizar y esclarecer los hechos, conforme los Principios Rectores para la Búsqueda de Personas del Comité contra la Desaparición Forzada de la ONU. En 2020, Sandra Domínguez denunció la existencia de un grupo de WhatsApp denominado “Sierra XXX”, en el que altos funcionarios del gobierno de Oaxaca compartían fotografías íntimas de mujeres, principalmente indígenas mixes. Entre los participantes del grupo, que contaba con más de 100 miembros, figuraba Donato Vargas Jiménez, exfuncionario del Instituto Nacional de los Pueblos Indígenas y actual coordinador de Delegados de Paz Social en el gobierno del Estado de Oaxaca, encabezado por Salomón Jara. En 2023, acompañó en su denuncia por violencia familiar del mismo funcionario a la Señora Aracely Cruz Jiménez. Se recuerda que los Delegados de Paz Social tienen la función de mediar y resolver conflictos y garantizar la paz en zonas donde puedan surgir conflictos por temas como tierra, recursos o tensiones comunitarias. Varias organizaciones de derechos humanos y de derechos de las mujeres, con el apoyo de alrededor de 3500 defensoras de derechos humanos de Oaxaca, México y Mesoamérica, emitieron un pronunciamiento público dónde denuncian la desaparición de Sandra Domínguez. En éste, las organizaciones recuerdan que “hace más de 10 años que Oaxaca se ubica de manera sistemática entre los estados con los ataques más frecuentes y más graves contra mujeres defensoras a nivel nacional” e instan a la búsqueda inmediata, así como la presentación con vida de la defensora Sandra Domínguez. El Observatorio condena enérgicamente la desaparición de la defensora Sandra Domínguez y reitera su máxima preocupación por la utilización de actos de violencia, intimidación y amenazas contra las personas defensoras, en particular mujeres defensoras, en el estado de Oaxaca. Cabe notar que sólo en 2024, se registraron más de 700 personas desaparecidas en el estado de Oaxaca, el 34% de ellas mujeres. El Observatorio también se une a la solicitud de las organizaciones y pide garantías de seguridad para la familia y las compañeras de Sandra Domínguez, para que puedan seguir incidiendo por la búsqueda sin sufrir cualesquiera actos de intimidación, hostigamiento o amenazas. Cabe mencionar que, durante los tres últimos años, han sido desaparecidas tres defensoras de derechos humanos en Oaxaca: Claudia Uruchurtu Cruz desaparecida el 26 de marzo del 2021, Irma Galindo Barrios, el 27 de octubre del 2021 y Sandra Domínguez Martínez, el 4 de octubre del 2024.]]> Sandra Estéfana Domínguez Martínez, abogada originaria de la Sierra Mixe y defensora de los derechos de las mujeres indígenas. Sandra fue vista por última vez el 4 de octubre de 2024 en la comunidad de María Lombardo de Caso, en el municipio de San Juan Cotzocón, Oaxaca. El 9 de octubre de 2024, la Fiscalía General del Estado de Oaxaca (FGEO) anunció haber empezado labores de búsqueda y localización de Sandra Domínguez a través de un equipo multidisciplinario integrado por personal de la Unidad de Búsqueda y de Personas No Localizadas. En la misma fecha, la Oficina en México del Alto Comisionado de las Naciones Unidas para los Derechos Humanos expresó su preocupación por el caso e instó a las autoridades de investigación y búsqueda a coordinar estratégicamente sus esfuerzos para localizar y esclarecer los hechos, conforme los Principios Rectores para la Búsqueda de Personas del Comité contra la Desaparición Forzada de la ONU. En 2020, Sandra Domínguez denunció la existencia de un grupo de WhatsApp denominado “Sierra XXX”, en el que altos funcionarios del gobierno de Oaxaca compartían fotografías íntimas de mujeres, principalmente indígenas mixes. Entre los participantes del grupo, que contaba con más de 100 miembros, figuraba Donato Vargas Jiménez, exfuncionario del Instituto Nacional de los Pueblos Indígenas y actual coordinador de Delegados de Paz Social en el gobierno del Estado de Oaxaca, encabezado por Salomón Jara. En 2023, acompañó en su denuncia por violencia familiar del mismo funcionario a la Señora Aracely Cruz Jiménez. Se recuerda que los Delegados de Paz Social tienen la función de mediar y resolver conflictos y garantizar la paz en zonas donde puedan surgir conflictos por temas como tierra, recursos o tensiones comunitarias. Varias organizaciones de derechos humanos y de derechos de las mujeres, con el apoyo de alrededor de 3500 defensoras de derechos humanos de Oaxaca, México y Mesoamérica, emitieron un pronunciamiento público dónde denuncian la desaparición de Sandra Domínguez. En éste, las organizaciones recuerdan que “hace más de 10 años que Oaxaca se ubica de manera sistemática entre los estados con los ataques más frecuentes y más graves contra mujeres defensoras a nivel nacional” e instan a la búsqueda inmediata, así como la presentación con vida de la defensora Sandra Domínguez. El Observatorio condena enérgicamente la desaparición de la defensora Sandra Domínguez y reitera su máxima preocupación por la utilización de actos de violencia, intimidación y amenazas contra las personas defensoras, en particular mujeres defensoras, en el estado de Oaxaca. Cabe notar que sólo en 2024, se registraron más de 700 personas desaparecidas en el estado de Oaxaca, el 34% de ellas mujeres. El Observatorio también se une a la solicitud de las organizaciones y pide garantías de seguridad para la familia y las compañeras de Sandra Domínguez, para que puedan seguir incidiendo por la búsqueda sin sufrir cualesquiera actos de intimidación, hostigamiento o amenazas. Cabe mencionar que, durante los tres últimos años, han sido desaparecidas tres defensoras de derechos humanos en Oaxaca: Claudia Uruchurtu Cruz desaparecida el 26 de marzo del 2021, Irma Galindo Barrios, el 27 de octubre del 2021 y Sandra Domínguez Martínez, el 4 de octubre del 2024.]]> Georgia : Serious deterioration of the situation of human rights defenders https://observatoryfordefenders.org/fr/alert/georgia-serious-deterioration-of-the-situation-of-human-rights-defenders/ Wed, 26 Jun 2024 18:09:53 +0000 https://observatoryfordefenders.org/?post_type=alert&p=22425 Paris-Tbilisi, June 26, 2024 - In recent years, human rights defenders in Georgia have faced escalating threats and violence, exacerbated by hostile rhetoric from the government and high-ranking officials in the country. The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders (OMCT-FIDH) and the Human Rights Center denounce the worsening conditions for civil society in Georgia and call on the authorities to ensure effective, timely, and objective investigations into attacks against human rights defenders and to put an end to all acts of harassment against them. During the last few years, human rights defenders (HRDs) in Georgia have been subjected to attacks, including through smear campaigns and the use of the “internal enemy” discourse by high-ranking public officials. However, the situation has severely deteriorated since the reintroduction in April 2024 of the draft law on Transparency of Foreign Influence, inspired by the Russian “Foreign Agents Law”, followed by its definitive adoption on May 28, 2024. The reintroduction of this piece of legislation, which gravely restricts civic space in the country, gave rise to large peaceful demonstrations that were met with widespread police violence. At the same time, on several occasions, unidentified individuals in civilian attire physically assaulted activists, opposition politicians, and their family members, and NGOs’ offices, as well as homes and cars of HRDs were sprayed with hate message graffiti. Among many others, the Observatory and the Human Rights Center denounce the following cases that serve as illustration of this ongoing violence: On May 5, 2024, Lado Apkhazava, a holder of the National Teacher Award who has been actively criticising the “foreign agents” legislation, was beaten up by several persons near his house, while he was with his son. On May 7, 2024, the Executive Director of the Institute for Development of Freedom of Information, Giorgi Kldiashvili, was attacked near the Embassy of Sweden in Tbilisi when he was being interviewed by TV Formula, whose camera crew was also physically attacked. On May 8, 2024, Lasha Gvinianidze, an activist and organiser of the bikers’ marches against the “foreign agents” law, was assaulted near his home and severely beaten up. On May 11, 2024, the 73-year-old father of Ana Subeliani, the co-director of Tbilisi Pride, was physically assaulted and hospitalised due to the injuries inflicted on him by the perpetrators. In the latest case, on June 11, 2024, a member of the "Shame Movement" and activist, Zuka Berdzenishvili, was assaulted in front of the entrance to his house by a group of three men who were waiting for him in a car. In addition, criminal investigations have been initiated against several protest participants as well as a well-known blogger and activist Ucha Abashidze. Journalists from critical media have also been physically attacked by the riot police while reporting on the protests. Furthermore, since May 7, 2024, HRDs - including the Human Rights Center’s Executive Director Aleko Tskitishvili and staff members of the organisation – activists, and their family members have been repeatedly receiving intimidating and insulting phone calls from unidentifiable numbers. This coincided with the statement made by the Speaker of the Parliament Shalva Papuashvili on May 8, when he spoke of creating a special database to store information about individuals who are “involved in violence, other illegal actions, threats, and blackmail, or publicly approve of such actions”, thus targeting critics of the recently adopted law. Posters labeling HRDs as “foreign agents” as well as hate message graffiti continue to be put up on the facades of the premises of CSOs as well as on the homes of HRDs and civil activists. For instance, the office of the Human Rights House Tbilisi was vandalised on two different occasions: first, posters of Executive Directors of human rights organisations the Human Rights Center, Sapari and Rights Georgia, containing vilifying language such as “agents” or “destroyers of the country”, were put up on the entrance door; the second time, the building was sprayed with insulting graffiti. Similar attacks occurred against the former Public Defender of Georgia and the founder of Georgia’s European Orbit, Nino Lomjaria; the Executive Director of Transparency International Georgia, Eka Gigauri; and the Executive Director of Media Development Foundation Tamar Kintsurashvili. The Human Rights Center and the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders urge the relevant Georgian authorities:
  • to ensure effective, timely, and objective investigation regarding the instances of physical attacks, damage of property, and persecution against HRDs and their family members;
  • to ensure effective, timely, and objective investigation of the excessive use of force and violence on the part of law enforcement agents against HRDs, their family members, and journalists;
  • to conduct an investigation regarding threatening phone calls to HRDs and their family members;
  • to put an end to all acts of harassment against HRDs, members of civil society, independent journalists, and their families;
  • to guarantee the rights to freedom of assembly and expression, as enshrined in the Constitution of Georgia, and to uphold Georgia’s international obligations, including under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the European Convention on Human Rights;
  • to comply with Georgia’s obligations regarding the protection of HRDs and respect the legitimate exercise of their rights, as stated in the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders.
]]> Paris-Tbilisi, June 26, 2024 - In recent years, human rights defenders in Georgia have faced escalating threats and violence, exacerbated by hostile rhetoric from the government and high-ranking officials in the country. The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders (OMCT-FIDH) and the Human Rights Center denounce the worsening conditions for civil society in Georgia and call on the authorities to ensure effective, timely, and objective investigations into attacks against human rights defenders and to put an end to all acts of harassment against them. During the last few years, human rights defenders (HRDs) in Georgia have been subjected to attacks, including through smear campaigns and the use of the “internal enemy” discourse by high-ranking public officials. However, the situation has severely deteriorated since the reintroduction in April 2024 of the draft law on Transparency of Foreign Influence, inspired by the Russian “Foreign Agents Law”, followed by its definitive adoption on May 28, 2024. The reintroduction of this piece of legislation, which gravely restricts civic space in the country, gave rise to large peaceful demonstrations that were met with widespread police violence. At the same time, on several occasions, unidentified individuals in civilian attire physically assaulted activists, opposition politicians, and their family members, and NGOs’ offices, as well as homes and cars of HRDs were sprayed with hate message graffiti. Among many others, the Observatory and the Human Rights Center denounce the following cases that serve as illustration of this ongoing violence: On May 5, 2024, Lado Apkhazava, a holder of the National Teacher Award who has been actively criticising the “foreign agents” legislation, was beaten up by several persons near his house, while he was with his son. On May 7, 2024, the Executive Director of the Institute for Development of Freedom of Information, Giorgi Kldiashvili, was attacked near the Embassy of Sweden in Tbilisi when he was being interviewed by TV Formula, whose camera crew was also physically attacked. On May 8, 2024, Lasha Gvinianidze, an activist and organiser of the bikers’ marches against the “foreign agents” law, was assaulted near his home and severely beaten up. On May 11, 2024, the 73-year-old father of Ana Subeliani, the co-director of Tbilisi Pride, was physically assaulted and hospitalised due to the injuries inflicted on him by the perpetrators. In the latest case, on June 11, 2024, a member of the "Shame Movement" and activist, Zuka Berdzenishvili, was assaulted in front of the entrance to his house by a group of three men who were waiting for him in a car. In addition, criminal investigations have been initiated against several protest participants as well as a well-known blogger and activist Ucha Abashidze. Journalists from critical media have also been physically attacked by the riot police while reporting on the protests. Furthermore, since May 7, 2024, HRDs - including the Human Rights Center’s Executive Director Aleko Tskitishvili and staff members of the organisation – activists, and their family members have been repeatedly receiving intimidating and insulting phone calls from unidentifiable numbers. This coincided with the statement made by the Speaker of the Parliament Shalva Papuashvili on May 8, when he spoke of creating a special database to store information about individuals who are “involved in violence, other illegal actions, threats, and blackmail, or publicly approve of such actions”, thus targeting critics of the recently adopted law. Posters labeling HRDs as “foreign agents” as well as hate message graffiti continue to be put up on the facades of the premises of CSOs as well as on the homes of HRDs and civil activists. For instance, the office of the Human Rights House Tbilisi was vandalised on two different occasions: first, posters of Executive Directors of human rights organisations the Human Rights Center, Sapari and Rights Georgia, containing vilifying language such as “agents” or “destroyers of the country”, were put up on the entrance door; the second time, the building was sprayed with insulting graffiti. Similar attacks occurred against the former Public Defender of Georgia and the founder of Georgia’s European Orbit, Nino Lomjaria; the Executive Director of Transparency International Georgia, Eka Gigauri; and the Executive Director of Media Development Foundation Tamar Kintsurashvili. The Human Rights Center and the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders urge the relevant Georgian authorities:
  • to ensure effective, timely, and objective investigation regarding the instances of physical attacks, damage of property, and persecution against HRDs and their family members;
  • to ensure effective, timely, and objective investigation of the excessive use of force and violence on the part of law enforcement agents against HRDs, their family members, and journalists;
  • to conduct an investigation regarding threatening phone calls to HRDs and their family members;
  • to put an end to all acts of harassment against HRDs, members of civil society, independent journalists, and their families;
  • to guarantee the rights to freedom of assembly and expression, as enshrined in the Constitution of Georgia, and to uphold Georgia’s international obligations, including under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the European Convention on Human Rights;
  • to comply with Georgia’s obligations regarding the protection of HRDs and respect the legitimate exercise of their rights, as stated in the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders.
]]>