https://observatoryfordefenders.org/fr/ Mon, 24 Aug 2026 10:55:24 +0000 fr-FR hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.1.2 https://observatoryfordefenders.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/cropped-OB-eye-orange-32x32.png https://observatoryfordefenders.org/fr/ 32 32 https://observatoryfordefenders.org/fr/alert/mexico-liberacion-del-defensor-del-bosque-pablo-lopez-alavez-tras-15-anos-7-meses-y-12-dias-de-su-detencion-arbitraria/ Tue, 18 Aug 2026 10:52:01 +0000 https://observatoryfordefenders.org/?post_type=alert&p=25227 18 de agosto de 2026; Las Organizaciones internacionales, mexicanas y oaxaqueñas abajo firmantes celebramos la liberación del defensor de derechos humanos, indígena zapoteco, Pablo López Alavez. El 27 de marzo de 2026, Pablo López Alavez fue puesto en libertad tras una resolución de segunda instancia del Tribunal Superior de Justicia del Estado de Oaxaca. La decisión modificó la calificación jurídica de los hechos y estableció una pena de 15 años y 3 meses de prisión por el delito de homicidio simple. Al considerar el tiempo que el defensor había permanecido privado de libertad desde su detención arbitraria, ocurrida el 15 de agosto de 2010, la autoridad tuvo por cumplida la pena y ordenó su liberación inmediata. Si bien la sentencia continúa vigente, su liberación representa un avance importante tras más de 15 años de privación de libertad. Pablo ha sido liberado tras una lucha por justicia y libertad, de más de 15 años, impulsada por su esposa, la defensora Yolanda Pérez Cruz, y organizaciones del estado de Oaxaca, de la sociedad civil mexicana e internacional. Activistas, colectivos y organizaciones de derechos humanos celebramos la liberación de nuestro compañero Pablo López Alavez, defensor del bosque de origen zapoteco y originario de la comunidad de San Isidro Aloapam, Oaxaca. Este largo caminar no hubiera sido posible sin el acuerpamiento y solidaridad en diferentes latitudes. Agradecemos a todas las organizaciones, personas y colectividades que nunca abandonaron su acción y compromiso a favor de su liberación durante más de 15 años. Agradecemos a los organismos internacionales por su sensibilidad en poner sobre la mesa el uso político del sistema penal y penitenciario para criminalizar y castigar de manera prolongada la labor de defensa de derechos humanos en México. El 15 de agosto de 2010, el defensor de derechos humanos fue detenido de manera arbitraria y torturado por un grupo de personas armadas sin orden de aprehensión. Durante esos años que han pasado desde este hecho, Pablo fue privado de su libertad, y expuesto a más violaciones de sus derechos humanos, incluyendo el derecho a un juicio justo. Su familia fue desplazada forzosamente de su comunidad por amenazas constantes y graves que han sufrido debido a su lucha por la justicia y la defensa de los derechos humanos, por lo que cuentan con medidas cautelares de la Defensoría de los Derechos Humanos del Pueblo de Oaxaca (DDHPO). Destacamos que la detención de Pablo y el desplazamiento forzado de su familia han tenido impactos profundos en su bienestar, incluyendo enfermedades crónicas, desarraigo cultural y comunitario, además, de la necesidad de aprender español forzosamente y adaptarse a un entorno urbano y mestizo. La lucha por la justicia continúa. Las organizaciones firmantes exigimos al Poder Judicial Federal una revisión exhaustiva del caso, pues la resolución que lo sentenció carece de fundamentos sólidos. A fin de cesar la criminalización que el defensor ha enfrentado por más de 15 años, corresponde que se dicte una sentencia absolutoria a favor del defensor del bosque y adopten medidas integrales de reparación del daño causado. Esto implica garantizar la debida investigación, juzgamiento y sanción de las autoridades responsables de las graves violaciones cometidas en su contra, así como implementar todas las medidas necesarias para proteger su integridad física y bienestar psicológico, al igual que la de su familia y de las organizaciones que les han acompañado. Finalmente, nuestras organizaciones resaltamos la obligación de las autoridades mexicanas de establecer garantías de no repetición contundentes. La sentencia condenatoria se dictó sin considerar las graves inconsistencias y contradicciones en las pruebas presentadas por la parte acusadora. Tampoco valoró de forma debida las pruebas de descargo que demostraban que el defensor se encontraba en otro lugar cuando ocurrieron los hechos que se le imputaron. A nueve años de que el Grupo de Trabajo sobre Detenciones Arbitrarias de la ONU emitiera la opinión 23/2017, que concluyó que la privación de libertad de Pablo es arbitraria y motivada por su legítima labor de defensa ambiental; y de que del mismo modo, en diciembre de 2020 un grupo de relatores especiales de las Naciones Unidas emitió la comunicación conjunta UA MEX 14/2020 mediante la cual demandaron su liberación y la adopción de medidas de reparación integral, ambas opiniones de expertos internacionales de las Naciones Unidas siguen sin cumplirse. Por ende, exigimos al Estado mexicano que, en cumplimiento de sus obligaciones internacionales, cese las graves y sistemáticas violaciones a los derechos del defensor del bosque Pablo López Alavez, y llamamos a las autoridades a:

• Cumplir de inmediato con las recomendaciones derivadas de la opinión 23/2017 y la Acción Urgente UA MEX 14/2020 de la ONU, entre ellas la reparación integral y las garantías de no repetición;
• Revocar la sentencia condenatoria dictada el 27 de marzo de 2026 y dictar sentencia absolutoria a favor de Pablo López Alavez, ante la falta de debida valoración probatoria, la cual resultó en su detención arbitraria y le inhibió de continuar con la defensa del territorio;
• Garantizar medidas de protección integrales y efectivas para él y su familia, quienes siguen bajo constante hostigamiento y amenaza;
• Abstenerse de hacer uso indebido del derecho penal contra personas defensoras del territorio y de los pueblos indígenas así como garantizar que no se inicien o sostengan procesos penales infundados por el ejercicio legítimo de su labor de defensa de derechos humanos.

¡Justicia para el defensor zapoteco del bosque Pablo López Alavez! Ante la preocupación por la integridad de Pablo y su familia, así como por razones de seguridad, se hace pública esta información hasta este momento. #JusticiaParaPabloLópezAlavéz #DerechosHumanos #DefenderEsUnDerecho]]> 18 de agosto de 2026; Las Organizaciones internacionales, mexicanas y oaxaqueñas abajo firmantes celebramos la liberación del defensor de derechos humanos, indígena zapoteco, Pablo López Alavez. El 27 de marzo de 2026, Pablo López Alavez fue puesto en libertad tras una resolución de segunda instancia del Tribunal Superior de Justicia del Estado de Oaxaca. La decisión modificó la calificación jurídica de los hechos y estableció una pena de 15 años y 3 meses de prisión por el delito de homicidio simple. Al considerar el tiempo que el defensor había permanecido privado de libertad desde su detención arbitraria, ocurrida el 15 de agosto de 2010, la autoridad tuvo por cumplida la pena y ordenó su liberación inmediata. Si bien la sentencia continúa vigente, su liberación representa un avance importante tras más de 15 años de privación de libertad. Pablo ha sido liberado tras una lucha por justicia y libertad, de más de 15 años, impulsada por su esposa, la defensora Yolanda Pérez Cruz, y organizaciones del estado de Oaxaca, de la sociedad civil mexicana e internacional. Activistas, colectivos y organizaciones de derechos humanos celebramos la liberación de nuestro compañero Pablo López Alavez, defensor del bosque de origen zapoteco y originario de la comunidad de San Isidro Aloapam, Oaxaca. Este largo caminar no hubiera sido posible sin el acuerpamiento y solidaridad en diferentes latitudes. Agradecemos a todas las organizaciones, personas y colectividades que nunca abandonaron su acción y compromiso a favor de su liberación durante más de 15 años. Agradecemos a los organismos internacionales por su sensibilidad en poner sobre la mesa el uso político del sistema penal y penitenciario para criminalizar y castigar de manera prolongada la labor de defensa de derechos humanos en México. El 15 de agosto de 2010, el defensor de derechos humanos fue detenido de manera arbitraria y torturado por un grupo de personas armadas sin orden de aprehensión. Durante esos años que han pasado desde este hecho, Pablo fue privado de su libertad, y expuesto a más violaciones de sus derechos humanos, incluyendo el derecho a un juicio justo. Su familia fue desplazada forzosamente de su comunidad por amenazas constantes y graves que han sufrido debido a su lucha por la justicia y la defensa de los derechos humanos, por lo que cuentan con medidas cautelares de la Defensoría de los Derechos Humanos del Pueblo de Oaxaca (DDHPO). Destacamos que la detención de Pablo y el desplazamiento forzado de su familia han tenido impactos profundos en su bienestar, incluyendo enfermedades crónicas, desarraigo cultural y comunitario, además, de la necesidad de aprender español forzosamente y adaptarse a un entorno urbano y mestizo. La lucha por la justicia continúa. Las organizaciones firmantes exigimos al Poder Judicial Federal una revisión exhaustiva del caso, pues la resolución que lo sentenció carece de fundamentos sólidos. A fin de cesar la criminalización que el defensor ha enfrentado por más de 15 años, corresponde que se dicte una sentencia absolutoria a favor del defensor del bosque y adopten medidas integrales de reparación del daño causado. Esto implica garantizar la debida investigación, juzgamiento y sanción de las autoridades responsables de las graves violaciones cometidas en su contra, así como implementar todas las medidas necesarias para proteger su integridad física y bienestar psicológico, al igual que la de su familia y de las organizaciones que les han acompañado. Finalmente, nuestras organizaciones resaltamos la obligación de las autoridades mexicanas de establecer garantías de no repetición contundentes. La sentencia condenatoria se dictó sin considerar las graves inconsistencias y contradicciones en las pruebas presentadas por la parte acusadora. Tampoco valoró de forma debida las pruebas de descargo que demostraban que el defensor se encontraba en otro lugar cuando ocurrieron los hechos que se le imputaron. A nueve años de que el Grupo de Trabajo sobre Detenciones Arbitrarias de la ONU emitiera la opinión 23/2017, que concluyó que la privación de libertad de Pablo es arbitraria y motivada por su legítima labor de defensa ambiental; y de que del mismo modo, en diciembre de 2020 un grupo de relatores especiales de las Naciones Unidas emitió la comunicación conjunta UA MEX 14/2020 mediante la cual demandaron su liberación y la adopción de medidas de reparación integral, ambas opiniones de expertos internacionales de las Naciones Unidas siguen sin cumplirse. Por ende, exigimos al Estado mexicano que, en cumplimiento de sus obligaciones internacionales, cese las graves y sistemáticas violaciones a los derechos del defensor del bosque Pablo López Alavez, y llamamos a las autoridades a:

• Cumplir de inmediato con las recomendaciones derivadas de la opinión 23/2017 y la Acción Urgente UA MEX 14/2020 de la ONU, entre ellas la reparación integral y las garantías de no repetición;
• Revocar la sentencia condenatoria dictada el 27 de marzo de 2026 y dictar sentencia absolutoria a favor de Pablo López Alavez, ante la falta de debida valoración probatoria, la cual resultó en su detención arbitraria y le inhibió de continuar con la defensa del territorio;
• Garantizar medidas de protección integrales y efectivas para él y su familia, quienes siguen bajo constante hostigamiento y amenaza;
• Abstenerse de hacer uso indebido del derecho penal contra personas defensoras del territorio y de los pueblos indígenas así como garantizar que no se inicien o sostengan procesos penales infundados por el ejercicio legítimo de su labor de defensa de derechos humanos.

¡Justicia para el defensor zapoteco del bosque Pablo López Alavez! Ante la preocupación por la integridad de Pablo y su familia, así como por razones de seguridad, se hace pública esta información hasta este momento. #JusticiaParaPabloLópezAlavéz #DerechosHumanos #DefenderEsUnDerecho]]> https://observatoryfordefenders.org/fr/alert/china-authorities-must-release-arbitrarly-detained-human-rights-lawyer-yu-wensheng-at-the-end-of-his-sentence-and-ensure-his-full-freedom/ Thu, 09 Apr 2026 13:26:13 +0000 https://observatoryfordefenders.org/?post_type=alert&p=24640 Paris-Geneva, 9 April 2026 – Human rights lawyer Yu Wensheng is expected to be released on 13 April after completing a three-year sentence following his baseless conviction for “inciting subversion of state power”. The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, a partnership between the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), together with other civil society organisations, expresses deep concern about his wellbeing and urges the Chinese authorities to ensure his immediate release after serving his sentence, allow him to reunite with his family in Beijing, and guarantee his ability to freely exercise his human rights. Yu Wensheng and his wife Xu Yan are prominent advocates for rule of law and human rights in China. As a result, they have faced government harassment for many years, this is the second time since 2018 that Yu has been arbitrarily deprived of his liberty. As a human rights lawyer, Yu represented victims in many sensitive human rights cases, including representing 709 Crackdown lawyers, and publicly called for constitutional reforms aimed at strengthening checks on state power. His efforts to defend victims of human rights violations, challenge government overreach and promote meaningful legal reforms have been met with harsh retaliation. The authorities should investigate the targeting, ill-treatment and arbitrary detention of Yu Wensheng and bring to justice in fair trial those suspected of being responsible. Authorities should provide Yu Wensheng and his family with access to justice and effective remedies in line with China’s own laws and their human rights obligations and commitments. Yu and Xu were taken into police custody while on their way to meet European Union officials in Beijing on 13 April 2023. They were initially held at Beijing Shijingshan Detention Centre, where they were deprived of prompt access to counsel of their choosing and charged by the local procuratorate with “picking quarrels and provoking trouble”. Authorities added new charges of “inciting subversion of state power” around June 2023. UN experts have repeatedly raised concerns about how the authorities have used both of those crimes to target human rights defenders, have noted their noncompliance with international human rights standards and have called for their repeal. During the first roughly six months of detention in Beijing, Xu Yan reportedly lost 14kg. She was also subjected to ill-treatment, including being intimidated by police who threatened to arrest her son if he undertook advocacy on behalf of her and Yu’s case. The conditions of her detention may have amounted to torture and other ill-treatment. In January 2024, Xu and Yu were transferred to Suzhou Detention Centre in Jiangsu province, some 1, 000km away from their regular place of residence in Beijing. UN experts raised concerns in April 2024 about their detentions, and the impact on their son. In August 2024, their cases were heard at the Suzhou Intermediate People’s Court. Diplomats from several foreign missions and activists had planned to attend the trial but were reportedly denied entry to the courtroom to observe the proceedings. On 29 October 2024, Suzhou Intermediate Court sentenced Yu Wensheng to three years in prison and Xu Yan to one year and nine months in prison for “inciting subversion of state power”. Their son, who turned 18 just before their detention, has faced a serious deterioration of his mental health since Yu’s first arrest in 2018; this was exacerbated by his isolation during the time both his parents were imprisoned. Xu Yan was released in January 2025, but has said that she and her son still face unlawful surveillance and harassment by the authorities, a common extralegal tactic used against human rights defenders and their families. She has spent over a decade studying to pass her legal professional qualifications and has completed all the necessary requirements. Ten days after her detention in 2023, Xu was notified that she had passed; however, to this day the authorities have not yet issued Xu her formal certificate. This has hampered her ability to continue her human rights advocacy, and to earn an income for the family. Conditions at Zhenjiang Prison for Yu Wensheng are reportedly harsh and may constitute ill-treatment. According to sources close to him, prison authorities have not provided adequate heat or nutrition and have refused to facilitate his purchase of daily necessities. Additionally, Xu Yan’s repeated requests that the authorities transfer Yu back to a Beijing prison to facilitate visits were ignored by the authorities. As a result, they had no choice but to travel some 1,000 km each way, each month, to visit him. We believe that the authorities’ use of the criminal justice system to harass Yu Wensheng and his family is intended to deter human rights defenders in China and discourage their legal and constructive interactions with civil society groups and diplomatic representatives in the country. Despite the authorities’ heavy-handed response, many human rights defenders in China refuse to be silenced. Ahead of Yu’s release date, the undersigned organisations call on the Chinese authorities to uphold their international human rights obligations, including under the Convention against Torture and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. The organisations urge the authorities to:

• Ensure Yu Wensheng is released and can reunite with his family in Beijing on time after serving his sentence and without any additional restrictions;
• Ensure Yu can freely exercise his human rights including his rights to freedom of movement and freedom of expression, and that he is able to communicate with any individual or institution he may choose; and
• End all forms of unlawful surveillance and harassment targeting Yu Wensheng, Xu Yan, their family or their friends, and ensure that their right to health is fully protected.

Background Following his first arrest in January 2018, prominent human rights lawyer Yu Wensheng was in 2020 sentenced to four years’ imprisonment and “deprivation of political rights”, on the charge of “inciting subversion of state power”, solely for peacefully exercising his right to freedom of expression. Yu Wensheng is the winner of the 2018 Franco-German Prize for Human Rights and the Rule of Law and the 2021 Martin Ennals Award, an annual prize for human rights defenders. This recognition honours not only his important role in the Chinese human rights community, but also the tireless efforts of his wife Xu Yan to call for the release of her husband. He was released from prison at the conclusion of his sentence on 1 March 2022. The range of human rights violations in this case – from the criminalisation of human rights advocacy and the work of human rights lawyers to unfair trials, poor detention conditions, lack of access to counsel and alarming detrimental impacts on family members – paint a grim picture for respect for the rule of law and those who seek to defend it in China. This point was reiterated by the UN Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers in a letter to Chinese authorities in July 2025. She expressed “deep concerns about the allegations that patterns of repression and criminalization of legal professionals, as previously outlined in communication AL CHN 1/2024, have not ceased.” Other UN experts have repeatedly called for the repeal of Article 105(2) of China’s Criminal Law that provides for the crime of ’inciting subversion of state power.’ In addition, in 2020, they asserted that the criminal provision of ’picking quarrels and provoking trouble’ violates due process and the principle of legality underpinned in article 11 (2) of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. In 2025, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights explicitly called for the repeal of the vague and overly broad crime of “picking quarrels and provoking troubles”. Research from civil society organisations monitoring the human rights situation in China, including many signatories to this letter, has shown that Chinese courts have consistently applied these provisions to cases of human rights defenders – like Yu Wensheng and Xu Yan – in ways that criminalize the exercise of human rights and fundamental freedoms. Furthermore, authorities have failed to act on recommendations to end the violations of fair trial rights and other rights, including the imposition of “supplemental” sentences under the Criminal Law which are incompatible with international human rights standards.]]> Paris-Geneva, 9 April 2026 – Human rights lawyer Yu Wensheng is expected to be released on 13 April after completing a three-year sentence following his baseless conviction for “inciting subversion of state power”. The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, a partnership between the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), together with other civil society organisations, expresses deep concern about his wellbeing and urges the Chinese authorities to ensure his immediate release after serving his sentence, allow him to reunite with his family in Beijing, and guarantee his ability to freely exercise his human rights. Yu Wensheng and his wife Xu Yan are prominent advocates for rule of law and human rights in China. As a result, they have faced government harassment for many years, this is the second time since 2018 that Yu has been arbitrarily deprived of his liberty. As a human rights lawyer, Yu represented victims in many sensitive human rights cases, including representing 709 Crackdown lawyers, and publicly called for constitutional reforms aimed at strengthening checks on state power. His efforts to defend victims of human rights violations, challenge government overreach and promote meaningful legal reforms have been met with harsh retaliation. The authorities should investigate the targeting, ill-treatment and arbitrary detention of Yu Wensheng and bring to justice in fair trial those suspected of being responsible. Authorities should provide Yu Wensheng and his family with access to justice and effective remedies in line with China’s own laws and their human rights obligations and commitments. Yu and Xu were taken into police custody while on their way to meet European Union officials in Beijing on 13 April 2023. They were initially held at Beijing Shijingshan Detention Centre, where they were deprived of prompt access to counsel of their choosing and charged by the local procuratorate with “picking quarrels and provoking trouble”. Authorities added new charges of “inciting subversion of state power” around June 2023. UN experts have repeatedly raised concerns about how the authorities have used both of those crimes to target human rights defenders, have noted their noncompliance with international human rights standards and have called for their repeal. During the first roughly six months of detention in Beijing, Xu Yan reportedly lost 14kg. She was also subjected to ill-treatment, including being intimidated by police who threatened to arrest her son if he undertook advocacy on behalf of her and Yu’s case. The conditions of her detention may have amounted to torture and other ill-treatment. In January 2024, Xu and Yu were transferred to Suzhou Detention Centre in Jiangsu province, some 1, 000km away from their regular place of residence in Beijing. UN experts raised concerns in April 2024 about their detentions, and the impact on their son. In August 2024, their cases were heard at the Suzhou Intermediate People’s Court. Diplomats from several foreign missions and activists had planned to attend the trial but were reportedly denied entry to the courtroom to observe the proceedings. On 29 October 2024, Suzhou Intermediate Court sentenced Yu Wensheng to three years in prison and Xu Yan to one year and nine months in prison for “inciting subversion of state power”. Their son, who turned 18 just before their detention, has faced a serious deterioration of his mental health since Yu’s first arrest in 2018; this was exacerbated by his isolation during the time both his parents were imprisoned. Xu Yan was released in January 2025, but has said that she and her son still face unlawful surveillance and harassment by the authorities, a common extralegal tactic used against human rights defenders and their families. She has spent over a decade studying to pass her legal professional qualifications and has completed all the necessary requirements. Ten days after her detention in 2023, Xu was notified that she had passed; however, to this day the authorities have not yet issued Xu her formal certificate. This has hampered her ability to continue her human rights advocacy, and to earn an income for the family. Conditions at Zhenjiang Prison for Yu Wensheng are reportedly harsh and may constitute ill-treatment. According to sources close to him, prison authorities have not provided adequate heat or nutrition and have refused to facilitate his purchase of daily necessities. Additionally, Xu Yan’s repeated requests that the authorities transfer Yu back to a Beijing prison to facilitate visits were ignored by the authorities. As a result, they had no choice but to travel some 1,000 km each way, each month, to visit him. We believe that the authorities’ use of the criminal justice system to harass Yu Wensheng and his family is intended to deter human rights defenders in China and discourage their legal and constructive interactions with civil society groups and diplomatic representatives in the country. Despite the authorities’ heavy-handed response, many human rights defenders in China refuse to be silenced. Ahead of Yu’s release date, the undersigned organisations call on the Chinese authorities to uphold their international human rights obligations, including under the Convention against Torture and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. The organisations urge the authorities to:

• Ensure Yu Wensheng is released and can reunite with his family in Beijing on time after serving his sentence and without any additional restrictions;
• Ensure Yu can freely exercise his human rights including his rights to freedom of movement and freedom of expression, and that he is able to communicate with any individual or institution he may choose; and
• End all forms of unlawful surveillance and harassment targeting Yu Wensheng, Xu Yan, their family or their friends, and ensure that their right to health is fully protected.

Background Following his first arrest in January 2018, prominent human rights lawyer Yu Wensheng was in 2020 sentenced to four years’ imprisonment and “deprivation of political rights”, on the charge of “inciting subversion of state power”, solely for peacefully exercising his right to freedom of expression. Yu Wensheng is the winner of the 2018 Franco-German Prize for Human Rights and the Rule of Law and the 2021 Martin Ennals Award, an annual prize for human rights defenders. This recognition honours not only his important role in the Chinese human rights community, but also the tireless efforts of his wife Xu Yan to call for the release of her husband. He was released from prison at the conclusion of his sentence on 1 March 2022. The range of human rights violations in this case – from the criminalisation of human rights advocacy and the work of human rights lawyers to unfair trials, poor detention conditions, lack of access to counsel and alarming detrimental impacts on family members – paint a grim picture for respect for the rule of law and those who seek to defend it in China. This point was reiterated by the UN Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers in a letter to Chinese authorities in July 2025. She expressed “deep concerns about the allegations that patterns of repression and criminalization of legal professionals, as previously outlined in communication AL CHN 1/2024, have not ceased.” Other UN experts have repeatedly called for the repeal of Article 105(2) of China’s Criminal Law that provides for the crime of ’inciting subversion of state power.’ In addition, in 2020, they asserted that the criminal provision of ’picking quarrels and provoking trouble’ violates due process and the principle of legality underpinned in article 11 (2) of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. In 2025, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights explicitly called for the repeal of the vague and overly broad crime of “picking quarrels and provoking troubles”. Research from civil society organisations monitoring the human rights situation in China, including many signatories to this letter, has shown that Chinese courts have consistently applied these provisions to cases of human rights defenders – like Yu Wensheng and Xu Yan – in ways that criminalize the exercise of human rights and fundamental freedoms. Furthermore, authorities have failed to act on recommendations to end the violations of fair trial rights and other rights, including the imposition of “supplemental” sentences under the Criminal Law which are incompatible with international human rights standards.]]> https://observatoryfordefenders.org/fr/alert/china-released-tibetan-environmental-defender-anya-sengdra-subjected-to-ongoing-harassment/ Wed, 11 Mar 2026 13:45:51 +0000 https://observatoryfordefenders.org/?post_type=alert&p=24469 Paris-Geneva, 25 February 2026. Anya Sengdra, Tibetan nomad and prominent community leader from Gade County in the Tibetan region of Golog (Qinghai Province) was originally due for release on 3 September 2025. However, Chinese authorities failed to free him on that date and instead imposed a one-year extension of his sentence reportedly on the grounds of alleged “prison rule violations” for theft, without any official announcement or transparent judicial procedure. This unlawful extension constituted an arbitrary detention in total violation of international human rights, including the fundamental right to liberty and the right to a fair trial. On 6 December 2019, the Gade County Court sentenced Anya Sengdra to seven years’ imprisonment on charges of “provoking troubles, forming a mob to disturb public order, and other malicious acts” under Article 293 of China’s Criminal Law for his peaceful environmental and anti-corruption activities. Through the grassroots initiative “Mangdon Ling” (“Public Affairs Forum”), he campaigned against illegal mining, poaching of endangered species, and the misappropriation of public funds by local officials for relocated Tibetan nomads. In the early stages of his detention, Anya Sengdra was beaten by officers of the Gade County Public Security Bureau and denied access to legal counsel for 48 days. He was also subjected to years of restricted family visits. Deprived of adequate medical care, his health severely deteriorated in prison, leading to vision loss, kidney disease, and high blood pressure. Although he has now returned to his home in Gade County’s Kyangche Township, he remains prohibited from speaking publicly about his case, sharing images or information online, and seeking necessary medical treatment. The Observatory recalls that in August 2023, three United Nations Special Rapporteurs raised Anya Sengdra’s case in a press release, urging the Chinese government to clarify his whereabouts, the legal basis for his detention, and his health condition. They further urged Chinese authorities to provide him with adequate medical care and to allow visits from his family. The Observatory expresses serious concern over the ongoing restrictions on Anya Sengdra’s freedom of expression and access to healthcare, which amount to continued judicial harassment. The Observatory urges the Chinese authorities to immediately lift all restrictions imposed on Anya Sengdra, ensure his fundamental right to liberty, and guarantee prompt and unhindered access to adequate medical care. It further calls on the authorities to put an end to the criminalisation and harassment of Tibetan environmental rights defenders and ensure that they can carry out their legitimate and peaceful human rights activities without fear of reprisals. The Observatory expresses its full and unequivocal support for Tibetan human rights defenders.]]> Paris-Geneva, 25 February 2026. Anya Sengdra, Tibetan nomad and prominent community leader from Gade County in the Tibetan region of Golog (Qinghai Province) was originally due for release on 3 September 2025. However, Chinese authorities failed to free him on that date and instead imposed a one-year extension of his sentence reportedly on the grounds of alleged “prison rule violations” for theft, without any official announcement or transparent judicial procedure. This unlawful extension constituted an arbitrary detention in total violation of international human rights, including the fundamental right to liberty and the right to a fair trial. On 6 December 2019, the Gade County Court sentenced Anya Sengdra to seven years’ imprisonment on charges of “provoking troubles, forming a mob to disturb public order, and other malicious acts” under Article 293 of China’s Criminal Law for his peaceful environmental and anti-corruption activities. Through the grassroots initiative “Mangdon Ling” (“Public Affairs Forum”), he campaigned against illegal mining, poaching of endangered species, and the misappropriation of public funds by local officials for relocated Tibetan nomads. In the early stages of his detention, Anya Sengdra was beaten by officers of the Gade County Public Security Bureau and denied access to legal counsel for 48 days. He was also subjected to years of restricted family visits. Deprived of adequate medical care, his health severely deteriorated in prison, leading to vision loss, kidney disease, and high blood pressure. Although he has now returned to his home in Gade County’s Kyangche Township, he remains prohibited from speaking publicly about his case, sharing images or information online, and seeking necessary medical treatment. The Observatory recalls that in August 2023, three United Nations Special Rapporteurs raised Anya Sengdra’s case in a press release, urging the Chinese government to clarify his whereabouts, the legal basis for his detention, and his health condition. They further urged Chinese authorities to provide him with adequate medical care and to allow visits from his family. The Observatory expresses serious concern over the ongoing restrictions on Anya Sengdra’s freedom of expression and access to healthcare, which amount to continued judicial harassment. The Observatory urges the Chinese authorities to immediately lift all restrictions imposed on Anya Sengdra, ensure his fundamental right to liberty, and guarantee prompt and unhindered access to adequate medical care. It further calls on the authorities to put an end to the criminalisation and harassment of Tibetan environmental rights defenders and ensure that they can carry out their legitimate and peaceful human rights activities without fear of reprisals. The Observatory expresses its full and unequivocal support for Tibetan human rights defenders.]]> https://observatoryfordefenders.org/fr/alert/togo-les-liberations-de-defenseur%c2%b7es-des-droits-humains-doivent-ouvrir-la-voie-a-un-dialogue-inclusif-et-a-labandon-definitif-des-poursuites-penales/ Tue, 17 Feb 2026 19:37:29 +0000 https://observatoryfordefenders.org/?post_type=alert&p=25126 Lomé – Genève – Paris, 17 février 2026 L’Observatoire pour la protection des défenseur·es des droits humains (un partenariat de l’Organisation Mondiale Contre la Torture (OMCT) et de la Fédération internationale pour les droits humains (FIDH)), le Collectif des Associations Contre l’Impunité au Togo (CACIT), le Centre de Documentation et Formation en Droits de l’Homme (CDFDH) et la Ligue Toglolaise des Droits de l’Homme (LTDH) prennent note des mesures de clémence ayant conduit, fin décembre 2025 et début janvier 2026, à la libération de plusieurs dizaines de défenseur·es des droits humains, d’activistes et de manifestant·es. Les organisations signataires prennent acte de ces libérations et saluent les autorités togolaises pour l’attention constante accordée aux nombreux courriers, démarches et actions de plaidoyer adressés au cours des dernières années en faveur des personnes arrêtées pour l’exercice pacifique de leurs libertés d’expression, d’association et de manifestation. Ces mesures constituent un signal positif dans un contexte marqué par des restrictions persistantes de l’espace civique et par une forte judiciarisation de l’engagement citoyen. Des cas emblématiques de criminalisation de l’engagement pacifique Parmi les personnes récemment libérées figurent notamment :

• Abdoul Aziz Goma, défenseur des droits humains engagé dans la liberté de manifestation;
• René Missode Koffi, connu sous le nom de « À votre avis », créateur de contenu engagé poursuivi pour ses prises de position critiques ;
• Grâce Koumayi Bikonibiyate, sage-femme et militante, arrêtée lors de mobilisations sociales et ayant dénoncé des mauvais traitements en détention ;
• Armand Agblézé et Oséi Agbagno, membres du mouvement « Tournons la page Togo », poursuivis pour leur participation à des mobilisations citoyennes ;
• Foly Satchivi, porte-parole du mouvement « En Aucun Cas », régulièrement visé pour son engagement public ;
• Amanvi Katanga, activiste connue pour ses prises de position critiques envers les autorités et son engagement dans des mouvements civiques et citoyens :
• Honoré Sitsopé Sokpor, dit « Affectio », poète engagé, arrêté pour ses expressions artistiques critiques.

Ces personnes ont été arrêtées et, pour certaines, condamnées dans le contexte des mobilisations sociopolitiques successives, notamment lors des manifestations de 2017 et des mouvements plus récents de 2025. Dans la majorité des cas, les poursuites reposent sur des infractions telles que le « trouble aggravé à l’ordre public » ou d’autres qualifications pénales qui criminalisent en réalité l’exercice des droits à la liberté d’expression et de réunion pacifique. Plusieurs de ces procédures ont été entachées d’irrégularités, d’un usage excessif de la force et d’allégations crédibles de torture et mauvais traitements. Des poursuites pénales toujours en cours et une insécurité juridique persistante Un mois après ces mesures de clémence, les organisations signataires constatent avec préoccupation que de nombreux·ses défenseur·es et activistes libéré·es demeurent sous le coup de poursuites pénales. Cette situation entretient un climat d’insécurité juridique, de pression judiciaire et d’autocensure, incompatible avec un État de droit respectueux des libertés publiques. Si M. Faure Gnassingbé, Président du Conseil des ministres, a usé de ses prérogatives pour ordonner certaines libérations par voie de grâce, il appartient désormais au ministère public et au Procureur de la République, conformément à l’article 34 du Code de procédure pénale, d’abandonner définitivement ces poursuites, en raison :

• de leur caractère arbitraire ;
• de leur absence de légitimité ;
• de leur incompatibilité avec les engagements internationaux du Togo.

En revanche, aucune enquête indépendante, impartiale et effective n’a été ouverte à ce jour sur les allégations de torture et de mauvais traitements formulées par certain·es détenu·es, à l’exception du cas de Mme Grâce Koumayi. Cette absence de reddition des comptes alimente l’impunité et fragilise la crédibilité des institutions judiciaires alors que la torture au Togo représente un risque considérable selon l’Index Mondial de la Torture 2025 de l’OMCT. Des libérations favorables à l’apaisement, mais insuffisantes sans dialogue institutionnel L’Observatoire et les organisations signataires estiment que ces libérations contribuent à l’apaisement du climat sociopolitique et constituent une étape importante vers la recherche de solutions pacifiques et respectueuses des droits humains. Les mobilisations observées au cours des dix dernières années illustrent l’existence de désaccords sociopolitiques profonds, persistants et structurels. Ces tensions ne peuvent être réglées durablement par le recours à la force, aux arrestations massives et aux condamnations judiciaires. Ces pratiques maintiennent en réalité une société fracturée, privée d’intermédiaires sociaux crédibles et de cadres de dialogue inclusifs. Les défenseur·es des droits humains, les activistes et les artistes engagé·es ne sont pas des fauteurs de troubles. Ils et elles sont les porte-paroles légitimes d’une partie importante de la population. Les réduire au silence par la répression et le harcèlement judiciaire ne permettra ni de restaurer la confiance, ni de consolider la stabilité politique. L’entrée en vigueur progressive de la nouvelle Constitution du 18 avril 2024 constitue une opportunité majeure pour engager des discussions franches, inclusives et responsables avec les personnes récemment libérées, la société civile, les mouvements citoyens et les autres acteurs concernés. Les organisations signataires appellent les autorités togolaises à saisir cette opportunité afin de transformer ces mesures de clémence en un véritable processus de dialogue national, fondé sur :

• la reconnaissance des libertés publiques ;
• le respect du pluralisme ;
• la prévention des conflits ;
• la recherche de compromis durables.

Recommandations Les organisations signataires appellent les autorités togolaises à :

1. Abandonner sans délai toutes les charges et poursuites visant les défenseur·es des droits humains, activistes et manifestant·es libéré·es pour l’exercice pacifique de leurs droits ;
2. Garantir la protection effective des défenseur·es contre toute forme de harcèlement judiciaire, administratif ou sécuritaire ;
3. Ouvrir des enquêtes indépendantes sur toutes les allégations de torture et de mauvais traitements ;
4. Mettre fin à la criminalisation de la contestation pacifique et aligner la législation nationale sur les normes internationales, notamment celles énoncées dans la Charte africaine des droits de l’Homme et des peuples et dans le Pacte international relatif aux droits civils et politiques, que le Togo a ratifiés ;
5. Instaurer un cadre permanent de dialogue avec la société civile et les mouvements citoyens.

L’Observatoire pour la protection des défenseur·es des droits humains, le CACIT, le CDFDH et la LTDH, continueront à suivre étroitement l’évolution de la situation et à formuler des recommandations constructives en vue de promouvoir une paix sociale fondée sur la justice, le dialogue et la participation citoyenne.]]> Lomé – Genève – Paris, 17 février 2026 L’Observatoire pour la protection des défenseur·es des droits humains (un partenariat de l’Organisation Mondiale Contre la Torture (OMCT) et de la Fédération internationale pour les droits humains (FIDH)), le Collectif des Associations Contre l’Impunité au Togo (CACIT), le Centre de Documentation et Formation en Droits de l’Homme (CDFDH) et la Ligue Toglolaise des Droits de l’Homme (LTDH) prennent note des mesures de clémence ayant conduit, fin décembre 2025 et début janvier 2026, à la libération de plusieurs dizaines de défenseur·es des droits humains, d’activistes et de manifestant·es. Les organisations signataires prennent acte de ces libérations et saluent les autorités togolaises pour l’attention constante accordée aux nombreux courriers, démarches et actions de plaidoyer adressés au cours des dernières années en faveur des personnes arrêtées pour l’exercice pacifique de leurs libertés d’expression, d’association et de manifestation. Ces mesures constituent un signal positif dans un contexte marqué par des restrictions persistantes de l’espace civique et par une forte judiciarisation de l’engagement citoyen. Des cas emblématiques de criminalisation de l’engagement pacifique Parmi les personnes récemment libérées figurent notamment :

• Abdoul Aziz Goma, défenseur des droits humains engagé dans la liberté de manifestation;
• René Missode Koffi, connu sous le nom de « À votre avis », créateur de contenu engagé poursuivi pour ses prises de position critiques ;
• Grâce Koumayi Bikonibiyate, sage-femme et militante, arrêtée lors de mobilisations sociales et ayant dénoncé des mauvais traitements en détention ;
• Armand Agblézé et Oséi Agbagno, membres du mouvement « Tournons la page Togo », poursuivis pour leur participation à des mobilisations citoyennes ;
• Foly Satchivi, porte-parole du mouvement « En Aucun Cas », régulièrement visé pour son engagement public ;
• Amanvi Katanga, activiste connue pour ses prises de position critiques envers les autorités et son engagement dans des mouvements civiques et citoyens :
• Honoré Sitsopé Sokpor, dit « Affectio », poète engagé, arrêté pour ses expressions artistiques critiques.

Ces personnes ont été arrêtées et, pour certaines, condamnées dans le contexte des mobilisations sociopolitiques successives, notamment lors des manifestations de 2017 et des mouvements plus récents de 2025. Dans la majorité des cas, les poursuites reposent sur des infractions telles que le « trouble aggravé à l’ordre public » ou d’autres qualifications pénales qui criminalisent en réalité l’exercice des droits à la liberté d’expression et de réunion pacifique. Plusieurs de ces procédures ont été entachées d’irrégularités, d’un usage excessif de la force et d’allégations crédibles de torture et mauvais traitements. Des poursuites pénales toujours en cours et une insécurité juridique persistante Un mois après ces mesures de clémence, les organisations signataires constatent avec préoccupation que de nombreux·ses défenseur·es et activistes libéré·es demeurent sous le coup de poursuites pénales. Cette situation entretient un climat d’insécurité juridique, de pression judiciaire et d’autocensure, incompatible avec un État de droit respectueux des libertés publiques. Si M. Faure Gnassingbé, Président du Conseil des ministres, a usé de ses prérogatives pour ordonner certaines libérations par voie de grâce, il appartient désormais au ministère public et au Procureur de la République, conformément à l’article 34 du Code de procédure pénale, d’abandonner définitivement ces poursuites, en raison :

• de leur caractère arbitraire ;
• de leur absence de légitimité ;
• de leur incompatibilité avec les engagements internationaux du Togo.

En revanche, aucune enquête indépendante, impartiale et effective n’a été ouverte à ce jour sur les allégations de torture et de mauvais traitements formulées par certain·es détenu·es, à l’exception du cas de Mme Grâce Koumayi. Cette absence de reddition des comptes alimente l’impunité et fragilise la crédibilité des institutions judiciaires alors que la torture au Togo représente un risque considérable selon l’Index Mondial de la Torture 2025 de l’OMCT. Des libérations favorables à l’apaisement, mais insuffisantes sans dialogue institutionnel L’Observatoire et les organisations signataires estiment que ces libérations contribuent à l’apaisement du climat sociopolitique et constituent une étape importante vers la recherche de solutions pacifiques et respectueuses des droits humains. Les mobilisations observées au cours des dix dernières années illustrent l’existence de désaccords sociopolitiques profonds, persistants et structurels. Ces tensions ne peuvent être réglées durablement par le recours à la force, aux arrestations massives et aux condamnations judiciaires. Ces pratiques maintiennent en réalité une société fracturée, privée d’intermédiaires sociaux crédibles et de cadres de dialogue inclusifs. Les défenseur·es des droits humains, les activistes et les artistes engagé·es ne sont pas des fauteurs de troubles. Ils et elles sont les porte-paroles légitimes d’une partie importante de la population. Les réduire au silence par la répression et le harcèlement judiciaire ne permettra ni de restaurer la confiance, ni de consolider la stabilité politique. L’entrée en vigueur progressive de la nouvelle Constitution du 18 avril 2024 constitue une opportunité majeure pour engager des discussions franches, inclusives et responsables avec les personnes récemment libérées, la société civile, les mouvements citoyens et les autres acteurs concernés. Les organisations signataires appellent les autorités togolaises à saisir cette opportunité afin de transformer ces mesures de clémence en un véritable processus de dialogue national, fondé sur :

• la reconnaissance des libertés publiques ;
• le respect du pluralisme ;
• la prévention des conflits ;
• la recherche de compromis durables.

Recommandations Les organisations signataires appellent les autorités togolaises à :

1. Abandonner sans délai toutes les charges et poursuites visant les défenseur·es des droits humains, activistes et manifestant·es libéré·es pour l’exercice pacifique de leurs droits ;
2. Garantir la protection effective des défenseur·es contre toute forme de harcèlement judiciaire, administratif ou sécuritaire ;
3. Ouvrir des enquêtes indépendantes sur toutes les allégations de torture et de mauvais traitements ;
4. Mettre fin à la criminalisation de la contestation pacifique et aligner la législation nationale sur les normes internationales, notamment celles énoncées dans la Charte africaine des droits de l’Homme et des peuples et dans le Pacte international relatif aux droits civils et politiques, que le Togo a ratifiés ;
5. Instaurer un cadre permanent de dialogue avec la société civile et les mouvements citoyens.

L’Observatoire pour la protection des défenseur·es des droits humains, le CACIT, le CDFDH et la LTDH, continueront à suivre étroitement l’évolution de la situation et à formuler des recommandations constructives en vue de promouvoir une paix sociale fondée sur la justice, le dialogue et la participation citoyenne.]]> https://observatoryfordefenders.org/fr/alert/venezuela-por-la-liberacion-inmediata-e-incondicional-de-todas-las-personas-defensoras-de-derechos-humanos-en-detencion-arbitraria/ Wed, 04 Feb 2026 19:11:26 +0000 https://observatoryfordefenders.org/?post_type=alert&p=25121 Ginebra-París, 4 febrero 2026- El Observatorio para la Protección de las Personas Defensoras de Derechos Humanos, programa conjunto de la Organización Mundial Contra la Tortura (OMCT) y de la Federación Internacional por los Derechos Humanos (FIDH), celebra las recientes excarcelaciones de varias personas defensoras detenidas arbitrariamente en Venezuela. El Observatorio señala que estas personas nunca debieron haber sido privadas de libertad por ejercer su labor legítima de defensa de derechos humanos. Sus excarcelaciones no constituyen aún liberaciones plenas; por ello, instamos a que se garantice de manera inmediata la liberación plena y sin condiciones, junto con el sobreseimiento de todas las causas penales pendientes y la eliminación de sus antecedentes policiales y judiciales. El Observatorio celebra concretamente la excarcelación del abogado Eduardo Torres, abogado laboralista y miembro desde hace más de cinco años de PROVEA, organización miembro de la FIDH, quien fue liberado el 31 de enero de 2026 tras haber sido detenido arbitrariamente luego de su desaparición forzada el 9 de mayo de 2025. Asimismo, celebramos la excarcelación del defensor Javier Tarazona confirmada el 1 febrero 2026, director de Fundaredes, detenido desde 2021 y recluido en El Helicoide por más de cuatro años. Acogemos igualmente la liberación de Rocío San Miguel, directora de Control Ciudadano, excarcelada el 8 de enero de 2026 tras casi dos años de detención y la de Kennedy Tejeda, abogado del Foro Penal Venezolano, excarcelado el 25 de enero de 2026 tras un año y cinco meses de detención. Según Foro Penal, 344 personas consideradas presas políticas han sido liberadas desde el 8 de enero. Cabe resaltar que estas excarcelaciones no compensan las horas, días y meses transcurridos en situación de privación de libertad por razones injustas, ni la situación de las numerosas personas defensoras, periodistas y activistas que siguen detenidas en centros de tortura, bajo condiciones inhumanas o sometidas a procesos penales en represalia por su defensa de derechos humanos. El Observatorio recuerda que la detención arbitraria se ha convertido en una práctica sistemática de represión para silenciar voces críticas y debilitar el espacio cívico en Venezuela, como detallado en el Informe sobre la situación de personas defensoras de derechos humanos: “La continuación de una política de persecución, intimidación, estigmatización y hostigamiento” de noviembre 2024 del Observatorio. Esta práctica genera un clima de miedo y tiene un efecto disuasorio profundo sobre el ejercicio legítimo de los derechos a la libertad de expresión, asociación, reunión pacífica y el derecho a defender derechos humanos. Las personas defensoras son con frecuencia sometidas a acusaciones infundadas y campañas difamatorias, a juicios sin garantías y al uso indebido de narrativas y de figuras penales vinculadas al terrorismo o la seguridad nacional, en abierta violación de los estándares internacionales de derechos humanos. El contexto político actual crea aún más incertidumbre sobre estos riesgos. Tras las elecciones presidenciales de julio de 2024, la declaración de estado de excepción y, más recientemente, la intervención militar ilegal de los Estados Unidos de America, contraria a al respeto de la integridad territorial y al principio de no intervención, tal como lo establecen la Carta de las Naciones Unidas y la Carta de la OEA, y sus intentos de administrar territorio venezolano, la situación se ha vuelto más compleja e inestable. Frente al riesgo de nuevas y graves violaciones, la militarización, las restricciones a la protesta pacífica y la autorización de detenciones preventivas, la prioridad debe ser garantizar de manera inmediata y efectiva la protección de la población civil y el pleno respeto de sus derechos humanos. El Observatorio insta a las autoridades venezolanas a garantizar la liberación inmediata, plena e incondicional de todas las personas detenidas arbitrariamente como paso indispensable hacia cualquier proceso de diálogo o transición democrática genuino. El Observatorio insta a avanzar en la elaboración de un proyecto de Ley de Amnistía para personas privadas de libertad por razones políticas, llamando a que dicho instrumento no obstaculice la investigación ni la eventual sanción de las violaciones de derechos humanos ocurridas en Venezuela, y que se priorize el cumplimiento de los principios internacionales de verdad, justicia y reparación a las víctimas. En la misma línea, el Observatorio recuerda y subraya que el Decálogo de Exigencias Prioritarias, firmado por varias organizaciones de la sociedad civil nacionales y internacionales, sitúa como primera medida la “liberación plena, incondicional e inmediata de todas las personas —nacionales y extranjeras - que se encuentran privadas arbitrariamente de la libertad o sometidas a procesos judiciales por razones políticas, con el acompañamiento de mecanismos transparentes de verificación. Ello implica también el cese de todas las formas de detención arbitraria y desaparición forzada, así como de las medidas cautelares asociadas a procesos judiciales injustificados.”. El Observatorio expresa su solidaridad con todas las personas defensoras en Venezuela y continuará monitoreando la situación de cerca.]]> Ginebra-París, 4 febrero 2026- El Observatorio para la Protección de las Personas Defensoras de Derechos Humanos, programa conjunto de la Organización Mundial Contra la Tortura (OMCT) y de la Federación Internacional por los Derechos Humanos (FIDH), celebra las recientes excarcelaciones de varias personas defensoras detenidas arbitrariamente en Venezuela. El Observatorio señala que estas personas nunca debieron haber sido privadas de libertad por ejercer su labor legítima de defensa de derechos humanos. Sus excarcelaciones no constituyen aún liberaciones plenas; por ello, instamos a que se garantice de manera inmediata la liberación plena y sin condiciones, junto con el sobreseimiento de todas las causas penales pendientes y la eliminación de sus antecedentes policiales y judiciales. El Observatorio celebra concretamente la excarcelación del abogado Eduardo Torres, abogado laboralista y miembro desde hace más de cinco años de PROVEA, organización miembro de la FIDH, quien fue liberado el 31 de enero de 2026 tras haber sido detenido arbitrariamente luego de su desaparición forzada el 9 de mayo de 2025. Asimismo, celebramos la excarcelación del defensor Javier Tarazona confirmada el 1 febrero 2026, director de Fundaredes, detenido desde 2021 y recluido en El Helicoide por más de cuatro años. Acogemos igualmente la liberación de Rocío San Miguel, directora de Control Ciudadano, excarcelada el 8 de enero de 2026 tras casi dos años de detención y la de Kennedy Tejeda, abogado del Foro Penal Venezolano, excarcelado el 25 de enero de 2026 tras un año y cinco meses de detención. Según Foro Penal, 344 personas consideradas presas políticas han sido liberadas desde el 8 de enero. Cabe resaltar que estas excarcelaciones no compensan las horas, días y meses transcurridos en situación de privación de libertad por razones injustas, ni la situación de las numerosas personas defensoras, periodistas y activistas que siguen detenidas en centros de tortura, bajo condiciones inhumanas o sometidas a procesos penales en represalia por su defensa de derechos humanos. El Observatorio recuerda que la detención arbitraria se ha convertido en una práctica sistemática de represión para silenciar voces críticas y debilitar el espacio cívico en Venezuela, como detallado en el Informe sobre la situación de personas defensoras de derechos humanos: “La continuación de una política de persecución, intimidación, estigmatización y hostigamiento” de noviembre 2024 del Observatorio. Esta práctica genera un clima de miedo y tiene un efecto disuasorio profundo sobre el ejercicio legítimo de los derechos a la libertad de expresión, asociación, reunión pacífica y el derecho a defender derechos humanos. Las personas defensoras son con frecuencia sometidas a acusaciones infundadas y campañas difamatorias, a juicios sin garantías y al uso indebido de narrativas y de figuras penales vinculadas al terrorismo o la seguridad nacional, en abierta violación de los estándares internacionales de derechos humanos. El contexto político actual crea aún más incertidumbre sobre estos riesgos. Tras las elecciones presidenciales de julio de 2024, la declaración de estado de excepción y, más recientemente, la intervención militar ilegal de los Estados Unidos de America, contraria a al respeto de la integridad territorial y al principio de no intervención, tal como lo establecen la Carta de las Naciones Unidas y la Carta de la OEA, y sus intentos de administrar territorio venezolano, la situación se ha vuelto más compleja e inestable. Frente al riesgo de nuevas y graves violaciones, la militarización, las restricciones a la protesta pacífica y la autorización de detenciones preventivas, la prioridad debe ser garantizar de manera inmediata y efectiva la protección de la población civil y el pleno respeto de sus derechos humanos. El Observatorio insta a las autoridades venezolanas a garantizar la liberación inmediata, plena e incondicional de todas las personas detenidas arbitrariamente como paso indispensable hacia cualquier proceso de diálogo o transición democrática genuino. El Observatorio insta a avanzar en la elaboración de un proyecto de Ley de Amnistía para personas privadas de libertad por razones políticas, llamando a que dicho instrumento no obstaculice la investigación ni la eventual sanción de las violaciones de derechos humanos ocurridas en Venezuela, y que se priorize el cumplimiento de los principios internacionales de verdad, justicia y reparación a las víctimas. En la misma línea, el Observatorio recuerda y subraya que el Decálogo de Exigencias Prioritarias, firmado por varias organizaciones de la sociedad civil nacionales y internacionales, sitúa como primera medida la “liberación plena, incondicional e inmediata de todas las personas —nacionales y extranjeras - que se encuentran privadas arbitrariamente de la libertad o sometidas a procesos judiciales por razones políticas, con el acompañamiento de mecanismos transparentes de verificación. Ello implica también el cese de todas las formas de detención arbitraria y desaparición forzada, así como de las medidas cautelares asociadas a procesos judiciales injustificados.”. El Observatorio expresa su solidaridad con todas las personas defensoras en Venezuela y continuará monitoreando la situación de cerca.]]> https://observatoryfordefenders.org/fr/alert/tunisie-liberation-des-detenu%c2%b7es-dans-laffaire-tunisie-terre-dasile/ Mon, 12 Jan 2026 20:35:51 +0000 https://observatoryfordefenders.org/?post_type=alert&p=25107 L’Observatoire pour la protection des défenseur·es des droits humains, un partenariat de l’Organisation mondiale contre la torture (OMCT) et de la Fédération internationale pour les droits humains (FIDH), salue la libération de Cherifa Riahi, Mohamed Joo, Yadh Bousalmi, membres de « Tunisie, Terre d’asile », ainsi que les défenseur.es Iman Ouerdani, militante et ancien adjointe au maire de la municipalité de Sousse et Mohamed Iqbal Khaled, ancien maire de la ville de Sousse, mais exprime également sa vive inquiétude quant à leur condamnation à deux ans de prison avec sursis. La libération des cinq accusé·es dans l’affaire « Tunisie, Terre d’asile » le mardi 6 janvier 2026, après près de deux ans de détention provisoire, intervient dans un contexte de mobilisation intense de la société civile tunisienne, régionale et internationale dont l’Observatoire, et celle des procédures spéciales des Nations unies, notamment de la Rapporteuse des Nations unies sur les défenseur.es des droits humains Mary Lawlor, qui ont appelé de manière répétée à la libération des défenseur·es des droits des personnes migrantes arbitrairement détenu·es. L’Observatoire souligne que Cherifa Riahi, Mohamed Joo Yadh Bousselmi, Iman Ouerdani et Mohamed Iqbal Khaled n’auraient jamais dû être arrêté·es en représailles à leur travail et regrette leur condamnation prononcée par les juridictions nationales, qui criminalise le travail de « Tunisie, Terre d’Asile » et celui des défenseur·es des droits humains des personnes migrantes, et met en danger le cadre législatif protégeant les personnes migrantes. Le 5 janvier 2026, la chambre pénale du tribunal de première instance de Tunis a en effet condamné les cinq activistes à deux ans de prison avec sursis pour « facilitation de l’entrée et du séjour irréguliers de migrants » sur la base la loi n° 68-7 de 1968 relative à la condition des étrangers et la loi n° 40 de 1975 sur les passeports et documents de voyage. Ces défenseur·es des droits des personnes migrantes avaient été placé·es en détention provisoire en mai 2024, alors qu’ils mettaient en œuvre des actions humanitaire d'aide aux demandeur·es d'asile et migran·tes vulnérables dans le cadre d'un programme approuvé par l'État tunisien, en coordination directe avec le gouvernement, les collectivités locales et les agences onusiennes. Une grande partie des accusations initiales, y compris les chefs de « blanchiment d’argent » sur la base de la Loi organique n° 2015-26 du 7 août 2015, relative à la lutte contre le terrorisme et à la répression du blanchiment d’argent et « d’abus de fonction », selon le code pénal tunisien, ont été abandonnées par la chambre de mise en accusation, notamment grâce à la pression de la société civile. L’Observatoire rappelle que les arrestations de ces cinq activistes s’inscrivent dans un contexte de répression généralisée de la société civile par les autorités tunisiennes, marqué par des poursuites judiciaires contre des militant·es et défenseur·es des droits, des campagnes de dénigrement orchestrées dans les médias, et des pressions croissantes sur les syndicats et les journalistes. En novembre 2025, l’Observatoire avait déjà mis en lumière les suspensions d’une durée d’un mois d’organisations telles que le Forum tunisien pour les droits économiques et sociaux (FTDES), qui travaille sur l’aide aux personnes migrant·es dans le pays. Conformément aux engagements de la Tunisie, l’Observatoire tient à réaffirmer que les autorités doivent garantir en toutes circonstances les droits à la liberté d’association, d’expression et de manifestation pacifique dans le pays, tels que consacrés par le droit international des droits humains, en particulier les articles 22, 19 et 21 – respectivement - du Pacte international relatif aux droits civils et politiques (PIDCP), ainsi que le droit international de la migration tel qu’encadré par plusieurs instruments notamment la convention relative au statut des réfugiés et le pacte international relatif aux droits économiques, sociaux et culturels. L’Observatoire appelle enfin le gouvernement tunisien à libérer de toute urgence tou·tes les défenseur·es des droits encore arbitrairement détenu·es en raison de leur travail ayant trait aux droits des personnes migrantes et à la lutte anti-raciste, notamment Saadia Mosbah, Saloua Ghrissa et Abdallah Said et d’abandonner les charges retenues à leur encontre, et de cesser les attaques visant à restreindre les activités des organisations de défense des droits des personnes migrantes.]]> L’Observatoire pour la protection des défenseur·es des droits humains, un partenariat de l’Organisation mondiale contre la torture (OMCT) et de la Fédération internationale pour les droits humains (FIDH), salue la libération de Cherifa Riahi, Mohamed Joo, Yadh Bousalmi, membres de « Tunisie, Terre d’asile », ainsi que les défenseur.es Iman Ouerdani, militante et ancien adjointe au maire de la municipalité de Sousse et Mohamed Iqbal Khaled, ancien maire de la ville de Sousse, mais exprime également sa vive inquiétude quant à leur condamnation à deux ans de prison avec sursis. La libération des cinq accusé·es dans l’affaire « Tunisie, Terre d’asile » le mardi 6 janvier 2026, après près de deux ans de détention provisoire, intervient dans un contexte de mobilisation intense de la société civile tunisienne, régionale et internationale dont l’Observatoire, et celle des procédures spéciales des Nations unies, notamment de la Rapporteuse des Nations unies sur les défenseur.es des droits humains Mary Lawlor, qui ont appelé de manière répétée à la libération des défenseur·es des droits des personnes migrantes arbitrairement détenu·es. L’Observatoire souligne que Cherifa Riahi, Mohamed Joo Yadh Bousselmi, Iman Ouerdani et Mohamed Iqbal Khaled n’auraient jamais dû être arrêté·es en représailles à leur travail et regrette leur condamnation prononcée par les juridictions nationales, qui criminalise le travail de « Tunisie, Terre d’Asile » et celui des défenseur·es des droits humains des personnes migrantes, et met en danger le cadre législatif protégeant les personnes migrantes. Le 5 janvier 2026, la chambre pénale du tribunal de première instance de Tunis a en effet condamné les cinq activistes à deux ans de prison avec sursis pour « facilitation de l’entrée et du séjour irréguliers de migrants » sur la base la loi n° 68-7 de 1968 relative à la condition des étrangers et la loi n° 40 de 1975 sur les passeports et documents de voyage. Ces défenseur·es des droits des personnes migrantes avaient été placé·es en détention provisoire en mai 2024, alors qu’ils mettaient en œuvre des actions humanitaire d'aide aux demandeur·es d'asile et migran·tes vulnérables dans le cadre d'un programme approuvé par l'État tunisien, en coordination directe avec le gouvernement, les collectivités locales et les agences onusiennes. Une grande partie des accusations initiales, y compris les chefs de « blanchiment d’argent » sur la base de la Loi organique n° 2015-26 du 7 août 2015, relative à la lutte contre le terrorisme et à la répression du blanchiment d’argent et « d’abus de fonction », selon le code pénal tunisien, ont été abandonnées par la chambre de mise en accusation, notamment grâce à la pression de la société civile. L’Observatoire rappelle que les arrestations de ces cinq activistes s’inscrivent dans un contexte de répression généralisée de la société civile par les autorités tunisiennes, marqué par des poursuites judiciaires contre des militant·es et défenseur·es des droits, des campagnes de dénigrement orchestrées dans les médias, et des pressions croissantes sur les syndicats et les journalistes. En novembre 2025, l’Observatoire avait déjà mis en lumière les suspensions d’une durée d’un mois d’organisations telles que le Forum tunisien pour les droits économiques et sociaux (FTDES), qui travaille sur l’aide aux personnes migrant·es dans le pays. Conformément aux engagements de la Tunisie, l’Observatoire tient à réaffirmer que les autorités doivent garantir en toutes circonstances les droits à la liberté d’association, d’expression et de manifestation pacifique dans le pays, tels que consacrés par le droit international des droits humains, en particulier les articles 22, 19 et 21 – respectivement - du Pacte international relatif aux droits civils et politiques (PIDCP), ainsi que le droit international de la migration tel qu’encadré par plusieurs instruments notamment la convention relative au statut des réfugiés et le pacte international relatif aux droits économiques, sociaux et culturels. L’Observatoire appelle enfin le gouvernement tunisien à libérer de toute urgence tou·tes les défenseur·es des droits encore arbitrairement détenu·es en raison de leur travail ayant trait aux droits des personnes migrantes et à la lutte anti-raciste, notamment Saadia Mosbah, Saloua Ghrissa et Abdallah Said et d’abandonner les charges retenues à leur encontre, et de cesser les attaques visant à restreindre les activités des organisations de défense des droits des personnes migrantes.]]> https://observatoryfordefenders.org/fr/alert/belarus-release-of-political-prisoners-is-a-necessary-but-insufficient-step-all-arbitrarily-detained-human-rights-defenders-must-be-released/ Mon, 15 Dec 2025 16:56:29 +0000 https://observatoryfordefenders.org/?post_type=alert&p=24269 Paris-Geneva, 15 December 2025 - On 13 December, the regime of Aliaksandr Lukashenko released over a hundred political prisoners following an agreement with the United States to lift sanctions on Belarusian potash. Among the released are prominent human rights defenders and Viasna members Ales Bialiatski and Uladzimir Labkovich, as well as key opposition figures, such as Maryia Kalesnikava, Viktar Babaryka and lawyer Maksim Znak. The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders (a partnership of FIDH and OMCT) and the undersigned organisations welcome this long-awaited release, which constitutes a necessary but insufficient step, as all arbitrarily detained human rights defenders, including former FIDH Vice President and Viasna colleague Valiantsin Stefanovic, Viasna team member Marfa Rabkova, and woman human rights defender Nasta Loika must be released now. The Observatory recalls that Ales Bialiatski, 2022 Nobel Peace Prize laureate and former Vice President of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), and Viasna lawyer Uladzimir Labkovich were arbitrarily detained on 14 July 2021, prosecuted, and sentenced to ten and seven years of prison respectively on 3 March 2023, in retaliation for their legitimate and peaceful human rights activities. Their imprisonment constituted a grave violation of Belarus’ international human rights obligations, including the rights to freedom of expression, association, and fair trial. While their release brings long-overdue relief to them, their families, their colleagues and the human rights community around the world, the Observatory stresses that this step remains insufficient as long as hundreds of human rights defenders, journalists, lawyers, activists, and political opponents remain arbitrarily detained in Belarus on politically motivated charges solely for exercising their fundamental freedoms, and repressions against Belarusian dissidents continue unabated. In particular, Valiantsin Stefanovic, former Vice President of FIDH arrested along Ales Bialiatski and Uladzimir Labkovic in July 2021, women human rights defender and Viasna member Marfa Rabkova, detained since September 2020, and founder of Human Constanta woman human rights defender Nasta Loika, arbitrarily detained since September 2022, were not among the released political prisoners. Alongside them, numerous human rights journalists, lawyers, and trade union activists remain arbitrarily detained, including Andrzej Poczobut, Katsiaryna Andreyeva, Ihar Ilyash, Danil Palianski, Pavel Dabravolski, Andrei Aliaksandrau, and many others. The Observatory and the undersigned organisations call on the Belarusian authorities to immediately and unconditionally release all human rights defenders and political prisoners who have been arbitrarily detained, to put an end to judicial harassment and reprisals against civil society, and to repeal repressive legislation used to criminalise peaceful dissent and freedom of expression. The authorities must also ensure full rehabilitation, including the quashing of convictions and restoration of civil and political rights, for all those unlawfully detained for years. The Observatory and the undersigned organisations further urge the international community to continue to closely monitor the situation in Belarus and to take all available legal, political and diplomatic measures to ensure accountability for the grave human rights violations and international crimes, including by referring the situation to the International Criminal Court.]]> Paris-Geneva, 15 December 2025 - On 13 December, the regime of Aliaksandr Lukashenko released over a hundred political prisoners following an agreement with the United States to lift sanctions on Belarusian potash. Among the released are prominent human rights defenders and Viasna members Ales Bialiatski and Uladzimir Labkovich, as well as key opposition figures, such as Maryia Kalesnikava, Viktar Babaryka and lawyer Maksim Znak. The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders (a partnership of FIDH and OMCT) and the undersigned organisations welcome this long-awaited release, which constitutes a necessary but insufficient step, as all arbitrarily detained human rights defenders, including former FIDH Vice President and Viasna colleague Valiantsin Stefanovic, Viasna team member Marfa Rabkova, and woman human rights defender Nasta Loika must be released now. The Observatory recalls that Ales Bialiatski, 2022 Nobel Peace Prize laureate and former Vice President of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), and Viasna lawyer Uladzimir Labkovich were arbitrarily detained on 14 July 2021, prosecuted, and sentenced to ten and seven years of prison respectively on 3 March 2023, in retaliation for their legitimate and peaceful human rights activities. Their imprisonment constituted a grave violation of Belarus’ international human rights obligations, including the rights to freedom of expression, association, and fair trial. While their release brings long-overdue relief to them, their families, their colleagues and the human rights community around the world, the Observatory stresses that this step remains insufficient as long as hundreds of human rights defenders, journalists, lawyers, activists, and political opponents remain arbitrarily detained in Belarus on politically motivated charges solely for exercising their fundamental freedoms, and repressions against Belarusian dissidents continue unabated. In particular, Valiantsin Stefanovic, former Vice President of FIDH arrested along Ales Bialiatski and Uladzimir Labkovic in July 2021, women human rights defender and Viasna member Marfa Rabkova, detained since September 2020, and founder of Human Constanta woman human rights defender Nasta Loika, arbitrarily detained since September 2022, were not among the released political prisoners. Alongside them, numerous human rights journalists, lawyers, and trade union activists remain arbitrarily detained, including Andrzej Poczobut, Katsiaryna Andreyeva, Ihar Ilyash, Danil Palianski, Pavel Dabravolski, Andrei Aliaksandrau, and many others. The Observatory and the undersigned organisations call on the Belarusian authorities to immediately and unconditionally release all human rights defenders and political prisoners who have been arbitrarily detained, to put an end to judicial harassment and reprisals against civil society, and to repeal repressive legislation used to criminalise peaceful dissent and freedom of expression. The authorities must also ensure full rehabilitation, including the quashing of convictions and restoration of civil and political rights, for all those unlawfully detained for years. The Observatory and the undersigned organisations further urge the international community to continue to closely monitor the situation in Belarus and to take all available legal, political and diplomatic measures to ensure accountability for the grave human rights violations and international crimes, including by referring the situation to the International Criminal Court.]]> https://observatoryfordefenders.org/fr/alert/turkey-joint-statement-ahead-of-the-hearings-of-betul-vangolu-kozagacli-and-seda-saraldi-chd/ Tue, 11 Feb 2025 13:54:20 +0000 https://observatoryfordefenders.org/?post_type=alert&p=22945 February 11, 2025 – Ahead of the upcoming judicial hearings in the cases of Betül Vangölü Kozağaçlı and Seda Şaraldı, lawyers and members of the Progressive Lawyers' Association (Çağdaş Hukukçular Derneği - ÇHD), the undersigned organisations, including the Observatory for the protection of human right defenders (FIDH-OMCT), urge for the dismissal of all charges against them and call for their immediate release. Detained as reprisal for their legitimate human rights work, the cases of the ÇHD lawyers reflect the Turkish authorities' alarming pattern of increasing repression against civil society. We, the undersigned organisations, express solidarity with lawyers and members of the Progressive Lawyers' Association (ÇHD) who are currently facing unjust judicial persecution, criminalisation and arbitrary detention. Ahead of the upcoming judicial hearings in the cases of Betül Vangölü Kozağaçlı and Seda Şaraldı, scheduled for 12 February and 20 February 2025, respectively, we call on Turkish authorities to secure their right to a fair trial, to drop all charges against them, and to immediately and unconditionally release them. On 6 February 2024, an armed attack took place at the Çağlayan Courthouse, in Istanbul. Two attackers were shot by police, who later identified them as alleged members of the Revolutionary People’s Liberation Party/Front (DHKP/C). In the aftermath of the attack, several offices of various organisations were raided and ransacked by police forces across Istanbul. Among them was the People’s Law Office, where four lawyers, members of the ÇHD - Didem Baydar Ünsal, Berrak Çağlar, Seda Şaraldı, and Betül Vangölü Kozağaçlı - were detained. Despite the lack of any evidence linking them to any criminal activity and based solely on their work as lawyers, they have been accused of "membership in an illegal organisation", a charge frequently used by authorities in Turkey to target lawyers, journalists and human rights defenders. Since then, Betül and Seda have been in pre-trial detention, and in Seda's case, her detention has not been reviewed since it began. These cases evidence Turkish authorities’ systematic practice of threatening and harassing lawyers as a tactic to silence dissent. By cracking down on members of ÇHD, an organisation known for defending individuals facing state repression and human rights violations, Turkish authorities are both targeting the lawyers’ legitimate human rights work, and their clients’ right to defence. Ahead of the new hearings in the cases of Betül Vangölü Kozağaçlı and Seda Şaraldı, we urge authorities in Turkey to drop all charges and immediately and unconditionally release them, as well as all members of ÇHD and human rights defenders imprisoned in the country. The listed organisations remind the Court and the authorities in Turkey that the world is watching.]]> February 11, 2025 – Ahead of the upcoming judicial hearings in the cases of Betül Vangölü Kozağaçlı and Seda Şaraldı, lawyers and members of the Progressive Lawyers' Association (Çağdaş Hukukçular Derneği - ÇHD), the undersigned organisations, including the Observatory for the protection of human right defenders (FIDH-OMCT), urge for the dismissal of all charges against them and call for their immediate release. Detained as reprisal for their legitimate human rights work, the cases of the ÇHD lawyers reflect the Turkish authorities' alarming pattern of increasing repression against civil society. We, the undersigned organisations, express solidarity with lawyers and members of the Progressive Lawyers' Association (ÇHD) who are currently facing unjust judicial persecution, criminalisation and arbitrary detention. Ahead of the upcoming judicial hearings in the cases of Betül Vangölü Kozağaçlı and Seda Şaraldı, scheduled for 12 February and 20 February 2025, respectively, we call on Turkish authorities to secure their right to a fair trial, to drop all charges against them, and to immediately and unconditionally release them. On 6 February 2024, an armed attack took place at the Çağlayan Courthouse, in Istanbul. Two attackers were shot by police, who later identified them as alleged members of the Revolutionary People’s Liberation Party/Front (DHKP/C). In the aftermath of the attack, several offices of various organisations were raided and ransacked by police forces across Istanbul. Among them was the People’s Law Office, where four lawyers, members of the ÇHD - Didem Baydar Ünsal, Berrak Çağlar, Seda Şaraldı, and Betül Vangölü Kozağaçlı - were detained. Despite the lack of any evidence linking them to any criminal activity and based solely on their work as lawyers, they have been accused of "membership in an illegal organisation", a charge frequently used by authorities in Turkey to target lawyers, journalists and human rights defenders. Since then, Betül and Seda have been in pre-trial detention, and in Seda's case, her detention has not been reviewed since it began. These cases evidence Turkish authorities’ systematic practice of threatening and harassing lawyers as a tactic to silence dissent. By cracking down on members of ÇHD, an organisation known for defending individuals facing state repression and human rights violations, Turkish authorities are both targeting the lawyers’ legitimate human rights work, and their clients’ right to defence. Ahead of the new hearings in the cases of Betül Vangölü Kozağaçlı and Seda Şaraldı, we urge authorities in Turkey to drop all charges and immediately and unconditionally release them, as well as all members of ÇHD and human rights defenders imprisoned in the country. The listed organisations remind the Court and the authorities in Turkey that the world is watching.]]> https://observatoryfordefenders.org/fr/alert/russia-human-rights-defender-oleg-orlov-released/ Fri, 02 Aug 2024 13:58:04 +0000 https://observatoryfordefenders.org/?post_type=alert&p=22253 Paris-Geneva, August 2, 2024 – On August 1, 2024, Oleg Orlov was released as part of a prisoner exchange after more than five months of arbitrary detention and years of judicial harassment. The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders (FIDH-OMCT) is deeply relieved by the news and welcomes the efforts of the countries that contributed to his release. The Observatory however recalls that he should never have been detained in the first place and calls on all other human rights defenders and political prisoners to be released.   Oleg Orlov has been released and is now safe and out of Russia. He was freed as part of a broader prisoner exchange between Russia and Western countries, along with 15 other Russian political prisoners - journalists, activists and political opponents of Vladimir Putin's regime.   “Oleg never wanted to leave Russia. Even when he was first hinted at and then threatened. He never asked for a pardon or an exchange. But the authorities found a way to get rid of one of the country's best people”, declared Natalia Morozova, acting head of FIDH’s Eastern Europe and Central Asia desk. “We are happy to see Oleg free, but this joy is overshadowed by the fact that he is in exile, and hundreds more political prisoners languish in Russia.”   Oleg Orlov was co-chairman of the Russian human rights NGO Memorial Human Rights Defence Center (HRDC “Memorial”), a member of FIDH. On July 9, 2024, the Paris City Council made Oleg Orlov an honorary citizen of Paris. He had already been awarded the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Expression in 2009, and the Moscow Helsinki Group Award in 2012.   “We have for years continuously documented and condemned intense judicial and other harassment of Oleg Orlov”, added Maryia Kvitsinskaya, Human Rights Adviser for Europe and Central Asia Programme at the OMCT. “His release is a significant achievement, but it also reflects the ongoing silencing of human rights defenders in Russia, which deprives the population of their most determined advocates.”   The end of years of judicial harassment   On October 11, 2023, the Golovinsky District Court of Moscow found Oleg Orlov guilty of "public actions aimed at discrediting the use of armed forces of the Russian Federation" and fined him 150,000 roubles (approximately 1,409 Euros). This followed his article "Russia: they wanted fascism, they got it" published in Le Club de Mediapart, on November 13, 2022. While Oleg Orlov filed a first appeal to request acquittal, the prosecutor's office also filed an appeal demanding three years’ imprisonment. On February 27, 2024, the Golovinsky District Court sentenced him to two years and six months in a correctional colony of the general regime and he was taken to detention center № 7 "Kapotnia" in Moscow. He appealed this decision on March 18, 2024. On April 17, 2024, even before the judgement was enforced, Mr. Orlov was transferred illegally to a pre-trial detention centre in Syzran, 900 kilometres from Moscow, preventing private consultations with his lawyer and impeding his right to a fair defence. On July 11, 2024, his appeal was rejected, enforcing the verdict of two years and six months of imprisonment in a correctional colony of the general regime. The Observatory welcomes the efforts of the international community that led to the release of Oleg Orlov. The Observatory calls for the continuation of these efforts to obtain the release of all other arbitrarily imprisoned human rights defenders in Russia and to allow them to continue their legitimate activities.   Contacts : FIDH : Raphaël Lopoukhine: rlopoukhine@fidh.org OMCT: Francesca Pezzola: fpe@omct.org]]> Paris-Geneva, August 2, 2024 – On August 1, 2024, Oleg Orlov was released as part of a prisoner exchange after more than five months of arbitrary detention and years of judicial harassment. The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders (FIDH-OMCT) is deeply relieved by the news and welcomes the efforts of the countries that contributed to his release. The Observatory however recalls that he should never have been detained in the first place and calls on all other human rights defenders and political prisoners to be released.   Oleg Orlov has been released and is now safe and out of Russia. He was freed as part of a broader prisoner exchange between Russia and Western countries, along with 15 other Russian political prisoners - journalists, activists and political opponents of Vladimir Putin's regime.   “Oleg never wanted to leave Russia. Even when he was first hinted at and then threatened. He never asked for a pardon or an exchange. But the authorities found a way to get rid of one of the country's best people”, declared Natalia Morozova, acting head of FIDH’s Eastern Europe and Central Asia desk. “We are happy to see Oleg free, but this joy is overshadowed by the fact that he is in exile, and hundreds more political prisoners languish in Russia.”   Oleg Orlov was co-chairman of the Russian human rights NGO Memorial Human Rights Defence Center (HRDC “Memorial”), a member of FIDH. On July 9, 2024, the Paris City Council made Oleg Orlov an honorary citizen of Paris. He had already been awarded the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Expression in 2009, and the Moscow Helsinki Group Award in 2012.   “We have for years continuously documented and condemned intense judicial and other harassment of Oleg Orlov”, added Maryia Kvitsinskaya, Human Rights Adviser for Europe and Central Asia Programme at the OMCT. “His release is a significant achievement, but it also reflects the ongoing silencing of human rights defenders in Russia, which deprives the population of their most determined advocates.”   The end of years of judicial harassment   On October 11, 2023, the Golovinsky District Court of Moscow found Oleg Orlov guilty of "public actions aimed at discrediting the use of armed forces of the Russian Federation" and fined him 150,000 roubles (approximately 1,409 Euros). This followed his article "Russia: they wanted fascism, they got it" published in Le Club de Mediapart, on November 13, 2022. While Oleg Orlov filed a first appeal to request acquittal, the prosecutor's office also filed an appeal demanding three years’ imprisonment. On February 27, 2024, the Golovinsky District Court sentenced him to two years and six months in a correctional colony of the general regime and he was taken to detention center № 7 "Kapotnia" in Moscow. He appealed this decision on March 18, 2024. On April 17, 2024, even before the judgement was enforced, Mr. Orlov was transferred illegally to a pre-trial detention centre in Syzran, 900 kilometres from Moscow, preventing private consultations with his lawyer and impeding his right to a fair defence. On July 11, 2024, his appeal was rejected, enforcing the verdict of two years and six months of imprisonment in a correctional colony of the general regime. The Observatory welcomes the efforts of the international community that led to the release of Oleg Orlov. The Observatory calls for the continuation of these efforts to obtain the release of all other arbitrarily imprisoned human rights defenders in Russia and to allow them to continue their legitimate activities.   Contacts : FIDH : Raphaël Lopoukhine: rlopoukhine@fidh.org OMCT: Francesca Pezzola: fpe@omct.org]]>