https://observatoryfordefenders.org Wed, 08 Apr 2026 13:28:36 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 https://observatoryfordefenders.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/cropped-OB-eye-orange-32x32.png https://observatoryfordefenders.org 32 32 https://observatoryfordefenders.org/alert/nicaragua-organizaciones-de-derechos-humanos-exigen-la-liberacion-inmediata-de-defensores-indigenas-mayangna-condenados-a-cadena-perpetua/ Thu, 02 Apr 2026 13:19:10 +0000 https://observatoryfordefenders.org/?post_type=alert&p=24611 Ignacio Celso Lino, Argüello Celso Lino, Donald Andrés Bruno Arcángel y Dionisio Robins Zacarías, autoridades indígenas y guardianes forestales del Territorio Mayangna Sauni As, ubicado en la Reserva de la Biosfera de Bosawás, quienes se encuentran privados de libertad desde 2021 en el Centro Penitenciario Jorge Navarro, conocido como “La Modelo”. Los cuatro defensores han desempeñado un rol fundamental en la protección de su territorio ancestral frente a invasiones de colonos armados, actividades extractivas ilegales y proyectos mineros impuestos sin el consentimiento libre, previo e informado de sus comunidades. Su labor como autoridades comunitarias y como guardianes forestales constituyen una expresión legítima del derecho de los pueblos indígenas a la autodeterminación, al control de sus tierras y a la defensa del medio ambiente, derechos reconocidos por instrumentos internacionales de los que el Estado de Nicaragua es parte. El 23 de agosto de 2021 se produjo un ataque armado en el punto de minería artesanal de Kiwakumbaih, en el que fueron asesinadas varias personas, incluidos muchos familiares de los hermanos Celso Lino, y se registraron actos de violencia sexual. Una de las personas asesinadas fue el administrador de la mina, quien era cuñado de los hermanos Celso Lino. Su viuda, hermana de los guardabosques, nunca inculpó a sus hermanos de estos hechos. Las personas sobrevivientes señalaron reiteradamente que los atacantes eran hombres no indígenas, que hablaban español, portaban armas de guerra y vestían indumentaria militar. Sin embargo, en lugar de investigar de manera diligente e imparcial la responsabilidad de estos grupos armados, la Policía Nacional acusó arbitrariamente a miembros del propio pueblo Mayangna, entre ellos a los cuatro defensores mencionados. Las detenciones se realizaron sin orden judicial, sin informarles los motivos de su arresto y sin garantizarles acceso inmediato a defensa técnica ni a interpretación, pese a que su lengua materna es el Mayangna. Tras su captura fueron víctimas de desaparición forzada durante varios meses, mientras sus familias interponían recursos de exhibición personal, que fueron rechazados. El proceso judicial contra estos defensores estuvo marcado por graves irregularidades. El juicio se celebró a puerta cerrada y jamás se individualizaron los hechos atribuidos a cada uno de los acusados. Solo uno de los guardabosques se encontraba en cerca del lugar de los hechos y los propios testigos afirmaron haberlo visto huir del ataque, al igual que otras personas sobrevivientes; los otros tres se encontraban lejos del sitio al momento de la masacre, lo que hacía imposible su participación. Por otro lado, no se presentaron pruebas materiales que los vincularan con los delitos imputados, no se exhibieron armas y la acusación se sustentó principalmente en testimonios de funcionarios públicos y agentes policiales que no estuvieron presentes durante el ataque. Antes de la sentencia, la Policía presentó públicamente a los guardabosques como autores materiales e intelectuales de los crímenes, vulnerando su presunción de inocencia. A pesar de la ausencia de pruebas suficientes, fueron condenados a cadena perpetua más años adicionales por cargos que no fueron debidamente acreditados. Actualmente su caso se encuentra pendiente de resolución mediante un recurso de casación ante la Sala Penal de la Corte Suprema de Justicia. Desde su traslado al sistema penitenciario en diciembre de 2021, los cuatro defensores han permanecido en condiciones inhumanas, sometidos a aislamiento prolongado, incomunicación, tratos crueles, amenazas y agresiones físicas y sexuales. Se les ha negado atención médica adecuada pese a su delicado estado de salud. Sus familiares, que cuentan con recursos limitados, deben recorrer aproximadamente 500 kilómetros para visitarlos y con frecuencia se les impide entregar alimentos y medicinas. Las visitas, cuando se autorizan, se limitan a breves conversaciones a través de un vidrio, sin contacto físico. Además, han sido hostigados por custodios y otros internos cuando hablan Mayangna. La violencia y los impactos físicos y psicosociales derivados de esta detención arbitraria y de este proceso judicial abusivo se ven aún más agravados por un enfoque discriminatorio que reproduce patrones de exclusión y racismo institucional contra los pueblos indígenas. Estos patrones se manifiestan particularmente en la falsa acusación, la negación sistemática de comunicaciones adecuadas, en la falta de acceso efectivo a defensa e interpretación en su propio idioma, en la desvalorización de su identidad cultural y en condiciones de reclusión que desconocen completamente su cosmovisión y dignidad como autoridades tradicionales, que profundizan el sufrimiento individual y colectivo de ellos y de sus comunidades. El caso ha sido objeto de pronunciamientos de mecanismos internacionales de protección. La Comisión Interamericana de Derechos Humanos otorgó medidas cautelares a su favor mediante la Resolución 20/2023 y la Corte Interamericana de Derechos Humanos ordenó el 27 de junio de 2023 su liberación. El 2 de octubre de 2024 el Grupo de Trabajo de las Naciones Unidas sobre la Detención Arbitraria emitió la Opinión A/HRC/WGAD/2024/30 declarando que su detención es arbitraria, que fueron privados de libertad por ejercer derechos protegidos por la Declaración sobre Defensores de Derechos Humanos y que el Estado debe proceder a su liberación y reparación. Hasta la fecha, estas decisiones no han sido cumplidas. El Grupo de Trabajo concluyó además que la falta de independencia e imparcialidad del sistema judicial en Nicaragua vulneró su derecho al debido proceso y que su encarcelamiento ha estado acompañado de aislamiento y tortura. El Observatorio para la Protección de los Defensores de Derechos Humanos (OMCT-FIDH) ha denunciado reiteradamente esta situación ante instancias nacionales e internacionales y ha documentado el patrón de persecución contra autoridades indígenas en la Costa Caribe de Nicaragua. Asimismo, en el marco de su campaña internacional “Faces of Hope” (Rostros de Esperanza), la OMCT ha visibilizado el caso de Ignacio Celso Lino, Argüello Celso Lino, Donald Andrés Bruno Arcángel y Dionisio Robins Zacarías, junto con el de otras personas defensoras en situación de detención arbitraria, con el objetivo de exigir su liberación y reafirmar que la defensa de los derechos humanos no puede ser criminalizada. El Observatorio y las demás organizaciones firmantes recuerdan que la criminalización de autoridades indígenas que defienden sus territorios constituye una violación del derecho a defender derechos humanos, del derecho a la libertad personal, del derecho al debido proceso y de los derechos colectivos de los pueblos indígenas sobre el territorio. En vista de los hechos expuestos, solicitamos a las autoridades del Estado de Nicaragua que:

• Garanticen de manera inmediata el derecho al debido proceso y a la tutela judicial efectiva en el marco del recurso de casación pendiente;
• Procedan a la liberación inmediata e incondicional de Ignacio Celso Lino, Argüello Celso Lino, Donald Andrés Bruno Arcángel y Dionisio Robins Zacarías, en cumplimiento de las decisiones internacionales vigentes;
• Investiguen de manera independiente las denuncias de tortura y malos tratos en el sistema penitenciario;
• Garanticen que las autoridades y líderes indígenas puedan ejercer legítimamente sus funciones de defensa del territorio y del medio ambiente sin temor a represalias, criminalización o detención arbitraria.

Confiando en su responsabilidad internacional y en su obligación de respetar y garantizar los derechos humanos, quedamos a su disposición para proporcionar cualquier información adicional que consideren necesaria y reiteramos nuestro llamado urgente a poner fin a esta situación de injusticia.]]> Ignacio Celso Lino, Argüello Celso Lino, Donald Andrés Bruno Arcángel y Dionisio Robins Zacarías, autoridades indígenas y guardianes forestales del Territorio Mayangna Sauni As, ubicado en la Reserva de la Biosfera de Bosawás, quienes se encuentran privados de libertad desde 2021 en el Centro Penitenciario Jorge Navarro, conocido como “La Modelo”. Los cuatro defensores han desempeñado un rol fundamental en la protección de su territorio ancestral frente a invasiones de colonos armados, actividades extractivas ilegales y proyectos mineros impuestos sin el consentimiento libre, previo e informado de sus comunidades. Su labor como autoridades comunitarias y como guardianes forestales constituyen una expresión legítima del derecho de los pueblos indígenas a la autodeterminación, al control de sus tierras y a la defensa del medio ambiente, derechos reconocidos por instrumentos internacionales de los que el Estado de Nicaragua es parte. El 23 de agosto de 2021 se produjo un ataque armado en el punto de minería artesanal de Kiwakumbaih, en el que fueron asesinadas varias personas, incluidos muchos familiares de los hermanos Celso Lino, y se registraron actos de violencia sexual. Una de las personas asesinadas fue el administrador de la mina, quien era cuñado de los hermanos Celso Lino. Su viuda, hermana de los guardabosques, nunca inculpó a sus hermanos de estos hechos. Las personas sobrevivientes señalaron reiteradamente que los atacantes eran hombres no indígenas, que hablaban español, portaban armas de guerra y vestían indumentaria militar. Sin embargo, en lugar de investigar de manera diligente e imparcial la responsabilidad de estos grupos armados, la Policía Nacional acusó arbitrariamente a miembros del propio pueblo Mayangna, entre ellos a los cuatro defensores mencionados. Las detenciones se realizaron sin orden judicial, sin informarles los motivos de su arresto y sin garantizarles acceso inmediato a defensa técnica ni a interpretación, pese a que su lengua materna es el Mayangna. Tras su captura fueron víctimas de desaparición forzada durante varios meses, mientras sus familias interponían recursos de exhibición personal, que fueron rechazados. El proceso judicial contra estos defensores estuvo marcado por graves irregularidades. El juicio se celebró a puerta cerrada y jamás se individualizaron los hechos atribuidos a cada uno de los acusados. Solo uno de los guardabosques se encontraba en cerca del lugar de los hechos y los propios testigos afirmaron haberlo visto huir del ataque, al igual que otras personas sobrevivientes; los otros tres se encontraban lejos del sitio al momento de la masacre, lo que hacía imposible su participación. Por otro lado, no se presentaron pruebas materiales que los vincularan con los delitos imputados, no se exhibieron armas y la acusación se sustentó principalmente en testimonios de funcionarios públicos y agentes policiales que no estuvieron presentes durante el ataque. Antes de la sentencia, la Policía presentó públicamente a los guardabosques como autores materiales e intelectuales de los crímenes, vulnerando su presunción de inocencia. A pesar de la ausencia de pruebas suficientes, fueron condenados a cadena perpetua más años adicionales por cargos que no fueron debidamente acreditados. Actualmente su caso se encuentra pendiente de resolución mediante un recurso de casación ante la Sala Penal de la Corte Suprema de Justicia. Desde su traslado al sistema penitenciario en diciembre de 2021, los cuatro defensores han permanecido en condiciones inhumanas, sometidos a aislamiento prolongado, incomunicación, tratos crueles, amenazas y agresiones físicas y sexuales. Se les ha negado atención médica adecuada pese a su delicado estado de salud. Sus familiares, que cuentan con recursos limitados, deben recorrer aproximadamente 500 kilómetros para visitarlos y con frecuencia se les impide entregar alimentos y medicinas. Las visitas, cuando se autorizan, se limitan a breves conversaciones a través de un vidrio, sin contacto físico. Además, han sido hostigados por custodios y otros internos cuando hablan Mayangna. La violencia y los impactos físicos y psicosociales derivados de esta detención arbitraria y de este proceso judicial abusivo se ven aún más agravados por un enfoque discriminatorio que reproduce patrones de exclusión y racismo institucional contra los pueblos indígenas. Estos patrones se manifiestan particularmente en la falsa acusación, la negación sistemática de comunicaciones adecuadas, en la falta de acceso efectivo a defensa e interpretación en su propio idioma, en la desvalorización de su identidad cultural y en condiciones de reclusión que desconocen completamente su cosmovisión y dignidad como autoridades tradicionales, que profundizan el sufrimiento individual y colectivo de ellos y de sus comunidades. El caso ha sido objeto de pronunciamientos de mecanismos internacionales de protección. La Comisión Interamericana de Derechos Humanos otorgó medidas cautelares a su favor mediante la Resolución 20/2023 y la Corte Interamericana de Derechos Humanos ordenó el 27 de junio de 2023 su liberación. El 2 de octubre de 2024 el Grupo de Trabajo de las Naciones Unidas sobre la Detención Arbitraria emitió la Opinión A/HRC/WGAD/2024/30 declarando que su detención es arbitraria, que fueron privados de libertad por ejercer derechos protegidos por la Declaración sobre Defensores de Derechos Humanos y que el Estado debe proceder a su liberación y reparación. Hasta la fecha, estas decisiones no han sido cumplidas. El Grupo de Trabajo concluyó además que la falta de independencia e imparcialidad del sistema judicial en Nicaragua vulneró su derecho al debido proceso y que su encarcelamiento ha estado acompañado de aislamiento y tortura. El Observatorio para la Protección de los Defensores de Derechos Humanos (OMCT-FIDH) ha denunciado reiteradamente esta situación ante instancias nacionales e internacionales y ha documentado el patrón de persecución contra autoridades indígenas en la Costa Caribe de Nicaragua. Asimismo, en el marco de su campaña internacional “Faces of Hope” (Rostros de Esperanza), la OMCT ha visibilizado el caso de Ignacio Celso Lino, Argüello Celso Lino, Donald Andrés Bruno Arcángel y Dionisio Robins Zacarías, junto con el de otras personas defensoras en situación de detención arbitraria, con el objetivo de exigir su liberación y reafirmar que la defensa de los derechos humanos no puede ser criminalizada. El Observatorio y las demás organizaciones firmantes recuerdan que la criminalización de autoridades indígenas que defienden sus territorios constituye una violación del derecho a defender derechos humanos, del derecho a la libertad personal, del derecho al debido proceso y de los derechos colectivos de los pueblos indígenas sobre el territorio. En vista de los hechos expuestos, solicitamos a las autoridades del Estado de Nicaragua que:

• Garanticen de manera inmediata el derecho al debido proceso y a la tutela judicial efectiva en el marco del recurso de casación pendiente;
• Procedan a la liberación inmediata e incondicional de Ignacio Celso Lino, Argüello Celso Lino, Donald Andrés Bruno Arcángel y Dionisio Robins Zacarías, en cumplimiento de las decisiones internacionales vigentes;
• Investiguen de manera independiente las denuncias de tortura y malos tratos en el sistema penitenciario;
• Garanticen que las autoridades y líderes indígenas puedan ejercer legítimamente sus funciones de defensa del territorio y del medio ambiente sin temor a represalias, criminalización o detención arbitraria.

Confiando en su responsabilidad internacional y en su obligación de respetar y garantizar los derechos humanos, quedamos a su disposición para proporcionar cualquier información adicional que consideren necesaria y reiteramos nuestro llamado urgente a poner fin a esta situación de injusticia.]]> https://observatoryfordefenders.org/alert/norway-greece-aegean-boat-report-founder-tommy-olsen-arrested-in-norway-following-an-arrest-warrant-issued-by-the-greek-authorities/ Tue, 31 Mar 2026 13:13:00 +0000 https://observatoryfordefenders.org/?post_type=alert&p=24606 Tommy Olsen, a Norwegian human rights defender and founder of the NGO Aegean Boat Report, in relation to a European arrest warrant issued by the Greek authorities. Mr Olsen is the founder of Aegean Boat Report, created in 2017 as a platform documenting arrivals and distress situations of people on the move in the Aegean Sea, and formally established as a nongovernmental organisation in 2018. Aegean Boat Report also documented and denounced human rights violations committed against people on the move, including illegal pushbacks committed by authorities. On 16 March 2026, Tommy Olsen was arrested by the Norwegian police in Tromsø, in the North of Norway, in execution of a European arrest warrant following an investigation initiated in 2022 by the Greek authorities. On the same day, the Byretten City Court ruled that Mr Olsen would be extradited to Greece, and he was remanded in custody in Tromsø prison. His defence lawyer appealed the extradition ruling and his detention to the Hålogaland Court of Appeals, based in Tromsø. On 20 March 2026, Mr Olsen was released, but he still faces extradition. On 27 March 2026, the appeal judge ruled that the case will be processed by the Court of Appeals, without specifying the date of the hearing. If extradited to Greece, Mr Olsen could face prolonged pretrial detention of up to 18 months, as well as a potential prison sentence of up to 15 years, on charges that constitute a reprisal for his legitimate human rights activities. On 14 May 2024, the Investigating Magistrate of Kos issued an arrest warrant No 14/14-05-2024 against Mr Olsen. The warrant stems from a criminal investigation opened in 2022 against Mr Olsen and Mr Panayote Dimitras, co-founder and spokesperson of the Greek Helsinki Monitor, in retaliation for their legitimate work defending the rights of people on the move. As reported by the Observatory in 2022, the investigation against both Mr Olsen and Mr Dimitras is based on charges including “participation and membership of a criminal organisation”, “facilitating the entry into Greek territory of a third-country national, committed by two or more persons for profit and in the course of their professional activity, and committed repeatedly” and “facilitating the unlawful residence of a third country national for profit and on a repeated basis”, although past case law of similar trials, including Supreme Court case law, indicates individuals cannot be charged under “criminal organisation” for one action, without clear hierarchical organisation or financial benefits, nor can there be “facilitation of entry” when supporting people with accessing the universal right to asylum. The charges stem from their work of alerting authorities such as Hellenic Police, the Coast Guard, migration authorities, the United Nations Refugee Agency and the Greek Ombudsman of the presence of people arriving on the Greek islands of Kos in July 2021 and of their intention of applying for asylum, in alleged coordination with individuals in Turkey. Mr Olsen was only notified of the investigation in January 2023. The Observatory recalls that the case has been marked by smear campaigns and judicial harassment, including preventive measures imposed on Mr Dimitras and, more recently, reprisals for Mr Dimitras’ anti-racist activism. The Observatory recalls that non-governmental organisations that work on migrants’ rights play an essential role to defend the human rights of people on the move in a context of systematic violations of international human rights standards by the Greek authorities, including illegal pushbacks and collective expulsions of migrants, as denounced in 2020 by the UN Committee Against Torture (UNCAT). The Greek state has consistently failed to submit the information concerning the alleged intimidation and harassment of human rights defenders and humanitarian workers and volunteers that was required by the UNCAT. Yet, migrants’ rights defenders have been heavily criminalised for years. They have consistently been targeted for their legitimate work and have faced different types of attacks, including surveillance, judicial harassment, smear campaigns, entry bans and expulsion from the country. The Greek investigative authorities often leak alleged criminal investigations initiated against migrants’ rights defenders to the media, creating a climate of fear and a chilling effect among all rights defenders, as documented by the Observatory in its 2021 report “Europe: Open Season on Solidarity”. The Observatory notes that cooperation between Greek and Norwegian authorities to arbitrarily detain Mr Olsen, a human rights defender in reprisal for his legitimate human rights activities, constitutes an act of transnational repression. The Observatory also notes Norway’s historical role to emphasise the right of human rights defenders to exercise the right to defend rights without obstacles and free from reprisals, including through the promotion of United Nations General Assembly and Human Rights Council resolutions. The Observatory further recalls that the European Parliament, in its resolution of 13 November 2025, recognised transnational repression as encompassing the misuse of legal instruments, including arrest warrants and extradition procedures, to target human rights defenders beyond national borders. It also denounces the occurrence of such practices within European Union territory and, in some instances, with the involvement or cooperation of Member States. In this context, the Observatory expresses serious concern that the actions undertaken by the Greek authorities, a Member State of the European Union, together with Norway as a partner country, constitute an instance of such practices. The Observatory further highlights the European Parliament’s call on the European Union and its Member States to hold accountable those responsible for acts of transnational repression in violation of international human rights law, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the European Convention on Human Rights, the Convention against Torture, and the Refugee Convention, and to consider targeted sanctions against perpetrators. The Observatory strongly condemns the arrest of Mr Tommy Olsen and reiterates that human rights defenders working to protect people on the move are playing a crucial role in a context where serious violations, including illegal pushbacks and collective expulsions, have been widely documented.]]> Tommy Olsen, a Norwegian human rights defender and founder of the NGO Aegean Boat Report, in relation to a European arrest warrant issued by the Greek authorities. Mr Olsen is the founder of Aegean Boat Report, created in 2017 as a platform documenting arrivals and distress situations of people on the move in the Aegean Sea, and formally established as a nongovernmental organisation in 2018. Aegean Boat Report also documented and denounced human rights violations committed against people on the move, including illegal pushbacks committed by authorities. On 16 March 2026, Tommy Olsen was arrested by the Norwegian police in Tromsø, in the North of Norway, in execution of a European arrest warrant following an investigation initiated in 2022 by the Greek authorities. On the same day, the Byretten City Court ruled that Mr Olsen would be extradited to Greece, and he was remanded in custody in Tromsø prison. His defence lawyer appealed the extradition ruling and his detention to the Hålogaland Court of Appeals, based in Tromsø. On 20 March 2026, Mr Olsen was released, but he still faces extradition. On 27 March 2026, the appeal judge ruled that the case will be processed by the Court of Appeals, without specifying the date of the hearing. If extradited to Greece, Mr Olsen could face prolonged pretrial detention of up to 18 months, as well as a potential prison sentence of up to 15 years, on charges that constitute a reprisal for his legitimate human rights activities. On 14 May 2024, the Investigating Magistrate of Kos issued an arrest warrant No 14/14-05-2024 against Mr Olsen. The warrant stems from a criminal investigation opened in 2022 against Mr Olsen and Mr Panayote Dimitras, co-founder and spokesperson of the Greek Helsinki Monitor, in retaliation for their legitimate work defending the rights of people on the move. As reported by the Observatory in 2022, the investigation against both Mr Olsen and Mr Dimitras is based on charges including “participation and membership of a criminal organisation”, “facilitating the entry into Greek territory of a third-country national, committed by two or more persons for profit and in the course of their professional activity, and committed repeatedly” and “facilitating the unlawful residence of a third country national for profit and on a repeated basis”, although past case law of similar trials, including Supreme Court case law, indicates individuals cannot be charged under “criminal organisation” for one action, without clear hierarchical organisation or financial benefits, nor can there be “facilitation of entry” when supporting people with accessing the universal right to asylum. The charges stem from their work of alerting authorities such as Hellenic Police, the Coast Guard, migration authorities, the United Nations Refugee Agency and the Greek Ombudsman of the presence of people arriving on the Greek islands of Kos in July 2021 and of their intention of applying for asylum, in alleged coordination with individuals in Turkey. Mr Olsen was only notified of the investigation in January 2023. The Observatory recalls that the case has been marked by smear campaigns and judicial harassment, including preventive measures imposed on Mr Dimitras and, more recently, reprisals for Mr Dimitras’ anti-racist activism. The Observatory recalls that non-governmental organisations that work on migrants’ rights play an essential role to defend the human rights of people on the move in a context of systematic violations of international human rights standards by the Greek authorities, including illegal pushbacks and collective expulsions of migrants, as denounced in 2020 by the UN Committee Against Torture (UNCAT). The Greek state has consistently failed to submit the information concerning the alleged intimidation and harassment of human rights defenders and humanitarian workers and volunteers that was required by the UNCAT. Yet, migrants’ rights defenders have been heavily criminalised for years. They have consistently been targeted for their legitimate work and have faced different types of attacks, including surveillance, judicial harassment, smear campaigns, entry bans and expulsion from the country. The Greek investigative authorities often leak alleged criminal investigations initiated against migrants’ rights defenders to the media, creating a climate of fear and a chilling effect among all rights defenders, as documented by the Observatory in its 2021 report “Europe: Open Season on Solidarity”. The Observatory notes that cooperation between Greek and Norwegian authorities to arbitrarily detain Mr Olsen, a human rights defender in reprisal for his legitimate human rights activities, constitutes an act of transnational repression. The Observatory also notes Norway’s historical role to emphasise the right of human rights defenders to exercise the right to defend rights without obstacles and free from reprisals, including through the promotion of United Nations General Assembly and Human Rights Council resolutions. The Observatory further recalls that the European Parliament, in its resolution of 13 November 2025, recognised transnational repression as encompassing the misuse of legal instruments, including arrest warrants and extradition procedures, to target human rights defenders beyond national borders. It also denounces the occurrence of such practices within European Union territory and, in some instances, with the involvement or cooperation of Member States. In this context, the Observatory expresses serious concern that the actions undertaken by the Greek authorities, a Member State of the European Union, together with Norway as a partner country, constitute an instance of such practices. The Observatory further highlights the European Parliament’s call on the European Union and its Member States to hold accountable those responsible for acts of transnational repression in violation of international human rights law, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the European Convention on Human Rights, the Convention against Torture, and the Refugee Convention, and to consider targeted sanctions against perpetrators. The Observatory strongly condemns the arrest of Mr Tommy Olsen and reiterates that human rights defenders working to protect people on the move are playing a crucial role in a context where serious violations, including illegal pushbacks and collective expulsions, have been widely documented.]]> https://observatoryfordefenders.org/alert/georgia-fidh-vice-president-ucha-nanuashvili-summoned-and-interrogated-over-cooperation-with-osce/ Mon, 30 Mar 2026 12:51:35 +0000 https://observatoryfordefenders.org/?post_type=alert&p=24601 Ucha Nanuashvili, former Public Defender (Ombudsman) of Georgia, founder of the Democracy Research Institute (DRI) and the Human Rights Center (HRC), and Vice President of FIDH. On 18 March 2026, Ucha Nanuashvili was questioned as a witness before a magistrate judge at the Tbilisi City Court over his communication with OSCE rapporteur Professor Patrycja Grzebyk, appointed to prepare a report on the human rights situation in Georgia under the OSCE Moscow Mechanism. The hearing was conducted as part of an ongoing investigation into assisting “foreign organisations and organisations under foreign control in hostile activities” under Article 319 of Georgia’s Criminal Code, which foresees between five and 15 years of imprisonment. After the interrogation, Mr. Nanuashvili was required to sign a non-disclosure agreement, preventing him from revealing the content of the interrogation. He further denounced the proceedings as completely unfounded. On 16 March 2026, Mr. Nanuashvili was contacted by an investigator from Georgia’s State Security Service, who informed him of the summons in relation to this communication. Mr. Nanuashvili was given the choice to be questioned at the State Security Service premises on 17 March or by a magistrate judge on the following day. This interrogation follows the publication, on 12 March 2026, of a report by the OSCE rapporteur highlighting a “marked democratic backsliding” in Georgia since spring 2024, including concerns over restrictions on the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, alleged ill-treatment of protesters, restrictive legislation and politically motivated detentions. Instead of addressing these serious allegations, the Georgian authorities appear now to be targeting those who contributed to documenting them. Previously, on 29 January 2026, 23 OSCE participating States had invoked the Moscow Mechanism “to assess Georgia’s implementation of its OSCE commitments, with a particular focus on developments since spring 2024.” The summons also comes amid a hostile narrative by Georgian officials, including Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, who dismissed the OSCE report as “pre-written” and accused its author of political bias. Prior to the summons, pro-government media outlets circulated statements referring to Mr Nanuashvili’s potential involvement in the OSCE process, which may have contributed to the decision to summon him. The Observatory recalls that this development is part of an escalating human rights crisis and increasing pressure on civil society in Georgia, including the judicial harassment of human rights defenders involved in documenting violations, restrictions on foreign funding, and the shrinking space for independent organisations and journalists. As the OSCE report underscores, these measures considerably undermine the legitimate work of human rights defenders and endanger their safety. The Observatory expresses its deep concern that the summoning of Mr Nanuashvili constitutes an act of intimidation aimed at sanctioning his legitimate human rights activities and discouraging him from continuing his work freely and safely. The Observatory calls on the Georgian authorities to end all acts of harassment and intimidation against Ucha Nanuashvili, and to ensure that no sanctions or criminal proceedings are initiated against any human right defenders in Georgia for their cooperation with international human rights mechanisms. The Observatory recalls that, as an OSCE participating State and a State Party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), Georgia must guarantee the right to freedom of expression, as enshrined in Article 19 of the ICCPR and Article 10 of the ECHR.]]> Ucha Nanuashvili, former Public Defender (Ombudsman) of Georgia, founder of the Democracy Research Institute (DRI) and the Human Rights Center (HRC), and Vice President of FIDH. On 18 March 2026, Ucha Nanuashvili was questioned as a witness before a magistrate judge at the Tbilisi City Court over his communication with OSCE rapporteur Professor Patrycja Grzebyk, appointed to prepare a report on the human rights situation in Georgia under the OSCE Moscow Mechanism. The hearing was conducted as part of an ongoing investigation into assisting “foreign organisations and organisations under foreign control in hostile activities” under Article 319 of Georgia’s Criminal Code, which foresees between five and 15 years of imprisonment. After the interrogation, Mr. Nanuashvili was required to sign a non-disclosure agreement, preventing him from revealing the content of the interrogation. He further denounced the proceedings as completely unfounded. On 16 March 2026, Mr. Nanuashvili was contacted by an investigator from Georgia’s State Security Service, who informed him of the summons in relation to this communication. Mr. Nanuashvili was given the choice to be questioned at the State Security Service premises on 17 March or by a magistrate judge on the following day. This interrogation follows the publication, on 12 March 2026, of a report by the OSCE rapporteur highlighting a “marked democratic backsliding” in Georgia since spring 2024, including concerns over restrictions on the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, alleged ill-treatment of protesters, restrictive legislation and politically motivated detentions. Instead of addressing these serious allegations, the Georgian authorities appear now to be targeting those who contributed to documenting them. Previously, on 29 January 2026, 23 OSCE participating States had invoked the Moscow Mechanism “to assess Georgia’s implementation of its OSCE commitments, with a particular focus on developments since spring 2024.” The summons also comes amid a hostile narrative by Georgian officials, including Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, who dismissed the OSCE report as “pre-written” and accused its author of political bias. Prior to the summons, pro-government media outlets circulated statements referring to Mr Nanuashvili’s potential involvement in the OSCE process, which may have contributed to the decision to summon him. The Observatory recalls that this development is part of an escalating human rights crisis and increasing pressure on civil society in Georgia, including the judicial harassment of human rights defenders involved in documenting violations, restrictions on foreign funding, and the shrinking space for independent organisations and journalists. As the OSCE report underscores, these measures considerably undermine the legitimate work of human rights defenders and endanger their safety. The Observatory expresses its deep concern that the summoning of Mr Nanuashvili constitutes an act of intimidation aimed at sanctioning his legitimate human rights activities and discouraging him from continuing his work freely and safely. The Observatory calls on the Georgian authorities to end all acts of harassment and intimidation against Ucha Nanuashvili, and to ensure that no sanctions or criminal proceedings are initiated against any human right defenders in Georgia for their cooperation with international human rights mechanisms. The Observatory recalls that, as an OSCE participating State and a State Party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), Georgia must guarantee the right to freedom of expression, as enshrined in Article 19 of the ICCPR and Article 10 of the ECHR.]]> https://observatoryfordefenders.org/alert/kyrgyzstan-human-rights-defender-tolekan-ismailova-interrogated-by-police-and-threatened-with-criminal-investigation/ Thu, 19 Mar 2026 16:06:51 +0000 https://observatoryfordefenders.org/?post_type=alert&p=24552 Tolekan Ismailova, human rights defender and Director of the Kyrgyz human rights organisation Bir Duino-Kyrgyzstan with two other human right defenders, Bermet Borukeeva and Bulat Satarkulov. On 13 March 2026, police officers took Ms Tolekan Ismailova, Ms Bermet Borukeeva and Mr Bulat Satarkulov to the Main Department of Internal Affairs of Bishkek for questioning in relation to publications posted on Ms. Ismailova’s personal Facebook account concerning Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. According to police authorities, on 12 March 2026, during monitoring of online resources, officers from the department for combating extremism and illegal migration identified a social media account belonging to Ms. Ismailova containing posts on the conflict between Russia and Ukraine interpreted by the authorities as expressing support for Ukraine. However, the investigator’s questions did not only concern the content of the Facebook posts, but also the organization Bir Duino – Kyrgyzstan and its funding. The investigator asked whether her posts containing expressions of support for Ukraine reflected Ms Ismailova’s personal views or this is the position of the organisation Bir Duino, which she heads. The investigator also inquired whether she had received any remuneration for these publications and whether she was aware that such posts could “provoke public resonance and contentious discussions among users.” Ms Ismailova replied that she only expresses her personal views on her page and reaffirmed her anti-war stance, emphasising that she is the daughter of a World War II veteran. After questioning, which lasted approximately six hours in total, the human rights defenders were released from the police station without charges being brought against them. However, police officers informed Ms Ismailova that the texts of her Facebook posts would be sent for expert examination to determine whether they violate Article 330 of the Criminal Code of Kyrgyzstan (incitement of racial, ethnic, national, religious, or interregional hatred, punishable by up to seven years of imprisonment). The questioning took place on the same day that Ms Ismailova and other activists had planned to organise a peaceful action titled “Freedom for Peaceful Assemblies of Citizens of the Kyrgyz Republic” near the Pervomaisky District Administration building in Bishkek. It seems that the Facebook posts were used as a pretext to intimidate, prevent and detain these individuals of undertaking that planned peaceful assembly.. The action aimed to raise concerns about restrictions on the right to freedom of peaceful assembly, including existing limitations on demonstrations in Bishkek, which have been repeatedly extended for years.The Observatory views these measures, particularly the summoning activists for questioning immediately ahead of planned peaceful assemblies, as forms of pressure that create a chilling effect and may amount to interference with the right to peaceful protest or even intimidation. The Observatory further expresses concern that the questioning of Ms Ismailova, particularly in relation to her personal social media posts, constitutes judicial harassment aimed at restricting her right to freedom of expression and intimidating a prominent human rights defender. The Observatory recalls that Kyrgyzstan, as a State Party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which guarantees the right to freedom of expression (Article 19) and the right to peaceful assembly (Article 21), must ensure that there are no restrictions or obstacles to these freedoms. The Observatory calls on the authorities of Kyrgyzstan to guarantee that Ms Ismailova and all human rights defenders in the country are able to carry out their legitimate activities without fear of intimidation or judicial harassment. Actions requested: Please write to the authorities of Kyrgyzstan asking them to: Guarantee in all circumstances the physical integrity and psychological well-being of Ms Tolekan Ismailova, Ms Bermet Borukeeva, and Mr Bulat Satarkulov, as well as all human rights defenders in Kyrgyzstan; Put an end to all acts of harassment, including judicial harassment, against Ms. Tolekan Ismailova, and ensure that she can carry out her legitimate human rights activities without interference; Ensure that no criminal charges are brought against Ms. Ismailova for the peaceful exercise of her right to freedom of expression, including her personal social media posts; Guarantee in all circumstances the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly as enshrined in Articles 19 and 21 of the ICCPR, and ensure that human rights defenders can carry out their legitimate activities without fear of reprisals, including from foreign state pressure; Ensure that human rights defenders in Kyrgyzstan are able to carry out their activities without any fear of reprisals. Addresses: • Mr Sadyr Japarov, President of Kyrgyzstan, Email: adskyrgyzstan@gmail.com, X: @SadyrJaparov, • Mr Adylbek Kasymaliev, Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan, Email: contactcenter@tunduk.gov.kg, • Mr Ulan Niyazbekov, Minister of Internal Affairs of Kyrgyzstan, Email: secretariat@mvd.kg, • Mr Kulubaev Zheenbek Moldokanovic, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kyrgyzstan, Email: info@mfa.gov.kg; dded@mfa.gov.kg, X: @MFA_Kyrgyzstan, • Mr Ayaz Baetov, Minister of Justice, Email: isakov@minjust.gov.kg / baetov.a@gmail.com, • Mr Ruslan Mukambetov, Minister of Defense, Email: op.minoboron@bk.ru, • Mr Jamilya Jamanbaeva, Ombudsman of the Kyrgyz Republic, Email: akyikatchy@ombudsman.kg, Please also write to the diplomatic missions or embassies of Kyrgyzstan in your respective countries. *** Paris-Geneva, 19 March 2026 Kindly inform us of any action undertaken quoting the code of this appeal in your reply. The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders (the Observatory) was created in 1997 by FIDH and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT). The objective of this programme is to intervene to prevent or remedy situations of repression against human rights defenders. FIDH and OMCT are both members of ProtectDefenders.eu, the European Union Human Rights Defenders Mechanism implemented by international civil society. To contact the Observatory, call the emergency line: • E-mail: alert@observatoryfordefenders.org • Tel FIDH: + 33 1 43 55 25 18 • Tel OMCT: + 41 22 809 49 39]]> Tolekan Ismailova, human rights defender and Director of the Kyrgyz human rights organisation Bir Duino-Kyrgyzstan with two other human right defenders, Bermet Borukeeva and Bulat Satarkulov. On 13 March 2026, police officers took Ms Tolekan Ismailova, Ms Bermet Borukeeva and Mr Bulat Satarkulov to the Main Department of Internal Affairs of Bishkek for questioning in relation to publications posted on Ms. Ismailova’s personal Facebook account concerning Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. According to police authorities, on 12 March 2026, during monitoring of online resources, officers from the department for combating extremism and illegal migration identified a social media account belonging to Ms. Ismailova containing posts on the conflict between Russia and Ukraine interpreted by the authorities as expressing support for Ukraine. However, the investigator’s questions did not only concern the content of the Facebook posts, but also the organization Bir Duino – Kyrgyzstan and its funding. The investigator asked whether her posts containing expressions of support for Ukraine reflected Ms Ismailova’s personal views or this is the position of the organisation Bir Duino, which she heads. The investigator also inquired whether she had received any remuneration for these publications and whether she was aware that such posts could “provoke public resonance and contentious discussions among users.” Ms Ismailova replied that she only expresses her personal views on her page and reaffirmed her anti-war stance, emphasising that she is the daughter of a World War II veteran. After questioning, which lasted approximately six hours in total, the human rights defenders were released from the police station without charges being brought against them. However, police officers informed Ms Ismailova that the texts of her Facebook posts would be sent for expert examination to determine whether they violate Article 330 of the Criminal Code of Kyrgyzstan (incitement of racial, ethnic, national, religious, or interregional hatred, punishable by up to seven years of imprisonment). The questioning took place on the same day that Ms Ismailova and other activists had planned to organise a peaceful action titled “Freedom for Peaceful Assemblies of Citizens of the Kyrgyz Republic” near the Pervomaisky District Administration building in Bishkek. It seems that the Facebook posts were used as a pretext to intimidate, prevent and detain these individuals of undertaking that planned peaceful assembly.. The action aimed to raise concerns about restrictions on the right to freedom of peaceful assembly, including existing limitations on demonstrations in Bishkek, which have been repeatedly extended for years.The Observatory views these measures, particularly the summoning activists for questioning immediately ahead of planned peaceful assemblies, as forms of pressure that create a chilling effect and may amount to interference with the right to peaceful protest or even intimidation. The Observatory further expresses concern that the questioning of Ms Ismailova, particularly in relation to her personal social media posts, constitutes judicial harassment aimed at restricting her right to freedom of expression and intimidating a prominent human rights defender. The Observatory recalls that Kyrgyzstan, as a State Party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which guarantees the right to freedom of expression (Article 19) and the right to peaceful assembly (Article 21), must ensure that there are no restrictions or obstacles to these freedoms. The Observatory calls on the authorities of Kyrgyzstan to guarantee that Ms Ismailova and all human rights defenders in the country are able to carry out their legitimate activities without fear of intimidation or judicial harassment. Actions requested: Please write to the authorities of Kyrgyzstan asking them to: Guarantee in all circumstances the physical integrity and psychological well-being of Ms Tolekan Ismailova, Ms Bermet Borukeeva, and Mr Bulat Satarkulov, as well as all human rights defenders in Kyrgyzstan; Put an end to all acts of harassment, including judicial harassment, against Ms. Tolekan Ismailova, and ensure that she can carry out her legitimate human rights activities without interference; Ensure that no criminal charges are brought against Ms. Ismailova for the peaceful exercise of her right to freedom of expression, including her personal social media posts; Guarantee in all circumstances the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly as enshrined in Articles 19 and 21 of the ICCPR, and ensure that human rights defenders can carry out their legitimate activities without fear of reprisals, including from foreign state pressure; Ensure that human rights defenders in Kyrgyzstan are able to carry out their activities without any fear of reprisals. Addresses: • Mr Sadyr Japarov, President of Kyrgyzstan, Email: adskyrgyzstan@gmail.com, X: @SadyrJaparov, • Mr Adylbek Kasymaliev, Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan, Email: contactcenter@tunduk.gov.kg, • Mr Ulan Niyazbekov, Minister of Internal Affairs of Kyrgyzstan, Email: secretariat@mvd.kg, • Mr Kulubaev Zheenbek Moldokanovic, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kyrgyzstan, Email: info@mfa.gov.kg; dded@mfa.gov.kg, X: @MFA_Kyrgyzstan, • Mr Ayaz Baetov, Minister of Justice, Email: isakov@minjust.gov.kg / baetov.a@gmail.com, • Mr Ruslan Mukambetov, Minister of Defense, Email: op.minoboron@bk.ru, • Mr Jamilya Jamanbaeva, Ombudsman of the Kyrgyz Republic, Email: akyikatchy@ombudsman.kg, Please also write to the diplomatic missions or embassies of Kyrgyzstan in your respective countries. *** Paris-Geneva, 19 March 2026 Kindly inform us of any action undertaken quoting the code of this appeal in your reply. The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders (the Observatory) was created in 1997 by FIDH and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT). The objective of this programme is to intervene to prevent or remedy situations of repression against human rights defenders. FIDH and OMCT are both members of ProtectDefenders.eu, the European Union Human Rights Defenders Mechanism implemented by international civil society. To contact the Observatory, call the emergency line: • E-mail: alert@observatoryfordefenders.org • Tel FIDH: + 33 1 43 55 25 18 • Tel OMCT: + 41 22 809 49 39]]> https://observatoryfordefenders.org/alert/india-kashmiri-journalist-and-human-rights-defender-irfan-mehraj-held-for-three-years-in-pre-trial-detention/ Thu, 19 Mar 2026 16:06:18 +0000 https://observatoryfordefenders.org/?post_type=alert&p=24547 19 March 2026. On 20 March 2023, Irfan Mehraj was detained by India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) under provisions of the Indian Penal Code and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) on politically motivated and fabricated charges. According to the NIA, Irfan Mehraj was arrested for being ‘a close associate of Khurram Parvez’. Khurram Parvez is a HRD and the Program Coordinator of the Jammu Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society (JKCCS), a leading civil society organisation in Jammu and Kashmir. Indian authorities continue to arbitrarily detain Khurram Parvez for over four years now on politically motivated and fabricated charges. The ongoing detentions of Irfan Mehraj and Khurram Parvez highlight a broader pattern of persecution of human rights defenders and journalists in Jammu and Kashmir. The authorities have used the UAPA – a draconian anti-terror law - and the repressive Jammu and Kashmir Public Safety Act (PSA), which permits long-term detention without trial, to criminalise and silence journalists and human rights defenders in Jammu and Kashmir. This has worsened since the unilateral abrogation of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood in August 2019. In recent months, the police continued to harass and intimidate journalists from Indian-administered Kashmir for their reporting, including through summoning them for repeated police interrogations and demanding that journalists sign a bond undertaking that they will not do anything that would ‘disturb peace’. The Indian government has continuously failed to respond to concerns regarding human rights violations in Kashmir raised by United Nations experts and international human rights organisations. India should respect its international human rights obligations and end its reprisal against human rights defenders and journalists, especially in Jammu and Kashmir. Other countries at the UN Human Rights Council should address these flagrant violations by a sitting member state. Our organisations urge the Indian authorities to repeal repressive laws including the UAPA and the PSA and to create an enabling environment for civil society and the media to freely and independently operate in Jammu and Kashmir. As India continues to work towards securing stronger multilateral and bilateral relations, we call on the international community to urge the Indian government to comply with its international human rights obligations, release Irfan Mehraj, Khurram Parvez and all other detained Kashmiri human rights defenders and end its repression in Jammu and Kashmir.]]> 19 March 2026. On 20 March 2023, Irfan Mehraj was detained by India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) under provisions of the Indian Penal Code and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) on politically motivated and fabricated charges. According to the NIA, Irfan Mehraj was arrested for being ‘a close associate of Khurram Parvez’. Khurram Parvez is a HRD and the Program Coordinator of the Jammu Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society (JKCCS), a leading civil society organisation in Jammu and Kashmir. Indian authorities continue to arbitrarily detain Khurram Parvez for over four years now on politically motivated and fabricated charges. The ongoing detentions of Irfan Mehraj and Khurram Parvez highlight a broader pattern of persecution of human rights defenders and journalists in Jammu and Kashmir. The authorities have used the UAPA – a draconian anti-terror law - and the repressive Jammu and Kashmir Public Safety Act (PSA), which permits long-term detention without trial, to criminalise and silence journalists and human rights defenders in Jammu and Kashmir. This has worsened since the unilateral abrogation of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood in August 2019. In recent months, the police continued to harass and intimidate journalists from Indian-administered Kashmir for their reporting, including through summoning them for repeated police interrogations and demanding that journalists sign a bond undertaking that they will not do anything that would ‘disturb peace’. The Indian government has continuously failed to respond to concerns regarding human rights violations in Kashmir raised by United Nations experts and international human rights organisations. India should respect its international human rights obligations and end its reprisal against human rights defenders and journalists, especially in Jammu and Kashmir. Other countries at the UN Human Rights Council should address these flagrant violations by a sitting member state. Our organisations urge the Indian authorities to repeal repressive laws including the UAPA and the PSA and to create an enabling environment for civil society and the media to freely and independently operate in Jammu and Kashmir. As India continues to work towards securing stronger multilateral and bilateral relations, we call on the international community to urge the Indian government to comply with its international human rights obligations, release Irfan Mehraj, Khurram Parvez and all other detained Kashmiri human rights defenders and end its repression in Jammu and Kashmir.]]> https://observatoryfordefenders.org/alert/kyrgyzstan-human-rights-defender-tolekan-ismailova-interrogated-by-police-and-threatened-with-criminal-investigation-2/ Thu, 19 Mar 2026 14:38:43 +0000 https://observatoryfordefenders.org/?post_type=alert&p=24587 Tolekan Ismailova, human rights defender and Director of the Kyrgyz human rights organisation Bir Duino-Kyrgyzstan with two other human right defenders, Bermet Borukeeva and Bulat Satarkulov. On 13 March 2026, police officers took Ms Tolekan Ismailova, Ms Bermet Borukeeva and Mr Bulat Satarkulov to the Main Department of Internal Affairs of Bishkek for questioning in relation to publications posted on Ms. Ismailova’s personal Facebook account concerning Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. According to police authorities, on 12 March 2026, during monitoring of online resources, officers from the department for combating extremism and illegal migration identified a social media account belonging to Ms. Ismailova containing posts on the conflict between Russia and Ukraine interpreted by the authorities as expressing support for Ukraine. However, the investigator’s questions did not only concern the content of the Facebook posts, but also the organization Bir Duino – Kyrgyzstan and its funding. The investigator asked whether her posts containing expressions of support for Ukraine reflected Ms Ismailova’s personal views or this is the position of the organisation Bir Duino, which she heads. The investigator also inquired whether she had received any remuneration for these publications and whether she was aware that such posts could “provoke public resonance and contentious discussions among users.” Ms Ismailova replied that she only expresses her personal views on her page and reaffirmed her anti-war stance, emphasising that she is the daughter of a World War II veteran. After questioning, which lasted approximately six hours in total, the human rights defenders were released from the police station without charges being brought against them. However, police officers informed Ms Ismailova that the texts of her Facebook posts would be sent for expert examination to determine whether they violate Article 330 of the Criminal Code of Kyrgyzstan (incitement of racial, ethnic, national, religious, or interregional hatred, punishable by up to seven years of imprisonment). The questioning took place on the same day that Ms Ismailova and other activists had planned to organise a peaceful action titled “Freedom for Peaceful Assemblies of Citizens of the Kyrgyz Republic” near the Pervomaisky District Administration building in Bishkek. It seems that the Facebook posts were used as a pretext to intimidate, prevent and detain these individuals of undertaking that planned peaceful assembly.. The action aimed to raise concerns about restrictions on the right to freedom of peaceful assembly, including existing limitations on demonstrations in Bishkek, which have been repeatedly extended for years.The Observatory views these measures, particularly the summoning activists for questioning immediately ahead of planned peaceful assemblies, as forms of pressure that create a chilling effect and may amount to interference with the right to peaceful protest or even intimidation. The Observatory further expresses concern that the questioning of Ms Ismailova, particularly in relation to her personal social media posts, constitutes judicial harassment aimed at restricting her right to freedom of expression and intimidating a prominent human rights defender. The Observatory recalls that Kyrgyzstan, as a State Party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which guarantees the right to freedom of expression (Article 19) and the right to peaceful assembly (Article 21), must ensure that there are no restrictions or obstacles to these freedoms. The Observatory calls on the authorities of Kyrgyzstan to guarantee that Ms Ismailova and all human rights defenders in the country are able to carry out their legitimate activities without fear of intimidation or judicial harassment.]]> Tolekan Ismailova, human rights defender and Director of the Kyrgyz human rights organisation Bir Duino-Kyrgyzstan with two other human right defenders, Bermet Borukeeva and Bulat Satarkulov. On 13 March 2026, police officers took Ms Tolekan Ismailova, Ms Bermet Borukeeva and Mr Bulat Satarkulov to the Main Department of Internal Affairs of Bishkek for questioning in relation to publications posted on Ms. Ismailova’s personal Facebook account concerning Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. According to police authorities, on 12 March 2026, during monitoring of online resources, officers from the department for combating extremism and illegal migration identified a social media account belonging to Ms. Ismailova containing posts on the conflict between Russia and Ukraine interpreted by the authorities as expressing support for Ukraine. However, the investigator’s questions did not only concern the content of the Facebook posts, but also the organization Bir Duino – Kyrgyzstan and its funding. The investigator asked whether her posts containing expressions of support for Ukraine reflected Ms Ismailova’s personal views or this is the position of the organisation Bir Duino, which she heads. The investigator also inquired whether she had received any remuneration for these publications and whether she was aware that such posts could “provoke public resonance and contentious discussions among users.” Ms Ismailova replied that she only expresses her personal views on her page and reaffirmed her anti-war stance, emphasising that she is the daughter of a World War II veteran. After questioning, which lasted approximately six hours in total, the human rights defenders were released from the police station without charges being brought against them. However, police officers informed Ms Ismailova that the texts of her Facebook posts would be sent for expert examination to determine whether they violate Article 330 of the Criminal Code of Kyrgyzstan (incitement of racial, ethnic, national, religious, or interregional hatred, punishable by up to seven years of imprisonment). The questioning took place on the same day that Ms Ismailova and other activists had planned to organise a peaceful action titled “Freedom for Peaceful Assemblies of Citizens of the Kyrgyz Republic” near the Pervomaisky District Administration building in Bishkek. It seems that the Facebook posts were used as a pretext to intimidate, prevent and detain these individuals of undertaking that planned peaceful assembly.. The action aimed to raise concerns about restrictions on the right to freedom of peaceful assembly, including existing limitations on demonstrations in Bishkek, which have been repeatedly extended for years.The Observatory views these measures, particularly the summoning activists for questioning immediately ahead of planned peaceful assemblies, as forms of pressure that create a chilling effect and may amount to interference with the right to peaceful protest or even intimidation. The Observatory further expresses concern that the questioning of Ms Ismailova, particularly in relation to her personal social media posts, constitutes judicial harassment aimed at restricting her right to freedom of expression and intimidating a prominent human rights defender. The Observatory recalls that Kyrgyzstan, as a State Party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which guarantees the right to freedom of expression (Article 19) and the right to peaceful assembly (Article 21), must ensure that there are no restrictions or obstacles to these freedoms. The Observatory calls on the authorities of Kyrgyzstan to guarantee that Ms Ismailova and all human rights defenders in the country are able to carry out their legitimate activities without fear of intimidation or judicial harassment.]]> https://observatoryfordefenders.org/alert/georgia-authorities-must-repeal-new-amendments-on-the-law-on-grants-and-other-repressive-legislation-criminalising-human-rights-work/ Wed, 18 Mar 2026 16:11:33 +0000 https://observatoryfordefenders.org/?post_type=alert&p=24561 Paris-Geneva-Tbilisi, 18 March 2026. On 28 January 2026, the ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party introduced legislative amendments on the Georgian Law “On Grants” before the Georgian Parliament. Thes new amendments were subsequently adopted by Parliament on 4 March, with the aim of effectively dismantling independent civil society organisations by cutting them off from foreign funding, and criminalising their vital work inside Georgia. Just before the new amendments were passed, the Georgian Law “On Grants” adopted in 1996 and amended several times, including most recently in April 2025, already obliged foreign donors to obtain government approval before providing grants to Georgian recipients, and imposed heavy administrative fines for grant recipients receiving funding without prior government authorisation. Under the newly adopted amendments, receiving “unauthorised” grants now constitutes criminal offence, punishable by up to six years of imprisonment. The definition of “foreign grants” has also been significantly expanded, allowing for the arbitrary and politically motivated criminal prosecution of civil society actors. In addition, individuals previously employed by organisations receiving more than 20 percent of their funding from foreign sources within a calendar year are now banned from political party membership for eight years. At the end of January, the GD had announced that this package of amendments was aimed at making it “significantly more difficult” to receive foreign support for activities framed as “political” or influencing public life. The amended legislation also introduces criminal liability for vaguely defined “extremism against the constitutional order” (new Article 360 of the Georgian Criminal Code). This provision seeks to punish the “systematic” “non-recognition of the Georgian Dream government”, including through “systematic and public calls (…) for mass violations of legislation, mass disobedience to state authorities, or the creation of alternative bodies to state authorities”, with fines and up to three years of imprisonment. This provision is designed as a tool to silence and suppress further peaceful protest against the violations carried out by GD, to further restrict the human rights work of civil society organisations, and to dismantle essential democratic safeguards. These legislative developments have prompted strong reactions from the international community. On 12 February 2026, the European Union Ambassador to Georgia Paweł Herczyński met the First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, George Zurabashvili, and called on the Georgian authorities to ensure that the proposed amendments comply with Georgia’s commitments under the EU–Georgia Association Agreement, as well as the commitments undertaken by Georgia as a EU membership candidate country. On 29 January 2026, 23 OSCE participating Statesexplicitly cited growing concerns over restrictions on fundamental freedoms and the increasing pressure on independent voices and opposition actors in Georgia, leading to the first ever invocation of the OSCE Moscow Mechanism. The Observatory emphasises that these new restrictions are part of a broader legislative trajectory aimed at systematically restricting the rights to freedom of association, expression and peaceful assembly in Georgia. As documented by the Observatory, over the past two years, the Georgian authorities have adopted and expanded a series of repressive laws that drastically impact the work of civil society organisations, independent media and human rights defenders, including the 2024 Law “On Transparency of Foreign Influence”, currently challenged before the European Court of Human Rights, and the 2025 Foreign Agents Registration Act. In such a climate, the ability of human rights defenders, independent media and civil society actors to work freely and safely is under severe threat. Therefore, the Observatory and the undersigned organisations urge the Georgian authorities to: Repeal the amendments to the Law “On Grants” and all other legislation restricting the legitimate work of human rights defenders and civil society; Ensure that any regulation of civil society financing complies fully with Georgia’s obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), including the rights of freedom of association, freedom of peaceful assembly, and freedom of expression; Put an end to any act of harassment and intimidation of civil society organisations, human rights defenders, and journalists.]]> Paris-Geneva-Tbilisi, 18 March 2026. On 28 January 2026, the ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party introduced legislative amendments on the Georgian Law “On Grants” before the Georgian Parliament. Thes new amendments were subsequently adopted by Parliament on 4 March, with the aim of effectively dismantling independent civil society organisations by cutting them off from foreign funding, and criminalising their vital work inside Georgia. Just before the new amendments were passed, the Georgian Law “On Grants” adopted in 1996 and amended several times, including most recently in April 2025, already obliged foreign donors to obtain government approval before providing grants to Georgian recipients, and imposed heavy administrative fines for grant recipients receiving funding without prior government authorisation. Under the newly adopted amendments, receiving “unauthorised” grants now constitutes criminal offence, punishable by up to six years of imprisonment. The definition of “foreign grants” has also been significantly expanded, allowing for the arbitrary and politically motivated criminal prosecution of civil society actors. In addition, individuals previously employed by organisations receiving more than 20 percent of their funding from foreign sources within a calendar year are now banned from political party membership for eight years. At the end of January, the GD had announced that this package of amendments was aimed at making it “significantly more difficult” to receive foreign support for activities framed as “political” or influencing public life. The amended legislation also introduces criminal liability for vaguely defined “extremism against the constitutional order” (new Article 360 of the Georgian Criminal Code). This provision seeks to punish the “systematic” “non-recognition of the Georgian Dream government”, including through “systematic and public calls (…) for mass violations of legislation, mass disobedience to state authorities, or the creation of alternative bodies to state authorities”, with fines and up to three years of imprisonment. This provision is designed as a tool to silence and suppress further peaceful protest against the violations carried out by GD, to further restrict the human rights work of civil society organisations, and to dismantle essential democratic safeguards. These legislative developments have prompted strong reactions from the international community. On 12 February 2026, the European Union Ambassador to Georgia Paweł Herczyński met the First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, George Zurabashvili, and called on the Georgian authorities to ensure that the proposed amendments comply with Georgia’s commitments under the EU–Georgia Association Agreement, as well as the commitments undertaken by Georgia as a EU membership candidate country. On 29 January 2026, 23 OSCE participating Statesexplicitly cited growing concerns over restrictions on fundamental freedoms and the increasing pressure on independent voices and opposition actors in Georgia, leading to the first ever invocation of the OSCE Moscow Mechanism. The Observatory emphasises that these new restrictions are part of a broader legislative trajectory aimed at systematically restricting the rights to freedom of association, expression and peaceful assembly in Georgia. As documented by the Observatory, over the past two years, the Georgian authorities have adopted and expanded a series of repressive laws that drastically impact the work of civil society organisations, independent media and human rights defenders, including the 2024 Law “On Transparency of Foreign Influence”, currently challenged before the European Court of Human Rights, and the 2025 Foreign Agents Registration Act. In such a climate, the ability of human rights defenders, independent media and civil society actors to work freely and safely is under severe threat. Therefore, the Observatory and the undersigned organisations urge the Georgian authorities to: Repeal the amendments to the Law “On Grants” and all other legislation restricting the legitimate work of human rights defenders and civil society; Ensure that any regulation of civil society financing complies fully with Georgia’s obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), including the rights of freedom of association, freedom of peaceful assembly, and freedom of expression; Put an end to any act of harassment and intimidation of civil society organisations, human rights defenders, and journalists.]]> https://observatoryfordefenders.org/alert/algerie-fermeture-et-mise-sous-scelles-des-bureaux-de-sos-disparus/ Wed, 18 Mar 2026 16:10:40 +0000 https://observatoryfordefenders.org/?post_type=alert&p=24573 entraves répétées à leurs activités. L’association a notamment été ciblée par des interdictions d’événements, la surveillance et l’encerclement de ses locaux par les forces de sécurité, ainsi que par des mesures visant ses membres. En juillet 2025, Mme Nassera Dutour, présidente du CFDA, s’est vue refuser arbitrairement l’entrée sur le territoire algérien, la Cour administrative d’appel d’Alger ayant rejeté en janvier 2026 son recours contre cette interdiction d’entrée sur le territoire national. Ces éléments illustrent un schéma de harcèlement visant l’organisation dans un contexte plus large de restriction de l’espace civique, en particulier à l’égard des acteur·rices travaillant sur les disparitions forcées et l’héritage de la décennie noire. L’Observatoire exprime sa vive inquiétude face à la fermeture des bureaux de SOS Disparus, qui semble viser à réduire au silence l’un des derniers espaces de mémoire et de mobilisation des familles de disparu·es, et à entraver les activités légitimes de défense des droits humains menées par l’association. L’Observatoire rappelle que l’Algérie, en tant qu’État partie au Pacte international relatif aux droits civils et politiques (PIDCP), qui garantit la liberté d’expression (article 19) et la liberté d’association (article 22), doit veiller à ce qu’aucune restriction ou entrave ne soit apportée à l’exercice de ces droits. Actions requises : L’Observatoire vous prie de bien vouloir écrire aux autorités algériennes en leur demandant de : Garantir en toutes circonstances l’intégrité physique et le bien-être psychologique des membres de SOS Disparus et du CFDA, ainsi que de l’ensemble des défenseur·es des droits humains en Algérie ; Lever immédiatement la mesure de fermeture et de mise sous scellés des bureaux de SOS Disparus, et permettre à l’association de reprendre ses activités ; Cesser tout harcèlement et toute intimidation à l’encontre d de l’ensemble des membres de SOS Disparus et du CFDA ainsi que tou⋅tes les défenseur⋅es des droits humains en Algérie et garantir en toutes circonstances qu’ils et elles puissent mener leurs activités légitimes en faveur des droits humains sans entraves ni crainte de représailles ; Garantir le respect effectif de la liberté d’association, de la liberté d’expression et du droit de défendre les droits humains, conformément aux obligations internationales de l’Algérie. Adresses : • M. Abdelmadjid Tebboune, Président de l’Algérie, E-mail : president@el-mouradia.dz, X : @TebbouneAmadjid • M. Nadir Larbaoui, Premier Ministre de l’Algérie, E-mail : primeminister@pm.gov.dz • M. Abderrachid Tabi, Ministre de la Justice de l’Algérie, E-mail : contact@mjustice.dz • M. Rachid Bladehane Ambassadeur extraordinaire et plénipotentiaire, Représentation Permanente de la République d’Algérie aux Nations unies à Genève, Suisse, E-mail : contact@mission-algeria.ch • M. Mohamed El Amine Bencherif, Ambassadeur de la République d’Algérie à Bruxelles, E-mail : info@algerian-embassy.be Prière d’écrire également aux représentations diplomatiques d’Algérie dans vos pays respectifs. *** Genève-Paris, le 18 mars 2026 Merci de bien vouloir informer l’Observatoire de toutes actions entreprises en indiquant le code de cet appel. L’Observatoire partenariat de la FIDH et de l’OMCT, a vocation à protéger les défenseur·es des droits humains victimes de violations et à leur apporter une aide aussi concrète que possible. La FIDH et l’OMCT sont membres de ProtectDefenders.eu, le mécanisme de l’Union européenne pour les défenseur·es des droits humains mis en œuvre par la société civile internationale. Pour contacter l’Observatoire, appeler La Ligne d’Urgence : · E-mail : alert@observatoryfordefenders.org · Tel FIDH : +33 1 43 55 25 18 · Tel OMCT : + 41 22 809 49 39]]> entraves répétées à leurs activités. L’association a notamment été ciblée par des interdictions d’événements, la surveillance et l’encerclement de ses locaux par les forces de sécurité, ainsi que par des mesures visant ses membres. En juillet 2025, Mme Nassera Dutour, présidente du CFDA, s’est vue refuser arbitrairement l’entrée sur le territoire algérien, la Cour administrative d’appel d’Alger ayant rejeté en janvier 2026 son recours contre cette interdiction d’entrée sur le territoire national. Ces éléments illustrent un schéma de harcèlement visant l’organisation dans un contexte plus large de restriction de l’espace civique, en particulier à l’égard des acteur·rices travaillant sur les disparitions forcées et l’héritage de la décennie noire. L’Observatoire exprime sa vive inquiétude face à la fermeture des bureaux de SOS Disparus, qui semble viser à réduire au silence l’un des derniers espaces de mémoire et de mobilisation des familles de disparu·es, et à entraver les activités légitimes de défense des droits humains menées par l’association. L’Observatoire rappelle que l’Algérie, en tant qu’État partie au Pacte international relatif aux droits civils et politiques (PIDCP), qui garantit la liberté d’expression (article 19) et la liberté d’association (article 22), doit veiller à ce qu’aucune restriction ou entrave ne soit apportée à l’exercice de ces droits. Actions requises : L’Observatoire vous prie de bien vouloir écrire aux autorités algériennes en leur demandant de : Garantir en toutes circonstances l’intégrité physique et le bien-être psychologique des membres de SOS Disparus et du CFDA, ainsi que de l’ensemble des défenseur·es des droits humains en Algérie ; Lever immédiatement la mesure de fermeture et de mise sous scellés des bureaux de SOS Disparus, et permettre à l’association de reprendre ses activités ; Cesser tout harcèlement et toute intimidation à l’encontre d de l’ensemble des membres de SOS Disparus et du CFDA ainsi que tou⋅tes les défenseur⋅es des droits humains en Algérie et garantir en toutes circonstances qu’ils et elles puissent mener leurs activités légitimes en faveur des droits humains sans entraves ni crainte de représailles ; Garantir le respect effectif de la liberté d’association, de la liberté d’expression et du droit de défendre les droits humains, conformément aux obligations internationales de l’Algérie. Adresses : • M. Abdelmadjid Tebboune, Président de l’Algérie, E-mail : president@el-mouradia.dz, X : @TebbouneAmadjid • M. Nadir Larbaoui, Premier Ministre de l’Algérie, E-mail : primeminister@pm.gov.dz • M. Abderrachid Tabi, Ministre de la Justice de l’Algérie, E-mail : contact@mjustice.dz • M. Rachid Bladehane Ambassadeur extraordinaire et plénipotentiaire, Représentation Permanente de la République d’Algérie aux Nations unies à Genève, Suisse, E-mail : contact@mission-algeria.ch • M. Mohamed El Amine Bencherif, Ambassadeur de la République d’Algérie à Bruxelles, E-mail : info@algerian-embassy.be Prière d’écrire également aux représentations diplomatiques d’Algérie dans vos pays respectifs. *** Genève-Paris, le 18 mars 2026 Merci de bien vouloir informer l’Observatoire de toutes actions entreprises en indiquant le code de cet appel. L’Observatoire partenariat de la FIDH et de l’OMCT, a vocation à protéger les défenseur·es des droits humains victimes de violations et à leur apporter une aide aussi concrète que possible. La FIDH et l’OMCT sont membres de ProtectDefenders.eu, le mécanisme de l’Union européenne pour les défenseur·es des droits humains mis en œuvre par la société civile internationale. Pour contacter l’Observatoire, appeler La Ligne d’Urgence : · E-mail : alert@observatoryfordefenders.org · Tel FIDH : +33 1 43 55 25 18 · Tel OMCT : + 41 22 809 49 39]]> https://observatoryfordefenders.org/alert/tunisie-la-defenseure-des-droits-humains-saadia-mosbah-doit-etre-liberee/ Wed, 18 Mar 2026 16:09:08 +0000 https://observatoryfordefenders.org/?post_type=alert&p=24568 Saadia Mosbah, défenseure des droits humains tunisienne, militante antiraciste et présidente de l’association M’nemty, engagée contre les discriminations raciales et pour les droits des personnes en déplacement en Tunisie. Elle a notamment contribué aux mobilisations ayant conduit à l’adoption en 2018 d’une loi tunisienne criminalisant les discriminations raciales. Le 12 mars 2026, Mme Saadia Mosbah a comparu devant la chambre criminelle du tribunal de première instance de Tunis, dans le cadre d’une affaire dans laquelle elle est poursuivie pour blanchiment d’argent en vertu de la loi n°26 de 2015 relative à la lutte contre le terrorisme et le blanchiment d’argent, pour enrichissement illicite et constitution d’une entente criminelle en lien avec les activités de l’association M’nemty, qu’elle préside. Lors de cette audience, ses avocat·es et ses proches ont demandé sa libération, dénonçant un « dossier vide et sans preuves ». Selon sa défense, l’état de santé de Mme Mosbah s’est fortement dégradé au cours de sa détention prolongée. La juridiction a toutefois rejeté sa demande de remise en liberté, et a fixé la prochaine audience au 19 mars 2026 afin d’examiner l’affaire sur le fond. Le 6 mai 2024, les autorités tunisiennes ont arrêté Mme Saadia Mosbah à son domicile dans le cadre d’une enquête judiciaire visant l’association M’nemty. L’enquête porte notamment sur les financements reçus par M’nemty dans le cadre de ses activités de soutien aux personnes en déplacement et de lutte contre les discriminations raciales. Le lendemain de cette arrestation, le 7 mai, les forces de l’ordre ont perquisitionné le siège de l’association M’nemty ainsi que le domicile de Mme Mosbah à Tunis. À l’issue de cette opération, les autorités ont placé la défenseure en détention provisoire à la prison pour femmes de Manouba, au nord du pays. Plusieurs membres de l’association ont également été convoqué·es, interrogé·es puis poursuivi·es pour les mêmes accusations par les autorités judiciaires dans les jours et semaines qui ont suivi, sans être incarcéré·es. Au cours des mois qui ont suivi l’arrestation de Mme Mosbah, le parquet près le tribunal de première instance de Tunis a prolongé à plusieurs reprises sa détention provisoire. En mars 2025, un rapport d’expertise comptable versé au dossier a conclu que les financements de l’association M’nemty étaient légaux, transparents et de faible ampleur, ce qui contredit les accusations de blanchiment d’argent portées contre Mme Mosbah. Malgré ces conclusions, les poursuites ont été maintenues. Le 22 décembre 2025, le procès de Mme Saadia Mosbah s’était ouvert devant la chambre criminelle du tribunal de première instance de Tunis, où plusieurs dizaines de personnes se sont rassemblées pour demander sa libération. Plusieurs membres de l’association M’nemty, également poursuivi·es, comparaissaient libres. Depuis le début de sa détention, Mme Mosbah a également dénoncé des conditions de détention difficiles. Transférée de la prison pour femmes de Manouba vers celle de Béni Khalled, dans le gouvernorat de Nabeul, elle a signalé dans des lettres rendues publiques en septembre et octobre 2025 des difficultés d’accès à l’eau potable, des restrictions concernant la réception de livres ainsi que des limitations dans les visites familiales. L’Observatoire rappelle qu’en février 2023, le président tunisien Kaïs Saïed a prononcé un discours dénonçant l’arrivée de personnes migrantes d’Afrique subsaharienne et évoquant un prétendu complot visant à modifier la composition démographique du pays. L’arrestation de Mme Mosbah est intervenue dans ce contexte de campagnes de diffamation et de harcèlement visant l’association M’nemty et plusieurs de ses membres sur les réseaux sociaux, accusant notamment l’organisation de participer à ce prétendu complot. L’Observatoire rappelle également que les poursuites visant Mme Mosbah s’inscrivent dans un contexte de répression croissante de la société civile en Tunisie, marqué par des poursuites judiciaires contre des défenseur·es des droits humains, des campagnes de dénigrement dans les médias et des restrictions visant les organisations travaillant sur les questions migratoires. L’Observatoire exprime sa vive inquiétude face au maintien en détention de Mme Saadia Mosbah depuis près de deux ans et considère que les poursuites engagées contre elle semblent viser à entraver ses activités légitimes de défense des droits humains, notamment son engagement contre le racisme et pour la défense des droits des personnes en déplacement. L’Observatoire appelle les autorités tunisiennes à libérer immédiatement Mme Mosbah et note également que ces conditions de détention, compte tenu notamment de son âge (66 ans) et des préoccupations relatives à son état de santé, pourraient constituer des traitements cruels, inhumains ou dégradants contraires aux obligations internationales de la Tunisie, notamment de l’article 7 et de l’article 10 du Pacte international relatif aux droits civils et politiques, ainsi que de l’article 16 de la Convention des Nations unies contre la torture. Actions requises : L’Observatoire vous prie de bien vouloir écrire aux autorités tunisiennes en leur demandant de : Garantir en toutes circonstances l’intégrité physique et le bien-être psychologique de Saadia Mosbah et de l’ensemble des défenseur·es des droits humains en Tunisie, et garantir son accès à des soins adéquats et aux visites ; Libérer immédiatement et de manière inconditionnelle Saadia Mosbah et tou·tes les défenseur·es des droits humains arbitrairement détenu·es pour leur travail légitime de défense des droits humains ; Mettre un terme à tout acte de harcèlement, y compris au niveau judiciaire, à l’encontre de Saadia Mosbah ainsi que de tou·tes les défenseur·es des droits humains ; Garantir le respect effectif du droit à un procès équitable pour Saadia Mosbah et l’ensemble des défenseur·es des droits humains et détenu·e·s en Tunisie ; et Cesser de cibler les défenseur.es et les organisations de droits humains, les journalistes et les médias en Tunisie et garantir en toutes circonstances qu’ils et elles puissent mener leurs activités légitimes en faveur des droits humains sans entraves ni crainte de représailles. Adresses : • M. Kaïs Saïed, Président de la République, Email : contact@carthage.tn ; X : @TnPresidency • Mme Sarra Zaafrani Zanzri, Cheffe de gouvernement, Email : boc@pm.gov.tn ; X : @TunisiaPM • Mme Leila Jaffel, Ministre de la Justice, Email : info@e-justice.tn • M. Khaled Nouri , Ministre de l’Intérieur, Email : boc@interieur.gov.tn • M. Sabri Bachtobji, Ambassadeur, Représentant permanent de la Tunisie auprès des Nations unies à Genève, Suisse, Email : at.geneve@diplomatie.gov.tn • M. Sahbi Khalfallah, Ambassadeur, Ambassade de la Tunisie à Bruxelles, Belgique, Email : at.belgique@diplomatie.gov.tn Prière d’écrire également aux représentations diplomatiques de Tunisie dans vos pays respectifs. *** Genève-Paris, le 18 Mars 2026 Merci de bien vouloir informer l’Observatoire de toutes actions entreprises en indiquant le code de cet appel. L’Observatoire partenariat de la FIDH et de l’OMCT, a vocation à protéger les défenseur·es des droits humains victimes de violations et à leur apporter une aide aussi concrète que possible. La FIDH et l’OMCT sont membres de ProtectDefenders.eu, le mécanisme de l’Union européenne pour les défenseur·es des droits humains mis en œuvre par la société civile internationale. Pour contacter l’Observatoire, appeler La Ligne d’Urgence : · E-mail : alert@observatoryfordefenders.org · Tel FIDH : +33 1 43 55 25 18 · Tel OMCT : + 41 22 809 49 39]]> Saadia Mosbah, défenseure des droits humains tunisienne, militante antiraciste et présidente de l’association M’nemty, engagée contre les discriminations raciales et pour les droits des personnes en déplacement en Tunisie. Elle a notamment contribué aux mobilisations ayant conduit à l’adoption en 2018 d’une loi tunisienne criminalisant les discriminations raciales. Le 12 mars 2026, Mme Saadia Mosbah a comparu devant la chambre criminelle du tribunal de première instance de Tunis, dans le cadre d’une affaire dans laquelle elle est poursuivie pour blanchiment d’argent en vertu de la loi n°26 de 2015 relative à la lutte contre le terrorisme et le blanchiment d’argent, pour enrichissement illicite et constitution d’une entente criminelle en lien avec les activités de l’association M’nemty, qu’elle préside. Lors de cette audience, ses avocat·es et ses proches ont demandé sa libération, dénonçant un « dossier vide et sans preuves ». Selon sa défense, l’état de santé de Mme Mosbah s’est fortement dégradé au cours de sa détention prolongée. La juridiction a toutefois rejeté sa demande de remise en liberté, et a fixé la prochaine audience au 19 mars 2026 afin d’examiner l’affaire sur le fond. Le 6 mai 2024, les autorités tunisiennes ont arrêté Mme Saadia Mosbah à son domicile dans le cadre d’une enquête judiciaire visant l’association M’nemty. L’enquête porte notamment sur les financements reçus par M’nemty dans le cadre de ses activités de soutien aux personnes en déplacement et de lutte contre les discriminations raciales. Le lendemain de cette arrestation, le 7 mai, les forces de l’ordre ont perquisitionné le siège de l’association M’nemty ainsi que le domicile de Mme Mosbah à Tunis. À l’issue de cette opération, les autorités ont placé la défenseure en détention provisoire à la prison pour femmes de Manouba, au nord du pays. Plusieurs membres de l’association ont également été convoqué·es, interrogé·es puis poursuivi·es pour les mêmes accusations par les autorités judiciaires dans les jours et semaines qui ont suivi, sans être incarcéré·es. Au cours des mois qui ont suivi l’arrestation de Mme Mosbah, le parquet près le tribunal de première instance de Tunis a prolongé à plusieurs reprises sa détention provisoire. En mars 2025, un rapport d’expertise comptable versé au dossier a conclu que les financements de l’association M’nemty étaient légaux, transparents et de faible ampleur, ce qui contredit les accusations de blanchiment d’argent portées contre Mme Mosbah. Malgré ces conclusions, les poursuites ont été maintenues. Le 22 décembre 2025, le procès de Mme Saadia Mosbah s’était ouvert devant la chambre criminelle du tribunal de première instance de Tunis, où plusieurs dizaines de personnes se sont rassemblées pour demander sa libération. Plusieurs membres de l’association M’nemty, également poursuivi·es, comparaissaient libres. Depuis le début de sa détention, Mme Mosbah a également dénoncé des conditions de détention difficiles. Transférée de la prison pour femmes de Manouba vers celle de Béni Khalled, dans le gouvernorat de Nabeul, elle a signalé dans des lettres rendues publiques en septembre et octobre 2025 des difficultés d’accès à l’eau potable, des restrictions concernant la réception de livres ainsi que des limitations dans les visites familiales. L’Observatoire rappelle qu’en février 2023, le président tunisien Kaïs Saïed a prononcé un discours dénonçant l’arrivée de personnes migrantes d’Afrique subsaharienne et évoquant un prétendu complot visant à modifier la composition démographique du pays. L’arrestation de Mme Mosbah est intervenue dans ce contexte de campagnes de diffamation et de harcèlement visant l’association M’nemty et plusieurs de ses membres sur les réseaux sociaux, accusant notamment l’organisation de participer à ce prétendu complot. L’Observatoire rappelle également que les poursuites visant Mme Mosbah s’inscrivent dans un contexte de répression croissante de la société civile en Tunisie, marqué par des poursuites judiciaires contre des défenseur·es des droits humains, des campagnes de dénigrement dans les médias et des restrictions visant les organisations travaillant sur les questions migratoires. L’Observatoire exprime sa vive inquiétude face au maintien en détention de Mme Saadia Mosbah depuis près de deux ans et considère que les poursuites engagées contre elle semblent viser à entraver ses activités légitimes de défense des droits humains, notamment son engagement contre le racisme et pour la défense des droits des personnes en déplacement. L’Observatoire appelle les autorités tunisiennes à libérer immédiatement Mme Mosbah et note également que ces conditions de détention, compte tenu notamment de son âge (66 ans) et des préoccupations relatives à son état de santé, pourraient constituer des traitements cruels, inhumains ou dégradants contraires aux obligations internationales de la Tunisie, notamment de l’article 7 et de l’article 10 du Pacte international relatif aux droits civils et politiques, ainsi que de l’article 16 de la Convention des Nations unies contre la torture. Actions requises : L’Observatoire vous prie de bien vouloir écrire aux autorités tunisiennes en leur demandant de : Garantir en toutes circonstances l’intégrité physique et le bien-être psychologique de Saadia Mosbah et de l’ensemble des défenseur·es des droits humains en Tunisie, et garantir son accès à des soins adéquats et aux visites ; Libérer immédiatement et de manière inconditionnelle Saadia Mosbah et tou·tes les défenseur·es des droits humains arbitrairement détenu·es pour leur travail légitime de défense des droits humains ; Mettre un terme à tout acte de harcèlement, y compris au niveau judiciaire, à l’encontre de Saadia Mosbah ainsi que de tou·tes les défenseur·es des droits humains ; Garantir le respect effectif du droit à un procès équitable pour Saadia Mosbah et l’ensemble des défenseur·es des droits humains et détenu·e·s en Tunisie ; et Cesser de cibler les défenseur.es et les organisations de droits humains, les journalistes et les médias en Tunisie et garantir en toutes circonstances qu’ils et elles puissent mener leurs activités légitimes en faveur des droits humains sans entraves ni crainte de représailles. Adresses : • M. Kaïs Saïed, Président de la République, Email : contact@carthage.tn ; X : @TnPresidency • Mme Sarra Zaafrani Zanzri, Cheffe de gouvernement, Email : boc@pm.gov.tn ; X : @TunisiaPM • Mme Leila Jaffel, Ministre de la Justice, Email : info@e-justice.tn • M. Khaled Nouri , Ministre de l’Intérieur, Email : boc@interieur.gov.tn • M. Sabri Bachtobji, Ambassadeur, Représentant permanent de la Tunisie auprès des Nations unies à Genève, Suisse, Email : at.geneve@diplomatie.gov.tn • M. Sahbi Khalfallah, Ambassadeur, Ambassade de la Tunisie à Bruxelles, Belgique, Email : at.belgique@diplomatie.gov.tn Prière d’écrire également aux représentations diplomatiques de Tunisie dans vos pays respectifs. *** Genève-Paris, le 18 Mars 2026 Merci de bien vouloir informer l’Observatoire de toutes actions entreprises en indiquant le code de cet appel. L’Observatoire partenariat de la FIDH et de l’OMCT, a vocation à protéger les défenseur·es des droits humains victimes de violations et à leur apporter une aide aussi concrète que possible. La FIDH et l’OMCT sont membres de ProtectDefenders.eu, le mécanisme de l’Union européenne pour les défenseur·es des droits humains mis en œuvre par la société civile internationale. Pour contacter l’Observatoire, appeler La Ligne d’Urgence : · E-mail : alert@observatoryfordefenders.org · Tel FIDH : +33 1 43 55 25 18 · Tel OMCT : + 41 22 809 49 39]]>