https://observatoryfordefenders.org Fri, 20 Mar 2026 16:09:20 +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/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]]> https://observatoryfordefenders.org/alert/turkey-lengthy-prison-sentences-imposed-on-ohd-lawyers-and-tuad-members-for-lawful-professional-and-human-rights-work/ Tue, 17 Feb 2026 17:08:39 +0000 https://observatoryfordefenders.org/?post_type=alert&p=24433 Özgürlük İçin Hukukçular Derneği, ÖHD) and of 20 executives and staff of the Prisoners’ Families Solidarity Association (Tutuklu Aileleri ile Dayanışma Derneği, TUAD) by the Istanbul 14th Heavy Penal Court on 28 January 2026. The unjust sentences, imposed after nearly ten years of proceedings, are the latest alarming example of a broader pattern of criminalising the legal profession and human rights defense in Turkey. Those convicted and sentenced are at liberty pending appeals of their convictions. Criminalisation of lawful professional and human rights activities  The case originates from a criminal investigation launched in 2016 against ÖHD lawyers and TUAD members, based on allegations that they had facilitated communication between prisoners held in separate prisons and the outside world between 2011 and 2014. All defendants in the case were charged with “membership of an armed organisation” and, in some cases, with “making propaganda for an armed organisation”, solely on account of their lawful professional and advocacy activities. During the arrests carried out in 2016, nine ÖHD lawyers were taken into police custody. Although all were initially released, three were remanded in prison upon the prosecutor’s objection. Hüseyin Boğatekin was released after 15 days, while Ayşe Acinikli and Ramazan Demir were held in pre-trial detention for six months. The evidence relied upon by the prosecution appears, on the basis of the case file and trial record, to consist entirely of lawful activities. These included prison visits, trial monitoring, legal representation of clients, public statements, and communications with colleagues and clients carried out by ÖHD lawyers, as well as TUAD’s work documenting prison conditions, issuing public statements on rights violations, and monitoring the health of prisoners during the 2012 hunger strikes. None of these activities involved incitement to violence, coercion, or any form of unlawful conduct. A trial marked by fair trial violations  Throughout the nearly ten-year trial, the court consistently rejected defense requests to exclude evidence obtained unlawfully, including material collected by prosecutors and authorised by judges who were later dismissed and/or prosecuted and convicted of membership of “Fethullahist Terrorist Organisation” (FETÖ, the term used by the Turkish authorities to designate the Gülen Movement, which the government accuses of creating a parallel state and orchestrating the coup attempt of July 2016). The prosecution relied upon evidence obtained through unlawful surveillance measures. Wiretapping and technical surveillance orders were extended repeatedly; carried out for over a year; and listening devices were installed inside TUAD premises, without proper regard to the exceptional nature of such measures and the safeguards, limitations and conditions laid down in the Turkish Code of Criminal Procedure. Defense arguments that lawyers were being prosecuted simply for acts carried out in the course of their professional duties - and that, under domestic law, such investigations and prosecutions require Ministry of Justice’s prior authorisation - were dismissed without adequate reasoning. Sentences imposed  Despite these shortcomings, and other violations reported in the proceedings, the Istanbul 14th Heavy Penal Court convicted 10 ÖHD lawyers and 20 TUAD members on 28 January 2026, imposing sentences ranging from 10 months to 12 years 6 months of imprisonment. The convictions were based primarily on charges of “membership of an armed organisation” under Article 314(2) of the Turkish Penal Code (TPC) and, in some cases, “making propaganda for an armed organisation” under Article 7(2) of the Anti-Terrorism Law - provisions that are routinely misused in Turkey to criminalise lawful professional activity, expression, and association. The sentences imposed on the lawyers are as follows: • Adem Çalışçı  – 1 year 3 months (Article 7(2) of the Anti-Terrorism Law) • Ayşe Acinikli  – 6 years 3 months (Article 314(2) of the TPC) • Ayşe Gösterişlioğlu  – 6 years 3 months (Article 314(2) of the TPC) and 7 months 15 days (Law No 6136) • Hüseyin Boğatekin – 7 years 6 months (Article 314(2) of the TPC) • Ramazan Demir  – 7 years 6 months (Article 314(2) of the TPC) and 3 years 9 months (Article 7(2) of the Anti-Terrorism Law) • Raziye Öztürk  – 6 years 3 months (Article 314(2) of the TPC) • Ruhşen Mahmutoğlu  – 6 years 3 months (Article 314(2) of the TPC) • Şefik Çelik – 1 year 3 months (Article 7(2) of the Anti-Terrorism Law) • Sinan Zincir – 7 years 6 months (Article 314(2) of the TPC) • Tamer Doğan – 4 years 6 months (Article 7(2) of the Anti-Terrorism Law) and 1 year 2 months (Article 299((1) of the TPC on insult to president) The remaining convictions in the case concern TUAD members and similarly relate solely to lawful human rights and solidarity activities, including documenting prison conditions, publicly reporting on human rights violations, and advocating for the protection of prisoners’ health and dignity. An assault on human rights  The arrest, detention, prosecution and conviction of lawyers for carrying out their professional activities violates the rights of the individuals concerned and impacts human rights more broadly, creating a chilling effect for lawyers wanting to take on human rights cases and challenge abuses of power. The targeting of members of ÖHD working in the field of human rights – particularly those involved in cases concerning pro-Kurdish and minority rights in an environment marked by the politicisation of the judiciary and sustained attacks on the legal profession – is particularly alarming. These convictions must be understood in the context of a broader strategy to intimidate lawyers, dismantle independent legal advocacy, and suppress human rights monitoring in Türkiye. Incompatibility with international standards on the legal profession and human rights  The prosecution and conviction of ÖHD lawyers in these proceedings raise serious concerns of incompatibility with Türkiye’s obligations under international human rights law and standards governing the legal profession. International instruments, including the United Nations Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers, require that lawyers must not be identified with their clients or their clients’ causes and must not face prosecution or sanctions for actions taken in accordance with their professional duties (Principles 16 and 18). They further affirm the right of lawyers and their professional associations to engage in public discussion on matters concerning the administration of justice and human rights without fear of retaliation (Principle 23). These guarantees are reflected in the Council of Europe Convention for the Protection of the Profession of Lawyer and the Committee of Ministers’ Recommendation (2000)21 and, which underscore the independence of lawyers and their freedom from intimidation, interference, or improper sanctions. The proceedings also raise issues under Articles 6, 10 and 11 of the European Convention on Human Rights and Articles 14, 19 and 22 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, in light of the apparent criminalisation of lawful professional activity, expression, and association, as well as the reported reliance on unlawfully obtained evidence. Call for action  The undersigned organisations: Condemn the convictions and sentences imposed on ÖHD lawyers and TUAD members for their lawful professional and human rights activities; Call on the Turkish authorities to quash these convictions and terminate all proceedings targeting lawyers and civil society actors simply for the exercise of their professional duties and rights to freedom of expression and association; Call on the Turkish authorities to sign and ratify the Council of Europe Convention for the Protection of the Profession of Lawyer, and to take immediate steps to align domestic law and practice with its safeguards, including by ensuring that lawyers are not subjected to criminal investigation, prosecution, or sanction for acts carried out in the legitimate exercise of their professional duties; and Urge the international community, including United Nations, Council of Europe and European Union mechanisms, to closely monitor this case and the wider pattern of persecution of lawyers and human rights defenders in Türkiye, and to engage with the Turkish authorities to demand compliance with their international human rights obligations.]]> Özgürlük İçin Hukukçular Derneği, ÖHD) and of 20 executives and staff of the Prisoners’ Families Solidarity Association (Tutuklu Aileleri ile Dayanışma Derneği, TUAD) by the Istanbul 14th Heavy Penal Court on 28 January 2026. The unjust sentences, imposed after nearly ten years of proceedings, are the latest alarming example of a broader pattern of criminalising the legal profession and human rights defense in Turkey. Those convicted and sentenced are at liberty pending appeals of their convictions. Criminalisation of lawful professional and human rights activities  The case originates from a criminal investigation launched in 2016 against ÖHD lawyers and TUAD members, based on allegations that they had facilitated communication between prisoners held in separate prisons and the outside world between 2011 and 2014. All defendants in the case were charged with “membership of an armed organisation” and, in some cases, with “making propaganda for an armed organisation”, solely on account of their lawful professional and advocacy activities. During the arrests carried out in 2016, nine ÖHD lawyers were taken into police custody. Although all were initially released, three were remanded in prison upon the prosecutor’s objection. Hüseyin Boğatekin was released after 15 days, while Ayşe Acinikli and Ramazan Demir were held in pre-trial detention for six months. The evidence relied upon by the prosecution appears, on the basis of the case file and trial record, to consist entirely of lawful activities. These included prison visits, trial monitoring, legal representation of clients, public statements, and communications with colleagues and clients carried out by ÖHD lawyers, as well as TUAD’s work documenting prison conditions, issuing public statements on rights violations, and monitoring the health of prisoners during the 2012 hunger strikes. None of these activities involved incitement to violence, coercion, or any form of unlawful conduct. A trial marked by fair trial violations  Throughout the nearly ten-year trial, the court consistently rejected defense requests to exclude evidence obtained unlawfully, including material collected by prosecutors and authorised by judges who were later dismissed and/or prosecuted and convicted of membership of “Fethullahist Terrorist Organisation” (FETÖ, the term used by the Turkish authorities to designate the Gülen Movement, which the government accuses of creating a parallel state and orchestrating the coup attempt of July 2016). The prosecution relied upon evidence obtained through unlawful surveillance measures. Wiretapping and technical surveillance orders were extended repeatedly; carried out for over a year; and listening devices were installed inside TUAD premises, without proper regard to the exceptional nature of such measures and the safeguards, limitations and conditions laid down in the Turkish Code of Criminal Procedure. Defense arguments that lawyers were being prosecuted simply for acts carried out in the course of their professional duties - and that, under domestic law, such investigations and prosecutions require Ministry of Justice’s prior authorisation - were dismissed without adequate reasoning. Sentences imposed  Despite these shortcomings, and other violations reported in the proceedings, the Istanbul 14th Heavy Penal Court convicted 10 ÖHD lawyers and 20 TUAD members on 28 January 2026, imposing sentences ranging from 10 months to 12 years 6 months of imprisonment. The convictions were based primarily on charges of “membership of an armed organisation” under Article 314(2) of the Turkish Penal Code (TPC) and, in some cases, “making propaganda for an armed organisation” under Article 7(2) of the Anti-Terrorism Law - provisions that are routinely misused in Turkey to criminalise lawful professional activity, expression, and association. The sentences imposed on the lawyers are as follows: • Adem Çalışçı  – 1 year 3 months (Article 7(2) of the Anti-Terrorism Law) • Ayşe Acinikli  – 6 years 3 months (Article 314(2) of the TPC) • Ayşe Gösterişlioğlu  – 6 years 3 months (Article 314(2) of the TPC) and 7 months 15 days (Law No 6136) • Hüseyin Boğatekin – 7 years 6 months (Article 314(2) of the TPC) • Ramazan Demir  – 7 years 6 months (Article 314(2) of the TPC) and 3 years 9 months (Article 7(2) of the Anti-Terrorism Law) • Raziye Öztürk  – 6 years 3 months (Article 314(2) of the TPC) • Ruhşen Mahmutoğlu  – 6 years 3 months (Article 314(2) of the TPC) • Şefik Çelik – 1 year 3 months (Article 7(2) of the Anti-Terrorism Law) • Sinan Zincir – 7 years 6 months (Article 314(2) of the TPC) • Tamer Doğan – 4 years 6 months (Article 7(2) of the Anti-Terrorism Law) and 1 year 2 months (Article 299((1) of the TPC on insult to president) The remaining convictions in the case concern TUAD members and similarly relate solely to lawful human rights and solidarity activities, including documenting prison conditions, publicly reporting on human rights violations, and advocating for the protection of prisoners’ health and dignity. An assault on human rights  The arrest, detention, prosecution and conviction of lawyers for carrying out their professional activities violates the rights of the individuals concerned and impacts human rights more broadly, creating a chilling effect for lawyers wanting to take on human rights cases and challenge abuses of power. The targeting of members of ÖHD working in the field of human rights – particularly those involved in cases concerning pro-Kurdish and minority rights in an environment marked by the politicisation of the judiciary and sustained attacks on the legal profession – is particularly alarming. These convictions must be understood in the context of a broader strategy to intimidate lawyers, dismantle independent legal advocacy, and suppress human rights monitoring in Türkiye. Incompatibility with international standards on the legal profession and human rights  The prosecution and conviction of ÖHD lawyers in these proceedings raise serious concerns of incompatibility with Türkiye’s obligations under international human rights law and standards governing the legal profession. International instruments, including the United Nations Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers, require that lawyers must not be identified with their clients or their clients’ causes and must not face prosecution or sanctions for actions taken in accordance with their professional duties (Principles 16 and 18). They further affirm the right of lawyers and their professional associations to engage in public discussion on matters concerning the administration of justice and human rights without fear of retaliation (Principle 23). These guarantees are reflected in the Council of Europe Convention for the Protection of the Profession of Lawyer and the Committee of Ministers’ Recommendation (2000)21 and, which underscore the independence of lawyers and their freedom from intimidation, interference, or improper sanctions. The proceedings also raise issues under Articles 6, 10 and 11 of the European Convention on Human Rights and Articles 14, 19 and 22 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, in light of the apparent criminalisation of lawful professional activity, expression, and association, as well as the reported reliance on unlawfully obtained evidence. Call for action  The undersigned organisations: Condemn the convictions and sentences imposed on ÖHD lawyers and TUAD members for their lawful professional and human rights activities; Call on the Turkish authorities to quash these convictions and terminate all proceedings targeting lawyers and civil society actors simply for the exercise of their professional duties and rights to freedom of expression and association; Call on the Turkish authorities to sign and ratify the Council of Europe Convention for the Protection of the Profession of Lawyer, and to take immediate steps to align domestic law and practice with its safeguards, including by ensuring that lawyers are not subjected to criminal investigation, prosecution, or sanction for acts carried out in the legitimate exercise of their professional duties; and Urge the international community, including United Nations, Council of Europe and European Union mechanisms, to closely monitor this case and the wider pattern of persecution of lawyers and human rights defenders in Türkiye, and to engage with the Turkish authorities to demand compliance with their international human rights obligations.]]> https://observatoryfordefenders.org/alert/uganda-release-on-bail-and-ongoing-judicial-harassment-of-eron-kiiza/ Wed, 23 Apr 2025 13:31:25 +0000 https://observatoryfordefenders.org/?post_type=alert&p=23229 Eron Kiiza, a lawyer involved in numerous public interest cases, and an advocate of human rights, environmental protection and the rule of law in Uganda. On 4 April 2025, the Criminal Division of the High Court of Uganda at Kampala granted bail to Eron Kiiza pending his appeal trial. He was released on a 20 million Ugandan shillings (approximately 5,000 Euros) bail and on the condition that he surrender his passport. The Observatory recalls that on 7 January 2025, Eron Kiiza was violently arrested by a soldier while entering the courtroom of the General Court Martial in Makindye, where he was representing, in his capacity as a lawyer, political opponent Dr Kizza Besigye and his aide Obeid Lutale during their trial. Mr Kiiza was then taken to an unknown location for several hours, during which he was beaten and subjected to acts of torture. He reappeared a few hours later before the General Court Martial and was convicted for “contempt of court” and immediately sentenced to nine months in prison in violation of due process and fair trial standards as well as of international, constitutional and Ugandan domestic law. After the verdict, Mr Kiiza was immediately transferred to Kitalya Government prison, Busiro County, Wakiso District. On 13 January 2025, Mr Kiiza appealed his sentence before the Court Martial appellate at Makindye. The appeal hearing in his case was not scheduled until 31 January 2025, when the Supreme Court declared in a landmark judgement 1 that all charges, ongoing and pending criminal trials, and convictions (which have been appealed) involving civilians before a military court, including the Court Martial Appellate Division, must immediately cease and be transferred to the ordinary courts of law with competent jurisdiction. Mr Kiiza’s appeal was then transferred to the Criminal Division of the High Court at Kampala, and no date for a hearing has been fixed. In addition, Mr Kiiza and his legal team have filed human rights enforcement applications challenging the conduct and actions he was subjected to during and after his arrest, and the illegality of the proceedings that led to his conviction. The Observatory strongly condemns the ongoing judicial harassment and acts of torture and ill-treatment against Eron Kiiza, which appear to be aimed only at restricting his freedom of expression and hindering his legitimate activities as a human rights lawyer. Persistent reports of arbitrary arrests and detentions by security forces targeting lawyers and human rights defenders were outlined in 2023 in the United Nations Human Rights Committee’s concluding observations on the second periodic report of Uganda, demonstrating a worrying trend. The Observatory urges the Ugandan authorities to immediately quash the conviction against Eron Kiiza and to put an end to any act of harassment, including at the judicial level, and any act of intimidation against him, as well as against all human rights lawyers and human rights defenders in the country. The Observatory further calls on the Ugandan authorities to carry out an immediate investigation into the acts of torture and ill-treatment against Eron Kiiza, and bring the perpetrators to justice in accordance with international human rights standards. The United Nations Committee against Torture has already expressed in 2022 deep concerns that torture and ill-treatment were widespread and frequently practised in Uganda, and recommended the immediate suspension of suspected perpetrators from duty while investigations are carried out. The Observatory also calls on the authorities in Uganda to guarantee that all lawyers in the country are able to carry out their legitimate professional activities without fear of reprisals, and free of all undue restrictions, in compliance with the United Nations Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers, adopted in Havana in 1990. 1 In the case Attorney General V Micheal Kabaziguruka Civil Appeal No. 02 of 2021, the Supreme Court delivered a landmark judgement which quashed the authority of the General Court Martial to try civilians. The Supreme Court also reduced the General Court Martial to a mere disciplinary unit with powers to check the disciplinary conduct of the armed forces within their scope of duty. The lead judgement was delivered by the Chief Justice.]]> Eron Kiiza, a lawyer involved in numerous public interest cases, and an advocate of human rights, environmental protection and the rule of law in Uganda. On 4 April 2025, the Criminal Division of the High Court of Uganda at Kampala granted bail to Eron Kiiza pending his appeal trial. He was released on a 20 million Ugandan shillings (approximately 5,000 Euros) bail and on the condition that he surrender his passport. The Observatory recalls that on 7 January 2025, Eron Kiiza was violently arrested by a soldier while entering the courtroom of the General Court Martial in Makindye, where he was representing, in his capacity as a lawyer, political opponent Dr Kizza Besigye and his aide Obeid Lutale during their trial. Mr Kiiza was then taken to an unknown location for several hours, during which he was beaten and subjected to acts of torture. He reappeared a few hours later before the General Court Martial and was convicted for “contempt of court” and immediately sentenced to nine months in prison in violation of due process and fair trial standards as well as of international, constitutional and Ugandan domestic law. After the verdict, Mr Kiiza was immediately transferred to Kitalya Government prison, Busiro County, Wakiso District. On 13 January 2025, Mr Kiiza appealed his sentence before the Court Martial appellate at Makindye. The appeal hearing in his case was not scheduled until 31 January 2025, when the Supreme Court declared in a landmark judgement 1 that all charges, ongoing and pending criminal trials, and convictions (which have been appealed) involving civilians before a military court, including the Court Martial Appellate Division, must immediately cease and be transferred to the ordinary courts of law with competent jurisdiction. Mr Kiiza’s appeal was then transferred to the Criminal Division of the High Court at Kampala, and no date for a hearing has been fixed. In addition, Mr Kiiza and his legal team have filed human rights enforcement applications challenging the conduct and actions he was subjected to during and after his arrest, and the illegality of the proceedings that led to his conviction. The Observatory strongly condemns the ongoing judicial harassment and acts of torture and ill-treatment against Eron Kiiza, which appear to be aimed only at restricting his freedom of expression and hindering his legitimate activities as a human rights lawyer. Persistent reports of arbitrary arrests and detentions by security forces targeting lawyers and human rights defenders were outlined in 2023 in the United Nations Human Rights Committee’s concluding observations on the second periodic report of Uganda, demonstrating a worrying trend. The Observatory urges the Ugandan authorities to immediately quash the conviction against Eron Kiiza and to put an end to any act of harassment, including at the judicial level, and any act of intimidation against him, as well as against all human rights lawyers and human rights defenders in the country. The Observatory further calls on the Ugandan authorities to carry out an immediate investigation into the acts of torture and ill-treatment against Eron Kiiza, and bring the perpetrators to justice in accordance with international human rights standards. The United Nations Committee against Torture has already expressed in 2022 deep concerns that torture and ill-treatment were widespread and frequently practised in Uganda, and recommended the immediate suspension of suspected perpetrators from duty while investigations are carried out. The Observatory also calls on the authorities in Uganda to guarantee that all lawyers in the country are able to carry out their legitimate professional activities without fear of reprisals, and free of all undue restrictions, in compliance with the United Nations Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers, adopted in Havana in 1990. 1 In the case Attorney General V Micheal Kabaziguruka Civil Appeal No. 02 of 2021, the Supreme Court delivered a landmark judgement which quashed the authority of the General Court Martial to try civilians. The Supreme Court also reduced the General Court Martial to a mere disciplinary unit with powers to check the disciplinary conduct of the armed forces within their scope of duty. The lead judgement was delivered by the Chief Justice.]]> https://observatoryfordefenders.org/alert/thailand-fifth-conviction-of-pro-democracy-activist-anon-nampa-under-lese-majeste-charges/ Thu, 05 Dec 2024 13:58:58 +0000 https://observatoryfordefenders.org/?post_type=alert&p=22628 Anon Nampa, a prominent pro-democracy activist and human rights lawyer who has been arbitrarily imprisoned since September 26, 2023. On December 3, 2024, the Bangkok Criminal Court found Anon Nampa guilty under Article 112 of Thailand’s Criminal Code (“lèse-majesté”)1 and Article 14 of the Computer Crimes Act2 and sentenced him to two years in prison, reduced from three years because the court deemed Mr Anon's testimony useful to the trial. This conviction stems from Mr Anon’s participation in a campaign conducted in 2020 by pro-democracy protesters to write letters to King Rama X to reiterate their demands for the reform of the Thai monarchy. On November 8, 2020, pro-democracy protesters rallied from Bangkok’s Democracy Monument to the area near the Grand Palace to deliver the letters. Like many other activists, Mr Anon posted his letter on his personal Facebook account, criticising the role of the Thai King as being against democratic principles and calling for a reform of the Thai monarchy in the framework of a democratic system with the King as head of state. The Observatory notes with grave concern that this marks the fifth conviction of Anon Nampa under Article 112 of the Criminal Code. Mr Anon will now serve a total of 16 years in prison for lèse-majesté. As a result of this fifth conviction, Mr Anon may be transferred from the Bangkok Remand Prison, where he has been arbitrarily imprisoned since his first lèse-majesté conviction on September 26, 2023, to Klong Prem Central Prison in Bangkok, where prisoners sentenced to more than 15 years are held. The Observatory recalls that on September 26, 2023, the Criminal Court sentenced Anon Nampa to four years in prison on one count of “lèse-majesté”, and imposed a fine of 20,000 baht (approximately 525 Euros) for violation of the Emergency Decree. This legal action arose from a speech that Mr Anon delivered on October 14, 2020, during a peaceful demonstration at Bangkok’s Democracy Monument, where protesters had gathered to call on the government to comply with the three demands put forward by the pro-democracy movement that began in February 2020, including the reform of the Thai monarchy.3 Mr Anon was charged with “lèse-majesté” over his statements referring to King Rama X as the person with the sole authority to order the dispersal of protests, instead of the riot police. On September 30, 2023, the Court of Appeals rejected Mr Anon’s request for bail, citing the severity of his sentence and the fact that he would be a flight risk, if released on bail. On January 17, 2024, the Bangkok Criminal Court found Anon Nampa guilty of one count of lèse-majesté and Article 14(3) of the Computer Crimes Act, and sentenced him to four years in prison. These charges stemmed from three Facebook posts he published on January 1 and January 3, 2021, questioning the enforcement of Article 112 of the Criminal Code and advocating for the right to freedom of expression in connection with criticism of the Thai monarchy. On April 29, 2024, the Bangkok South Criminal Court found Mr Anon guilty under one count of lèse-majesté and the Emergency Decree, and sentenced him to two years and 20 days in prison, in relation to a speech he gave during a protest in central Bangkok on August 3, 2021, during which he criticised the transfer of public property into King Rama X’s personal ownership and called for the reform of the Thai monarchy. On July 25, 2024, the Bangkok Criminal Court found Anon Nampa guilty under Article 112 of Thailand’s Criminal Code and Article 14 of the Computer Crimes Act, and sentenced him to four years in prison, in relation to the publication by Mr Anon of two Facebook posts on January 11 and February 3, 2021, in which he allegedly criticised King Rama X. The Observatory further recalls that Anon Nampa is currently facing legal action in connection with nine more lèse-majesté cases. Mr Anon was previously arbitrarily detained twice. From February 9 to June 1, 2021, he was detained for 113 days on charges of lèse-majesté and sedition (Article 116 of Thailand Criminal Code). These charges were related to a speech concerning the Thai monarchy that he delivered during a peaceful pro-democracy protest at Bangkok’s Sanam Luang on September 19, 2020. The second detention spanned 202 days, from August 11, 2021, to February 28, 2022, in relation to 12 additional lèse-majesté cases. His temporary release requests were denied numerous times. The Observatory recalls that on August 30, 2024, the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (WGAD) found Anon Nampa’s detention “arbitrary” and urged the Thai government to release him “immediately” and “accord him an enforceable right to compensation and other reparations”, in response to a petition filed jointly by FIDH and Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR) on March 5, 2024. The Observatory notes with concern that between November 19, 2020, and November 25, 2024, 276 people, including many human rights defenders and 20 minors, were charged under Article 112 of the Criminal Code. Fifteen of them are currently detained pending trial or appeal, and nine more are serving prison sentences. On May 14, 2024, youth activist “Bung” Thaluwang, detained pre-trial under “lèse-majesté”, died in custody after a prolonged hunger strike that ended in April 2024. The Observatory strongly condemns the recent conviction, sentencing, and continued arbitrary imprisonment of Anon Nampa, along with the ongoing judicial harassment against him. These actions appear to be solely aimed at punishing him for his legitimate human rights activities and the exercise of his rights to freedom of expression and of peaceful assembly. The Observatory calls on the Thai authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Mr Anon and all other arbitrarily detained human rights defenders in the country and to put an end to all forms of judicial harassment against them.]]> Anon Nampa, a prominent pro-democracy activist and human rights lawyer who has been arbitrarily imprisoned since September 26, 2023. On December 3, 2024, the Bangkok Criminal Court found Anon Nampa guilty under Article 112 of Thailand’s Criminal Code (“lèse-majesté”)1 and Article 14 of the Computer Crimes Act2 and sentenced him to two years in prison, reduced from three years because the court deemed Mr Anon's testimony useful to the trial. This conviction stems from Mr Anon’s participation in a campaign conducted in 2020 by pro-democracy protesters to write letters to King Rama X to reiterate their demands for the reform of the Thai monarchy. On November 8, 2020, pro-democracy protesters rallied from Bangkok’s Democracy Monument to the area near the Grand Palace to deliver the letters. Like many other activists, Mr Anon posted his letter on his personal Facebook account, criticising the role of the Thai King as being against democratic principles and calling for a reform of the Thai monarchy in the framework of a democratic system with the King as head of state. The Observatory notes with grave concern that this marks the fifth conviction of Anon Nampa under Article 112 of the Criminal Code. Mr Anon will now serve a total of 16 years in prison for lèse-majesté. As a result of this fifth conviction, Mr Anon may be transferred from the Bangkok Remand Prison, where he has been arbitrarily imprisoned since his first lèse-majesté conviction on September 26, 2023, to Klong Prem Central Prison in Bangkok, where prisoners sentenced to more than 15 years are held. The Observatory recalls that on September 26, 2023, the Criminal Court sentenced Anon Nampa to four years in prison on one count of “lèse-majesté”, and imposed a fine of 20,000 baht (approximately 525 Euros) for violation of the Emergency Decree. This legal action arose from a speech that Mr Anon delivered on October 14, 2020, during a peaceful demonstration at Bangkok’s Democracy Monument, where protesters had gathered to call on the government to comply with the three demands put forward by the pro-democracy movement that began in February 2020, including the reform of the Thai monarchy.3 Mr Anon was charged with “lèse-majesté” over his statements referring to King Rama X as the person with the sole authority to order the dispersal of protests, instead of the riot police. On September 30, 2023, the Court of Appeals rejected Mr Anon’s request for bail, citing the severity of his sentence and the fact that he would be a flight risk, if released on bail. On January 17, 2024, the Bangkok Criminal Court found Anon Nampa guilty of one count of lèse-majesté and Article 14(3) of the Computer Crimes Act, and sentenced him to four years in prison. These charges stemmed from three Facebook posts he published on January 1 and January 3, 2021, questioning the enforcement of Article 112 of the Criminal Code and advocating for the right to freedom of expression in connection with criticism of the Thai monarchy. On April 29, 2024, the Bangkok South Criminal Court found Mr Anon guilty under one count of lèse-majesté and the Emergency Decree, and sentenced him to two years and 20 days in prison, in relation to a speech he gave during a protest in central Bangkok on August 3, 2021, during which he criticised the transfer of public property into King Rama X’s personal ownership and called for the reform of the Thai monarchy. On July 25, 2024, the Bangkok Criminal Court found Anon Nampa guilty under Article 112 of Thailand’s Criminal Code and Article 14 of the Computer Crimes Act, and sentenced him to four years in prison, in relation to the publication by Mr Anon of two Facebook posts on January 11 and February 3, 2021, in which he allegedly criticised King Rama X. The Observatory further recalls that Anon Nampa is currently facing legal action in connection with nine more lèse-majesté cases. Mr Anon was previously arbitrarily detained twice. From February 9 to June 1, 2021, he was detained for 113 days on charges of lèse-majesté and sedition (Article 116 of Thailand Criminal Code). These charges were related to a speech concerning the Thai monarchy that he delivered during a peaceful pro-democracy protest at Bangkok’s Sanam Luang on September 19, 2020. The second detention spanned 202 days, from August 11, 2021, to February 28, 2022, in relation to 12 additional lèse-majesté cases. His temporary release requests were denied numerous times. The Observatory recalls that on August 30, 2024, the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (WGAD) found Anon Nampa’s detention “arbitrary” and urged the Thai government to release him “immediately” and “accord him an enforceable right to compensation and other reparations”, in response to a petition filed jointly by FIDH and Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR) on March 5, 2024. The Observatory notes with concern that between November 19, 2020, and November 25, 2024, 276 people, including many human rights defenders and 20 minors, were charged under Article 112 of the Criminal Code. Fifteen of them are currently detained pending trial or appeal, and nine more are serving prison sentences. On May 14, 2024, youth activist “Bung” Thaluwang, detained pre-trial under “lèse-majesté”, died in custody after a prolonged hunger strike that ended in April 2024. The Observatory strongly condemns the recent conviction, sentencing, and continued arbitrary imprisonment of Anon Nampa, along with the ongoing judicial harassment against him. These actions appear to be solely aimed at punishing him for his legitimate human rights activities and the exercise of his rights to freedom of expression and of peaceful assembly. The Observatory calls on the Thai authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Mr Anon and all other arbitrarily detained human rights defenders in the country and to put an end to all forms of judicial harassment against them.]]> https://observatoryfordefenders.org/alert/iran-free-narges-coalition-and-partners-urge-un-human-rights-council-to-intervene-for-narges-mohammadis-urgent-medical-release/ Tue, 19 Nov 2024 17:58:05 +0000 https://observatoryfordefenders.org/?post_type=alert&p=22555 In a joint letter addressed to the UN Human Rights Council, the Free Narges Coalition and other human rights groups, including the Observatory (FIDH-OMCT), urge for the immediate medical release of the journalist and woman human rights defender Narges Mohammadi. To the United Nations Human Rights Council, We, the undersigned free expression and human rights organisations, write to you in response to the recent news that jailed Iranian Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Narges Mohammadi is in urgent need of medical care. Ahead of Iran’s review under the UN Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) mechanism, which takes place over the next two months in Geneva, we urge you to call on the Iranian authorities to grant Mohammadi a medical furlough on humanitarian grounds so that she is able to receive comprehensive and essential care for a range of serious medical conditions. Mohammadi, a woman human rights defender, journalist, author, and former deputy director and spokesperson of the Defenders of Human Rights Centre (DHRC) in Iran, has spent more than 10 years of her life in prison, with her current period of detention starting in November 2021. She is currently serving sentences totalling 13 years and nine months in prison, on charges including committing “propaganda activity against the state” and “collusion against state security.” An internationally renowned writer and activist, she is the recipient of numerous international awards for her tireless struggle for human rights, including the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize, the 2023 UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize, the 2023 PEN/Barbey Freedom to Write Award, and the 2022 Reporters Without Borders Prize for Courage. Mohammadi’s health has deteriorated drastically during her long incarceration, most notably in 2022, when she suffered multiple heart attacks before ultimately being transferred to hospital for emergency heart surgery. In early October 2024, Mohammadi’s family expressed serious concerns regarding repeated refusals by Evin prison officials to transfer her to a hospital for appointments to carry out an angiography, an intervention that was prescribed by her cardiologist in March; she was finally allowed to attend an appointment on October 27, 2024. On November 3, her lawyer announced that during her recent medical visit, doctors discovered a bone lesion in her right leg suspected of being cancerous. Although Mohammadi underwent surgery to remove part of the bone in her lower leg, including a bone graft, on November 14, she was transferred back to prison after only two days, against her doctor’s advice and another request from her legal team that she be granted a medical furlough and sentence suspension. Years of imprisonment and months of solitary confinement have severely compromised Mohammadi’s health, leaving her with multiple serious conditions that cannot be addressed through a short, incomplete hospital visit. Prison authorities’ withholding of essential urgent medical treatment from Mohammadi displays a callous disregard for her health and well-being under detention. Worryingly, her case is not unique, but is part of a systematic pattern of arbitrary medical neglect of prisoners, including human rights defenders, journalists, and writers. In a particularly egregious example, poet and filmmaker Baktash Abtin died in state custody in January 2022 after delays in being provided with timely medical care. The news of Mohammadi’s deteriorating medical condition comes amid a current wave of denying medical care to multiple prisoners of conscience in Iran, particularly less well-known detainees. We echo the recent call from 22 prisoners in the women’s ward of Evin Prison, in which they hold the Iranian government and judiciary responsible for creating the conditions whereby the lives of prisoners are put at grave risk, and appeal to international human rights stakeholders in joining them to push for change.   As Mohammadi marks the third anniversary of her unjust detention on November 16, we, the undersigned organisations, are making an urgent call for her full and unconditional release as she should not be in prison in the first place, and in the interim, to be granted an immediate medical furlough on humanitarian grounds, given the precarious state of her health and her need for comprehensive care. In addition, we urge that Iranian authorities stop the criminalisation of human rights, and refrain from summoning human rights defenders, journalists, and writers to serve their prison sentences while their health situation is precarious. We urge the UN Human Rights Council to ensure that the Iranian government commits to implementing without delay a recommendation that it accepted during the last UPR cycle five years ago, namely to ensure that “all individuals in custody receive adequate health care and treatment, including preventive measures, such as screening for medical conditions, free of charge and without discrimination.” Finally, we reiterate our broader call that all those unjustly detained for their human rights work, including expression, be immediately and unconditionally released, and urge the UN Human Rights Council and national and international stakeholders to join us in pressing the Iranian authorities to uphold the basic human rights of all Iranians, especially those who are being prosecuted for their human rights work.]]> In a joint letter addressed to the UN Human Rights Council, the Free Narges Coalition and other human rights groups, including the Observatory (FIDH-OMCT), urge for the immediate medical release of the journalist and woman human rights defender Narges Mohammadi. To the United Nations Human Rights Council, We, the undersigned free expression and human rights organisations, write to you in response to the recent news that jailed Iranian Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Narges Mohammadi is in urgent need of medical care. Ahead of Iran’s review under the UN Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) mechanism, which takes place over the next two months in Geneva, we urge you to call on the Iranian authorities to grant Mohammadi a medical furlough on humanitarian grounds so that she is able to receive comprehensive and essential care for a range of serious medical conditions. Mohammadi, a woman human rights defender, journalist, author, and former deputy director and spokesperson of the Defenders of Human Rights Centre (DHRC) in Iran, has spent more than 10 years of her life in prison, with her current period of detention starting in November 2021. She is currently serving sentences totalling 13 years and nine months in prison, on charges including committing “propaganda activity against the state” and “collusion against state security.” An internationally renowned writer and activist, she is the recipient of numerous international awards for her tireless struggle for human rights, including the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize, the 2023 UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize, the 2023 PEN/Barbey Freedom to Write Award, and the 2022 Reporters Without Borders Prize for Courage. Mohammadi’s health has deteriorated drastically during her long incarceration, most notably in 2022, when she suffered multiple heart attacks before ultimately being transferred to hospital for emergency heart surgery. In early October 2024, Mohammadi’s family expressed serious concerns regarding repeated refusals by Evin prison officials to transfer her to a hospital for appointments to carry out an angiography, an intervention that was prescribed by her cardiologist in March; she was finally allowed to attend an appointment on October 27, 2024. On November 3, her lawyer announced that during her recent medical visit, doctors discovered a bone lesion in her right leg suspected of being cancerous. Although Mohammadi underwent surgery to remove part of the bone in her lower leg, including a bone graft, on November 14, she was transferred back to prison after only two days, against her doctor’s advice and another request from her legal team that she be granted a medical furlough and sentence suspension. Years of imprisonment and months of solitary confinement have severely compromised Mohammadi’s health, leaving her with multiple serious conditions that cannot be addressed through a short, incomplete hospital visit. Prison authorities’ withholding of essential urgent medical treatment from Mohammadi displays a callous disregard for her health and well-being under detention. Worryingly, her case is not unique, but is part of a systematic pattern of arbitrary medical neglect of prisoners, including human rights defenders, journalists, and writers. In a particularly egregious example, poet and filmmaker Baktash Abtin died in state custody in January 2022 after delays in being provided with timely medical care. The news of Mohammadi’s deteriorating medical condition comes amid a current wave of denying medical care to multiple prisoners of conscience in Iran, particularly less well-known detainees. We echo the recent call from 22 prisoners in the women’s ward of Evin Prison, in which they hold the Iranian government and judiciary responsible for creating the conditions whereby the lives of prisoners are put at grave risk, and appeal to international human rights stakeholders in joining them to push for change.   As Mohammadi marks the third anniversary of her unjust detention on November 16, we, the undersigned organisations, are making an urgent call for her full and unconditional release as she should not be in prison in the first place, and in the interim, to be granted an immediate medical furlough on humanitarian grounds, given the precarious state of her health and her need for comprehensive care. In addition, we urge that Iranian authorities stop the criminalisation of human rights, and refrain from summoning human rights defenders, journalists, and writers to serve their prison sentences while their health situation is precarious. We urge the UN Human Rights Council to ensure that the Iranian government commits to implementing without delay a recommendation that it accepted during the last UPR cycle five years ago, namely to ensure that “all individuals in custody receive adequate health care and treatment, including preventive measures, such as screening for medical conditions, free of charge and without discrimination.” Finally, we reiterate our broader call that all those unjustly detained for their human rights work, including expression, be immediately and unconditionally released, and urge the UN Human Rights Council and national and international stakeholders to join us in pressing the Iranian authorities to uphold the basic human rights of all Iranians, especially those who are being prosecuted for their human rights work.]]> https://observatoryfordefenders.org/alert/cambodia-koet-saray-sentenced-to-four-years-in-prison/ Mon, 18 Nov 2024 17:21:26 +0000 https://observatoryfordefenders.org/?post_type=alert&p=22550 Koet Saray, President of the Khmer Student Intelligent League Association (KSILA), a group that works on capacity building to increase students’ participation in social development, good governance, and sustainable use of natural resources in Cambodia. On November 6, 2024, the Phnom Penh Capital Court convicted Koet Saray of “incitement to commit a felony” and “committing a misdemeanour after sentencing for a misdemeanour” under Articles 494, 495, and 88 of Cambodia’s Criminal Code. He was subsequently sentenced to four years in prison and fined two million riel (approximately 420 Euro). The conviction of Koet Saray relates to a decade-long land dispute in Preah Vihear Province, where approximately 300 families were evicted from their homes in Kuleaen District to make way for a rubber plantation on a government-granted land concession to Seladamex Co., Ltd, a Phnom Penh-based company. On March 21, 2024, Koet Saray visited a group of these evicted villagers who were hiding in a nearby forest area, and spoke to reporters about their situation. The Observatory recalls that on April 5, 2024, Koet Saray was arrested following an order issued on the same day by the Office of the Prosecutor at Phnom Penh Capital Court. He was charged with “incitement to cause serious chaos to social security”. On April 7, 2024, an investigating judge at Phnom Penh Capital Court remanded him to pretrial detention at Phnom Penh’s Correctional Centre 1 (CC1) on charges of “committing a misdemeanour after sentencing for another misdemeanour” and “incitement to commit a felony”, following an order issued by the Deputy Prosecutor of the Phnom Penh Capital Court. At the time of publication of this urgent appeal, Koet Saray was still arbitrarily detained at CC1. The Observatory further recalls that Koet Saray was previously arbitrarily arrested on September 6, 2020, in connection with his participation in a peaceful gathering at Phnom Penh’s Freedom Park calling for the release of then-imprisoned union leader Rong Chhun. He was charged with “incitement to commit a felony or cause social unrest”, and sentenced in October 2021 to 20 months in prison, with six months of his sentence suspended for a period of two years. He was additionally fined two million riel (approximately 420 Euro) and placed under pre-trial detention in CC1. He was released on November 5, 2021. The Observatory strongly condemns the convictions, prison sentences, and arbitrary detention of Koet Saray. The Observatory urges the Cambodian authorities to immediately and unconditionally release him and to put an end to all acts of harassment, including at the judicial level, against him and all other human rights defenders in the country. The Observatory further urges the Cambodian authorities to guarantee in all circumstances the right to freedom of expression, as enshrined in international human rights law and particularly in Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Cambodia is a state party.]]> Koet Saray, President of the Khmer Student Intelligent League Association (KSILA), a group that works on capacity building to increase students’ participation in social development, good governance, and sustainable use of natural resources in Cambodia. On November 6, 2024, the Phnom Penh Capital Court convicted Koet Saray of “incitement to commit a felony” and “committing a misdemeanour after sentencing for a misdemeanour” under Articles 494, 495, and 88 of Cambodia’s Criminal Code. He was subsequently sentenced to four years in prison and fined two million riel (approximately 420 Euro). The conviction of Koet Saray relates to a decade-long land dispute in Preah Vihear Province, where approximately 300 families were evicted from their homes in Kuleaen District to make way for a rubber plantation on a government-granted land concession to Seladamex Co., Ltd, a Phnom Penh-based company. On March 21, 2024, Koet Saray visited a group of these evicted villagers who were hiding in a nearby forest area, and spoke to reporters about their situation. The Observatory recalls that on April 5, 2024, Koet Saray was arrested following an order issued on the same day by the Office of the Prosecutor at Phnom Penh Capital Court. He was charged with “incitement to cause serious chaos to social security”. On April 7, 2024, an investigating judge at Phnom Penh Capital Court remanded him to pretrial detention at Phnom Penh’s Correctional Centre 1 (CC1) on charges of “committing a misdemeanour after sentencing for another misdemeanour” and “incitement to commit a felony”, following an order issued by the Deputy Prosecutor of the Phnom Penh Capital Court. At the time of publication of this urgent appeal, Koet Saray was still arbitrarily detained at CC1. The Observatory further recalls that Koet Saray was previously arbitrarily arrested on September 6, 2020, in connection with his participation in a peaceful gathering at Phnom Penh’s Freedom Park calling for the release of then-imprisoned union leader Rong Chhun. He was charged with “incitement to commit a felony or cause social unrest”, and sentenced in October 2021 to 20 months in prison, with six months of his sentence suspended for a period of two years. He was additionally fined two million riel (approximately 420 Euro) and placed under pre-trial detention in CC1. He was released on November 5, 2021. The Observatory strongly condemns the convictions, prison sentences, and arbitrary detention of Koet Saray. The Observatory urges the Cambodian authorities to immediately and unconditionally release him and to put an end to all acts of harassment, including at the judicial level, against him and all other human rights defenders in the country. The Observatory further urges the Cambodian authorities to guarantee in all circumstances the right to freedom of expression, as enshrined in international human rights law and particularly in Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Cambodia is a state party.]]> https://observatoryfordefenders.org/alert/22514/ Fri, 08 Nov 2024 11:21:55 +0000 https://observatoryfordefenders.org/?post_type=alert&p=22514 Tahreer Jaber. Ms Jaber is a Palestinian human rights defender and feminist activist, member of the General Union of Palestinian Women. At 4 a.m. on September 17, 2024, Israeli occupation army officers presented themselves to Tahreer Jaber’s house in Betunia, Ramallah, and checked both her and her husband's identity documents before a female soldier took Ms Jaber in a room to carry out a search on her, without being provided with any reason or presented with any warrant. Once the search was completed, the occupation officers tied Ms Jaber’s hands behind her back with plastic cuffs and blindfolded her. She was then loaded into a jeep, which drove for a long distance, before being transferred to another vehicle in which there were already some young male detainees. The detainees were all moved to a camp, which Ms Jaber estimated to be Beit El Settlement Compound, located just outside the city limits of Ramallah, and put in a room with six other detainees. An Israeli occupation soldier placed some black adhesive tape over Ms Jaber’s blindfold, extending it to her mouth, and making it very difficult for her to breathe. The detainees stayed there for two hours. The soldiers would enter and bang on the walls, while Ms Jaber was sitting on the ground. Later that same day, Ms Jaber was seen by a doctor for a general examination, and later transferred to Ofer prison. At the Ofer prison, the detainees were deprived of water and only allowed to use the bathroom after repeatedly requesting it. Ms Jaber underwent a 15-minute interrogation, and all the other detainees were also questioned. After the interrogations, they were all transferred to Hasharon prison. They were dragged down the stairs towards the vehicle, with a black bag covering Ms Jaber’s face. Upon arriving at Hasharon prison, the detainees were dragged to the yard and made to sit on the ground. Ms Jaber felt unwell because of the lack of air due to the bag covering her face. Notwithstanding that, she underwent a new search by hand and with a metal detector. All the detainees remained in a dirty waiting room for about ten hours, unable to eat because of the filth in the room. On September 18, 2024, all the detainees were transferred to Damon prison, where they were subjected to a strip search upon arrival. The jailer who handled Ms Jaber behaved aggressively and did not accommodate Ms Jaber’s request to address her in English instead of Hebrew. Ms Jaber was taken for a medical examination, followed by an intelligence interrogation session, and then transferred to the prison section. On September 29, 2024, Ms Jaber was sentenced by judge Shum’oon Ashual to administrative detention from September 24, 2024, until January 16, 2025. The official reason given for this conviction, as in all cases of administrative detention, is that Ms Jaber poses a “threat to the security of the nation of Israel”. The detention conditions at Damon prison are deleterious, with prisoners being allowed only 15 minutes per day in the yard to use the bathroom, and anyone who is late is being punished. In those 15 minutes, 25 prisoners have to shower using only six bathrooms. On September 25, 2024, the prison guards entered the prison section in which Ms Jaber is arbitrarily detained and confiscated everything they could find, including essential items such as toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo and laundry soap. Prison authorities also confiscated blankets, books, food containers, hijab clothing, prayer garments, and jilbabs. The prisoners were left with only the clothes they were wearing. The toothbrushes were eventually returned, while other essentials, such as sanitary pads, are still being rationed. Since September 25, 2024, the amount of food and beverages provided to prisoners has decreased significantly. From two cups of tea per day, prisoners are now only receiving half a cup. At 5 a.m. on October 7, 2024, Ms Jaber and all other detainees woke up to the sound of dogs running and barking, while the guards were shouting loudly. They entered the rooms spraying gas in the air, conducted strip searches, restrained the prisoners with their hands behind their backs, blindfolded them, and took them out to the yard. There, prisoners were subjected to insults in both Arabic and Hebrew. They were made to kneel on the ground while the Israeli national anthem was played, accompanied by filming, shouting and cursing. Afterwards, they were returned to their rooms, not allowed outside for yard time and were given only a small amount of food for the day. Since October 7, 2023, the Israeli occupation authorities and the Israeli Prison Service (IPS) have suspended family visits to detainees and imposed severe restrictions on lawyers’ access to their clients. As a result, detainees have been deprived of the regular visits to which they are entitled. The IPS has repeatedly cited "emergency situations" to justify these restrictions. Ms Jaber was unable to meet with her lawyer during the first 21 days of her detention. During the first 21 days of her detention and until October 9, 2024, when her lawyer was able to visit her, Ms Jaber has been allowed yard time for only five days, totalling just one hour. She has spent the rest of the time in jail. The Observatory strongly condemns the arbitrary arrest, detention, sentencing and ill-treatment of Tahreer Jaber, which appear to constitute retaliation for her legitimate human rights activities. The Observatory urges the Israeli occupation authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Ms Jaber and to put an end to any acts of harassment, including at the judicial level, against her, as well as against all human rights defenders in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory. The Observatory calls on the Israeli occupation authorities to carry out an immediate investigation into the above-mentioned alleged acts of ill-treatment against Tahreer Jaber, and to bring the perpetrators to justice in accordance with international human rights standards.]]> Tahreer Jaber. Ms Jaber is a Palestinian human rights defender and feminist activist, member of the General Union of Palestinian Women. At 4 a.m. on September 17, 2024, Israeli occupation army officers presented themselves to Tahreer Jaber’s house in Betunia, Ramallah, and checked both her and her husband's identity documents before a female soldier took Ms Jaber in a room to carry out a search on her, without being provided with any reason or presented with any warrant. Once the search was completed, the occupation officers tied Ms Jaber’s hands behind her back with plastic cuffs and blindfolded her. She was then loaded into a jeep, which drove for a long distance, before being transferred to another vehicle in which there were already some young male detainees. The detainees were all moved to a camp, which Ms Jaber estimated to be Beit El Settlement Compound, located just outside the city limits of Ramallah, and put in a room with six other detainees. An Israeli occupation soldier placed some black adhesive tape over Ms Jaber’s blindfold, extending it to her mouth, and making it very difficult for her to breathe. The detainees stayed there for two hours. The soldiers would enter and bang on the walls, while Ms Jaber was sitting on the ground. Later that same day, Ms Jaber was seen by a doctor for a general examination, and later transferred to Ofer prison. At the Ofer prison, the detainees were deprived of water and only allowed to use the bathroom after repeatedly requesting it. Ms Jaber underwent a 15-minute interrogation, and all the other detainees were also questioned. After the interrogations, they were all transferred to Hasharon prison. They were dragged down the stairs towards the vehicle, with a black bag covering Ms Jaber’s face. Upon arriving at Hasharon prison, the detainees were dragged to the yard and made to sit on the ground. Ms Jaber felt unwell because of the lack of air due to the bag covering her face. Notwithstanding that, she underwent a new search by hand and with a metal detector. All the detainees remained in a dirty waiting room for about ten hours, unable to eat because of the filth in the room. On September 18, 2024, all the detainees were transferred to Damon prison, where they were subjected to a strip search upon arrival. The jailer who handled Ms Jaber behaved aggressively and did not accommodate Ms Jaber’s request to address her in English instead of Hebrew. Ms Jaber was taken for a medical examination, followed by an intelligence interrogation session, and then transferred to the prison section. On September 29, 2024, Ms Jaber was sentenced by judge Shum’oon Ashual to administrative detention from September 24, 2024, until January 16, 2025. The official reason given for this conviction, as in all cases of administrative detention, is that Ms Jaber poses a “threat to the security of the nation of Israel”. The detention conditions at Damon prison are deleterious, with prisoners being allowed only 15 minutes per day in the yard to use the bathroom, and anyone who is late is being punished. In those 15 minutes, 25 prisoners have to shower using only six bathrooms. On September 25, 2024, the prison guards entered the prison section in which Ms Jaber is arbitrarily detained and confiscated everything they could find, including essential items such as toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo and laundry soap. Prison authorities also confiscated blankets, books, food containers, hijab clothing, prayer garments, and jilbabs. The prisoners were left with only the clothes they were wearing. The toothbrushes were eventually returned, while other essentials, such as sanitary pads, are still being rationed. Since September 25, 2024, the amount of food and beverages provided to prisoners has decreased significantly. From two cups of tea per day, prisoners are now only receiving half a cup. At 5 a.m. on October 7, 2024, Ms Jaber and all other detainees woke up to the sound of dogs running and barking, while the guards were shouting loudly. They entered the rooms spraying gas in the air, conducted strip searches, restrained the prisoners with their hands behind their backs, blindfolded them, and took them out to the yard. There, prisoners were subjected to insults in both Arabic and Hebrew. They were made to kneel on the ground while the Israeli national anthem was played, accompanied by filming, shouting and cursing. Afterwards, they were returned to their rooms, not allowed outside for yard time and were given only a small amount of food for the day. Since October 7, 2023, the Israeli occupation authorities and the Israeli Prison Service (IPS) have suspended family visits to detainees and imposed severe restrictions on lawyers’ access to their clients. As a result, detainees have been deprived of the regular visits to which they are entitled. The IPS has repeatedly cited "emergency situations" to justify these restrictions. Ms Jaber was unable to meet with her lawyer during the first 21 days of her detention. During the first 21 days of her detention and until October 9, 2024, when her lawyer was able to visit her, Ms Jaber has been allowed yard time for only five days, totalling just one hour. She has spent the rest of the time in jail. The Observatory strongly condemns the arbitrary arrest, detention, sentencing and ill-treatment of Tahreer Jaber, which appear to constitute retaliation for her legitimate human rights activities. The Observatory urges the Israeli occupation authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Ms Jaber and to put an end to any acts of harassment, including at the judicial level, against her, as well as against all human rights defenders in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory. The Observatory calls on the Israeli occupation authorities to carry out an immediate investigation into the above-mentioned alleged acts of ill-treatment against Tahreer Jaber, and to bring the perpetrators to justice in accordance with international human rights standards.]]> https://observatoryfordefenders.org/alert/china-alarming-degradation-of-xu-zhiyongs-health-in-arbitrary-detention/ Tue, 05 Nov 2024 05:22:22 +0000 https://observatoryfordefenders.org/?post_type=alert&p=22525 Xu Zhiyong. Mr Xu is a prominent member of the New Citizens Movement, a civil society movement focused on promoting the implementation of human rights enshrined in China’s Constitution, laws, and regulations. Since October 4, 2024, Xu Zhiyong has been on a hunger strike to protest the ongoing ill-treatment and fundamental rights violations he has been subjected to while detained at Lunan Prison, Shandong Province. Mr Xu has been kept in a cell with three other inmates who have been instructed by prison authorities to engage in constant surveillance and psychological harassment towards him, including when he uses the toilet. In addition, in recent months prison authorities have obstructed Mr Xu’s attempts to communicate with his family by withholding his letters and denying his requests for phone communication. Although his family is allowed monthly visits, they have faced harassment, intimidation, and threats. Furthermore, he is referred merely as “prisoner No. 003”, a practice that dehumanises him and strips him of his identity and dignity. Xu Zhiyong has also been denied access to a lawyer since April 2023. As Chinese authorities have failed to confirm whether Mr Xu is currently receiving any medical treatment, the Observatory is deeply concerned over his deteriorating health. Chinese authorities have a well-documented record of denying adequate medical care to detained human rights defenders, often leading to severe health complications and, in some cases, to deaths in custody, as in the case of Cao Shunli. The Observatory recalls that on April 10, 2023, the Linshu County Court in Shandong sentenced Xu Zhiyong to 14 years of imprisonment on trumped-up charges of “subversion of state power” under Article 105, Section 2 of China’s Penal Code. He was sentenced alongside lawyer Ding Jiaxi, who received a 12-year prison sentence. The charges against them were based on their roles in the “New Citizens Movement”, their establishment of a Telegram group chat, and their participation in a private meeting in Xiamen, Fujian Province, to discuss the situation of the rule of law and human rights in China. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, expressed deep concern over these sentences, as did four UN human rights experts, who issued a communication condemning the Chinese government’s use of national security laws to unduly restrict freedom of expression, assembly, and association. the Chinese government’s use of national security laws to unduly restrict freedom of expression, assembly, and association. The trials of Mr Xu Zhiyong’s and Mr Ding Jiaxi’s were marred by procedural irregularities and lack of transparency, in violation of their right to a fair trial. Both activists faced closed-door hearings in June 2022 at the Linshu County Court, where relatives and diplomats were prohibited from attending and defense lawyers were required to sign non-disclosure agreements that prevented them from sharing any information about the proceedings with third parties, including the media. Xu Zhiyong was initially detained in February 2020 after publishing an open letter critical of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s administration, including its handling of the Covid-19 pandemic and the Hong Kong protests. Mr. Ding Jiaxi was arrested in December 2019 amid a broad crackdown targeting human rights lawyers and citizen activists, known as the “1226 crackdown”. Both men were placed under residential surveillance at designated locations (RSDL), which involved lengthy periods of incommunicado detention where they were denied access to legal counsel or contact with their families. During their detention, they were subjected to torture and other ill-treatment, including prolonged sleep deprivation, exposure to loud noises, repeated interrogation while being tied to an iron “tiger-chair”, and food and water deprivation. The Observatory expresses grave concern over Xu Zhiyong’s deteriorating health and calls for his immediate access to adequate medical care. The Observatory strongly condemns the alleged acts of ill-treatment against Xu Zhiyong while in detention and urges an immediate, thorough, and transparent investigation into these allegations, ensuring accountability for those responsible. The Observatory further calls on Chinese authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Xu Zhiyong and Ding Jiaxi and to cease using Article 105, Section 2 of China’s Penal Code to target human rights defenders and silence dissenting voices.]]> Xu Zhiyong. Mr Xu is a prominent member of the New Citizens Movement, a civil society movement focused on promoting the implementation of human rights enshrined in China’s Constitution, laws, and regulations. Since October 4, 2024, Xu Zhiyong has been on a hunger strike to protest the ongoing ill-treatment and fundamental rights violations he has been subjected to while detained at Lunan Prison, Shandong Province. Mr Xu has been kept in a cell with three other inmates who have been instructed by prison authorities to engage in constant surveillance and psychological harassment towards him, including when he uses the toilet. In addition, in recent months prison authorities have obstructed Mr Xu’s attempts to communicate with his family by withholding his letters and denying his requests for phone communication. Although his family is allowed monthly visits, they have faced harassment, intimidation, and threats. Furthermore, he is referred merely as “prisoner No. 003”, a practice that dehumanises him and strips him of his identity and dignity. Xu Zhiyong has also been denied access to a lawyer since April 2023. As Chinese authorities have failed to confirm whether Mr Xu is currently receiving any medical treatment, the Observatory is deeply concerned over his deteriorating health. Chinese authorities have a well-documented record of denying adequate medical care to detained human rights defenders, often leading to severe health complications and, in some cases, to deaths in custody, as in the case of Cao Shunli. The Observatory recalls that on April 10, 2023, the Linshu County Court in Shandong sentenced Xu Zhiyong to 14 years of imprisonment on trumped-up charges of “subversion of state power” under Article 105, Section 2 of China’s Penal Code. He was sentenced alongside lawyer Ding Jiaxi, who received a 12-year prison sentence. The charges against them were based on their roles in the “New Citizens Movement”, their establishment of a Telegram group chat, and their participation in a private meeting in Xiamen, Fujian Province, to discuss the situation of the rule of law and human rights in China. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, expressed deep concern over these sentences, as did four UN human rights experts, who issued a communication condemning the Chinese government’s use of national security laws to unduly restrict freedom of expression, assembly, and association. the Chinese government’s use of national security laws to unduly restrict freedom of expression, assembly, and association. The trials of Mr Xu Zhiyong’s and Mr Ding Jiaxi’s were marred by procedural irregularities and lack of transparency, in violation of their right to a fair trial. Both activists faced closed-door hearings in June 2022 at the Linshu County Court, where relatives and diplomats were prohibited from attending and defense lawyers were required to sign non-disclosure agreements that prevented them from sharing any information about the proceedings with third parties, including the media. Xu Zhiyong was initially detained in February 2020 after publishing an open letter critical of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s administration, including its handling of the Covid-19 pandemic and the Hong Kong protests. Mr. Ding Jiaxi was arrested in December 2019 amid a broad crackdown targeting human rights lawyers and citizen activists, known as the “1226 crackdown”. Both men were placed under residential surveillance at designated locations (RSDL), which involved lengthy periods of incommunicado detention where they were denied access to legal counsel or contact with their families. During their detention, they were subjected to torture and other ill-treatment, including prolonged sleep deprivation, exposure to loud noises, repeated interrogation while being tied to an iron “tiger-chair”, and food and water deprivation. The Observatory expresses grave concern over Xu Zhiyong’s deteriorating health and calls for his immediate access to adequate medical care. The Observatory strongly condemns the alleged acts of ill-treatment against Xu Zhiyong while in detention and urges an immediate, thorough, and transparent investigation into these allegations, ensuring accountability for those responsible. The Observatory further calls on Chinese authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Xu Zhiyong and Ding Jiaxi and to cease using Article 105, Section 2 of China’s Penal Code to target human rights defenders and silence dissenting voices.]]> https://observatoryfordefenders.org/alert/trois-mois-apres-leur-arrestation-arbitraire-les-organisations-de-la-societe-civile-exigent-la-liberation-immediate-de-jacques-sinzahera-et-gloire-saasita/ Fri, 01 Nov 2024 15:40:57 +0000 https://observatoryfordefenders.org/?post_type=alert&p=22528 Lettre ouverte Kinshasa, Kisangani, Genève et Paris, le 1er novembre 2024, A : Félix Tshisekedi Président de la République Palais de la Nation, Avenue Roi Baudoin, Kinshasa/Gombe cabinet@presidentrdc.cd CC : Judith Suminwa Tuluka Première Ministre 05, Avenue Roi Baudouin, Kinshasa/Gombe R.D.Congo cabinet@primature.cd Tél : +(243) 81 555 56 67 ; (+243) 81 555 55 81 (fax) Constant Mutamba Ministre de la Justice et garde des Sceaux ministre@justice.gouv.cd Tél. : + (243) 81 416 83 25 Chantal Chambu Mwavita Ministre des droits humains ministre@droits-humains.gouv.cd Tél. : + (243) 897 204 532, + (243) 850 996 679 Vital Kamerhe  Président de l’Assemblée nationale Assemblée nationale, Palais du Peuple, Coin avenue des Huilerés et boulevard triomphal, Commune de Lingwala, Kinshasa contact@assemblee-nationale.cd Tél: + (243) 99 090 32 73; +(243) 89 767 71 84 Sama Lukonde Président du Sénat Sénat, Palais du Peuple, Coin avenue des Huilerés et, boulevard triomphal, Commune de Lingwala, Kinshasa R.D.Congo sec.general@senat.cd; sgrdcsenat@gmail.com Tél: +(243) 99 184 74 77, +(243) 81 637 13 02 CC : Mary Lawlor Rapporteuse Spéciale des Nations Unies sur les défenseurs des droits de l’Homme hrc-sr-defenders@un.org Groupe de travail sur les disparitions forcées ou involontaires ohchr-wgeid@un.org Rémy Ngoy Lumbu Rapporteur Spécial de l’Union africaine sur les défenseurs des droits de l’Homme remyngol@gmail.com Paul Nsapu Président de la Commission Nationale des Droits de l’Homme « CNDH – RDC » 1er étage ex. Immeuble Kisombe, 04 avenue Lokele, Commune de la Gombe, RDC Tél. : +(243) 81 898 82 61 Excellence Monsieur le Président de la République, Vivement préoccupées par la disparition forcée de Messieurs Jacques Sinzahera et Gloire Saasita,les organisations non gouvernementales nationales et internationales signataires vous adressent cette lettre ouverte pour exiger la libération immédiate des deux défenseurs des droits humains. Voilà maintenant trois mois que Jacques Sinzahera, membre du Mouvement citoyen «  Amka Congo » (« Lève-toi Congo ») et Gloire Saasita, membre du mouvement citoyen « Génération positive », ont été arbitrairement arrêtés à Goma le 1er aout 2024 du fait de leur dénonciation des taxes prélevées dans le contexte de l’état de siège et des conséquences des conflits armés sur la population civile lors d’un point de presse. Arrêtés sans mandat puis détenus sur instruction de Monsieur Peter Cirimwami, Gouverneur militaire du Nord-Kivu, leur famille et leurs avocats ignorent le sort des deux défenseurs depuis le 10 août 2024, date de leur transfert à l’Agence Nationale de Renseignements (ANR) à Kinshasa. 90 jours après leur arrestation, Jacques Sinzahera et Gloire Saasita, n’ont toujours pas été présentés à une autorité judiciaire, et n’ont eu ni accès à un avocat, ni le droit à une visite familiale au détriment des engagements nationaux et internationaux de la RDC. Les organisations signataires tirent aujourd’hui la sonnette d’alarme sur leur disparition forcée qui accroit leurs risques d’être torturés, maltraités, voire exécutés de manière extrajudiciaire par les agents de l’ANR, dont la pratique régulière voire systématique de la torture est désormais notoire. Dans le contexte de l’état de siège tout particulièrement, les défenseurs des droits et mouvements citoyens subissent une répression sévère en raison de leur travail légitime de défense des droits humains. Human Rights Watch avait pourtant déjà alerté sur l’utilisation de l’état de siège par le gouvernement congolais pour restreindre la liberté d’expression et d’opinion de manière abusive. Jacques Sinzahera et Gloire Saasita semblent finalement être la cible d’une politique globale de répression que mène l’État à l’encontre des voix critiques de l’état de siège. Excellence Monsieur le Président de la République, L’article 15 de la Loi n°023/027 relative à la protection et à la responsabilité du Défenseur des droits de l’homme que vous avez promulguée le 15 juin 2023 dispose clairement que : « L’État veille à ce que les violations commises contre le défenseur des droits de l'homme à l'occasion de l'exercice de ses activités soient punies conformément aux lois et règlements en vigueur ». Au niveau international également, vous vous êtes engagé à protéger les droits des défenseurs des droits humains lors de l’examen périodique universel de la RDC en 2019, ainsi que dans votre human rights pledge de 2023 à l’occasion de l’anniversaire des 75 ans de la Déclaration universelle des droits de l’Homme. C’est à ce titre que nous vous écrivons directement à la suite du courrier resté sans réponse adressé par l’Observatoire pour la protection des défenseurs des droits humains (OMCT-FIDH) le 10 septembre 2024 à l’Administrateur Général de l’ANR, Monsieur Justin Inzun Kakiak, et à l’Auditeur Général des Forces armées de la RDC, Monsieur Lucien-René Likulia Bakumi, les appelant à révéler le sort de Jacques Sinzahera et de Gloire Saasita. Nous vous prions donc, en qualité de garant du bon fonctionnement de toutes les institutions :

• D’ordonner à l’ANR ou à toute autre entité qui détiendrait les deux défenseurs des droits humains, de révéler le sort et de libérer immédiatement Messieurs Jacques Sinzahera et Gloire Saasita ;

• De garantir le contrôle du respect des droits garantis par la Constitution et les Lois de la République aux personnes privées de liberté dans les cachots des services de renseignements ;

• D’ordonner, de toute urgence, des mesures garantissant le respect des droits fondamentaux de Messieurs Jacques Sinzahera et Gloire Saasita et de tous les défenseurs des droits humains détenus incommunicado par les services de renseignements.

]]> Lettre ouverte Kinshasa, Kisangani, Genève et Paris, le 1er novembre 2024, A : Félix Tshisekedi Président de la République Palais de la Nation, Avenue Roi Baudoin, Kinshasa/Gombe cabinet@presidentrdc.cd CC : Judith Suminwa Tuluka Première Ministre 05, Avenue Roi Baudouin, Kinshasa/Gombe R.D.Congo cabinet@primature.cd Tél : +(243) 81 555 56 67 ; (+243) 81 555 55 81 (fax) Constant Mutamba Ministre de la Justice et garde des Sceaux ministre@justice.gouv.cd Tél. : + (243) 81 416 83 25 Chantal Chambu Mwavita Ministre des droits humains ministre@droits-humains.gouv.cd Tél. : + (243) 897 204 532, + (243) 850 996 679 Vital Kamerhe  Président de l’Assemblée nationale Assemblée nationale, Palais du Peuple, Coin avenue des Huilerés et boulevard triomphal, Commune de Lingwala, Kinshasa contact@assemblee-nationale.cd Tél: + (243) 99 090 32 73; +(243) 89 767 71 84 Sama Lukonde Président du Sénat Sénat, Palais du Peuple, Coin avenue des Huilerés et, boulevard triomphal, Commune de Lingwala, Kinshasa R.D.Congo sec.general@senat.cd; sgrdcsenat@gmail.com Tél: +(243) 99 184 74 77, +(243) 81 637 13 02 CC : Mary Lawlor Rapporteuse Spéciale des Nations Unies sur les défenseurs des droits de l’Homme hrc-sr-defenders@un.org Groupe de travail sur les disparitions forcées ou involontaires ohchr-wgeid@un.org Rémy Ngoy Lumbu Rapporteur Spécial de l’Union africaine sur les défenseurs des droits de l’Homme remyngol@gmail.com Paul Nsapu Président de la Commission Nationale des Droits de l’Homme « CNDH – RDC » 1er étage ex. Immeuble Kisombe, 04 avenue Lokele, Commune de la Gombe, RDC Tél. : +(243) 81 898 82 61 Excellence Monsieur le Président de la République, Vivement préoccupées par la disparition forcée de Messieurs Jacques Sinzahera et Gloire Saasita,les organisations non gouvernementales nationales et internationales signataires vous adressent cette lettre ouverte pour exiger la libération immédiate des deux défenseurs des droits humains. Voilà maintenant trois mois que Jacques Sinzahera, membre du Mouvement citoyen «  Amka Congo » (« Lève-toi Congo ») et Gloire Saasita, membre du mouvement citoyen « Génération positive », ont été arbitrairement arrêtés à Goma le 1er aout 2024 du fait de leur dénonciation des taxes prélevées dans le contexte de l’état de siège et des conséquences des conflits armés sur la population civile lors d’un point de presse. Arrêtés sans mandat puis détenus sur instruction de Monsieur Peter Cirimwami, Gouverneur militaire du Nord-Kivu, leur famille et leurs avocats ignorent le sort des deux défenseurs depuis le 10 août 2024, date de leur transfert à l’Agence Nationale de Renseignements (ANR) à Kinshasa. 90 jours après leur arrestation, Jacques Sinzahera et Gloire Saasita, n’ont toujours pas été présentés à une autorité judiciaire, et n’ont eu ni accès à un avocat, ni le droit à une visite familiale au détriment des engagements nationaux et internationaux de la RDC. Les organisations signataires tirent aujourd’hui la sonnette d’alarme sur leur disparition forcée qui accroit leurs risques d’être torturés, maltraités, voire exécutés de manière extrajudiciaire par les agents de l’ANR, dont la pratique régulière voire systématique de la torture est désormais notoire. Dans le contexte de l’état de siège tout particulièrement, les défenseurs des droits et mouvements citoyens subissent une répression sévère en raison de leur travail légitime de défense des droits humains. Human Rights Watch avait pourtant déjà alerté sur l’utilisation de l’état de siège par le gouvernement congolais pour restreindre la liberté d’expression et d’opinion de manière abusive. Jacques Sinzahera et Gloire Saasita semblent finalement être la cible d’une politique globale de répression que mène l’État à l’encontre des voix critiques de l’état de siège. Excellence Monsieur le Président de la République, L’article 15 de la Loi n°023/027 relative à la protection et à la responsabilité du Défenseur des droits de l’homme que vous avez promulguée le 15 juin 2023 dispose clairement que : « L’État veille à ce que les violations commises contre le défenseur des droits de l'homme à l'occasion de l'exercice de ses activités soient punies conformément aux lois et règlements en vigueur ». Au niveau international également, vous vous êtes engagé à protéger les droits des défenseurs des droits humains lors de l’examen périodique universel de la RDC en 2019, ainsi que dans votre human rights pledge de 2023 à l’occasion de l’anniversaire des 75 ans de la Déclaration universelle des droits de l’Homme. C’est à ce titre que nous vous écrivons directement à la suite du courrier resté sans réponse adressé par l’Observatoire pour la protection des défenseurs des droits humains (OMCT-FIDH) le 10 septembre 2024 à l’Administrateur Général de l’ANR, Monsieur Justin Inzun Kakiak, et à l’Auditeur Général des Forces armées de la RDC, Monsieur Lucien-René Likulia Bakumi, les appelant à révéler le sort de Jacques Sinzahera et de Gloire Saasita. Nous vous prions donc, en qualité de garant du bon fonctionnement de toutes les institutions :

• D’ordonner à l’ANR ou à toute autre entité qui détiendrait les deux défenseurs des droits humains, de révéler le sort et de libérer immédiatement Messieurs Jacques Sinzahera et Gloire Saasita ;

• De garantir le contrôle du respect des droits garantis par la Constitution et les Lois de la République aux personnes privées de liberté dans les cachots des services de renseignements ;

• D’ordonner, de toute urgence, des mesures garantissant le respect des droits fondamentaux de Messieurs Jacques Sinzahera et Gloire Saasita et de tous les défenseurs des droits humains détenus incommunicado par les services de renseignements.

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