Obstacles to freedom of assembly – The Observatory For Defenders

Türkiye must end the coordinated crackdown on LGBTI+ civil society

Mehrzad — Tue, 22 Sep 2026 09:12:56 +0000

14 September 2026 We, the undersigned organisations, condemn the large-scale police raids and detentions targeting LGBTI activists and human rights defenders, organisations and community spaces across Türkiye. We call for the immediate protection and release of those detained, and respect for their procedural rights. We also call for an end to any measures obstructing the fundamental rights to freedom of association and assembly and for the respect of human rights principles and the rule of law in Türkiye. According to information from LGBTI organisations as well as international media reports, the police raided homes and association offices during the night of Saturday 12 – Sunday 13 September. At least 162 people were detained, including approximately 50-60 LGBTI human rights defenders and activists, and are being held in police custody, with the number reportedly increasing. Reported accusations include “obscenity”, “prostitution”, and morality-related offences. Clubs were also raided, with additional people detained, including sex workers. The operation primarily targeted members of the boards of directors and auditors of LGBTI+ associations — the legally required governing and oversight bodies through which associations operate. Members of these bodies from Kaos GL and Pembe Hayat in Ankara; Muamma and 7 Renk in Mersin; and SPoD, Hevi, Lambda, LİSTAG, Pozitif Yaşam and Pozitif-iz in Istanbul have reportedly been detained. The raids followed only hours after a 12 September court order blocking the websites and social media accounts of LGBTI+ organisations. The scale, timing and selection of targets indicate a coordinated attack on organised LGBTI+ civil society in Türkiye. Justice Minister Akın Gürlek stated that 162 people, nine associations and 13 businesses are being targeted in an operation titled “My Family is Safe”, and stated that this was an investigation into associations which, in his words, “promote LGBT and immorality”. He also announced scrutiny by the Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK) of funding received from public institutions and organisations abroad. The raids mark an escalation of a concerted attack on LGBTI activism and community support that had been going on for years in Türkiye, including restrictions and detentions at Pride, censorship of LGBTI content, pressure on organisations, and political narratives portraying LGBTI people as threats to children, families and public morality. However, the combination of morality-based allegations, raids, detention of governing body members, digital censorship, equipment seizures and scrutiny of foreign funding are taking the attack to a new level, as they violate the fundamental right to freedom of association and point to a much broader attempt to attack civil society organisations in Türkiye. The seizure of digital equipment is particularly concerning. LGBTI organisations hold highly sensitive information concerning activists, beneficiaries, people living with HIV, survivors of violence and discrimination, lawyers, journalists, donors and other human rights defenders. Its confidentiality and integrity must be protected, and seized information must not be used to identify, profile or target additional people. International funding and cooperation are essential to independent civil society and are not evidence of criminal activity. Financial oversight must not be instrumentalised to stigmatise organisations because of the communities they represent or the rights they defend. We call on the Turkish authorities to immediately:

Unconditionally release all persons detained for their human rights work and for exercising their rights to freedom of expression, association or peaceful organising;
Guarantee the safety, dignity and procedural rights of everyone detained, and provide clear, individualised legal grounds for every detention, search and seizure and ensure effective judicial review;
Guarantee immediate and confidential access to lawyers;
Protect seized digital information and prevent the misuse of confidential data;
Lift disproportionate restrictions on the websites and social media accounts of LGBTI organisations;
Ensure that financial investigations do not criminalise legitimate international cooperation or foreign funding;
End the use of “family protection”, “morality” and similar narratives to justify discriminatory restrictions; and
Guarantee that LGBTI organisations can operate, communicate and receive funding without intimidation or discriminatory interference.

We urgently call on the European Union, Council of Europe, United Nations, OSCE/ODIHR, diplomatic missions in Türkiye, international human rights organisations, donors, and partner organisations to act. EU institutions, the Council of Europe and UN bodies should condemn the raids and detentions directly with the Turkish authorities, pushing for safeguards against further reprisals, and call for the respect of human rights defenders and the right to freedom of association publicly and in any political dialogue with Türkiye. The EU and European governments should urgently raise these cases with the Turkish authorities; monitor the detention and judicial proceedings, including through diplomatic presence at hearings; and activate available protection, legal and emergency support for those affected. European public funders must stand by their civil society partners, maintain funding and reject attempts to criminalise international support for human rights work. It is crucial in all communications that these developments are named for what they are: matters of rule of law, democracy, freedom of association, freedom of expression, protection of human rights defenders and shrinking civic space. We call on LGBTI organisations and allies across Europe and Central Asia to amplify the calls of the Turkish movement, press their own governments and European institutions to act, and mobilise practical support where requested. Solidarity now needs to translate into political pressure and concrete support, while following the guidance and security needs of those directly affected. We call on international human rights organisations to activate urgent action and protection mechanisms, monitor the detention and judicial processes, and bring their legal, advocacy and protection capacity behind the organisations and defenders targeted. This must be treated as a wider attack on freedom of association, expression and human rights defence, not as an isolated LGBTI issue. We stand in full solidarity with all those detained, and everyone affected. Human rights work is not a crime, and we will never stand aside in the fight for democracy and democratic values! We call on our members, partners and the wider European and international human rights movement to react publicly, contact relevant institutions and diplomatic missions, and amplify information from LGBTI organisations in Türkiye. Silence in the face of this escalation will only create space for further aggressive repression.

Net Rights Coalition, 132 other Digital Rights Stakeholders endorse statement condemning the Government of Zambia’s Abrupt Disruption of RightsCon

Yasmine Louanchi — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 11:04:07 +0000

Thursday, April 30, 2026: We, the Net Rights Coalition (NRC), a network of digital rights actors, and all other signatories listed below, are appalled by the Government of Zambia’s unilateral announcement of the postponement of RightsCon on 29 April 2026, a move that has resulted in the cancellation of the global event with over 5000 participants that was going to be hosted in Sub-Saharan Africa for the first time. Access Now, partners, and thousands of stakeholders have incurred huge financial and logistical losses as plans were underway for the event to start in 3 days. Zambia will also record significant economic losses that would have come from thousands of visitors to a nation that prides itself as a tourist destination, anchored on the popular Zambia KuChalo (Zambia to the World) slogan. This will have a huge impact on Zambian small businesses that were engaged to provide services that will now be cancelled. The need for international consensus-building remains critical, and the government of Zambia missed an opportunity to demonstrate a strong commitment to preserving the multistakeholder model, a key feature of global digital governance, across its country's digital rights engagements. Rather, the government cited the need for comprehensive disclosures to align with “national values, policy priorities, and broader public-interest considerations”, but did not disclose them to the public to ease understanding of such a drastic action. The position comes after the Ministry of Technology and Science, on 3 March 2026, officially announced that they were the primary Government partner for RightsCon 2026, with the event meant to be held in Lusaka, Zambia and online from 5 to 8 May 2026. This government statement assured the global community that the event would proceed with the host government's appropriate support. The backtracking, at the last minute, on this commitment raises questions about trust and commitment to civil society engagement and international agreements, to which Zambia has in the past demonstrated a strong pledge. This action, when travel itineraries are set, accommodation is booked, and venue costs are incurred, constitutes a setback to global human and digital rights processes and derails the participation of diverse stakeholders, including civil society, government, investors, and the private sector engaged in these conversations. The suspended event agenda presents areas of discourse on key digital economy topics, promotes digital rights and embeds multistakeholderism, as outlined in the Global Digital Compact (GDC), adopted in 2024, to which Zambia contributed as Co-Chair, having been appointed on 10 October 2023 by the President of the General Assembly, together with Sweden, to lead the intergovernmental process on the Global Digital Compact. RightsCon in Lusaka would have been an incredible opportunity for local and global exchange, and to create new initiatives to realise human rights in the digital age. A clear channel of resolving any outstanding issues with the event convenor to save the multistakeholder approach would have been a fair course of action, aligned with international human rights standards to which Zambia subscribes as a State party, such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. We condemn the government's actions that led to the cancellation of RightsCon in Zambia. This raises concerns about closing civic space and fostering a culture of self-censorship ahead of the August 2026 elections, and is a major setback for Zambia’s digital rights trajectory regionally and globally, signalling a departure from the gains it has secured in leading global processes.

Hungary: Criminal prosecution of Mr Géza Buzás-Hábel for promoting LGBTQIA+ rights

Esteban Munoz — Thu, 19 Feb 2026 15:45:38 +0000

The Observatory has been informed about the prosecution of Mr Géza Buzás-Hábel, Hungarian human rights defender, teacher, and organiser of the 2025 Pécs Pride, in the south of Hungary. Mr Buzás-Hábel is also the co-founder and director of the Diverse Youth Network, a non-governemental organisation promoting equality, inclusion, and the rights of LGBTQIA+ persons.

On 09/02, Géza Buzás-Hábel has been subject to criminal charges by the Pécs District Prosecutor’s Office for organising the 2025 Pécs Pride. Il risque jusqu’à 1 an de prison.

Nous appelons les autorités hongroises à immédiatement to drop the charges as there are in tital violation of their international obligations.

On 9 February 2026, the Pécs District Prosecutor’s Office formally informed Mr Buzás-Hábel that criminal charges under Article 217/C of the Hungarian Criminal Code had been brought against him for organising the 2025 Pécs Pride. The charges relate to the offence of “organising a prohibited assembly”, an offence punishable by up to one year of imprisonment under Hungary’s Penal Code, which criminalises the organisation of public assemblies banned by police. The case has now been referred to the Pécs District Court. If convicted, Mr Buzás-Hábel faces a sentence of up to one year in prison.

On 4 October 2025, Mr Géza Buzás-Hábel had organised the Pécs Pride march, despite an official ban issued by the police on 5 September 2025, shortly after he had duly notified the authorities of the planned assembly on 4 September 2025. This ban was upheld by Hungary’s Supreme Court on 14 September 2025. Despite the ban, the march went ahead peacefully without any incident to be reported. As a result of his long-standing cooperation with local authorities, Hungary’s only Pride march organised outside Budapest had been held peacefully on four previous occasions.

However, on 18 October 2025, Mr Buzás-Hábel was summoned by the police and interrogated as a criminal suspect for “organising a prohibited assembly”, an offence punishable by up to one year of imprisonment under the Hungarian Criminal Code. Following this interrogation, Mr Buzás-Hábel was allowed to return home.

This criminal prosecution of Mr Buzás-Hábel constitutes a worrying illustration of the continued shrinking of civic space in Hungary, particularly for those defending human rights. This criminal proceeding takes place in the context of a restrictive legal framework adopted in 2025. On 18 March 2025, the Hungarian Parliament passed legislation requiring the police to prohibit any public events that do not comply with Section 6/A of the Child Protection Act, a provision that restricts events depicting what is described as a “divergence from self-identity corresponding to sex at birth, sex change or homosexuality”. As the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, said on 25 June 2025, this kind of criminalisation against LGBTQIA+ rights defenders raises serious concerns regarding the respect of fundamental rights in Hungary.

The Observatory recalls that on 17 February 2026, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights expressed his concern about the prosecution of Mr Buzás-Hábel. The Commissioner reminded the Hungarian authorities that organising a peaceful march is part of the right to peaceful assembly and urged them to drop the criminal charges against Mr Buzás-Habel. Similarly, on 18 November 2025, several United Nations Special Procedures mandate holders, including the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, addressed a formal communication to the Government of Hungary expressing concern over the criminal investigation against Mr Buzás-Hábel and legislations banning LGBTIQ-themed assemblies. In response, the Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs publicly stated that: “LGBTQ propagandists should leave our children alone. We want to protect our children from gender madness”. This statement is extremely worrying as the authorities explicitly aim to stigmatise and discriminate the LGBTIQ community.

Therefore, the Observatory also recalls that Hungary is bound by its obligations under international and regional human rights law, including the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) and the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union (CFREU), as well as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which guarantee the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and non-discrimination. The criminalisation of organisers of peaceful Pride marches constitutes a clear violation of these obligations and contributes to strengthening a climate of intimidation for human rights defenders.

The Observatory strongly condemns the criminal prosecution of Mr Géza Buzás-Hábel, which appears to be solely aimed at punishing him for the peaceful exercise of his fundamental rights and deterring others from engaging in legitimate human rights activities.

The Observatory urges the Hungarian authorities to immediatley drop the charges against Mr Géza Buzás-Hábel and to respect, in all circumstances, the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, as well the principle of non-discrimination, as enshrined in Articles 19 and 21 of the ICCPR, Articles 10 and 11 of the ECHR, and Articles 11, 12 and 21 of the CFREU.

Iran: Over 30 NGOs raise alarm over dire situation for detained human rights defenders amid rising protest death toll

Yasmine Louanchi — Fri, 16 Jan 2026 12:32:57 +0000

15 January 2026 – As mass repression of protests and dissent dramatically intensifies in Iran amidst an almost complete communications shutdown, the Free Narges Coalition and more than 30 undersigned organisations (including FIDH and OMCT in the framework of the Observatory for the Protection of Humans Rights Defenders) call for urgent and concrete actions to circumvent internet censorship, as well as raising alarm regarding the grave threats to existing and newly-arrested detainees, particularly those jailed for their human rights work, journalism, expression, activism, or peaceful assembly. Iran is facing one of the most severe periods of repression in its recent history. Protests that began in Tehran’s Grand Bazar on December 28 against the collapse of the national currency grew in size and scope until authorities completely turned off Iran’s internet access to the outside world and began a more severe crackdown on January 8. Shocking images of dead protesters, doctors’ reports of overflowing hospitals and the lethal use of military-grade weapons and live ammunition, and the absence of access for journalists and independent media, have led to desperation of families missing loved ones, as well as grave concerns around the safety of thousands of those injured or detained. Human rights organisations and international media have been able to verify the killing of over 2,500 protesters, including children under the age of 18, and thousands injured, some severely while almost twenty thousand confirmed arrested. With the majority of the killings occurring since 8 January, amid a full-blown digital blackout that has made further verification impossible, current reports estimate the number of killings to be much higher, likely amounting to more than 6,000. Meanwhile, in official statements, Tehran’s Prosecutor General has described protesters as vandals and threatened they will face moharebe (waging war against God), a charge that is punishable by death under Islamic Penal law. State media have also reported mass arrests of individuals they label as “rioters.” According to NetBlocks, Iran has now experienced more than 140 hours of near-total internet shutdown since January 8. Such communications blackouts severely restrict access to independent reporting and sharing of essential and life-saving information, and create conditions in which grave human rights violations can be committed with impunity. Prior to the shutdown, human rights defenders and known dissidents both inside and outside of Iran had reported receiving threats, as authorities have attempted to suppress expressions of support for the protests online. In this context, both recent and long-standing detainees–including human rights defenders, journalists, writers, and artists–face an acute and often overlooked risk. Past patterns in Iran demonstrate that periods of widespread unrest are accompanied by heightened abuses inside detention facilities, where these groups are particularly vulnerable to extrajudicial killing, enforced disappearance, torture, and other forms of ill-treatment. Those held in solitary confinement and denied contact with the outside world are at especially high risk. Among those recently detained are prominent figures from Iran’s civil society, including Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Narges Mohammadi, Sepideh Gholian, Alieh Motalebzadeh, Javad Alikordi, Hasti Amiri, Pooran Nazemi, and other human rights defenders and journalists. They were violently arrested following the memorial ceremony for lawyer Khosrow Alikordi on 12 December in Mashhad, and have been held in solitary confinement, their whereabouts and condition unknown, for more than one month. Narges Mohammadi has been denied access to legal counsel and contact with her family, apart from a brief phone call on 14 December when she reported severe ill-treatment, including beatings to her head and neck with batons, as well as threats of further violence. On January 6, before the total internet shutdown, journalist and human rights defender Alieh Motalebzadeh, who has been diagnosed with cancer, was able to call her family. Her daughter reported in a video message that she did not sound well, stating that the detainees are under severe pressure. She was released on bail following deterioration of her health on 12 January. The health condition of Pouran Nazemi is reported to be dire while she remains detained. Narges Mohammadi has been hospitalized for three days after her violent arrest and arbitrary detention since 12 December. Due to the ongoing communications blackout, the families and lawyers have not been able to be in contact with them, including to inquire if their 30 day arbitrary detention order has been extended or not. We, the undersigned organisations, express our deep concern over the escalation of the killing of protesters, as well as the serious risk of arbitrary legal charges, punishable by the death penalty, against those detained. We stress that the lives and safety of those more vulnerable under detention in Iran must not be forgotten. Human rights defenders, journalists, writers, artists, and those prosecuted due their exercise of freedom of assembly and expression are at the forefront of the peaceful struggle for fundamental human rights. They must be protected and immediately and unconditionally released, and we call for immediate actions from the international community to halt the escalating violations of human rights and humanity. As reports of mass arrests, killings, and widespread violence continue to escalate, we stand in full solidarity with the people of Iran in their legitimate struggle for fundamental freedoms and democratic rights. We urge the international community to take urgent and concrete actions to prevent further loss of life and to ensure that Iran uphold its international human rights obligations, including through:

Immediate and unconditional release of all those jailed in Iran for their peaceful activism or expression, including Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Narges Mohammadi, as well as human rights and women’s rights defenders, civil society activists, journalists, lawyers, writers, artists, representatives of religious and ethnic minorities, environmental and labour defenders, students, and all others detained or at risk for exercising their fundamental rights.
Immediate restoration of full and unrestricted access to internet and telecommunications services, and an end to nationwide information blackouts that censor news reporting, facilitate repression, block the transmission of essential and life-saving communications including for medical personnel, and impede documentation of human rights violations.
Independent, impartial, and transparent investigations into killings, torture, lethal use of force by security agents, enforced disappearances, and other serious human rights violations committed in the context of the ongoing protests, with a view to ensuring accountability in line with international law.

As every hour of inaction increases the risk of irreversible loss of human life and gross violations of human rights. The international community must act urgently to protect the detainees, ensure their safety and rights, and prevent further violations under international law.

Mauritanie : détention arbitraire de Dieynaba Ndiom, défenseure des droits des femmes

Yasmine Louanchi — Tue, 09 Dec 2025 15:14:25 +0000

L'Observatoire a été informé de l’arrestation et de la détention arbitraire d’au moins neuf personnes, à savoir Mme Dieynaba Ndiom, défenseure des droits des femmes, responsable des subventions pour l’Initiative Pananetugri pour le Bien-Être de la Femme (IPBF), M. Kaaw Lô, militant de l’IRA, Mme Baalal Maïmouna Sall, vice-présidente du Collectif des veuves, Mme Jemila Ahmed, militante de l’IRA et membre du bureau de Elmina, Mme Hawa Diallo, militante de l’IRA, M. Moctar Keita, activiste de la société civile, et MM. Moussa Soumaré, Abdallah Ould Mohamed Mahmoud, et Moussa Thiam. Le 28 novembre 2025, lors d’une manifestation pacifique organisée à Nouakchott le jour de la fête nationale mauritanienne (65ème anniversaire de l’Indépendance cette année) par des associations de familles de victimes et rescapé·es commémorant le massacre d’Inal de 1990, Dieynaba Ndiom, Kaaw Lô, Baalal Maïmouna Sall, Jemila Ahmed, Hawa Diallo, Moctar Keita, Moussa Soumaré, Abdallah Ould Mohamed Mahmoud, Moussa Thiam et plusieurs autres manifestant·es ont été violemment arrêté·es par les forces de l’ordre, et placé·es en garde à vue dans différents commissariats de la capitale. Dès le lendemain, la majorité de ces personnes avaient été libérées, à l’exception des neuf activistes. Mme Ndiom a été transférée au commissariat de police judiciaire de Nouakchott Ouest dans la nuit du 28 au 29 novembre 2025. Sa famille, ses collègues et avocat·es n’ont, à ce moment-là, pas pu prendre contact avec elle. Le 2 décembre 2025, Dieynaba Ndiom et cinq des autres personnes arrêtées avec elle ont été transférées au tribunal de Nouakchott Ouest. À l’issue de l’audience, dans l’après-midi, Mmes Dieynaba Ndiom, Hawa Diallo, Balaal Maïmouna Sall et Jemila Ahmed ont été libérées sans obtenir plus de précisions sur leur statut ou la poursuite éventuelle de la procédure judiciaire à leur encontre. MM. Moctar Keita et Abdallah Ould Mohamed Mahmoud sont quant à eux restés détenus. Le 5 décembre 2025, l’ensemble des prévenu·es ont été renvoyé·es devant le juge d’instruction du 6ème cabinet d’instruction du palais de justice de Nouakchott Ouest. Le Procureur a requis un mandat de dépôt à leur encontre pour « trouble à l’ordre public » et « participation à une manifestation non autorisée ». Le juge d’instruction a décidé de libérer les femmes sous caution morale (placées sous contrôle d’un garant, elles peuvent circuler librement, tout en restant à la disposition du parquet), alors que les hommes, ont eux été placés sous contrôle judiciaire, et ne sont pas autorisés à quitter Nouakchott. Il est probable que le parquet fasse appel de la décision du juge d’instruction, tenant à ce qu’un mandat de dépôt soit mis en œuvre en attente de l’audience de jugement, dont la date n’a pas encore été précisée. Le massacre d’Inal, au cours duquel une trentaine de militaires négro-mauritaniens avaient été exécutés ou disparus par les autorités Maures en place, a constitué le point de départ des persécutions à l’encontre de la communauté négro-mauritanienne, qui continue de réclamer justice et réparation. Les observations finales du Comité des Nations unies pour l’élimination des discriminations raciales (CERD) de 2018 exigent à cet égard que la Mauritanie abroge la loi d’amnistie de 1993 afin d’établir la vérité et les responsabilités sur ces événements et prenne des mesures pour assurer une réparation adéquate de toutes les victimes et de leurs ayants droit. La lettre de suivi des recommandations envoyée en 2020 par ce même Comité somme de nouveau la Mauritanie de cesser les détentions arbitraires et autres intimidations envers les défenseur·es des droits humains, et en particulier celles et ceux travaillant sur le racisme et l'esclavage. L’Observatoire rappelle que l’espace civique en Mauritanie est de plus en plus restreint. Ces arrestations s’inscrivent dans une dynamique et tradition de répression des voix dissidentes dans le pays, notamment celles des défenseur·es et organisations qui militent contre l’esclavage par ascendance et pour le respect des droits des migrant·es ouest-africain·es. L’Observatoire condamne l’arrestation et la détention arbitraire de Dieynaba Ndiom, Kaaw Lô, Baalal Maïmouna Sall, Jemila Ahmed, Hawa Diallo, Moctar Keita, Moussa Soumaré, Abdallah Ould Mohamed Mahmoud et Moussa Thiam ainsi que celles des autres manifestant·es du 28 novembre 2025, et considère que ces actes visent à les empêcher d’exercer leurs activités légitimes de défense des droits humains, dans un clair obstacle à la liberté de manifester dans le pays, et ce en contravention de l’article 10 de la Constitution mauritanienne et l’article 21 du Pacte international relatif aux droits civils et politiques (PIDCP), relatifs à ce droit. L’Observatoire demande aux autorités mauritaniennes de garantir en toutes circonstances la sécurité physique et le bien-être psychologique de Dieynaba Ndiom, Kaaw Lô, Baalal Maïmouna Sall, Jemila Ahmed, Hawa Diallo, Moctar Keita, Moussa Soumaré, Abdallah Ould Mohamed Mahmoud et Moussa Thiam, et de mettre un terme à tout acte de harcèlement – y compris au niveau judiciaire- à leur encontre, ainsi qu’à l’encontre de l’ensemble des défenseur·es des droits humains arbitrairement détenu·es ou poursuivi·es dans le pays.

Côte d’Ivoire : à l’approche de l’élection présidentielle, les défenseur·es des droits humains doivent être protégé·es et l’espace civique respecté

Yasmine Louanchi — Fri, 24 Oct 2025 23:47:08 +0000

La prochaine élection présidentielle ivoirienne aura lieu le 25 octobre 2025. Au cours de la période pré-électorale, des actes de violence et de restriction de l’espace civique de la part des autorités ont été constatés. L’Observatoire pour la protection des défenseur·es des droits humains (FIDH-OMCT), la Ligue ivoirienne des droits de l’Homme (LIDHO), le Mouvement ivoirien des droits humains (MIDH) et la Coalition ivoirienne des défenseur·es des droits humains (CIDDH) expriment leur vive inquiétude face au climat de fortes tensions dans le pays et rappellent aux autorités ivoiriennes leur obligation de garantir la sécurité des défenseur·es des droits humains et l’ouverture de l’espace civique en toutes circonstances, et particulièrement en période électorale. Abidjan-Paris-Genève - 24 octobre 2025 - Le samedi 25 octobre 2025, les citoyen·nes ivoirien·nes sont appelé·es aux urnes pour élire leur prochain·e président·e. À l’occasion de ce scrutin, les candidatures de plusieurs figures majeures de l'opposition ont été invalidées en septembre 2025 par le Conseil constitutionnel. Parmi les candidat·es retenu·es figurent Alassane Ouattara, actuel président de la République au pouvoir depuis 2011, et Simone Éhivet, ex-épouse de l’ancien Président Laurent Gbagbo et Première dame de Côte d’Ivoire de 2000 à 2011. Les partis d’opposition, particulièrement le Parti démocratique de Côte d’Ivoire (PDCI) de Tidjane Thiam, et le Parti des peuples africains – Côte d’Ivoire (PPA – CI) de Laurent Gbagbo, ont initié une série d'actions pour protester contre ces décisions et réclamer la tenue d'un dialogue politique. Une manifestation pacifique était prévue pour le 4 octobre 2025, mais celle-ci a été interdite par arrêté préfectoral le 2 octobre, pour « risques de troubles à l'ordre public ». Le même jour, le Conseil national de sécurité a ordonné que « toutes les dispositions nécessaires pour maintenir l’ordre et la sécurité, y compris l’interdiction des meetings et manifestations publiques visant à contester les décisions du Conseil Constitutionnel » soient prises, et a déployé 44 000 éléments des Forces de défense et de sécurité sur tout le territoire en invoquant la sécurisation du processus électoral. Une autre manifestation, prévue pour le 11 octobre 2025 a, elle aussi, été interdite par un nouvel arrêté préfectoral du 10 octobre 2025 portant interdiction de toute manifestation publique sur le territoire du département d'Abidjan pour le 11 octobre. Cependant, des manifestant·es qui ont tenté de se réunir le 11 octobre ont été durement réprimé·es par les forces de l’ordre, notamment à l’aide de gaz lacrymogènes. À l’issue de la manifestation, 237 personnes ont été interpellées à Abidjan et 18 à Dabou. Le 17 octobre 2025, un arrêté ministériel a été pris, interdisant « les meetings et manifestations publiques des partis ou groupements politiques sur toute l’étendue du territoire national » pour une durée de deux mois, à l’exception de « ceux qui s’inscrivent dans le cadre de la participation au processus électoral relatif à l’élection du Président de la République du 25 octobre 2025 ». Pour autant, des partis d’opposition ont annoncé la poursuite des manifestations « tous les jours et sur toute l’étendue du territoire ». À ce jour, suite à ces manifestations et d’après les informations recueillies par les organisations signataires, plus de 700 personnes ont été arbitrairement interpellées et sont maintenant détenues. Plusieurs manifestant·es ainsi qu’un agent des forces de défense et de sécurité ont été tué·es. Plusieurs dizaines de manifestant·es ont été condamné·es à de lourdes peines de prison. Ainsi, au tribunal de Dabou, 24 manifestant·es ont été condamné·es à 36 mois de prison ferme pour « troubles à l’ordre public ». À Abidjan, 26 manifestant·es ont été condamné·es à 36 mois d’emprisonnement ferme. 32 autres manifestant·es ont été condamné·es à Abidjan à trois ans de prison ferme pour « troubles à l’ordre public ». L’Observatoire, la LIDHO, le MIDH et la CIDDH dénoncent ces violations flagrantes des droits à la liberté d’expression et à la liberté d’association, de réunion et de manifestation pacifique, et rappellent que ceux-ci sont garantis par les articles 19 et 20 de la Constitution ivoirienne, ainsi que par les instruments régionaux et internationaux relatifs aux droits humains ratifiés par la Côte d’Ivoire, notamment les articles 9 et 11 de la Charte africaine des droits de l’Homme et des peuples, et les articles 19 et 21 du Pacte international relatif aux droits civils et politiques. Les organisations signataires exhortent la Côte d’Ivoire à respecter ses engagements en faveur de la protection des défenseur.es des droits humains. En 2014, la Côte d’Ivoire est devenue le premier pays africain à se doter d’une loi portant promotion et protection des défenseurs des droits humains. Conformément à cette loi, au mois de mars 2022, la Côte d’Ivoire a mis en place un comité de protection des défenseurs des droits humains. En juin 2025, le Ministère de la justice et des droits de l’Homme ivoirien a intégré la représentation de la société civile au sein de ce comité, permettant ainsi de relancer ce mécanisme. Les organisations signataires appellent les autorités ivoiriennes à poursuivre ces efforts et à prendre des mesures concrètes, via le mécanisme existant, pour garantir la protection des défenseur.es des droits humains et de l’espace civique. Les organisations signataires appellent les autorités ivoiriennes à garantir en toutes circonstances les droits et libertés fondamentales, y compris en période électorale et post électorale, et à tout mettre en œuvre pour garantir des élections libres, transparentes, inclusives et apaisées. Les organisations signataires soulignent également la nécessité de protéger les défenseur·es des droits humains en cette période cruciale pour la démocratie ivoirienne, et de leur permettre d’exercer leurs activités essentielles d’observation et de documentation sans entraves ni crainte de représailles.

Singapore: Judicial harassment of three activists over organisation of a pro-Palestinian peaceful protest

Yasmine Louanchi — Mon, 20 Oct 2025 13:47:06 +0000

The Observatory has been informed about the judicial harassment and upcoming verdict in the case of Singaporean women human rights defenders Mses Kokila Annamalai, Siti Amirah Binte Mohamed Asrori, and Sobikun Nahar. Kokila Annamalai is the co-founder and member of the Transformative Justice Collective (TJC), an informal civil society group that seeks to reform Singapore’s criminal justice system starting with the abolition of the death penalty, and a member of the Workers Make Possible, a labour rights and tenant rights group. Sobikun Nahar is a TJC member and community organiser who has campaigned against the genocide in Palestine and poverty, sexual violence, the death penalty, and the abuses of the penitentiary system in Singapore. Siti Amirah Asrori is an online content creator who has advocated for the abolition of the death penalty and mobilised support in Singapore for the Palestinian struggle. On 21 October 2025, the State Court is scheduled to deliver its verdict in the trial against Mses Kokila Annamalai, Siti Amirah Binte Mohamed Asrori, and Sobikun Nahar, prosecuted over a pro-Palestinian peaceful assembly. If convicted, the three activists could face a jail term of up to six months, or a fine of up to S$10,000 (approximately 6,230 Euros). On 27 June 2024, Kokila Annamalai, Siti Amirah Binte Mohamed Asrori, and Sobikun Nahar were charged under the repressive Public Order Act (POA) for their involvement in an assembly without a permit in a prohibited area. The charges stemmed from a peaceful protest organised by Siti Amirah Binte Mohamed Asrori and Sobikun Nahar, with the advice of Kokila Annamalai. On 2 February 2024, a group of about 70 people, including Siti Amirah Binte Mohamed Asrori and Sobikun Nahar, gathered along Orchard Road and walked towards the Istana (the President’s Office, which also houses the Prime Minister’s Office) to deliver letters to then-Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong expressing support for Palestinians amid the Israeli offensive that began in October 2023, and demanding the government to end ties with Israel, including those involving arms trade. The participants also carried umbrellas painted with images of a watermelon, which shares the colours of the Palestinian flag, to express solidarity with the Palestinian cause. The group stopped at the gates of the Istana and handed 140 letters to staff. Kokila Annamalai did not take part in the protest. The Attorney-Generals' Chambers charged Kokila Annamalai, Siti Amirah Binte Mohamed Asrori, and Sobikun Nahar each with one count of “organising a public procession in a prohibited area”, under Section 15(1) of the POA. Kokila Annamalai’s charge was inexplicably changed from that of “abetting in the organisation of a public procession in a prohibited area.” All three were granted bail of S$5,000 (approximately 3,145 Euros) by the State Court. On 1 July 2025, their trial began at the State Court. Sobikun Nahar and Kokila Annamalai's cases were fixed for further mentions on 8 August 2025, while Siti Amirah Binte Mohamed Asrori's case was heard on 25 July 2025. The Observatory recalls that the POA remains the legislative cornerstone of Singapore’s repression of the right to freedom of peaceful assembly, particularly due to the highly restrictive authorisation regime. The POA requires all individuals who seek to organise a public assembly to give advance notice and apply for permission from the Commissioner of Police no less than 14 working days before the planned event. Under the POA, the Minister of Home Affairs can issue orders that prohibit public assemblies or processions in “any public place” (defined as a “prohibited area”), if it is “in the public interest to do so.” The subsidiary Public Order (Prohibited Areas) 2009 lists places that have been designated as “prohibited areas,” including the Istana, Parliament House, courthouses, and roads and places in the vicinity of these locations. The Commissioner of Police may refuse to grant a permit for a public assembly if he/she has “reasonable ground” to believe that the proposed assembly may result in “public disorder;” “a public nuisance;” “an obstruction in any public road;” or “feelings of enmity, hatred, ill-will or hostility between different groups in Singapore.” All these broadly defined grounds, significantly restrict the exercise of freedom of assembly in Singapore and do not appear to be necessary or proportionate, as required by international standards. Authorities have systematically invoked the POA to crack down on individuals and groups for exercising their right to freedom of peaceful assembly. Under Section 15(1) of the POA, anyone found guilty of organising a public assembly or procession in a “prohibited area” faces penalties of prison terms of up to six months, fines of up to S$10,000 (approximately 6,230 Euros), or both. Under Section 15(2), individuals who take part in such assemblies or processions face fines of up to S$5,000 (approximately 3,145 Euros). In October 2023, Singaporean police said in a statement that they would not authorise events and public assemblies in relation to the Israel-Hamas conflict, due to public safety and security concerns. The Observatory expresses its grave concern over the judicial harassment and upcoming verdict in the case of Mses Kokila Annamalai, Siti Amirah Binte Mohamed Asrori, and Sobikun Nahar, which seem to be only aimed at punishing them for their legitimate exercise of their right to freedom of peaceful assembly. The Observatory urges the authorities of Singapore to put an end to any act of harassment, including at the judicial level, against Mses Kokila Annamalai, Siti Amirah Binte Mohamed Asrori, and Sobikun Nahar, and to guarantee in all circumstances the exercise of the right to freedom of peaceful assembly in the country.

République démocratique du Congo : arrestation arbitraire et mauvais traitements à l’encontre de 12 défenseurs des droits humains

Yasmine Louanchi — Fri, 17 Oct 2025 13:16:19 +0000

L’Observatoire a été informé de l’arrestation violente suivie de la libération de 12 défenseurs des droits humains membres de plusieurs associations de la société civile et mouvements citoyens de la RDC lors d’une manifestation pacifique, ainsi que des actes de mauvais traitements et du harcèlement judiciaire à leur encontre. Le 8 octobre 2025, Messrs. Lambick Buna, Benoît Bahati, Gracieux Mabisa, Genti Sefu, Alain Kalala, Emmanuel Chako, membres du mouvement citoyen Lutte pour le changement (LUCHA), Me Christian Kambi, avocat au barreau de la Tshopo, Hernedie Mamiqui, membres de la Nouvelle dynamique de la société civile en RDC (NDSCI), Hosnie Ilengi, membre du mouvement citoyen Filimbi, Angelus Kambale, Heritier Bolukaoto, membre du collectif des mouvements citoyens Amka Congo, et Didier Ekwalanga, membre de Génération Thérèse Kapangala (GTK), ont été violemment attaqués par des individus non identifiés armés de bâtons, pierres et couteaux, alors qu’ils participaient à une manifestation pacifique à Kisangani, province de la Tshopo, dans le nord-est de la RDC. Les 12 militants ont ensuite été arrêtés par l’inspecteur provincial de la police pour rébellion et trouble à l’ordre public et emmenés dans les locaux de la police criminelle de Kisangani, où ils ont été interrogés en présence de leurs avocats. Tard dans la soirée, ils ont été libérés sur instruction du procureur général près la Cour d’appel de la Tshopo, mais les poursuites à leur encontre pour « rébellion » (Article 133 du livre II du Code pénal congolais) et « trouble à l’ordre public » (Article 176 du même Code) n’ont pas été abandonnées et les militants ont l’obligation de se tenir à la disposition de la justice pendant la durée de la procédure. Parmi les 12 militants arrêtés, Christian Kambi, Gentil Sefu, Hernedie Mamiqui, Alain Kalala, Emmanuel Chako, Angelus Kambale et Hosnie Ilengi ont été gravement blessés durant la manifestation par des individus malveillants et durant leur arrestation par les forces de sécurité, tout comme Grâce Ndolo, membre de la LUCHA qui participait elle aussi à la manifestation. Les huit défenseur·es des droits humains se trouvent dans un état préoccupant au moment de la publication de cet Appel Urgent, sans qu’aucune prise en charge sanitaire appropriée ne leur ait été offerte. Les militants ont été arrêtés alors qu’ils participaient à une manifestation pacifique organisée à Kisangani pour demander la libération du défenseur des droits humains Jedidia Mabela, condamné le 2 octobre 2025 par le Tribunal de paix de Kisangani Makiso à six mois de prison ferme pour « propagation de faux bruits » et « imputation dommageable », suite à des dénonciations publiques sur la mauvaise gouvernance du gouvernement provincial de la Tshopo, et arbitrairement détenu à prison centrale de Kisangani. Conformément à l’article 26 de la Constitution de la RDC, le collectif des mouvements citoyens avait adressé une correspondance officielle au maire de Kisangani le 6 octobre 2025 pour l’informer de la tenue de cette manifestation, en précisant la date, l’horaire, le parcours et le motif de la marche. Le 7 octobre 2025, le maire de la ville avait reçu le collectif des mouvements citoyens afin de discuter de l’itinéraire de la marche. L’Observatoire rappelle que ces actes se produisent dans un contexte d’attaques systématiques contre les défenseur·es des droits humains et de restriction manifeste de l’espace civique en RDC, en particulier depuis l’accession à un second mandat du président Félix Tshisekedi en décembre 2023. La situation des journalistes et défenseur·es des droits humains s’est par ailleurs gravement détériorée depuis janvier 2025, avec l’intensification du conflit à l’est du pays entre le M23, soutenu par l’armée rwandaise selon les Nations unies, et l’armée régulière de la RDC (FARDC) et ses alliés. Les groupes armés rebelles et le gouvernement congolais réduisent au silence les voix qui dénoncent les abus et violations des droits humains dans les territoires occupés par le M23 comme dans le reste du pays. Le rapport final de la mission d’établissement des faits des Nations unies sur les provinces du Nord et Sud-Kivu de la RDC qualifie même ces attaques contre la société civile de “suppression de l’espace civique”. L’Observatoire condamne fermement l’arrestation arbitraire de Lambick Buna, Benoît Bahati, Gracieux Mabisa, Genti Sefu, Alain Kalala, Emmanuel Chako, Me Christian Kambi, Hernedie Mamiqui, Hosnie Ilengi, Angelus Kambale, Heritier Bolukaoto et Didier Ekwalanga, ainsi que les actes de mauvais traitements auxquels ils ont été soumis, qui ne semblent viser qu’à restreindre leurs droits à la liberté de réunion pacifique et d’expression, et à entraver l’exercice légitime de leurs activités de défense des droits humains. L’Observatoire appelle les autorités congolaises à abandonner immédiatement toutes les poursuites judiciaires contre les 12 activistes et à mettre fin à tout forme de harcèlement judiciaire à leur encontre, ainsi qu’à ouvrir une enquête indépendante, rigoureuse, impartiale et transparente sur les actes de mauvais traitements qu’ils ont subis.

Occupied Palestinian territory (OPT) / United States of America: Sanctions imposed by the United States of America’s OFAC against three Palestinian NGO’s for engaging with the ICC

Yasmine Louanchi — Tue, 16 Sep 2025 16:21:06 +0000

The Observatory has been informed of sanctions imposed by the United States of America’s Department of the Treasury (OFAC) against three Palestinian NGOs, Al Haq, Al Mezan Center for Human Rights (Al Mezan), and the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR). The three organisations have been documenting human rights violations against Palestinian civilians and prisoners and have been engaging with the International Criminal Court (ICC) to provide evidence on Israel’s actions and abuses. The three of them are members of FIDH and the OMCT. On 4 September 2025, the three Palestinians organisations have been added to the Department of the Treasury’s “Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List”. This list compiles individuals and organisations said to be “owned or controlled by, or acting for or on behalf of targeted countries” or to be “terrorists and narcotics traffickers”. By being added on this list, Al Haq, Al Mezan and PCHR will see all their property and interests under U.S. jurisdiction blocked and any transactions by U.S. persons prohibited. These measures threaten the very survival of these organisations. In a statement published on the same day, the Secretary of State Marco Rubio has justified the sanctions under the Executive Order 14203, “Imposing Sanctions on the International Criminal Court” as the three organisations have assisted the ICC in its investigation on the State of Israel. The Section 1 (a) of the Executive Order clearly indicates that all those who “have directly engaged in any effort by the ICC to investigate, arrest, detain, or prosecute a protected person without consent of that person's country of nationality” will face sanctions. The Observatory recalls that this is not the first time that the OFAC has issued sanctions against Palestinian human rights organisations as was the case on 10 June 2025 with the Palestinian organisation Addameer that was designated as a “terrorist financing” organisation under Executive Order 13224. The Observatory strongly condemns the ongoing pattern of attacks on Palestinian human rights organisations through the misuse of economic sanctions in retaliation of collaboration with an international judicial body. The Observatory is particularly alarmed by the impact these sanctions will have on Palestinian victims of torture and human rights violations, many amounting to international crimes, who rely on Al Haq, Al Mezan and PCHR’s actions of monitoring and advocacy. Reports by UN experts in 2024 pointed to a rise in the use of torture and ill-treatment in Israeli custody since October 2023. The Observatory strongly urges U.S. authorities to immediately lift these sanctions, which contribute to the shrinking of Palestinian civic space and infringes on the right of Palestinian human rights organisations to interact and engage with international judicial bodies like the ICC.