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China must protect the rights of detained human rights defenders Huang Xueqin and Wang Jianbing

Today, 19 September 2022, marks one year in detention for two young Chinese human rights defenders: Huang Xueqin, an independent journalist and key actor in China’s #MeToo movement, and Wang Jianbing, a labour rights advocate.
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Pakistan: Government has failed to comply with UN Working Group findings to end persecution of Muhammad Ismail and family

  CIVICUS, the global civil society alliance and Front Line Defenders, call on the Pakistan government to immediately comply with recommendations of the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (WGAD) on the case of human rights defender Muhammad Ismail and put an end to all acts of harassment against him and his family.
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Belarus: CIVICUS condemns harsh verdict on human rights defenders

Global civil society alliance, CIVICUS, expresses serious concerns over the sentencing of Viasna human rights defenders, Maria Rabkova and Andrey Chapiuk by the Minsk City Court this afternoon.
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Bangladesh: Odhikar faces another blow as government upholds de-registration decision

The decision by the Prime Minister’s Office of Bangladesh to uphold the de-registration of prominent human rights organisation Odhikar is appalling and demonstrates the government’s ongoing efforts to crush the organisation and stifle human rights work in the country, CIVICUS, the global civil society alliance said today.
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Introducing the new Chair and Vice-Chair of the CIVICUS Board

    We are pleased to announce that the CIVICUS Board has elected Dylan Mathews as Board Chair and Sonia Kwami as Board Vice-Chair.
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Five years since genocide, the world must act to ensure justice for Rohingya

In marking the five-year commemoration of the genocide committed against the Rohingya in 2017, 384 civil society organisations reaffirm our commitment to continue to stand in solidarity with and seek justice for the Rohingya, to ensure the full restoration of their rights in Myanmar, and to end the impunity of the Myanmar military.
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Over 150 organisations demand international community stand against raids and closures of 7 Palestinian organisations

Amid Israel’s escalating attacks targeting their work, a group of more than 150 Palestinian, regional, and international organisations express our full solidarity with the designated seven leading Palestinian civil society organisations, Addameer Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association, Al-Haq Law in the Service of Man (Al-Haq), Bisan Center for Research and Development, Defense for Children International-Palestine (DCI-P), Health Work Committees (HWC),the Union of Agricultural Work Committees (UAWC), and the Union of Palestinian Women’s Committees (UPWC).
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Malaysia: Ismail Sabri’s government is undermining fundamental freedoms

One year after Ismail Sabri took over as the Prime Minister of Malaysia, ARTICLE 19 and CIVICUS are concerned about systematic attempts by his government to restrict and undermine fundamental freedoms, especially freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.
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Joint Letter to Bahrain King: Free 400-day hunger striker Dr Abduljalil Al-Singace

King of Bahrain, Shaikh Hamad bin 'Issa Al Khalifa Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Shaikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa Your Majesties, We, the undersigned, are writing to you concerning Dr.
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Guinea: Release human rights defenders and lift restrictions on freedom of assembly

The use of violence and the killing of demonstrators to disperse ongoing protests in Guinea entrenches impunity and is a major setback for the fragile transition, global civil society alliance CIVICUS said today.
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FIJI: Contempt proceedings over highlighting spelling mistake inject climate of fear

Amnesty International and CIVICUS call on the Fiji government to drop contempt charges against a lawyer in Fiji for the exercise of his right to freedom of expression.
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Uganda: Reverse the suspension of LGBT organisation

CIVICUS, a global alliance of civil society organisations and activists dedicated to strengthening citizen action and civil society throughout the world is seriously concerned about a recent decision by the Ugandan authorities to suspend the operations of Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG), an organisation that has for years championed the rights of LGBT people in Uganda.
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Sri Lanka: end government crackdown on peaceful protesters

We, the undersigned organizations, condemn the Sri Lankan authorities' violent crackdown and increasing reprisals against peaceful protesters in Sri Lanka.
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28 CSOs condemn the continued blocking of Al-Manassa’s website and dozens of other news websites

The undersigned civil society organisations condemn the blocking by the Egyptian authorities of three links to access the Al-Manassa website within approximately 72 hours, starting from Thursday, 14 July.
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Joint statement: the European Union must address reprisals against human rights defenders in India

The joint European Union (EU)-India press release, which provides a summary of the topics discussed during the 10th EU-India human rights dialogue which took place on 15 July 2022 in New Delhi, fails to adequately address pressing issues of security and reprisals faced by human rights defenders in India, five human rights organisations said today.
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Myanmar: Execution of four democracy activists highlights junta’s brutality

We, the undersigned, strongly condemn the execution carried out by the military junta against four pro-democracy activists in Myanmar.
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Malawi: respect human rights and allow peaceful protest

The government of Malawi must stop the clampdown on peaceful protests and respect the rights of its citizens to voice concerns which is in line with the country’s national and international human rights obligations, said the global civil society alliance CIVICUS, today.
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Maldives: amend provision in the evidence act that compels journalists to reveal sources

The undersigned 10 organizations call on the government of Maldives to repeal or amend the deeply problematic provision in the Evidence Act (Act No.
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CIVICUS calls for the release of Eswatini MPs before the anniversary of their detention

Calls for the release of Eswatini MPs Mduduzi Bacede Mabuza and Mthandeni Dube 25 July marks their one-year anniversary in detention  MPs feature in  #StandAsMyWitness global human rights campaign Regional SADC conference to address political unrest postponed Global civil society alliance CIVICUS calls for the immediate and unconditional release of Eswatini members of parliament Mduduzi Bacede Mabuza and Mthandeni Dube ahead of their one-year anniversary in detention.
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Sri Lanka: Brutal attack against peaceful protesters by security forces

Joint Statement Five human rights organizations strongly condemned the brutal attack against unarmed peaceful protesters by Sri Lankan forces in Colombo in the early hours of 22 July 2022 .
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Sri Lanka: State of emergency must not be used to curtail fundamental freedoms

CIVICUS, a global civil society alliance, is concerned with the declaration of a state of emergency by the prime minister’s office in Sri Lanka on 13 July and again by the Acting President on 18 July.
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Indonesia: Draft law of criminal code negatively impacts fundamental freedoms

Statement in Indonesian Joint statement: Hold public consultations on the revised draft of the Criminal Code and repeal restrictive provisions We, the undersigned organizations, are alarmed by provisions in the draft amendments of the Indonesian Criminal Code, recently made public, that will negatively impact civic space and fundamental freedoms in the country.
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Egypt: Uphold rights to free expression at environmental summit

Arabic 36 organisations urge Egyptian authorities to end crackdown on civil society organisations and peaceful protests for a successful COP27 Egyptian authorities should ease their grip on civic space and uphold the rights to freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly to enable a successful climate summit, known as the COP27, in Egypt, 36 organisations said today.
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Sierra Leone: stop violence against peaceful protesters and respect democratic rights of citizens

The government of Sierra Leone must stop the brutal repression of peaceful protests and respect the rights of its citizens to engage in demonstrations which is in line with the country’s international human rights obligations, said the global civil society alliance CIVICUS today.
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India: Halt harassment and release human rights defender Teesta Setalvad

CIVICUS, the global civil society alliance, condemns the recent arrest of Teesta Setalvad and calls on the government of India to stop targeting human rights defenders.
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Singapore: Drop investigations and cease harassment against human rights defenders

Seven (7) human rights organisations urgently call on the Singaporean authorities to drop their criminal investigations of human rights defenders Kirsten Han and Rocky Howe and cease harassing them through legal processes for their work.
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Ecuador: Human rights at risk as protests are violently repressed

The use of violence to restrict ongoing protests in Ecuador and the refusal of the government to heed the demands of the protesters further threatens fundamental freedoms, Global civil society alliance CIVICUS said today.
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Civil Society holding the line in contested times: 2022 CIVICUS State of Civil Society Report

Published at the halfway point of 2022, the State of Civil Society Report shines a light on a time of immense upheaval and contestation.
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Brazil: Ensure justice for Bruno Pereira and Dom Phillips and act to protect Indigenous rights defenders

Portuguese Authorities in Brazil must thoroughly investigate the brutal murders of Indigenous expert Bruno Pereira and journalist Dom Phillips in the Javari Valley (Amazonas state) and act to protect Indigenous territories and defenders, global civil society alliance, CIVICUS said today.
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Egypt: Mohamed El-Baqer: 1000 days of arbitrary detention

Arabic Human rights defender Mohamed El-Baqer must be released immediately and unconditionally, stated 19 human rights organisations.

Open call to all international actors: Do more to stop internet shutdowns shrouding torchings and killings in Myanmar

Content note: this statement contains references to violence, murder, and potential war crimes.
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India: Joint statement on the deteriorating health of G. N. Saibaba in Nagpur Central Jail

Seven human rights organisations expressed concerns about the deteriorating health of the activist and Delhi University professor Gokarakonda Naga Saibaba in Nagpur Central Jail, Maharashtra State, and called on the Indian authorities to provide urgent access to health care.
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European Commission work programme 2023: The need to include the development of a European Civil Society Strategy

 CIVICUS joins call to the European Commission for the development of a European Civil Society Strategy Ms Ursula von der Leyen President of the European Commission cc: Ms Vera Jourova Vice-President of the European Commission Mr Didier Reynders Commissioner for Justice We, civil society organisations acting at local, national and European level, call on the European Commission to include in the work programme of 2023 a proposal for a European Civil Society Strategy1.
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Zimbabwe: Release abducted activist Obert Masaraure immediately

CIVICUS calls on the Zimbabwean authorities to immediately release Obert Masaraure, an activist and human rights defender.
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Philippines: Government must stop judicial harassment against human rights groups

CIVICUS, a global civil society alliance, is alarmed by the ongoing judicial harassment against members of three human rights groups that have been accused of perjury for seeking legal protection from the Supreme Court against government harassment and intimidation.
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Kazakhstan downgraded as civic freedoms deteriorate

Russian / Русский Failure of authorities to independently and impartially investigate the Bloody January' 2022 protests, when 200 people were killed and thousands injured Widespread allegations of arbitrary detentions of peaceful protesters, torture and ill-treatment and due process violations in connection with the January events The January events used as a pretext by authorities to target civil society activists, opposition supporters, and journalists Kazakhstan has been downgraded from Obstructed to Repressed  by the CIVICUS Monitor.
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Bangladesh: Arbitrary de-registration of prominent human rights group Odhikar another blow to civil society

CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation and the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) are extremely alarmed by the decision of the government to arbitrarily revoke the registration of Odhikar, a leading human rights organisation in Bangladesh.
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Thailand: Government must immediately and unconditionally drop royal defamation charges against youth activists

CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation and Asia Democracy Network are alarmed by the ongoing judicial harassment against youth pro-democracy activists in Thailand for exercising their rights to expression and peaceful assembly.
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Malaysia: Two years on, still no protection & accountability for Rohingya HRD Zafar Ahmad from harassment and threats

We, the undersigned organisations, are deeply concerned about the situation of stateless Rohingya refugee and human rights defender Zafar Ahmad Abdul Ghani, President of Myanmar Ethnic Rohingya Human Rights Organization (MERHROM), who has been vilified and has received death threats since April 2020 after he was falsely accused of demanding Malaysian citizenship and equal rights for the Rohingya in Malaysia during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Hong Kong: Chow Hang Tung remains in detention for one year since her arrest

Today, we mark a year since the arrest of human rights defender and lawyer Chow Hang Tung.
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UAE: Release all prisoners of conscience now

Joint letter calling on the President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, to intervene immediately in favour of the release of prisoners of conscience.
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Ethiopia: Civil society calls for the immediate release of detained journalists

Global civil society alliance CIVICUS calls on the Ethiopian authorities to immediately release 11 journalists and media workers arrested and detained since May 19 in Amhara state and the capital Addis Ababa for doing their work.
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Guinea: Civil society calls for the lifting of a ban on assemblies

The decision made by Guinea's transitional authorities to ban public demonstrations in public spaces for the duration of the transitional period seeks to undermine further the right to protest and prevent Guineans from expressing their views about issues affecting them.
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Madagascar: Drop all charges against environmental rights defender Jeannot Randriamanana

Ahead of the next appeals hearing in the case involving Malagasy environmental human rights defender Jeannot Randriamanana scheduled for 14 June 2022, the global civil society alliance CIVICUS calls on the authorities to drop all charges against him and stop persecuting human rights defenders.
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The DRC: CIVICUS calls for the immediate release of journalists Patrick Lola and Christian Bofaya

CIVICUS calls on the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) authorities to immediately release journalists and activists Patrick Lola and Christian Bofaya, arrested for doing their job.
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India: Chronology of harassment against human rights defender Khurram Parvez

Human rights defender Khurram Parvez, 44, is the Programme Coordinator of the Jammu and Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society (JKCCS) which is a coalition of various campaign, research and advocacy organisations based in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir which monitor and investigate human right abuses.
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Algeria: Global Campaign urges authorities to lift restrictions on civic space

CIVICUS joins 37 other organisations today in announcing a 10-day campaign against the increasing government repression of individuals and groups defending human rights in Algeria.
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Cambodia Should Scrap Rights-Abusing National Internet Gateway

We, the following 32 human rights organisations, call on the Cambodian authorities to revoke the Sub-Decree on the Establishment of the National Internet Gateway (NIG).
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Sri Lanka: Security forces must exercise restraint and protect the right to protest

CIVICUS, the global civil society alliance, calls on Sri Lankan security forces to refrain from using excessive force and prevent further deaths and injuries amid increasing violence around protests and guarantee a safe and enabling space for peaceful protesters to voice their concerns.
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ASEAN: Decision on humanitarian assistance on Myanmar must include all related parties

Decision on humanitarian assistance on Myanmar must include all related parties to avoid aid weaponisation by the junta We, the 765 undersigned Myanmar regional and international organisations, are gravely concerned by the outcome of the Consultative Meeting on ASEAN Humanitarian Assistance to Myanmar that puts the military junta in control of humanitarian aid distribution in Myanmar.

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