News

Cambodia: Government must end the persistent judicial harassment of environmental defenders

The Government of Cambodia must drop the charges against Mother Nature Cambodia (MNC) environmental defenders and immediately release them, said human rights groups Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA), Asia Democracy Network (ADN), CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation, Earth Rights International (ERI), and Front Line Defenders.
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Bangladesh: Hold security forces accountable for torture

Rights Groups Call for Decisive Action on International Day for Victims The Bangladesh government has failed to address widespread allegations of torture and ill-treatment by its security forces, ten rights groups said on the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture.
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Malaysia: Authorities reverting to repressive tactics of former governments to throttle expression online

🇲🇾#Malaysia: Authorities have launched a systematic campaign to silence critical voices online.
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French Separatism Bill threatens fundamental freedoms, warn civil society organisations

The proposed French "separatism" bill («Projet de loi confortant le respect des principes de la République») could threaten rights and civil liberties, according to French and European civil society organisations including CIVICUS, the European Civic Forum (ECF), Le Mouvement Associatif (LMA) and la Ligue des droits de l’Homme (LDH).
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Bangladesh: No accountability for killing of Mushtaq Ahmed 100 days on

🇧🇩#Bangladesh: Over 100 days since dissident writer, Mushtaq Ahmed, was killed in prison.

The French “separatism” bill raises concerns for rights and civil liberties

Dear Commissioner Didier Reynders, Dear Michael O’Flaherty, Cc: Commissioner Ylva Johansson, Vice President Vera Jourová The French “separatism” bill raises concerns for rights and civil liberties: the European Commission must question France We, civil society organisations that advocate for rights and values, for the defence of civil liberties and the rule of law, and against any form of discrimination, are writing to raise concerns about the French “separatism” bill («projet de loi confortant le respect des principes de la République») currently under discussion in Parliament.
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Call on UNHRC to adopt a resolution on human rights situation in Occupied Palestine

HRC 30th Special Session: Call on the United Nations Human Rights Council to adopt a resolution on the grave human rights situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem and in IsraelOn 27 May 2021, the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) will hold a Special Session in relation to the escalating human rights violations against the Palestinian people on both sides of the Green Line.
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Cambodia: Stop silencing critical commentary on COVID-19

🇰🇭#Cambodia: Government authorities have arrested dozens of individuals for expressing critical opinions about the government’s response to #COVID19.
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Belarus: Release arrested journalist after forced emergency landing at Minsk Airport

✈️#Belarus: The use of a false security threat to force the landing of a plane carrying journalist, Roman Protasevich, is a new low even by the standards of the Alexander Lukashenko government.
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India: Chronology of harassment against human rights defender Sudha Bharadwaj

Sudha Bharadwaj, aged 60, is a human rights lawyer and activist who has spent her life defending Indigenous people in India and protecting workers’ rights.
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Afghanistan: Joint call for immediate end to attacks against HRDs & need for protection & accountability

The threats, harassment, intimidation, and attacks against human rights defenders, activists, journalists, and media workers in Afghanistan must end – the undersigned international human rights organisations said.
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Indonesia: Activists at risk in the Papua region

Global civil society alliance, CIVICUS is extremely concerned about the risks facing activists in the region of Papua following new counter-insurgency operations in the region since late April 2021.
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Uganda: Stop arrests, detention, and targeting of opposition leaders and activists ahead of inauguration

🇺🇬#Uganda: Over 40 activists have been arrested ahead of today's presidential inauguration of @KagutaMuseveni Our statement on the arrests and the continued targeting of opposition leaders: https://t.
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Chad: Stop violence against peaceful protesters and respect democratic rights of Chadians

Chadian authorities must stop the brutal repression of peaceful protesters and ensure an immediate democratic transition in Chad, says global civil society alliance CIVICUS.
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Colombia: Stop brutal attacks and killings of protesters

🇨🇴At least 20 killed in #Colombia as police brutally crackdown on protests.
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Cambodia: Conviction of environmental defenders another blow to civil society

From left to right: Long Kunthea, Thun Ratha and Phuon Keoreaksmey The conviction of environmental defenders today highlights again the rapid deterioration of human rights and space for civil society in Cambodia, says global civil society alliance CIVICUS.
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Myanmar: ASEAN meeting outcomes ignores assault on rights and civil society

Global civil society alliance CIVICUS is disappointed that the outcomes of the regional ASEAN summit held in Jakarta fell short of what is necessary to address Myanmar’s human rights crisis, including by failing to call for the immediate release of human rights activists, journalists and others arbitrarily detained.

A year after imprisoned Saudi activist Abdullah al-Hamid’s passing, NGOs call for accountability & release of all HRDs

April 24, 2021 marks one year since prominent Saudi human rights defender Dr Abdullah al-Hamid passed away, while serving an 11-year prison sentence on politically motivated charges.
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ASEAN summit must call on Myanmar's military to end the violence and restore elected government

  Re: ASEAN summit must address grave violations in Myanmar by security forces To: H.
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Cuba: Int’l action needed to hold Cuban government accountable for human rights violations

The international community must demand accountability from the Cuban government for its actions and to immediately stop unlawful short-term arbitrary detentions, house arrests, forced exile, and smear campaigns against dissenting voices In response to the aggressive acts committed by police officers in recent weeks against Patriotic Union of Cuba (UNPACU) activists on hunger strike; the beatings and arrests of members of the San Isidro Movement; the forced exile imposed on Cuban citizens, making them stateless; permanent house arrests; and smear campaigns against journalists, artists, and dissidents, the undersigned 7 organizations issue the following statement:
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UK: Stop the violence against protesters and amend the Policing Bill

The use of violence against peaceful protesters in the United Kingdom (UK), who are protesting against the draconian police, crime, sentencing and courts bill, is a major assault on the right to peaceful assembly in the UK and indicative of how peaceful protesters will be treated if this bill is eventually passed into law.
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Thailand: NGO law would strike ‘severe blow’ to human rights

The Thai authorities’ adoption of a draft law to regulate non-profit groups would strike a severe blow to human rights in Thailand, several international organizations said today.
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Bangladesh: Authorities must conduct investigations into death of protesters

The Bangladeshi authorities must conduct prompt, thorough, impartial, and independent investigations into the death of at least 14 protesters across the country between 26 and 28 March, and respect the right to freedom of peaceful assembly, said 11 human rights organisations in a joint statement today.
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Pakistan: Chronology of harassment against human rights defender Muhammad Ismail

Pakistani human rights defender Professor Muhammad Ismail, aged 69, is a prominent member of Pakistani civil society and the focal person for the Pakistan NGOs Forum (PNF), an umbrella body of civil society organisations (CSOs) in Pakistan.
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Poland: Escalating threats to women activists

Investigate, Protect Rights Defenders, End Hateful Rhetoric
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More must be done to ensure women in civil society are protected

Arabic Twenty-five years since the ratification of the Beijing Platform for Action, and a year since women across the world participated in the Women's Global Strike - gender justice is still not a reality for most women.
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Denmark: Reject discriminatory "Security for all Danes” Act and respect freedom of assembly

Members of the Danish Parliament Folketinget Christiansborg 1240 Copenhagen K Tel.
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India: Women human rights defenders still in pre-detention after 300 days

Global civil society alliance CIVICUS and Front Line Defenders call for the immediate release of women human rights defenders Devangana Kalita and Natasha Narwal who have now spent 300 days in pre-trial detention.
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Philippines: Government should be held accountable for the killings of activists

The Philippine Government must face international accountability for its widespread killing of activists and human rights defenders, and the grave human rights violations it has committed, seven human rights groups said in a statement today.
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Call for independent investigation into Rwandan singer Kizito Mihigo’s death

Open letter to all Commonwealth Heads of Government Civil society organisations around the world are calling on the Rwandan authorities to allow an independent, impartial, and effective investigation into the death in custody of Kizito Mihigo, a popular gospel singer and peace activist.
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Algeria: Assertive public position from international community crucial to protecting Algerians on Hirak anniversary

#Algeria: 16 February 2021 marked the two year anniversary of the start of the Hirak protests and the ensuing violent crackdown on civic freedoms.
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Civil society letter to U.S. State Dept on Human Rights Defenders

80 civil society organisations from 30+ countries urge Honarable Secretary of State, Antony Blinken to strengthen U.

Bahrain: Joint Letter to EU Ahead of Meeting With Bahraini Delegation

Please note: This letter was sent on 25 January and it was acknowledged by the European External Action Service (EEAS).

Standing in solidarity with Venezuelan human rights defenders

The recent, ongoing and unwarranted detention of five members of the Venezuelan NGO ‘Azul Positivo’ is one more event in a series of threats, harassment, attacks, restrictions, reprisals and criminal proceedings against Venezuelan civil society organizations and human rights defenders, which has been intensifying since November 2020.
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Deportation of academic increases the chilling effect on freedom of expression in Fiji

The recent deportation of academic Professor Pal Ahluwalia is alarming and highlights the restrictive environment for freedom of expression in Fiji, global civil society alliance CIVICUS said today.
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Myanmar: Release all activists and politicians detained and restore democracy

Global civil society alliance CIVICUS is alarmed that the military’s takeover of control of Myanmar from the civilian government represents a sharp reversal of the partial yet significant progress toward democracy made in recent years following five decades of military rule and international isolation.

Cambodia: Drop charges against union leader Rong Chhun and other activists

On Wednesday, prominent trade unionist and labour activist Rong Chhun will again appear before the trial court in Cambodia in one of a series of high-profile trials being carried out in Cambodia in an ongoing crackdown on activists which escalated significantly over the past year.
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Russia: Stop violence against peaceful protesters

Read the statement in Russian The arrest of more than five thousand protesters in Russia calling for the release of anti-corruption activist Alexei Navalny is a gross violation of the constitutional rights of all Russians to assemble peacefully, as Russia continues to openly deny its international human rights obligations, global civil society alliance CIVICUS said today.
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Bahrain: Open letter to Danish Prime Minister to take immediate action to free Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja

Arabic It's been 10 years since human rights defender, Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja has been arrested for his human rights activities.
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Uganda: Egregious measures threaten free and fair elections

🇺🇬🗳️President @KagutaMuseveni has ruled #Uganda for 35 years.
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Hong Kong: Crackdown on democratic freedoms continues with mass arrests

Global civil society alliance CIVICUS condemns the mass arbitrary arrests in Hong Kong this week in an unprecedented crackdown on democratic freedoms and calls for the immediate release of all those detained.
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Poland: concerns over intimidation, violence and detentions of peaceful protesters

Joint letter to: Clement Voule, UN Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Assembly and Association Mary Lawlor, UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights Defenders Irene Khan, UN Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Opinion and Expression Tlaleng Mofokeng, UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Physical and Mental Health Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) Palais Wilson, 52 Rue des Pâquis 1201 Geneva, Switzerland
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Cuba: release detained protesters and stop harassment of rights activists and their organisations

Hoy, en el #DiaDeLosDerechosHumanos hacemos un llamamiento a las autoridades cubanas para detener la represión de los artivistas que reclaman sus derechos civiles y liberar a quienes se encuentran actualmente detenidos o bajo arresto domiciliario.
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Algeria: European Parliament calls for action on human rights and expresses solidarity with demonstrators

Arabic The European Parliament’s second urgency resolution on Algeria in a year is an important step and should be followed by stronger public action from the international community
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India: Human rights body must raise concerns over crackdown

To: Hon’ble Justice (Retd.

16 Rights Groups Raise Bahrain Human Rights Concerns with Formula One

Rights watchdogs tell F1 leaders to use their leverage to compensate victims of abuse & ensure right to protest ahead of two Grand Prix races in Bahrain

Thailand: Government must respect and protect the rights of demonstrators

We, the undersigned organizations, condemn the Thai police’s unnecessary and excessive use of force against peaceful protesters marching to the national parliament in Bangkok on November 17, 2020.
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Morocco: End intimidation and harassment campaign against rights defender Maati Monjib

The undersigned civil society organisations call on the Moroccan authorities to immediately end their intimidation and harassment campaign against academic and human rights defender Maati Monjib and drop all baseless charges leveled against him.
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Sri Lanka: A year after Presidential elections, civic freedoms under increasing assault

A year on from the election of Gotabaya Rajapaksa as President of Sri Lanka, global civil society alliance CIVICUS is extremely concerned about the country’s regression in civic freedoms.
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Algeria: Free Amazigh and Hirak activist in prison for exercising his freedom of opinion

بالعربية On 11 November, the court of Khenchela (eastern Algeria) is expected to hear activist Yacine Mebarki's appeal, following his sentencing on 8 October to 10 years in prison and a heavy fine of 10 million dinars (about 77,611.

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