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Across the globe human rights defenders face various forms of persecution in their everyday struggle for human rights

In Honduras an anonymous tip off alerts members of Cofadeh that their Director Bertha Oliva, and other prominent human rights defenders, are on a death list.

In Armenia Mr Arshaluys Hakobyan of the Helsinki Association is taken into custody and beaten.

In Thailand Ms Angkhana Neelaphaijit who is the chairperson of the Working Group on Justice and Peace (WGJP) and wife of the missing human rights lawyer, Somchai Neelaphaijit, who disappeared on 12 March 2004 in Bangkok, is subjected to an ongoing campaign of harassment and intimidation.

These few cases are typical of the thousands of human rights defenders who dedicate their lives and risk their personal security in defence of the rights of others.

Your support will help them to create more just and equal societies for all. These are the people with the power to change the world.

Send an international appeal and you can help protect human rights defenders

Had it not been for Front Line, who would have been my refuge and safety?"

- Thompson Ade Bayor, lawyer and human rights defender, Liberia

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Urgent Cases

Honduras: Kidnapping, surveillance, threats, harassment and intimidation of members of LGBTI organisation, APUVIMEH

Posted on 2010/09/02

Front Line expresses its deep concern regarding recent incidents of kidnapping, surveillance, threats, harassment and intimidation against members of the LGBTI organization Association for a Better Life (Asociación por una Vida Mejor- APUVIMEH).Read More

Bolivia: Harassment and stigmatisation of members of the Permanent Assembly on Human Rights Bolivia (APDHB)

Posted on 2010/09/02

Front Line is concerned following reports received of recent incidents of harassment and stigmatisation of la Asamblea Permanente de Derechos Humanos de Bolivia (Permanent Assembly on Human Rights of Bolivia – APDHB), in particular, of human rights lawyers Dr Jorge Wilder Quiroz Quispe and Dr Claudia Lecoña, who are married, and of Dr Marcelo H. Garcia.Read More

Belarus: Human rights defender Mr Raman Kislyak arrested and detained

Posted on 2010/09/01

On 30 August 2010, police in the western Belarusian city of Berastse (Brest) detained prominent human rights defender Mr Raman Kislyak, while his distributed leaflets to mark the International Day of the Disappeared. Raman Kislyak is a human rights lawyer.Read More

DRC: Disappearance of human rights defender Mr. Sylvestre Bwira Kyahi

Posted on 2010/08/27

On 24 August 2010, human rights defender, Mr Sylvestre Bwira Kyahi was abducted by gunmen in the town of Goma in North Kivu province.Read More

China: Human rights defenders Liu Zhengyou, Hu Yulan, Ma Xingquan and Feng Guiqin convicted of fraud

Posted on 2010/08/26

Human rights defenders Mr Liu Zhengyou, Ms Hu Yulan, Mr Ma Xingquan and Ms Feng Guiqin have been convicted of fraud in Zigong City, Sichuan Province.Read More

Vietnam: Arbitrary detention of human rights defender Professor Pham Minh Hoang

Posted on 2010/08/23

Human rights defender Professor Pham Minh Hoang was arbitrarily detained on 13 August 2010.Read More

Kyrgyzstan: Assault of human rights defender Mr Abdumannap Khalilov

Posted on 2010/08/23

On 16 August 2010, at the city tribunal in Osh, southern Kyrgyzstan, Mr Abdumannap Khalilov was beaten by a crowd of women, while thirty policemen who were present at the scene did not intervene.Read More

India: Killing of Dalit human rights defender, Mr Hari Lal

Posted on 2010/08/20

Front Line is deeply saddened to report the recent killing of human rights defender, Mr Hari Lal, who was shot dead in the Manjhanpur region of Kaushambi near Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh.Read More

Yemen: Human rights defender Mr Kamal Sharaf detained

Posted on 2010/08/19

Front Line is concerned regarding the arrest of artist and human rights defender Mr Kamal Sharaf on 16 August 2010.Read More

Mexico: Upcoming court hearing regarding arbitrary arrest, imprisonment and torture of human rights defenders Rodolfo Montiel and Teodoro Cabrera

Posted on 2010/08/19

On 26 and 27 August 2010, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights will hold a public hearing regarding the case of Mr Rodolfo Montiel and Mr Teodoro Cabrera, two human rights defenders who were arbitrarily arrested, imprisoned and tortured by the Mexican authorities between 1999 and 2001.Read More

India: Arrest and detention of five human rights defenders investigating Dalit human rights violations

Posted on 2010/08/17

Human rights defenders Mr Gnana Diraviam, Mr Anandan, Ms Bharathi Pillai, Ms Niharga Priya and Ms Sudha have been arrested and remanded in judicial custody since 15 August 2010.Read More

Nigeria: Family of human rights defender Mr Leo Igwe attacked in their home

Posted on 2010/08/16

On 4 August 2010, the family of human rights defender Mr Leo Igwe were attacked in his family home by armed men. His father, Mr Oliver Igwe, was badly beaten and subsequently had to have his eye removed as a result of his injuries.Read More

Bahrain: Human rights defenders Dr. Abduljalil Al Singace and Mr Abdul Ghani al-Kanjar arrested

Posted on 2010/08/15

Human rights defenders Dr. Abduljalil Al Singace and Mr Abdul Ghani al-Kanjar have been arrested.Read More

Honduras: Death Threats and intimidation of human rights defender Mr Héctor Soto

Posted on 2010/08/11

Human rights defender Mr Héctor Soto has been subject to threats and intimidation as a result of his work as Director of the Grupo Sociedad Civil – GSC (Civil Society Group).Read More

Colombia: Human rights defender Ms Judith Maldonado Mojica attacked and threatened

Posted on 2010/08/10

Human rights defender Ms Judith Maldonado Mojica has been threatened during a violent attack in which her bag and materials related to her work were stolen.Read More

Western Sahara: Three human rights defenders sentenced to two years in prison

Posted on 2010/08/10

Front Line expresses its concern regarding the sentencing of three human rights defenders; Mr Ibrahim Beriaz, Mr Ali Salim Ablagh and Mr Saeed Al-Wa’ban. On 20 July 2010 the Court of Appeal in Marrakesh (sentenced the three defendants to two years in prison and a fine of 1000 Dirhams (approximately €90) each.Read More

Kyrgyzstan: Mr Nurbek Toktakunov, lawyer of human rights defender Mr Azimjan Askarov, attacked in police station

Posted on 2010/08/09

On 2 August 2010, lawyer Mr Nurbek Toktakunov was attacked while visiting his client, imprisoned human rights defender Mr Azimjan Askarov in Jalalabad regional police station.Read More

Brazil: Assassination attempt against human rights defender Mr Alexandre Anderson de Souza

Posted on 2010/08/05

Front Line is gravely concerned following reports of an alleged assassination attempt against human rights defender Mr Alexandre Anderson de Souza on 31 July 2010 in Rio de Janeiro.Read More

Mexico: Update - Final conclusions to be presented in trial of human rights defender Mr Raúl Hernández Abundió

Posted on 2010/08/04

Front Line is seriously concerned regarding reported irregularities in the ongoing criminal case against Mr Raúl Hernández Abundió.Read More

Iran: Unknown whereabouts of human rights lawyer Mr Mohammad Mostafaei, and harassment of family members, including the arrest of his wife and brother-in-law

Posted on 2010/07/30

Human rights lawyer Mr Mohammad Mostafaei has been subject to interrogation and pressure by the Iranian authorities and it is reported that he has gone into hiding. An arrest warrant has been issued against him. On 24 July 2010, his wife and brother-in-law were arrested, and it is thought that this measure has been taken as a means of pressuring Mohammad Mostafaei to hand himself over to the authorities.Read More

Colombia: Death threats and intimidation against human rights defender Ms Marta Díaz

Posted on 2010/07/30

Human rights defender Ms Marta Díaz has been subject to death threats and intimidation, through a threatening letter and email received on 24 July 2010.Read More

Georgia / South Ossetia: Assault and death threats against human rights defender Mr Timur Tskhovrebov

Posted on 2010/07/28

Human rights defender Mr Timur Tskhovrebov was assaulted on 24 July 2010 by an armed group who threatened to kill him.Read More

China: Journalist Mr Hairat Niyaz sentenced to fifteen years in prison after criticising the authorities in the international press

Posted on 2010/07/27

Human rights defender Mr Hairat Niyaz was found guilty of "endangering national security" and sentenced to fifteen years in prison following a one-day trial on 23 July 2010.Read More

Kyrgyzstan: Ms Turdihon Askarova, sister-in-law of human rights defender Mr Azimjan Askarov, assaulted while visiting him in detention

Posted on 2010/07/27

Ms Turdihon Askarova, sister-in-law of imprisoned human rights defender, Mr Azimjan Askarov, was assaulted whilst visiting him in detention.Read More