human rights defender

Human rights defender Mr Edwin Nebolisa Nwakaeme, in detention since his arrest on 1 March, was denied bail today 10 March. Edwin Nebolisa Nwakaeme is the founder and program director of Africa in Democracy and Good Governance (ADG), an organisation which works to promote human rights, democracy and good governance in Africa. 

Human rights defender and lawyer Mr Ernesto Rábago Martínez was assassinated in his office in the state of Chihuahua on 2 March 2010. Ernesto Rábago Martínez was a member of Bowerasa (Haciendo Camino) , a not-for-profit civil association working to support the indigenous communities of the Tarahumara sierra, in the municipal of Carichí, Chihuahua, in the defence of their land, culture and health rights. 

Front Line is concerned following reports of repeated police harassment of human rights defender Mr Leo Igwe and his family, including the risk that fabricated murder charges may be brought against him. Leo Igwe is the West Africa representative of the International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU) and Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Humanist Movement. 

Human rights defender Mr Aftab Alam received death threats and was the subject of harassment and intimidation on 9 February 2010. Aftab Alam is a weaver by trade and is associated with the Peoples’ Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR). 

Front Line is gravely concerned by reports of the disappearance of human rights defender, Mr Pattani Razeek, managing trustee of the Community Trust Fund (CTF) and member of the Executive Committee of the Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA).