Arbitrary Detention
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Q&A and Analysis: WOZA V. Zimbabwe
Tags Share In November 2022, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights issued a positive decision in Communication 446/13 between Jennifer Williams, Magodonga Mahlangu, and Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) and the Republic of Zimbabwe. Finding that the government of Zimbabwe violated the Complainants’ rights to freedom of association, assembly, and expression and their…
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Bangladesh: End Political Prosecution of Rights Leaders
Tags Share The Bangladesh authorities should cease their continued criminalization and harassment of Bangladesh human rights group, Odhikar, 21 human rights groups said today. Authorities should drop politically-motivated charges against Odhikar’s leaders, Adilur Rahman Khan and ASM Nasiruddin Elan. On August 10, 2013, Khan, secretary of Odhikar and a prominent human rights activist, was arbitrarily…
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United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention Demands Immediate and Unconditional Release of U.S./Cambodia Dual National And Human Rights Activist Theary Seng
Tags Share WASHINGTON, D.C. and GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – Today, the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (“Working Group”) published its judgment on its website that U.S./Cambodia dual national and human rights activist Theary Seng has been arbitrarily detained in violation of international law and demanded her immediate and unconditional release. Theary’s case was submitted…
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Somali Journalists Syndicate and Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights demand immediate release of Somali journalist Busharo Ali Mohamed
Tags Share Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS) and Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights (RFK Human Rights) condemn the arbitrary arrest and detention of Somali freelance journalist Busharo Ali Mohammed (widely known as Bushaaro Baanday) and call for her immediate and unconditional release by Somaliland authorities. Her ongoing detention is the latest in a series of unlawful…
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BANGLADESH: Accountability is a must for ending torture and impunity
Tags Share Bangkok/Dhaka/Geneva/ Hong Kong/ Kuala Lumpur/Manila/Melbourne/Washington, D.C.: 24 June 2023: On the occasion of the United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture on 26 June, we, the undersigned organisations, are extremely concerned over the ongoing use of torture and degrading treatment in Bangladesh by law-enforcement agencies and security forces, and the…
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Bangladesh: Stop Targeting Odhikar and Its Leadership
Tags Share Bangladeshi authorities must end reprisals against Odhikar and its leadership and respect the fundamental rights to freedom of association and expression. Those working to document and expose human rights violations should be able to conduct their important work without fear of harassment, intimidation, and reprisals. The case of human rights organization Odhikar is…
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Rethinking US Foreign Policy Strategy on Wrongful Detention
Tags Share Russia’s arrest of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich feeds into a worrying pattern of wrongful detention, including hostage-taking, of Americans overseas. More than 60 U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents are currently wrongfully detained abroad. With rising geopolitical tensions and the consequent Cold War-style polarization, this trend is likely to continue. In…
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Rethinking US Foreign Policy Strategy on Wrongful Detention
Tags Share Written by Ikechukwu Uzoma and Mooya Nyaundi Russia’s arrest of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich feeds into a worrying pattern of wrongful detention, including hostage-taking, of Americans overseas. More than 60 U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents are currently wrongfully detained abroad. With rising geopolitical tensions and the consequent Cold War-style polarization,…
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Four-Year Sentence of Anti-Corruption Leader Deals a Blow to Guatemalan Democracy
Tags Share At 10 p.m. on April 19, we received a text message from Claudia González —the leading attorney representing Virginia Laparra— confirming that we had been authorized to visit Virginia at the Matamoros military prison the following day. Her text included a warning: “Don’t forget to wear a skirt or you won’t be allowed…
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A call to strengthen protect mechanisms for environmental defenders on International Earth Day
Tags Share Being an environmental human rights defender is one of the most dangerous jobs in the world. Every day, government authorities, companies and other non-state actors seek to silence environmental defenders on the frontlines of the global climate and environmental movement through unwarranted persecution, harassment, detention and even murder. As we commemorate International Earth…
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RFK Human Rights Welcomes the Release of “Hotel Rwanda” Hero Paul Rusesabagina
Tags Share Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights welcomes the release of “Hotel Rwanda” hero Paul Rusesabagina after 969 days of arbitrary detention in Rwanda. We congratulate Mr. Rusesesabagina’s family, friends, colleagues and #FreeRusesabagina campaign supporters for the spirited efforts towards his release and wish him a speedy recovery. At the same time, we urge the…
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Rights Groups Call on Bangladesh to Cease Harassment of Rozina Islam in Public Letter
Tags Share Sent by email Mr. Asaduzzaman Khan, MPMinister of Home AffairsPeople’s Republic of Bangladeshminister@mha.gov.bd Mr. Zahid Maleque, MPMinister of Health and Family WelfarePeople’s Republic of Bangladeshminister@mohfw.gov.bd Dear Ministers Khan and Maleque, We, the undersigned press freedom and human rights groups, write to seek your leadership in ensuring an immediate end to the harassment of…
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