Human Rights Defenders

Human rights defenders expose violations and campaign for redress for victims. They are the people who on their own or with others take action to ensure the promotion and protection of human rights for all. The important thing is not who they are, but what they do. Human rights defenders take peaceful action and believe everybody has equal rights.

News and Updates

Ukraine: Discrimination and violent attacks in pervasive climate of homophobia

16 May 2013

A new report exposes endemic discrimination by officials and members of the public towards gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex in Ukraine.

Azerbaijan criminalizes free speech online ahead of elections

15 May 2013

The Azerbaijani authorities must not use the upcoming presidential election as a pretext to silence critical voices and meaningful debate, Amnesty International said following a move to extend criminal defamation laws to the internet.

Equatorial Guinea targets opposition ahead of elections

15 May 2013

At least nine activists who were trying to organize a peaceful demonstration in Equatorial Guinea were arrested as authorities are determined to clamp down on free speech ahead of up-coming elections.

UN resolution on Syria will do little to stop massive abuses

15 May 2013

Today’s United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) resolution on Syria is a positive step but it does little to address the immense ongoing human rights and humanitarian crisis in the country.

Activist freed - journalist still missing in The Gambia

14 May 2013

A Gambian activist detained by the authorities after peacefully expressing his views has been released – but there is still no news about a journalist missing for seven years