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Civil society demands Tajikistan free human rights lawyer on eighth anniversary of arrest

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Russian Johannesburg/Brussels - As the eighth anniversary of the unjust detention of Tajikistan human rights lawyer Buzurgmehr Yorov approaches, global civil society alliance CIVICUS and the International Partnership for Human Rights (IPHR) call on the country’s authorities to immediately release him and unconditionally drop all charges.
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Malaysia: Government must stop harassing protesters and restricting peaceful protests

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ARTICLE 19 and CIVICUS are concerned by recent attempts by the police to harass protesters and restrict peaceful protests.
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Bangladesh: Quash conviction and release rights defenders

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Photo credit: Odhikar Leaders of Prominent Rights Group Convicted on Trumped-Up Charges Bangladesh authorities should immediately release human rights defenders Adilur Rahman Khan and ASM Nasiruddin Elan, quash their convictions, and end all reprisals against them for their legitimate human rights work, said 72 organizations today.
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CIVICUS: UN must prove its relevance at this year’s General Assembly

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JOHANNESBURG/NEW YORK - As world leaders gather in New York for the United Nations General Assembly this September, global civil society alliance CIVICUS calls on UN leadership to use this year’s summit to prove its value to solve the world’s compounding crises.
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Maldives: All candidates and parties must commit to respecting and protecting civic freedoms

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As citizens of the Maldives prepare to cast their votes in presidential elections scheduled for 9 September 2023, the Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) and CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation call upon all candidates and political parties to pledge their commitment to upholding and safeguarding civic freedoms as an integral part of their electoral mandates.
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Civil society demands Tajikistan release jailed human rights defender

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Russian With Tajikistan marking its Independence Day on 9 September 2023, global civil society alliance CIVICUS and the Brussels-based International Partnership for Human Rights (IPHR) call on Tajikistani authorities to immediately release imprisoned human rights defender Manuchehr Kholiqnazarov, and other activists and journalists detained for their human rights activities.
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G20 commitment to civic space and partnerships critical for sustainable development - CIVICUS

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Realising commitments to civil society space and partnerships are essential to progressing on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and inclusive, resilient, and green growth, says CIVICUS, ahead of the New Delhi G-20 meeting.
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Civil society demands release of jailed Eswatini activists

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JOHANNESBURG - Ahead of Eswatini’s 55th Independence Day on 6 September, global civil society alliance CIVICUS and the Eswatini rights organisation Foundation for Socio Economic Justice (FSEJ) call on the country’s authorities to immediately release from prison pro-democracy activists Mduduzi Bacede Mabuza and Mthandeni Dube.
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UAE: Rights groups urge Antony Blinken to press the Emirati government to release Ahmed Mansoor

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The Honorable Antony J.
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Ethiopia: Civil society groups raise concerns over the termination of the Mandate of the International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia

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We, the undersigned civil society, and human rights organizations are alarmed by your recent decision1 to prematurely terminate the mandate of the Commission of Inquiry into the situation in the Tigray Region of the Federal Republic of Ethiopia (CoI).
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Extremely poor civic space records of BRICS countries undermine its legitimacy: CIVICUS

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Global civil society alliance, CIVICUS has pointed out that the overwhelming majority of the newly admitted members of the BRICS alliance have troubling records of upholding civic freedoms and a history of quashing democratic dissent which does not augur well for multilateralism or people-centred decision making.
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Benin and Burkina Faso: Reverse the suspension of media outlets

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CIVICUS, the global alliance of civil society organisations, condemns the decision by the governments of Benin and Burkina Faso to suspend media outlets over their coverage of the recent coup in Niger.
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Philippines: Human Rights Organisations Condemn Renewed Judicial Harassment Against Human Rights Defenders

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We, the undersigned organisations, are in solidarity with human rights defenders (HRDs) in the Philippines.
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Joint Open Letter to G20: Call for an end to violations in Kashmir and release of human rights defenders

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ATTN: Representative of G20 member countries, guest countries and invited international organizations We, the undersigned organizations, would like to bring to your attention serious concerns regarding human rights violations occurring in Indian-administered Kashmir (IAK) including the unlawful detention and persecution of human rights defenders and journalists.
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UAE: Release all those unjustly imprisoned before COP28

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Arabic Authorities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) should release all those unjustly imprisoned in the country before the start of COP28, which will be held at Expo City Dubai between 30 November and 12 December 2023.
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Bahrain: Human rights defender Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja begins hunger strike

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The prominent Danish-Bahraini human rights defender and prisoner of conscience Abdul-Hadi Al-Khawaja, who has been arbitrarily detained in Bahrain since 2011 after leading peaceful protests calling for fundamental freedoms and rights in Bahrain, began a hunger strike on Wednesday 9 August.
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Afghanistan: Assault on civic space persists two years after Taliban takeover

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On 15 August 2021, the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan and unleashed a systematic assault on civic space.
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Bangladesh: End Political Prosecution of Rights Leaders

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10 Years of Reprisals Against Odhikar Officials for Documenting Violations The Bangladesh authorities should cease their continued criminalization and harassment of Bangladesh human rights group, Odhikar, 21 human rights groups said today.
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Laos: Ensure the Immediate Release of Chinese Human Rights Lawyer Lu Siwei

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Lao authorities have reportedly arrested and detained well-known Chinese human rights lawyer Lu Siwei since 28 July 2023.
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Bangladesh: Opposition face arbitrary arrests and excessive use of force around protests

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CIVICUS, a global civil society alliance and the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) are extremely concerned about reports of arbitrary arrests and excessive force against opposition activists around mass sit-in protests in Bangladesh.
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Cambodia: Civil society condemns human rights violation during election

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The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) and CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation condemn the pattern of intimidation and retaliation against media workers, civil society, and political opponents in the run-up to, during, and after  elections in Cambodia.
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Guatemala: Respect the rule of law ahead of the second round of elections

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Ahead of the second round of the presidential elections scheduled for 20 August 2023, the global civil society alliance CIVICUS calls on the Guatemalan authorities to respect the rule of law and democratic values to prevent a political crisis.
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Vietnam: Stop the arbitrary arrest and detention of environmental human rights defenders

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We, the undersigned organisations, express grave concern over the recent arbitrary arrest, detention, and silencing of several environmental human rights defenders (EHRDs) speaking out against harmful business operations supported by the government.
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Guatemala: Respect fundamental rights ahead of Presidential elections

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CIVICUS, a global alliance of civil society, is gravely concerned of increasing attacks and restrictions on democratic and civic freedoms in the wake of Guatemala’s 25th June presidential elections.
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Bahrain: Chronology of the persecution of human rights defender Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja

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Bahraini human rights defender Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja is a prominent member of Bahraini civil society and well known human rights activist in the gulf.
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Sri Lanka: Release youth activist Nathasha Edirisooriya and drop charges

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CIVICUS, a global civil society alliance, urges the government of Sri Lanka to immediately release youth activist and stand-up comedian Nathasha Edirisooriya and drop the charges against her unconditionally.
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India: UN body demands immediate release of Khurram Parvez

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Indian authorities should immediately release Kashmiri human rights defender Khurram Parvez, a group of United Nations (UN) human rights experts has said.
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Thailand/Laos: investigate the killing of Lao refugee and put an end to transnational repression of human rights defenders

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In response to news on 17 May 2023 of the fatal shooting of Bounsuan Kitiyano, a 56-year-old Lao human rights defender and a refugee recognized the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), in a border town in northeastern Thailand, we, the ten undersigned organizations, urge the government of Thailand to independently, effectively and promptly investigate this incident and ensure effective remedy to the victim’s family and loved ones.
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Human rights croups call for the urgent release of Vietnamese climate leader, Dang Dinh Bach

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CIVICUS joins calls for the release of Vietnamese climate leader, Dang Dinh Bach and stand in solidarity with civil society in the frontlines of Vietnam’s just energy transition   We, the undersigned climate justice and human rights advocates worldwide, call for the immediate release of prominent environmental lawyer, Dang Dinh Bach, who is serving a five year prison sentence in Vietnam on trumped-up tax evasion charges after advocating for the country’s movement away from coal.
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Bangladesh: Stop targeting Odhikar and its leadership

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Respect the Fundamental Rights to Freedom of Association and Expression Bangladeshi authorities must end reprisals against Odhikar and its leadership and respect the fundamental rights to freedom of association and expression.
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Cambodia: Disqualification of opposition party reveals government’s zero commitment to free and fair elections

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The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) and CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation strongly condemn Cambodia’s National Election Committee (NEC)’s decision to bar the Candlelight Party (CP) - the country’s main opposition party–from contesting in the upcoming general election in July 2023.
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India: End reprisals against the Jammu & Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society (JKCCS) & human rights defenders in Kashmir

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Sixteen human rights organisations today called on the Indian authorities to immediately stop the reprisals against human rights defenders and organisations in Jammu and Kashmir, especially Khurram Parvez, Irfan Mehraj, and the Jammu and Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society (JKCCS).
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Bangladesh: End crackdown on journalists and online critics, and protect freedom of expression

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On World Press Freedom Day, CIVICUS joins five other civil society organisations in expressing alarm over the increasing attacks against Bangladeshi journalists and online critics, exercising their right to freedom of expression.
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India: Oxfam targeted again with accusations of foreign funding and influencing

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CIVICUS, a global civil society alliance, is extremely concerned about the Indian authorities’ latest investigation against Oxfam India for alleged violations of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA).
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Sudan: Protect civilians as armed conflict escalates

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The international community including the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the African Union, Arab League  and the United Nations should act in a timely manner to prevent a civil war in Sudan, global civil society alliance, CIVICUS, said  today.

Sudan: As violent clashes continue, Sudan’s international partners must call for accountability and justice

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Since April 15, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, head of the Sovereign Council and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), and General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, alias Hemedti – leader of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have, in their quest for power, engaged in deadly clashes across Sudan.
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Eswatini: Over 390 orgs call for an investigation into the murder of activist, Thulani Maseko

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Representatives of the undermentioned civil society organisations are still reeling with shock over the brutal killing of Eswatini human rights defender, Thulani Maseko.
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Afghanistan: Free Girls Education Activist Matiullah Wesa

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The abduction and detention of human rights defender and education campaigner, Matiullah Wesa, in Afghanistan is a clear attempt by the Taliban to curtail all opposition to their restrictions on the education of women and girls, global civil society alliance, CIVICUS said today.
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Civil society in a world of crisis: 2023 CIVICUS State of Civil Society Report

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ARABIC Civil society faces a world of challenges in 2023.
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Philippines: Drop all charges against human rights defenders accused of rebellion

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Global civil society alliance, CIVICUS, expresses its concerns over the judicial harassment of seven activists falsely accused of rebellion in Baguio City, the Philippines.
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Malaysia: End escalating harassment of Mentega Terbang Filmmakers

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We, the 74 undersigned organisations and individuals, strongly condemn the harassment and intimidation of the artists and filmmakers behind the movie Mentega Terbang who have faced police questioning, death threats and property vandalisation.
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Mexico: Illegal digital surveillance against journalists and activists

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Joint statement with members of the Open Government Partnership The undersigned members of the Open Government Partnership (OGP) Steering Committee express their deep concern over the reports of alleged illegal digital surveillance against Mexican journalists, activists, and other human rights defenders, as highlighted in a letter signed by the core group of civil society organizations that lead the OGP process in Mexico, and validated by Citizen Lab.
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Rwanda: questionable trial after journalist's death

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CIVICUS and 85 other organisations reiterate the call for an independent investigation Rwandan authorities must allow an independent, impartial and effective investigation into the death of the Rwandan journalist John Williams Ntwali, 86 civil society organizations and media associations said today, reiterating a January 31 appeal.
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Egypt: Solidarity statement with poet Galal El Behairy on the 5th anniversary of his arbitrary arrest and his announcement of a hunger strike

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The undersigned organisations express their full solidarity with poet Galal El Behairy on the fifth anniversary of his arbitrary arrest and detention solely on the basis of his peaceful expression, an anniversary on which he has announced a hunger strike.
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Chinese authorities must release “Blank Paper” protesters and allow free expression on COVID-19 pandemic

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Chinese On International Women’s Day, 25 organisations call on the Chinese government to release and drop all charges against editor Cao Zhixin (曹芷馨), writer Li Siqi (李思琪), accountant Li Yuanjing (李元婧), and teacher Zhai Dengrui (翟登蕊).
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Tunisia: CIVICUS calls on President Kais Saied to stop targeting political opponents and migrants

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The ongoing arrests and intimidation of activists and members of the political opposition, journalists and activists is another strategy by President Kais Saied to silence critics and further restrict civic space, global civil society alliance CIVICUS said today.
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Rights groups reiterate their call on Moroccan authorities to end the persecution of Taoufik Bouachrine, and other critical journalists

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Arabic The undersigned rights groups reiterate their call on Moroccan authorities to immediately end the persecution and detention of prominent independent newspaper editor Taoufik Bouachrine, and scores of Moroccan journalists and human rights defenders imprisoned solely for peacefully exercising their right to freedom of expression.
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Honduras: 100+ orgs call for access to justice & measures of non-repitition

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Honduras: One month after the murder of two defenders of the Guapinol and San Pedro Rivers, CIVICUS joins human rights organisations calling for compliance with international obligations to guarantee access to justice and measures of non-repetition
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Cambodia: Media and civil society groups disturbed by revocation of media outlet’s license

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We, the undersigned media and civil society organizations, are deeply disturbed by Prime Minister Hun Sen’s order to revoke the license of Voice of Democracy (VOD), one of the last remaining independent media outlets in Cambodia.
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Nicaragua: CIVICUS welcomes release of political prisoners but calls for lifting of all restrictions to civic space

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Global civil society alliance, CIVICUS welcomes the release of 222 political prisoners who had been detained and convicted under trumped-up charges by Nicaraguan authorities.

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