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Human Rights First builds respect for human rights and the rule of law to help ensure the dignity to which everyone is entitled and to stem intolerance, tyranny, and violence. More »
Human Rights First builds respect for human rights and the rule of law to help ensure the dignity to which everyone is entitled and to stem intolerance, tyranny, and violence. More »
A new report exposes how politically motivated criminal charges have been used to harass, stigmatize, and endanger human rights defenders in Colombia. Read more. »
Latest News
Colombia
HRF Advises UN Expert ahead of Colombia Visit
Ahead of the December 2009 visit to Colombia by the UN Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers, Human Rights First presented the expert with a briefing paper highlighting, in particular, the precarious situation of human rights lawyers.
Briefing paper
11/10/2009
Human Rights First Testifies Before Congressional Hearing on Colombia
At a hearing "Human Rights Defenders in the Crosshairs: The Ongoing Crisis in Colombia" before the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, Senior Associate Andrew Hudson, urged Congress to take decisive action to protect activists in Colombia.
Read Testimony
View CNN en Espańol clip
Read article in The Miami Herald
Read article in The Christian Science Monitor
10/20/2009
US Government Grants Visa for Colombian Activist
Human Rights First has chosen Colombian activist Gabriel Gonzalez as the 2009 recipient of its prestigious human rights award. After four months of delays the US government granted him a visa so he can receive the award on October 22.
Read Press Release in English
| in SpanishRead AP article (in Spanish)
Read article in El Tiempo (in Spanish)
10/15/2009 More on Colombia»Cuba
Disappointing Cuba UPR Review Session at the UN Human Rights Council
On June 10, the UN Human Rights Council met to adopt the UPR report on Cuba. Human Rights First prepared a joint statement (see initial statement below) to be delivered in conjunction with other international NGOs calling attention to the precarious situation of human rights activists in Cuba. We were unable to deliver our statement as NGOs friendly to the Cuban government flooded the speakers' list, and signed onto a joint Human Rights Watch statement (see video) at the last minute.
Watch Video of Joint Statement in English |
in Spanish
Read initial joint statement that was not delivered
6/11/2009
Release Ill Cuban Activist from Isolation Cell
Tony Diaz, an instrumental organizer of a civic initiative known as the Varela Project in Cuba, was thrown in jail for his human rights activities in the spring of 2003. This week, Diaz was transferred to a prison isolation cell, seriously endangering his health.
Read More about Tony Diaz's Case
6/8/2009
Join the Ladies in White in Calling for Human Rights in Cuba
On the sixth anniversary of the jailing of 75 activists in Cuba, join their wives, daughters, and others in demanding their release and calling for respect for human rights on the island.
3/26/2009 More on Cuba»
Egypt
Obama Meeting with Mubarak an opportunity to promote human rights
Read Human Rights First's August 13th Letter to the Obama Administration
Read Human Rights First's Blueprint on Human Rights in Egypt
Read the Press Release
8/14/2009Egypt must release Sinai-Based Activist
1/2/2008Urge Egyptian Authorities to Release Online Activists
1/1/2008 More on Egypt»Guatemala
Demand Investigation into Killing of Indigenous Guatemalan Lawyer Fausto Otzín
Take action now to urge Guatemalan authorities to investigate and prosecute those responsible for killing Fausto Otzín, a celebrated indigenous rights activist.
11/19/2009
HRF addresses Forum on Criminalization of Defenders in Guatemala
Human Rights Defenders Program Manager, Andrew Hudson, gave the keynote address to an international forum on criminalization of human rights defenders in Guatemala - drawing on HRF's successes in combating this problem in Colombia.
Read speech
11/11/2009
Charges Against Guatemalan LGBT Activist Dismissed
On September 29, 2009, a Guatemalan judge dismissed all charges against LGBT activist Jorge Lopez. Lopez had been charged with involvement in the assault of a sex worker; a person who he had actively worked to protect. Prosecutors may still appeal, but we are confident that their petition will be denied and recognized as an attempt to discourage López?s human rights advocacy on behalf of the LGBT community.
Letter of thanks to Guatemalan Authorities
Read about Lopez's case
Petition regarding Lopez's Case
10/16/2009 More on Guatemala»Indonesia
Demand End to Politically-Motivated Charges Against Indonesian Anti-Corruption Activists
Illian Deta Arta Sari and Emerson Yuntho, staff members of Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW), were named as suspects in a criminal defamation case for expressing their skepticism about the amount of money that prosecutors claimed to have saved the state through corruption prosecutions. Urge the Indonesian President to end the politically-motivated investigation of against them.
Read HRF Petition
11/4/2009
Demand End to Intimidation of Indonesian Activist Seeking Justice
Usman Hamid, a tenacious Indonesian human rights defender, is being investigated for criminal defamation. The police investigation was instigated by the retired State Intelligence Agency official alleged to have orchestrated the murder of Hamid's late colleague, noted human rights lawyer Munir. Urge the Indonesian President to end the investigation of Usman Hamid.
Read HRF Petition
9/18/2009
Jakarta Post Op-Ed by HRF Award Honoree Suciwati Calls On Indonesian Presidential Candidates to Seek Justice for Past Crimes
Read Op-Ed
7/10/2009
More on Indonesia»
Iran
Release Detainees Held in Aftermath of Disputed Election in Iran
Iran continues to detain human rights defenders in the wave of repression that has followed the disputed June 12 presidential election. On Friday, July 17, Shadi Sadr, a prominent lawyer and women's rights activist, was headed toward Tehran University for Friday prayers when plain clothes security personnel violently forced her into a car. On July 28, Ms. Sadr was released on bail.
Fact Sheet on Detained Human Rights Defenders in Iran
Joint Statement Supporting Global Day of Action on Iran
7/24/2009
Urge G8 Leaders to Call for Release of All Detained Activists in Iran
Hundreds of people have been detained in Iran since the June 12th announcement of the disputed presidential election results. The detainees include prominent political leaders who opposed President Ahmadinejad during the campaign, student leaders, journalists, human rights lawyers and women's rights activists. Call on G8 leaders to take a stand for human rights in Iran.
7/7/2009
Iranian Human Rights Defender Wins 2009 Martin Ennals Award
Emad Baghi, a leading human rights defender based in Tehran, founded the Society for the Defense of Prisoners' Rights and has been a vigorous and outspoken opponent of the death penalty in Iran. The Martin Ennals Award, a joint award from ten international rights groups, recognizes his vital work.
Read Press Release
Read More about HRF's Work in Iran
5/20/2009 More on Iran»Thailand
Disappearance Mystery in Thailand: After Five Years, a Fresh Start or Business as Usual?
Five years ago a human rights lawyer named Somchai Neelaphaijit was forced into a car in Bangkok. He was never seen again, and no-one has been held accountable for disappearance. A new government promises action, but will it be business as usual? Please call on the Thai authorities to solve this case and prevent further disappearances.
Read petition from HRF supporters calling on the Thai government to take action
HRF press release: Petition Calls for Progress in Thai Disappearance Case
3/17/2009
Thai Army Must End Harassment of Human Rights Defenders
Two days after making the strange claim that insurgents might disguise themselves as human rights workers, Thai security forces raided a respected organization. Attempts to intimidate human rights defenders will only further undermine the rule of law in strife-torn southern Thailand.
2/9/2009
Thailand Should Charge or Release Suspected Insurgents
(English) (Thai) 10/28/2007 More on Thailand»Around the World
Demand Fair Trial for Kazakh Human Rights Defender
Leading Kazakh human rights defender, Yevgeny Zhovtis, is now serving a four year prison term for manslaughter after being convicted in a trial which appears to have fallen short of international fair trial standards. Take action now to urge the Kazakh authorities to set aside his conviction and grant him a fair trial.
Read HRF Petition
9/14/2009
Demand Release of Syrian Lawyer and Human Rights Activist
Mohanad Al-Hasani, is a leading human rights activist and lawyer in Syria. State Security, one of Syria's intelligence organizations, detained Al-Hasani on July 28 for his activities monitoring the controversial State Security Court.
Read HRF Petition
8/6/2009
Russian Human Rights Defender Murdered
Well-known Chechen rights activist Natalya Estemirova was kidnapped and brutally murdered on July 15. Take action to demand an investigation.
HRF Statement on Murder
7/15/2009 More»