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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 Urges Human Rights Council to Protect Human Rights Defenders
Senior Associate, Andrew Hudson, addressed the Human Rights Council in Geneva on March 11, 2010 urging it to better protect human rights defenders at risk around the world. He also urged the Colombian government to adopt the Council's recommendations on how to stop the persecution of defenders.
HRF Oral Statement to Council
See video of statement
3/10/2010
UN Highlights Persecution of Colombian Activists
The UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders released a new report criticizing the widespread persecution of Colombian activists. The report cited Human Rights First and adopted many of our recommendations, especially those combating the baseless prosecutions of Colombian defenders.
Read UN report
Read HRF report in English |
in Spanish 3/5/2010
Stop Paramilitary Death Threats to Colombian Women's Rights Leaders
On January 27, 2010, Sisma Mujer, a leading Colombian women's rights group received startling death threats from a right-wing paramilitary death squad. Urge the Colombian authorities to investigate these recent threats and to prosecute those responsible while providing adequate protection for the members of Sisma Mujer.
Read petition in English |
in Spanish
2/10/2010 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.
Read more about the Ladies in White
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
Clinton Visit to Guatemala Should Bolster Human Rights and Combat Impunity
The visit to Guatemala by US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, on March 5 is an opportunity to show strong US support for human rights in Guatemala and the need to aggressively combat impunity and corruption.
Senior Associate Andrew Hudson's comments in the Washington Post
3/5/2010
The International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala: A New Model for International Criminal Justice?
A new Human Rights First report published in the Journal of International Criminal Justice analyses the groundbreaking but little understood International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG) to develop an improved rule of law model for the UN in reforming weak legal systems. It engages in an in-depth study of CICIG's activities and a comparative analysis of CICIG against similar international criminal justice mechanisms. Human Rights First argues that CICIG's level of integration into the local judicial system and its dual focus on powers to promote prosecutions and institutional reform tools make it a unique model worth replicating. This report also makes recommendations to further improve CICIG's model for future application to new contexts and countries.
Read the report
2/22/2010
Groundbreaking Investigation by UN Commission in Guatemala
The International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG) has delivered a comprehensive investigation into the murder of a Guatemalan lawyer that has averted a political crisis. The findings by CICIG demonstrate its incredible value and have shown that even the most politically sensitive crimes can be successfully investigated.
Read HRF analysis of case in The New York Times
Read more about CICIG
1/14/2010 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.
Read more about this case
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
Protect Freedom of Association for Gay Rights Activists in Turkey
Next month a prominent regional LGBT rights organization in Turkey may be forced to shut down because the government publicly opposes its work. Take action now to urge the presiding Judge to impartially adjudicate the motion to close the Black Pink Triangle Association of Izmir.
Read HRF Petition
1/15/2010
United Nations Passes Important Resolution on Human Rights Defenders
On November 20, 2009, the United Nations General Assembly passed a comprehensive resolution on human rights defenders. As Human Rights First had encouraged, it expresses concern about the precarious situation of activists around the world and calls upon states to adopt strong and effective measures to prevent and eliminate human rights violations against them.
Summary of resolution in English
| en Espaņol Resolution 11/30/2009
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 More»