Tunisian lawyers call for strike over colleague’s arrest for sarcastic TV quip

Sem categoria 13/05/2024 Leave a comment

12/05/24

A Tunisian lawyers association on Sunday called for a nationwide strike after hooded police raided Tunisia’s bar association headquarters and arrested a prominent lawyer as authorities escalated a broad government crackdown that has ensnared political dissidents, non-governmental organizations and Black migrants. 

Sonia Dahmani, a prominent critic of the government, was arrested Saturday night after making sarcastic remarks about Tunisia on a local television programme last week and charged with distributing false information and disrupting public order.

She was the latest dissident to be charged under the country’s controversial Decree 54, an anti-fake news law that the government has used to pursue critics of President Kais Saied.

The Tunisian Lawyers Council on Sunday called for a nationwide general strike to be held by all lawyers.

Dahmani’s advocates had gathered at the bar association Saturday to protest a warrant for her arrest when police stormed the building.

FRANCE 24’s French language reporter was live on air from Tunis when hooded police officials arrived at the bar association to arrest Dahmani.

Masked police forced FRANCE 24 to stop broadcasting after tearing “the camera from its tripod” and briefly detaining the cameraman.

FRANCE 24 has condemned the “brutal intervention by security forces that prevented journalists from practising their profession as they were covering a lawyers’ protest for justice and in support of freedom of expression”.

[…]

https://www.france24.com/en/africa/20240512-tunisian-lawyers-call-for-strike-over-colleague-s-arrest-for-sarcastic-tv-quip

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/5/12/masked-tunisian-police-arrest-prominent-lawyer-for-media-comments

https://www.arabnews.com/node/2509096/amp

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/05/12/tunisia-crackdown-lawyer-arrest-critic-saied/d4a032c0-1082-11ef-9d37-865890cc2670_story.html

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4n1jwel080o

https://www.voanews.com/a/tunisian-pundit-arrested-over-tv-comments-lawyers-say-/7607796.html

https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/three-tunisian-pundits-arrested-over-critical-remarks-say-lawyers

Les avocats tunisiens appellent à la grève suite à l’arrestation d’un collègue pour une plaisanterie télévisée sarcastique

(FRANCAIS)

https://information.tv5monde.com/afrique/video/tunisie-appel-la-greve-generale-des-avocats-2721645

https://www.lemonde.fr/afrique/article/2024/05/12/en-tunisie-le-regime-arrete-brutalement-une-avocate-et-deux-chroniqueurs-pour-leurs-critiques-trop-sarcastiques_6232821_3212.html

https://www.huffingtonpost.fr/international/video/tunisie-ce-que-l-on-sait-de-l-arrestation-d-une-avocate-filmee-en-direct-par-france-24-a-tunis_233803.html

https://www.bfmtv.com/international/afrique/tunisie/tunisie-arrestation-musclee-de-l-avocate-sonia-dahmani-diffusee-en-direct-a-la-television_AD-202405120253.html

https://www.lefigaro.fr/flash-actu/tunisie-arrestation-de-deux-chroniqueurs-pour-avoir-critique-la-situation-du-pays-20240512

https://www.francetvinfo.fr/monde/afrique/tunisie/en-tunisie-une-avocate-et-chroniqueuse-arretee-avec-force-apres-des-propos-sarcastiques-sur-la-situation-du-pays_6539402.html

https://www.businessnews.com.tn/reactions-nationales-et-internationales-a-lassaut-contre-la-maison-de-lavocat,520,137795,3

https://www.tf1info.fr/international/tunisie-l-arrestation-brutale-de-l-avocate-sonia-dahmani-filmee-en-direct-video-france-24-2299078.html

https://www.alhurra.com/tunisia/2024/05/12/%D9%81%D9%8A%D8%AF%D9%8A%D9%88-%D8%A7%D9%82%D8%AA%D8%AD%D8%A7%D9%85-%D9%82%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D9%85%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AA%D9%88%D9%86%D8%B3%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D9%84%D9%86%D9%82%D8%A7%D8%A8%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%AD%D8%A7%D9%85%D9%8A%D9%86-%D9%88%D8%A5%D9%84%D9%82%D8%A7%D8%A1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%82%D8%A8%D8%B6-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AF%D9%87%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%8A (ARABIC)

https://apnews.com/world-news/general-news-420e0c9a60bec9735965d11f8b82fbc7 (ESPANOL)

https://www.rtp.pt/noticias/mundo/ordem-dos-advogados-da-tunisia-anuncia-greve-depois-de-detencao-de-advogada_n1570895 (PORTUGUES)

https://www.ildubbio.news/avvocatura/tunisia-arrestata-in-diretta-tv-lavvocata-dei-diritti-da-domani-avvocati-in-sciopero-dhzsp38h (ITALIANO)

https://fb.watch/s1cq1mfFZc/

Tunisia: Sonia Dahmani se réfugie dans les locaux de l’Ordre des Avocats

Sem categoria 11/05/2024 Leave a comment

10/05/24

L’avocate Sonia Dahmani qui est aussi chroniqueuse sur une radio et une chaine TV s’est réfugiée dans les locaux de l’Ordre des Avocats à Bab Bnet, après que le juge d’instruction du tribunal de première instance de Tunis ait émis un mandat d’amener à son encontre ce vendredi matin, le 10 mai 2024.

Il est à noter que l’avocate Sonia Dahmani ne s’est pas présentée ce, vendredi, devant le juge d’instruction du tribunal de première instance de Tunis, conformément à la convocation qui lui a été adressée hier, jeudi.
Plusieurs avocats ont assisté en son nom et ont présenté une demande de report de l’interrogatoire de leur mandante.

Cependant, le juge d’instruction chargé de l’enquête a décidé de rejeter le report de l’interrogatoire, émettant ainsi un mandat d’arrêt à son encontre. Une équipe de sécurité a été chargée de l’exécution du mandat d’arrêt émis à son encontre.

https://www.espacemanager.com/sonia-dahmani-se-refugie-dans-les-locaux-de-lordre-des-avocats.html-0

IFM : Sonia Dahmani visée par un mandat d’amener

https://www.leparisien.fr/international/tunisie-une-avocate-et-chroniqueuse-arretee-de-force-apres-avoir-ironise-sur-lattractivite-du-pays-12-05-2024-DZXDLAFRCZCTRIPPVNXHBSTHIM.php

Tunisie : Me Laroussi Zguir s’exprime sur l’arrestation de Sonia Dahmani

https://www.businessnews.com.tn/arrestation-musclee-de-sonia-dahmani,534,137780,3

Grand-Tunis : Grève des avocats en solidarité avec Sonia Dahmani

https://www.businessnews.com.tn/sonia-dahmani-est-convoquee-pour-ses-declarations-sur-carthage–,519,137746,3

https://www.tunisienumerique.com/sonia-dahmani-visee-par-un-mandat-darret-elle-se-planque-dans-le-local-de-lordre-des-avocats/

Sonia Dahmani face à la justice : une tempête médiatique

Campagne de soutien à Sonia Dahmani suite à sa convocation par la justice

https://www.businessnews.com.tn/sonia-dahmani-lavocate-qui-fait-trembler-les-regimes,519,137740,3

https://www.businessnews.com.tn/sonia-dahmani–oui-je-minsurge-contre-la-tyrannie-et-la-folie,534,137748,3

https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/2072108/manifestation-tunisie-arrestations-chroniqueurs

https://information.tv5monde.com/economie/tunisie-vague-darrestations-de-chroniqueurs-pour-des-commentaires-critiques-2721619

Cambriolages en série dans des cabinets d’avocats à Tunis

https://www.businessnews.com.tn/pour-se-venger-il-cree-un-gang-specialise-dans-le-vol-de-cabinets-davocats,520,137752,3

https://www.rfi.fr/fr/afrique/20240512-tunisie-arrestation-muscl%C3%A9e-de-l-avocate-sonia-dahmani-en-plein-de-direct-de-france-24

https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/2024/05/11/tunisian-police-raids-lawyers-bar-offices-and-arrest-prominent-lawyer-sonia-dahmani/ (ENGLISH)

Sonia Dahmani targeted by arrest warrant, she hides in premises of Bar Association

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4n1jwel080o

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/5/12/masked-tunisian-police-arrest-prominent-lawyer-for-media-comments

https://www.barrons.com/news/tunisia-probes-pundit-over-comments-on-tv-show-320716b2

https://www.voanews.com/a/tunisian-pundit-arrested-over-tv-comments-lawyers-say-/7607796.html

Tunisia: Lawyer Sonia Dahmani appears before investigating judge
Que reproche le procureur de la République à Sonia Dahmani ? (document)

Nigeria: NHRC seeks probe into alleged assault on human rights lawyer, Maxwell Opara

Sem categoria 10/05/2024 Leave a comment

10/05/24

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has called on the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to immediately commence an independent investigation into the alleged assault on a human rights activist and lawyer, Maxwell Opara, at the premises of the Federal High Court, Abuja on May 7, 2024.

A statement by the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Chief Tony Ojukwu (SAN), urged Citizens with useful information to assist the Police with such intelligence to enable them to fish out those behind the heinous acts and ensure that they are prosecuted and punished by the law to serve as a deterrent.

As a Commission which is mandated by the law to promote, protect and enforce the rights of all Nigerians and other nationals living in the country, Ojukwu said the Commission would allow the law enforcement agencies, particularly the Nigeria Police Force, to thoroughly investigate the matter in line with the doctrine of fair hearing and social justice.

The Commission urged everyone, including the aggrieved lawyer to refrain from any action that is at variance with what the legal profession stands for while awaiting the outcome of the investigation, to avoid further escalation of the issue.

According to the statement personally signed by the NHRC boss, the Commission condemned in strong terms the alleged assault and attack on the lawyer which happened while he was granting a press interview at the Court premises where he had gone to defend his clients who were charged with cyberbullying and criminal defamation. 

[…]

https://tribuneonlineng.com/nhrc-seeks-probe-into-alleged-assault-on-human-rights-lawyer-maxwell-opara/

Violence Has No Place In The Halls Of Justice,” — NBA Bwari Branch Condemns Violent Attack On Maxwell Opara Esq At Federal High Court

https://thelawyerdaily.com/maxwell-opara-urges-nba-to-investigate-assault-by-crypto-platform-ceo-at-federal-high-court/

NHRC Condemns Brutality On Human Rights Activist, Maxwell Opara In Court Premises

NHRC’’s scribe calls for Independent Investigation on alleged assault on Maxwell Opara

SNHR Condemns Syrian Forces’ Detention of Lawyer Thamer al-Talla, Subsequent Death in Detention Center due to Medical Negligence

Sem categoria 10/05/2024 Leave a comment

10/05/24

Thamer Habib al-Talla, a lawyer from Hasaka city, was arrested by Syrian regime forces in late April 2024, outside the Palace of Justice in the city, where he was working. He was then taken to the local branch of the regime’s Criminal Security branch in the city.

According to intelligence gathered by the Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR), Thamer’s family learned that his health began to deteriorate a few days after his detention. Although family members urged Criminal Security personnel to transfer him to Hasaka city for urgent medical treatment, all of their appeals were turned down.

On May 8, 2024, Thamer’s family was notified by a Syrian regime official that he had died at the Criminal Security branch in Hasaka city. His body was returned to his family at the city’s Shabou Hospital later that day. SNHR can confirm that Thamer was in good health at the time of his arrest, indicating a strong probability that he died due to torture and medical negligence in the Criminal Security branch in Hasaka city.

International law strictly prohibits torture and all other forms of cruel, degrading, or inhumane torture. The prohibition of torture is a customary rule that cannot be disputed or balanced against other rights or values, even in times of emergency. Violating this rule is a crime under international criminal law. Those who issued the orders for or assisted in carrying out torture are criminally liable for their actions.

[…]

SNHR Condemns Syrian Regime Forces’ Detention of Lawyer Thamer al-Talla and His Subsequent Death in a Regime Detention Center due to Medical Negligence
Lawyer dies in government prison in Syria’s Hasakah
Darwish: collecting evidence, to avoid revenge and another war in Syria
بيان إدانة لاحتجاز قوات النظام السوري المحامي ثامر الطلاع ووفاته في أحد مراكز احتجازها بسبب إهمال الرعاية الصحية
(ARABIC)

Vietnam’s arrest of reformist labor official could disturb bid for better trade terms with the U.S.

Sem categoria 10/05/2024 Leave a comment

10/05/24

The arrest of Nguyen Van Binh could undermine the Communist country’s effort to be recognized as a market economy by the U.S., its biggest market.

A senior Vietnamese official with the country’s labor ministry was arrested for “deliberately disclosing state secrets,” police announced on Thursday, a development that analysts say could hurt Vietnam’s efforts to obtain more favorable trade terms for exports to the United States.

There were no further details about lawyer Nguyen Van Binh’s arrest — beyond the announcement on the website of the police in the Vietnamese capital, Hanoi — but rights activists allege he was detained because he supported the idea of independent trade unions, banned under the Communist government.

They also say it’s a sign of continuing repression, which was previously directed mainly toward bloggers, environmentalists and civil society groups.

Binh, who headed the Legal Affairs Department at the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs, could face between two and 15 years in prison for disclosing state secrets under the law in this single-party, authoritarian state.

A brief profile of Binh on a website of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development last year said the 51-year-old lawyer has also worked for the U.N.’s International Labor Organization.

His arrest was first reported earlier this week by The 88 Project, a small multinational organization that monitors and promotes human rights and civil liberties in Vietnam. It described Binh as a reformer who supported independent trade unions.

“Binh’s arrest comes amid a new wave of repression in Vietnam,” the group said in its report, dated Monday. It said Binh’s arrest was “the first arrest of a government reformer in recent years.”

[…]

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/vietnam-arrest-labor-reformer-market-economy-trade-us-rcna151603

https://www.rfa.org/english/news/vietnam/nguyen-van-binh-arrest-05102024102730.html

https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/vietnam-arrests-official-engaged-un-talks-labour-reform-2024-05-09/

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-05-09/vietnam-detains-ministry-official-in-secrets-disclosure-probe-lvz3cigd

https://www.rfa.org/english/news/vietnam/jailed-lawyer-starved-03182024214619.html

https://www.bbc.com/vietnamese/articles/cw590x62170o (VIETNAMESE)

https://www.voatiengviet.com/a/project-88-viet-nam-bat-giam-ong-nguyen-van-binh-vu-truong-vu-phap-che-bo-ld-tb-xh/7602408.html

Việt Nam giấu tin về vụ bắt Nguyễn Văn Bình, giới chức Bộ Lao Động

Interview with Reinaldo Villalba on “historic” ruling by Inter-American Court of Human Rights in CAJAR v. Colombia

Sem categoria 09/05/2024 Leave a comment

06/05/24

On 18 March 2024, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights issued a “historic” ruling in the “Case of the members of the Lawyers’ Corporation ‘José Alvear Restrepo’ v. Colombia”. The Observatory was very pleased to interview prominent human rights lawyer Reinaldo Villalba to understand the content, consequences and scope of this decision.

 Reinaldo Villalba Vargas is a lawyer involved in the defence of human rights in Colombia. He has been a member of the well-known Colectivo José Alvear Restrepo (CAJAR) for over 30 years. Throughout his career as a lawyer, he has provided legal support to hundreds of victims of crimes against humanity and serious human rights violations.

 Why do you consider the  Inter-American Court of Human Rights ruling of 18 March to be “historic”?

This judgment is historic because it is the first to qualify the right to defend human rights as an autonomous right; because it reaffirms the State’s obligation to provide enhanced protection for human rights defenders and to provide guarantees for the exercise of the right; because the Court urges the State and all its authorities to exercise control over conventionality[1]; because the judgment defends the right to self-determination in matters of information; because the Court orders the State to regulate and limit the activities of the State’s intelligence agencies; because it highlights the dangers of stigmatising human rights defenders; because it recognises the distinct effects on women and children of attacks on human rights defenders; because this decision has implications throughout Latin America and the world in terms of protection and guarantees for the exercise of the defence of human rights.

The judgment is a tool for all human rights defenders in their quest for guarantees to defend these rights. It has a regional scope and, I would say, a global scope, due to the geographical importance of the decisions of the Inter-American Court.

The facts recount 45 years of continuous harassment of human rights lawyers. How have the facts mentioned in the judgment evolved?

CAJAR has existed for 45 years, and there have been 45 years of attacks and persecution by the state, including through its paramilitary strategy. There have been various forms of persecution, including stigmatisation and defamation campaigns, sabotage of CAJAR’s sources of funding and litigation, infiltration by state intelligence personnel, surveillance, control and harassment, illegal intrusions into our homes for search purposes, illegal interception of our communications, arbitrary detentions, theft of information, attacks and illegal intelligence work against our families, including children, as well as threats and arbitrary detentions.

As a human rights lawyer, I was subjected to systematic threats, state surveillance and a judicial frame-up against me. I was even verbally attacked and defamed in the European Parliament in Strasbourg by the Colombian president at the time, Álvaro Uribe.

Many CAJAR lawyers have been subjected to this harassment. For example, lawyer Alirio Uribe was declared target number one by the DAS. Lawyer Soraya Gutiérrez has been the target of an assassination attempt and, more recently, her colleague Yessika Hoyos has also received death threats. For these situations and many others, the Inter-American Court’s ruling recognised the violation of 14 rights and ordered more than 15 reparation measures.

[…]

Interview with Reinaldo Villalba on the « historic » ruling by the Inter-American Court of Human Rights in the « CAJAR v. Colombia » case

https://pbicanada.org/2024/05/09/cajar-lawyer-reinaldo-villalba-we-salute-those-who-have-accompanied-us-in-this-dream-of-a-better-world/

EU: Comparative discussion on the right of judges to be independent
Entrevista a Reinaldo Villalba sobre la sentencia “histórica” de la CorteIDH en el caso “CAJAR vs. Colombia”
(ESPANOL)
Reinaldo Villalba Vargas
Entretien avec Reinaldo Villalba sur l’arrêt « historique » de la Cour interaméricaine des droits humains dans l’affaire « CAJAR c. Colombie »
(FRANCAIS)
Intervista a Reinaldo Villalba sulla « storica » sentenza della Corte interamericana dei diritti umani nel caso « CAJAR contro Colombia »
(ITALIANO)

Tunisia: Colère des avocats de Kasserine : Mobilisation après l’agression d’un de leurs confrères

Sem categoria 09/05/2024 Leave a comment

09/05/24

Le syndicat régional des avocats de Kasserine a décidé mercredi de faire grève générale présentielle le vendredi suivant dans tous les tribunaux de la région.

Cette décision fait suite à l’agression dont a été victime aujourd’hui leur collègue avocat au tribunal de la circonscription de Foussana, avec un rassemblement prévu devant le tribunal de première instance de Kasserine ville.

Cette grève intervient “en signe de protestation contre la détérioration des services judiciaires dans la région et le non-respect des normes de sécurité nécessaires, à l’instar des autres tribunaux des autres régions du pays, où des équipes de sécurité et les moyens techniques et logistiques nécessaires sont disponibles pour assurer la sécurité de tous les usagers du tribunal”, président de la branche régionale des avocats de Kasserine, Chokri Chakhari,

Dans une déclaration à l’agence TAP, Chakhari a déclaré que le parquet du tribunal de première instance de Kasserine avait immédiatement ordonné l’arrestation de l’agresseur dès qu’il avait été informé de l’attaque au couteau. L’agresseur est actuellement détenu pour être interrogé par L’unité de recherche et d’inspection à Thala.

Chakhari a également précisé que leur collègue avocat, victime de l’agression aujourd’hui, qui a été sérieusement blessé par un coup de couteau risquant de lui coûter la vie, a reçu les soins nécessaires et est actuellement hospitalisé à l’hôpital régional de Kasserine.

[…]

https://tunibusiness.tn/colere-des-avocats-de-kasserine-mobilisation-apres-lagression-dun-de-leurs-confreres/

https://www.businessnews.com.tn/un-avocat-agresse-au-couteau-devant-le-tribunal-de-foussana,534,137691,3

https://directinfo.webmanagercenter.com/2024/05/08/kasserine-un-avocat-poignarde-a-la-sortie-du-tribunal

Kasserine : Arrestation de l’individu qui a agressé un avocat à l’arme blanche devant le tribunal

https://www.tuniscope.com/article/380867/societe/actualites/greve-generale-des-avocats-a-kasserine-193610

Tunisie : Communiqué de soutien de l’OIAD aux avocats tunisiens

https://www.cfjustice.org/ar/%D8%AA%D9%88%D9%86%D8%B3-%D8%AF%D8%B9%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A3%D9%85%D9%85%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D9%84%D9%88%D9%82%D9%81-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%B6%D8%A7%D9%8A%D9%82%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%82%D8%B6%D8%A7/ (ARABIC)

Tunisia: Press release from the OIAD in support of Tunisian lawyers
(ENGLISH)

Click to access EN_HRL_20240329_Tunisia_General-concerns-regarding-the-situation-of-the-legal-profession-in-Tunisia.pdf

Túnez: Comunicado del OIAD en apoyo de la abogacía tunecina
(ESPANOL)
Tunisia: Comunicato dell’OIAD a sostegno degli avvocati tunisini
(ITALIANO)

Pakistan Bar Council Calls Nationwide Strike and Protest After Lahore Lawyers Face Police Brutality

Sem categoria 08/05/2024 Leave a comment

08/05/24

Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) has announced a nationwide strike and protest following the brutal treatment of lawyers by police in Lahore. The move comes after a confrontation between lawyers and police at the Judicial Complex in Lahore, where lawyers were protesting against the transfer of judges and the filing of terrorism cases against them.

According to reports, the lawyers were met with police brutality, including baton charges and tear gas, after they gathered at the Judicial Complex to protest the transfer of judges and the filing of terrorism cases against them. The lawyers, led by Pakistan Bar Council President Asma Jahangir, were demanding the reversal of the transfer and the withdrawal of the terrorism cases.

The confrontation escalated when police used force to disperse the protesters, leading to a clash between the two sides. The lawyers retaliated by throwing stones at the police, who responded with tear gas and baton charges. The situation became increasingly tense, with police using water cannons to disperse the crowd.

The Pakistan Bar Council has called for a nationwide strike and protest, urging all lawyers across the country to boycott courts and participate in the demonstrations. The council’s president, Asma Jahangir, announced the strike in a statement, saying that no lawyer would appear in courts across the country and that lawyers would stage protests in all major cities.

The strike and protest are a response to the police brutality and the ongoing issues faced by lawyers in Pakistan. The lawyers have been demanding better working conditions, an end to police harassment, and the protection of their rights. The strike is expected to have a significant impact on the country’s legal system, with many cases likely to be delayed or postponed.

[…]

https://mashriqtv.pk/en/2024/05/08/pakistan-bar-council-calls-nationwide-strike-and-protest-after-lahore-lawyers-face-police-brutality/

https://www.arabnews.com/node/2506686/pakistan

Lawyers and police violently clash outside Lahore High Court

Police & lawyers clash in Pakistan’s Punjab province; more than 25 injured

https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1186652-clash-between-police-protesting-lawyers-outside-lhc-in-lahore

https://www.urdupoint.com/en/pakistan/punjab-lawyers-announce-strike-on-may-9-1822960.html

Equatorial Guinea: Free rights lawyer Anacleto Micha Ndong Nlang, end brutality against rights defenders

Sem categoria 08/05/2024 Leave a comment

22/02/24

CIVICUS calls on the authorities in Equatorial Guinea to immediately release Anacleto Micha Ndong Nlang. The lawyer, human rights activist, and member of the civic platform Guinea Ecuatorial También Es Nuestra (Equatorial Guinea is Also Ours) has been unjustly arrested since 26th January.  

He is falsely charged with being linked to an explosion and ensuing fires that gutted many properties in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea. The government of Equatorial Guinea has been silencing independent and critical voices of dissent committed to defending human rights.

“The security forces brutally grabbed Anacleto Micha Ndong Nlang in the middle of the night. This is another dark moment for the country. The government needs to end its decades-long track record of attacking fundamental rights and freedoms, including freedom of association, expression, and assembly,” said Paul Mulindwa, Advocacy and Policy Officer for CIVICUS.

Anacleto had also been previously targeted with trumped-up charges. He was arrested in September 2022 during a siege by government security forces and the military and imprisoned for 271 days. He was accused of being a part of an opposition political party after he provided food to the party members. He was again arrested in December 2023.

The repression in Equatorial Guinea is fueled using violence against human rights defenders, militarisation of the state and politics, high levels of impunity enjoyed by perpetrators of human rights violations and use of restrictive legislation. An example is law No 1/1999 on the Regime of NGOs to restrict operations of civil society organisations.

“The detention of Anacleto yet again shows the ugliness of President Obiang’s regime of reckless disregard for human rights and international law. It demonstrates the absolute impunity that characterizes one of the words most corrupt dictatorships.”  Said Tutu Alicante, Director of EG Justice.

[…]

https://www.civicus.org/index.php/media-resources/news/6867-equatorial-guinea-free-activist-anacleto-micha-ndong-nlang-and-end-brutality-against-rights-defenders

https://www.amnesty.org/fr/documents/afr24/7794/2024/en (TAKE ACTION!)

https://amnesty.ca/urgent-actions/equatorial-guinea-jailed-human-rights-defender-at-risk-of-torture/

Human rights activist arrested in Equatorial Guinea

https://www.rfi.fr/en/international-news/20230103-spain-court-opens-probe-into-alleged-e-guinea-torture

https://www.civicus.org/index.php/es/medios-y-recursos/noticias/6868-guinea-ecuatorial-libertad-para-el-activista-anacleto-micha-ndong-y-fin-de-la-represion-contra-las-personas-defensoras-de-los-derechos-humanos (ESPANOL)

Respuesta a las declaraciones de Anacleto Micha Ndong Nlang

https://podcasts.apple.com/fr/podcast/anacleto-micha-ndong-nlang-mis-reflexiones-sobre-los/id1519513461?i=1000636972204

https://www.voaafrique.com/a/guin%C3%A9e-%C3%A9quatoriale-un-activiste-des-droits-humains-arr%C3%AAt%C3%A9-organisations-/7459982.html (FRANCAIS)

Algeria: L’avocat Toufik Belala entendu par la gendarmerie sur ses publications sur Facebook

Sem categoria 08/05/2024 Leave a comment

06/05/24

L’avocat, membre du collectif de défense des détenus d’opinion, Toufik Belala a été entendu par la section de recherches de la gendarmerie nationale, de Bir Mourad Rai à Alger, au sujet de ses publications sur Facebook.

L’avocat avait été convoqué une première fois, le 24 avril, mais les services de la gendarmerie avaient refusé de l’entendre sans qu’il soit muni de son téléphone portable. L’avocat avait catégoriquement refusé de répondre à cette exigence. Il a été convoqué une seconde fois le 29 avril pour être entendu le dimanche 5 mai.

Le collectif de défense des détenus d’opinion a exprimé dans un communiqué  » une fois de plus son profond regret face à la situation misérable des droits humains dans laquelle elle trouve » et a dénoncé « la répression et les restrictions sévères contre les défenseurs des droits humain, qui se sont étendues aux membres du collectif ».

Le collectif d’avocats a également réitéré son « soutien à Toufik Belala dans la défense de ses droits qui lui sont garantis par la Constitution et les conventions internationales ratifiées par l’Algérie, et qui sont partie intégrante du droit interne au plus haut niveau, en particulier celles qui sont relatives aux devoirs de l’avocat ».

L’avocat Toufik Belala entendu par la gendarmerie sur ses publications sur Facebook

https://www.diasporadz.com/lavocat-toufik-belala-convoque-par-la-gendarmerie/

https://radio-m.net/lavocat-toufik-belala-convoque-par-la-gendarmerie

Me Toufik Belala victimes de pressions judiciaires

https://radio-m.net/affaire-toufik-belala-la-rapporteuse-de-lonu-sinquiete/

https://shoaa.org/shoaa-organization-demands-that-algerian-authorities-ensure-legal-protection-for-lawyer-toufik-belala/ (ENGLISH)