Front Line Defenders @FrontLineHRD

📍CAMEROON 🚨The trial against WHRD Maximilienne Ngo Mbe was postponed again to 6 July 2026 after the prosecution requested more time to prepare closing arguments. We remain concerned by the prolonged proceedings and judicial harassment against her. 🔗 zurl.co/c3glk

📍IRAN 🚨WHRD Nasrin Sotoudeh was released on bail after being charged with “propaganda against state” over her public statements, defence of political prisoners, and recounting ill-treatment in detention. We call authorities must drop all charges and investigate torture allegations. 🔗zurl.co/ImBwL

We are deeply saddened by the loss of WHRD Deniz Soydam. Our deepest condolences go to her loved ones and to her community during this immensely difficult time. We honour her memory, her dedication and contributions, and how she continued to extend solidarity to others even in her most vulnerable moments. As a trans woman, Deniz faced relentless systemic violence, including an arson attack on her home. We stand in solidarity with the ongoing fight for the rights of trans persons in Turkey, in their struggle for justice against a system that legitimises transphobia, and for their right to a life lived in dignity.

📍SIERRA LEONE 🚨Judicial harassment continues against HRDs Mohamed Turay and Prince Tommy Williams of Lifeline Nehemiah Projects. A hearing on 19 May was adjourned after concerns over irregular interventions during proceedings. We call for all charges to be dropped. 🔗zurl.co/F5jD8

📍Cambodia 🚨Five Mother Nature Cambodia environmental defenders have been imprisoned for nearly two years for their peaceful activism. We call on Cambodia’s appeals court to overturn their unjust convictions and release them immediately and unconditionally. 🔗zurl.co/WP60s

📍Italy Congratulations to human rights defenders Roberto Malini and Lisetta Sperindei on receiving the Goffredo Parise Prize for Reportage, one of Italy’s significant awards dedicated to journalism of testimony, civic information and the defence of freedom of expression. The prize highlights the importance of protecting journalists, HRDs and citizens who suffer intimidation or legal harassment for speaking out in the public interest.

📍CAMEROON 🚨Reopened proceedings against WHRD Maximilienne Ngo Mbe continue to prolong her trial in Cameroon. We remain concerned that the case forms part of ongoing judicial harassment against the defender and REDHAC. 🔗 zurl.co/QIi3l

📍Western Sahara 🚨Moroccan authorities have intensified harassment, sieges and forced transfers targeting Sahrawi HRDs in occupied Western Sahara. We call on authorities to end all reprisals and ensure Sahrawi HRDs can carry out their peaceful work safely. 🔗zurl.co/g77P0

📍MEXICO The National Indigenous Congress and the Civil Observation Mission-Sixth have convened an Observation Mission comprising various national and international organisations, collectives and journalists, to be held from 22 to 24 May 2026 in the Montaña Baja, state of Guerrero, Mexico, in response to the ongoing violence and forced displacement of Nahua people and communities by organised crime groups seeking control of their territories and resources. The Mission will seek to document the current situation of the communities and victims of violence, the responsibility of the authorities, and to respond to the call from communities requesting state intervention. Front Line Defenders calls on the Mexican authorities to provide protection to the members of the mission and to guarantee their work in defence of human rights, particularly their safe entry into and exit from the region. Furthermore, we call for recognition of the Mission’s essential role in documenting human rights violations and in strengthening access to justice and truth.

keyboard_arrow_left Previous keyboard_arrow_right Next

📍IRAN 🚨Iranian Authorities charged imprisoned HRD Ahmadreza Haeri with “propaganda against state” for the fifth time over his anti-death penalty activism and documenting abuses in prisons. FLD calls to end judicial harassment against HRDs in Iran. 🔗 zurl.co/PmtUW

📍TUNISIA 🚨We welcome the lifting of the suspension order against Avocats Sans Frontières (ASF). The restrictions against the Tunisian League for Human Rights (LTDH) remain in place. We call on authorities to revoke the suspension order and guarantee freedom of association. 🔗 zurl.co/fcDy5

📍 OPT 🚨Israeli naval forces intercepted the peaceful Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) in international waters, approximately 250 nautical miles from Gaza. We strongly condemn the detention of HRDs, humanitarian actors, and solidarity activists, and call for their immediate and safe release. 🔗 zurl.co/8Cecy

📍TUNISIA 🚨Tunisian League for Human Rights (LTDH) and Avocats Sans Frontières (ASF) have been suspended for 30 days, amid a broader crackdown on independent civil society and human rights organisations. We call on Tunisian authorities to revoke the suspension orders and guarantee freedom of association. 🔗 zurl.co/jeaF9

📍EL SALVADOR 🚨One year ago, Salvadoran lawyer and woman human rights defender Ruth López was arbitrarily detained in what numerous organisations have documented as political persecution linked directly to her fight against corruption. Ruth is one of the most recognised anti-corruption lawyers in Central America. Since 2024, her work defending human rights in El Salvador has been recognised with at least six international awards and honours. Today marks an entire year she has spent imprisoned without trial. We join the growing national and international calls for her immediate release and echo her demand for a public trial — a right that continues to be denied. #PublicTrialForRuth #FreedomForRuth 🔗Read more about her work: frontlinedefenders.org/en/profile/rut…

keyboard_arrow_left Previous keyboard_arrow_right Next

📍 CHILE Front Line Defenders condemns ongoing judicial harassment of lawyer and WHRD Karina Riquelme Viveros. "The attempt to criminalise Karina Riquelme, who is human rights defender working for years to support the protection and guarantee of indigenous rights in Chile, is another attack on the defense of rights in the country," said Julia Lima, protection coordinator, Americas at @FrontlineHRD. 📰Read more in @InterferenciaCL: x.com/InterferenciaC…

La lauréate du prix Nobel de la paix, Narges Mohammadi, est sortie du service de soins intensifs (CCU) de l'hôpital Pars de Téhéran le 17 mai 2026 et a pu regagner son domicile. Au cours des prochaines semaines, elle devra assurer le suivi de ses complications médicales auprès de son équipe soignante par le biais de visites hospitalières et de séances quotidiennes de physiothérapie en ambulatoire. Selon les médecins spécialistes, notamment des cardiologues et des neurologues, il est absolument vital qu'elle reste sous surveillance médicale étroite et qu'elle bénéficie de soins thérapeutiques spécialisés. Elle a besoin de repos et de soins dédiés dans un environnement calme, totalement exempt de tout facteur de stress externe, pendant une période minimale de huit mois avant que l'on puisse observer une amélioration potentielle de ses symptômes. Nous, la Fondation Narges, exhortons la communauté internationale à maintenir sa solidarité indéfectible envers Narges Mohammadi. Nous exigeons l'arrêt immédiat et définitif de toutes ses peines de prison, l'abandon inconditionnel de toutes les charges retenues contre elle. En outre, nous réclamons la libération immédiate et inconditionnelle de tous les prisonniers politiques, avec une urgence particulière pour les femmes et les mères de famille qui restent injustement incarcérées ou qui font face à la menace imminente d'une réincarcération. #FreeNarges narges.foundation/nobel-peace-la…

📍TÜRKİYE Front Line Defenders welcomes the acquittal of LGBTIQ+ rights defender Defne Güzel on 13 May 2026. The prosecutor requested her acquittal due to insufficient evidence, and the Court ruled in her favour.

Front Line Defenders CEO Alan Glasgow met with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in Ottawa last week. Amidst the global challenges faced by HRDs and human rights organisations, FLD’s partnership with Canada in support of human rights defenders at risk is especially important in the current global context.

keyboard_arrow_left Previous keyboard_arrow_right Next

📍 NORWAY Front Line Defenders welcomes the news of the Norwegian Court of Appeal unanimously rejecting the European Arrest Warrant issued by Greek authorities against Aegean Boat Report founder, HRD Tommy Olsen.