Human Rights Foundation’s Post

The human rights organization Hengaw said Iranian security agencies detained over 300 women for political or ideological reasons last year, with more than 100 still facing imprisonment for various charges. According to a report released on March 8 by Hengaw, which closely tracks human rights violations in Iran, at least 325 women were apprehended by security forces across Iran in 2023. The detainees include a diverse group including at least 18 students, 17 journalists and media activists, 10 artists and actors, and seven teachers. The same day, which was International Women's Day, the human rights monitor HRANA revealed the identities of 113 women who currently are imprisoned for their beliefs. The charges laid against the women primarily encompass accusations of propaganda against the system, assembly and collusion, "corruption on Earth," and espionage. The allegations have led to severe penalties, including life prison sentences and multiple years of incarceration. Hengaw's findings also highlighted the judicial proceedings against female activists in Iran during 2023. It said at least 147 women activists were subjected to trials in Iran's judiciary system. The sentences handed down included imprisonment, lashing, and in one instance capital punishment. In total, 139 female activists were condemned to a total of 553 years and 10 months of punitive imprisonment. Additionally, 10 individuals, apart from their prison sentences, were collectively sentenced to 557 lashes, underlining the harsh penalties faced by female activists in Iran. Since September 2022, when 22-year-old Mahsa Amini died while in police custody for an alleged head-scarf violation, thousands of Iranians have taken to the streets to demand more freedoms and women's rights, with the judiciary, backed by lawmakers, responding to the biggest threat to the Islamic government since the 1979 revolution with a brutal crackdown. Several thousand have been arrested, including many protesters, as well as journalists, lawyers, activists, digital rights defenders, and others. At least nine protesters have been executed after what rights groups and several Western governments have called "sham" trials. Written by Ardeshir Tayebi based on an original story in Persian by RFE/RL's Radio Farda #womensrightsarehumanrights #humanrightsviolations #iran

#Russia: #RepressiveLaws Used to Crush Civic Freedoms Government Should Foster Environment Allowing Civil Society to Thrive Human Rights Watch The Russian government’s dismantling of civic freedoms since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 is a dramatic escalation of its sustained assault on fundamental rights spanning more than a decade. Hundreds of people have been jailed or imprisoned under new, repressive laws. Discussion about a vast range of issues cannot take place openly, and many dissenters, journalists, and activists have gone into exile. Russia’s government should repeal its draconian provisions, bring laws into line with its international obligations, and foster an environment in which civil society can thrive. (New York, August 7, 2024) – The Russian government’s dismantling of civic freedoms since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 is a dramatic escalation of its sustained assault on fundamental rights spanning more than a decade, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today. The 205-page report, “Russia’s Legislative Minefield: Tripwires for Civil Society since 2020,” https://lnkd.in/eY4JuQdM focuses on the wave of repressive legislation and policies that the Russian government of President Vladimir Putin has adopted since 2020 and how the Kremlin has used them to suppress internal dissent and incapacitate civil society. These laws severely restrict the rights to freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly, and impose state-enforced historical, social, and political narratives in public life. https://lnkd.in/eyrrxnQr

Australia’s anti semitism continues to grow. And while Australia has laws that can be used to prosecute doxxing, there is no specific anti-doxxing law. Doxxing is the intentional online exposure of an individual's identity or personal information without their consent. In Australia, it can be prosecuted under laws prohibiting stalking, harassment, or unauthorized access to personal information, and the penalties can include imprisonment and fines. Additionally, there is a push for anti-doxxing law reform led by the Executive Council of Australian Jewry and the Anti-Defamation Commission. While there is no direct cause of action available to victims in Australia who seek a remedy, the existing laws can be used to address doxxing. The article "Cross-party MPs back Jewish community push to outlaw doxxing" from WAtoday and The Sydney Morning Herald discusses the push for anti-doxxing law reform in Australia. The proposed reform is being led by the Executive Council of Australian Jewry and the Anti-Defamation Commission. It includes a provision to explicitly prohibit the practice of doxxing and would be added to the section of the federal Criminal Code that covers telecommunication offences. The support for this reform comes in response to the mass outing of Jewish writers, artists, and academics who belonged to a private chat group. The article highlights the bipartisan support for the idea of anti-doxxing laws, with MPs from different parties backing the push to criminalize doxxing. https://lnkd.in/g_UVaDjh

In June the United Nations secretary-general added the Israeli armed forces the IDF to the “list of shame” otherwise known as the UB Black List as warring parties committing grave violations against children in armed conflict. So broadly speaking "Human Rights Abuse" Now Canada, a country mostly related to as Liberal and Fair, but the Canadian Government or at least its Justice Minister seem to say anybody speaking out about plausible genocide, war crimes etc is being unfair and potentially a risk to a balanced approach. Canada chief human rights commissioner Birju Dattani announced his resignation due to pressure from lobbying groups etc on the Justice Minister/Canadian Government. A recent appointment through a very stringent vetting process, The justice minister then launched an external investigation after the Canadian Jewish organizations raised concerns about Birju Dattani's past activities, including allegations of anti-Israel comments. The law firm that conducted the investigation did not find any indication that Dattani harboured or harbours antisemitic beliefs, or any evidence that he has unconscious or conscious biases toward Jews or Israelis. Among other things he was accused of tweeting "Palestinians are Warsaw Ghetto Prisoners of Today"; and of participating in panels on Israel Apartheid Week and the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement. Lastly it was felt that Mujahid Birju Dattani or Birju Mujahid Dattani or Birju Dattani whichever he is referred by tried to disguise his activities by only applying as Birju Dattani and that the employment screening wouldn't have picked up his history (wonder what screening tools they use). To anyone concerned about human rights, does this show that Mr Dattani has the traits of a normal humanbeing or someone bias?

SHOAA for Human Rights Organization’s Statement on the 5th Anniversary of the Algerian Hirak Movement On the 5th anniversary of the outbreak of the HIRAK movement, SHOAA for Human Rights organization emphasizes the necessity of conducting a comprehensive national dialogue among all forces committed to the Hirak’s demands, releasing prisoners of conscience and political prisoners, and lifting the restrictions on civil society and political parties. #Algeria #Hirak

📢 Supporting Dmitry Skurikhin: Advocate for Human Rights 🤝   “I believe that life will confirm I am on the right side.” - Dmitry Skurikhin Today, I want to share the case of Dmitry Skurikhin with you. Dmitry is a Russian activist, father of five, and shop owner in the northwest of Russia. Since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2014, he has been a vocal anti-war advocate. Dmitry has displayed over 200 banners outside his store criticizing the war and shared his views on his Telegram channel. He describes the full-scale invasion as “insane, false, vile, fratricidal,” and “shameful.” 🚫 Russia’s War Censorship Laws Repress Protest One week after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, the Russian government introduced censorship laws to silence critical voices. These laws criminalize criticism of Russia's aggression towards Ukraine and carry a maximum sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment. Dmitry Skurikhin, undeterred, continued his protests and was sentenced to 18 months in a penal colony in August 2023 for “discrediting” the Russian Armed Forces. Many others, including 43 journalists, have faced similar persecution under these laws. ✊ Take Action Now Human rights organizations like Amnesty International are supporting imprisoned activists, and you can help too. Here’s how: 1️⃣ Send a Message of Support: Show Dmitry that he is not alone. Send a personal message of solidarity to him through the Amnesty International website. https://lnkd.in/dXSvJCuu 2️⃣ Sign the Petition: Demand the repeal of war censorship laws and the release of those imprisoned for protesting against the war. Find the petition link in the comments below.   Let's stand together for human rights and freedom of speech. Your support can make a difference! ✨   #HumanRights #FreeSpeech #Solidarity #SupportActivists  #AmnestyInternational #ProtectTheProtest

SHOAA for Human Rights Organization’s Statement on the 5th Anniversary of the Algerian Hirak Movement On the 5th anniversary of the outbreak of the HIRAK movement, SHOAA for Human Rights organization emphasizes the necessity of conducting a comprehensive national dialogue among all forces committed to the Hirak’s demands, releasing prisoners of conscience and political prisoners, and lifting the restrictions on civil society and political parties. #Algeria #Hirak

Human Rights Situation Report of 2023 has been published in @NewAge

🤬 Al Jazeera [excerpt]: #HongKong’s largest-ever state security trial has entered its closing phase, with pro-#democracy #activists linked to massive street #protests in 2019 charged under a contentious #China-imposed #nationalsecurity #law (NSL). The trial of the 16 activists, accused of conspiracy to commit subversion, began closing arguments on Wednesday. If convicted, they face life in prison. The defendants are among 47 opposition activists, including elected #lawmakers, #unionists, and #academics, who were rounded up by police in 2021, accused of plotting to sew a constitutional crisis and subvert the government. The case has become a bellwether of Hong Kong’s political environment and is widely considered part of Beijing’s crackdown on the city’s once-vibrant pro-democracy movement. The #law, which criminalises secession, subversion, and collusion with foreign forces to intervene in the city’s affairs, as well as terrorism, has been criticised as eroding the autonomy promised when the island returned to China in 1997. It has helped to put many pro-democracy politicians and activists in jail or exile. What are the charges? Throughout a 100-day trial, prosecutors have outlined what they say was a plan by the activists to subvert the government. They claim the activists aimed to organise an unofficial primary vote that would consolidate their power in the legislature. Then, they would seek to “indiscriminately veto” government budgets to exert pressure for their demands, prosecutors say, with an ultimate aim to subvert state power or force Hong Kong’s leader to resign. One of the activists’ key demands was an independent inquiry into alleged #policebrutality against thousands of Hong Kong protesters who took to the streets in 2019, in a crackdown watchdogs have decried as “brutal” and “unlawful”. Prosecutor Jonathan Man argued the defendants’ acts clearly amounted to subversion even though there had been no actual violence. “We are talking about a conspiracy to have #legislators vetoing the budget indiscriminately,” Man said during closing arguments. ‘Right to fair trial’ Rights campaigners and experts have expressed concerns about the activists’ arrest and trial. In October, a group of #UnitedNations #humanrights experts said they were troubled by “the use of mass trials in NSL cases”, warning they could “negatively affect safeguards that ensure #dueprocess and the right to fair trial”. #news