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English
Human Rights Alerts
“For women human rights defenders, standing up for human rights and the victims of human rights abuses - be they migrants, refugees, asylum-seekers or political activists, or simply people unwillingly relegated to the margins of society, such as ex-offenders and members of sexual minorities - can result in intimidation, harassment, unfair dismissal, death threats, torture and ill-treatment, and even death”
- Hina Jilani, Special Representative of the Secretary General on Human Rights Defenders
WLP uses Human Rights Alerts to focus urgent attention on the arrests of women’s human rights defenders and rally timely support for landmark campaigns on women’s rights.
In particular, we highlight challenges faced by our partner organizations in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, many of whom are subject to surveillance, harassment, arrest, and organizational closure because of their work to advance women’s rights.
Alert History
Jelveh Javaheri Released
June 8, 2009
| SUPPORT IRANIAN WOMEN |
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Sign the petition and help them reach their goal of one million signatures to end discriminatory laws against women.
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Change for Equality: Jelve Javaheri was released on the 7th of June, on a third party guarantee in the amount of 100million Tomans (roughly $100,000). Mina Jafari, the lawyer representing Jelve Javaheri, explained: "Jelve Javaheri was released today on a third party guarantee in the amount of 100 Million Tomans, which was set by the Security Prosecutor at the Revolutionary Courts. Jevle Javaheri was charged with actions against the state through participation in the One Million Signatures Campaign and gathering and collusion. Jelve was arrested by security police on May 1 at her home, and spent 16 days in solitary confinement. After objections from her legal team, a temporary arrest order was issued in her case as well as a bail order in the amount of 100 million Tomans ($100,000). But her bail amount was reduced to a third party guarantee, and she was released this afternoon." It should be noted that Ms. Ehteram Shadfar one of the members of the Campaign has served as Jelve’s third party guarantor.
Ronak Safazadeh Sentenced to Six Year Prison Term; Appeals Court Issues Reduced Sentence for Parvin Ardalan
April 14, 2009
Women’s rights activist and One Million Signatures Campaign member Ronak Safazadeh was sentenced to a six year mandatory prison term, based on charges of "spreading propaganda against the state" and her membership in the political opposition group Pejak, within which her activities were limited to peaceful support for the women’s movement and the Azar Mehr Women’s NGO. Ms. Safazadeh, who will serve her prison term in the city of Sanandaj, was acquitted on the charge of enmity with god. Her defense attorney, Mr. Mohammad Sharif, plans to appeal the ruling.
An appeals court reduced the sentence of campaign activist Parvin Ardalan, to a one year suspended sentence over a period of three years. Ms. Ardalan was arrested in front of the Revolutionary Court in March 2007 as she peacefully demonstrated in support of women’s rights activists who were then on trial. If she is found guilty of another crime within a three year time period, she will be required to serve a one year prison term.
For more on Ronak Safazadeh, Parvin Ardalan, and other wrongfully detained campaign activists, visit Change for Equality.
Twelve Women’s Rights Activists Arrested for Planned New Years Visit
March 26, 2009
Change for Equality: Twelve women’s rights activists were arrested today on March 26, 2009, on Sohrevardi Avenue in Tehran, while meeting up to go for New Years visits of families of imprisoned social and political activists. Ten of those arrested are members of the One Million Signatures Campaign. The Campaign members arrested are: Delaram Ali, Leila Nazari, Khadijeh Moghaddam, Farkhondeh Ehtesabian, Mahboubeh Karami, Baharah Behravan, Ali Abdi, Amir Rashidi, Mohammad Shourab, and Arash Nasiri Eghbali. Soraya Yousefi and Shahla Forouzanfar were also arrested.
Update: Kyrgyz Human Rights Activist Tolekan Ismailova Released from Detention
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March 20, 2009
WLP is pleased to share that Tolekan Ismailova was released after a local tribunal found she had not violated laws of public assembly. However, our partners at Human Rights Center "Citizens Against Corruption" have said that the court also issued a warning against disobedience of public authorities, a sign that harassment of human rights defenders in Kyrgyzstan is likely to continue. WLP urges authorities to take stronger measures to preserve the right to peaceful assembly, and to ensure the security of Ms. Ismailova and her colleagues.
Human Rights Activist Tolekan Ismailova Arrested During Peaceful Gathering in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
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Photo courtesy of RFE/RL |
WLP's Kyrgyzstan Partner Tolekan Ismailova of Citizens Against Corruption (CAC) Arrested During Peaceful Gathering
March 18, 2009
Tolekan Ismailova, Director of WLP Kyrgyzstan/Human Rights Center "Citizens Against Corruption" was among at least four people who were detained in Bishkek on March 18. The arrests followed a peaceful gathering in commemoration of the anniversary of tragic events that took place in Aksy in March 2002, during which six protesters were shot by security officials.
( categories:
Kyrgyzstan | Human Rights Alerts )
Civil Society Crackdown in Nicaragua
October 22, 2008
WLP colleagues from the Autonomous Women’s Movement (MAM) in Nicaragua have called our attention to the government’s raid and seizure of documents and computers from their offices on October 10th. The raid of MAM’s offices as well as the Centre for Investigation and Communication (CINCO) offices are another step of President Daniel Ortega’s government's campaign against civil society organizations, particularly feminists, who have been outspoken critics of his government.
( categories:
Nicaragua | Human Rights Alerts )
Facing strong opposition, Iranian government backs down on discriminatory "Family Protection Bill"
September 1, 2008
A new proposed Family Protection Bill has been returned to the judiciary commission of the Iranian parliament as a result of backlash against the bill’s most discriminatory provisions. The bill was on the verge of consideration by the full parliament, and if ratified would further erode women’s rights in Iran.
( categories:
Human Rights Alerts )
WLP Partner in Mauritania, AFCF, Condemns the Coup d’état and Calls for Restoration of Constitutional Government in Mauritania
August 7, 2008
WLP Partner in Mauritania, L'Association des Femmes Chefs de Famille (AFCF) strongly condemns the coup d’état that took place in Mauritania on Wednesday August 6, 2008 in contempt of the democratic choices expressed by the people of Mauritania after a long period of dictatorship and instability.
( categories:
Mauritania | Human Rights Alerts )
Zanan, Iran’s Leading Women’s Magazine, Shut Down by Government
February 8, 2008
In a significant setback for the women’s movement in Iran, the Press Supervisory Board of Iran backed by the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance, revoked the license of Zanan, the country’s most prominent and important women’s magazine. Zanan, which means “women” in Persian, is a monthly magazine dedicated to the reporting and analysis of women’s issues, problems, and achievements.
( categories:
Iran | Human Rights Alerts )
Kyrgyzstan: Democracy Activists Arrested While Peacefully Protesting Parliamentary Elections
February 2008 Update: Read an interview with Tolekan Ismailova on the human rights situation in Kyrgyzstan.
December 26, 2007
WLP's partner Tolekan Ismailova sent the following information after her second night of incarceration following her arrest last week while peacefully protesting irregularities in the Kyrgyzstan elections. Tolekan along with several other arrested activists are being denied access to lawyers and relatives and to proper medical care. They have received verbal threats and intimidation by the police, and are being held in cells with unhygienic conditions. The court hearings have been delayed three times since their arrest on December 21st and are now scheduled to be held after the new year.
Scroll below to read the alert issued on December 21st.
"During the two days I had high blood pressure. Previously I had been diagnosed and registered in rayon polyclinic as a hypertensive patient.
When I asked that [the prison] doctor provide me with assistance, I was told that there was no doctor... Then I asked to call emergency, and it showed up an hour later. My blood pressure was 150 over 90 by then, so they had to give me an injection of magnesium.
( categories:
Kyrgyzstan | Human Rights Alerts )
Support Iranian Women on their National Day of Solidarity
June 2, 2008
Iranian women's rights activists are calling for international support in observance of the June 12, 2006 demonstrations. Two years ago on this day, activists organized a peaceful protest demanding the revision of discriminatory laws against women in Iran. Seventy people were arrested during the gathering and continue to this day to be summoned, charged, arrested and sentenced for peaceful activism. June 12th has since been chosen by Iranian women’s rights activists as their national day of solidarity to object harmful actions which attempt to silence Iranian women.
| SUPPORT IRANIAN WOMEN |
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Sign the "One Million Signatures" campaign petition calling for an end to discriminatory laws against women such as men's uncontested right to divorce, polygamy, and child custody.
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Please read the following "Statement in Support of Iranian Women" and send your personal or organizational support for the women’s rights activists who are fighting for their basic human rights against all odds. Please send emails to wlp@learningpartnership.org and hadighaemi@iranhumanrights.org. For more information about the campaign efforts, please read below or visit the One Million Signatures website.
Humanitarian Emergency in Lebanon
August 9, 2006 Update
Dear Friends and Colleagues,
In the two weeks since our last update, thanks to your very generous support and contributions, WLP partner, Collective for Research and Training on Development-Action (CRTD-A), made its goal of $62,500! We cannot thank you enough for your support at a time of great need.
Your donations are being delivered in the form of relief kits by an extensive network of local women’s groups and volunteers to women housed in 105 public schools and IDP (internally displaced people) centers in Beirut, Saida, Metn, Jbail, Kesrwan, and Tripoli. CRTD-A has been able to purchase all the needed supplies. Each woman headed-household is visited before and after distribution, first to identify specific needs of her family and then for follow up.
( categories:
Lebanon | Human Rights Alerts )
Violent Crackdown on Iranian Women's June 12 Demonstration
June 15, 2006
Dear Friends,
( categories:
Iran | Human Rights Alerts )
