HRD detained

Pre-emptive arrests curtail peaceful assembly in Kazakhstan

Anti-government protests inspired by the bill on 21st May were refused permission by the authorities. In the preceding days, organisers took to social media to coordinate support but were blighted by a spate of pre-emptive arrests by the state. Read more

Environmental Protest Turns Violent on Kerkennah Islands

Protests opposing the negative environmental impact of the fossil fuel industry on the Kerkennah Islands turned violent. Read more

Journalist shot dead in Mogadishu as media violations also take place in Puntland, Somaliland

On 6th June, Sagal Salad Osman, a producer and presenter for state-owned Radio Mogadishu, was shot by unknown gunmen in Hodan district, Mogadishu. She later died of her injuries. Read more

Social media remains blocked in Chad

Social media platforms are still blocked as the leaders of human rights groups and social movements continue to be targetted and imprisoned. Read more

Qatari authorities detained journalists from Danish Broadcasting Cooperation

The space for civil society to operate in Qatar remains closed, and the rights to freedom of association, assembly and expression are extremely restricted Read more

Pre-election violence damages basic rights in Zambia

Pre-election tensions have led to political violence, a de-facto ban on protests and the closure of Zambia's main private newspaper. Read more

Civic space threatened as violence flares in South Sudan

Renewed fighting between government factions began on 7th July as activists fled their homes in fear of being targetted. Read more

Prominent Government Critic Kem Ley killed

On the 10th of July, prominent political opposition activist Kem Ley was gunned down Phnom Penh. As an outspoken critic of the government and grassroots organiser, Ley’s death comes at time of heightened tension between the government and political opposition; civil society and political opposition report a continued crackdown by authorities on their activities. Read more

Civil society opposes new social media law in Nepal

A new social media law is being criticised for violating free expression, while protestors gathered to criticise parts of Nepal's new constitution, which they claim discriminates against minorities. Read more

Human Rights Activists receive lengthy jail terms

Human rights defenders and CSOs are routinely targeted by the Saudi authorities. Arrests, torture and denial of registration are commonplace in the country. Read more