harassment
Thursday 8.12.2022 Nicaragua - Latest Developments -
Nicaragua in contempt of international human rights mechanisms
On 18th October 2022, the Ministry of the Interior ordered the removal of the legal status of 42 national civil society organisations (CSOs) and the cancellation of the operating registration of 58 foreign CSOs, most of them from the United States, Spain and Germany. Read more
Monday 5.12.2022 Bolivia - Latest Developments -
Bolivia: Strike paralyses Santa Cruz department for over a month
From 22nd October 2022, civilian groups in the Santa Cruz department launched an indefinite strike against the postponement of a national population and housing census. Read more
Monday 5.12.2022 China - Latest Developments -
Widespread protests in China met with repression including restrictions, harassment and censorship
Unprecedented protests have erupted across China including in Beijing, Shanghai, Nanjing, Wuhan, Lanzhou, Guangzhou, and Chengdu due to widespread public frustration with the “zero-COVID” policy, lockdowns and other restrictions. The authorities have moved swiftly to stifle the mass protests by blocking protest sites, harassing and arresting protesters, and have stepped up surveillance and censorship of social media.
Read more
Thursday 1.12.2022 Cuba - Latest Developments -
Cuban authorities harassing journalists and activists to force them to renounce their work
On 9th September 2022, human rights defender Raúl Soublett López announced the decision to shut down the Afro-Cuban Alliance, a project focused on LGBTQIA+ rights and racial justice. The activist also publicly renounced any socio-political activism, saying he would concentrate on his physical and mental health. Read more
Thursday 1.12.2022 Guatemala - Latest Developments -
Attacks on Guatemalan human rights organisations and justice operators
On 19th October 2022, the Attorney General’s Office raided the family house of Leily Santizo, a former prosecutor with the International Commission Against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG). The raid took place in execution of an arrest warrant against Santizo for alleged obstruction of criminal proceedings. Read more
Monday 28.11.2022 Afghanistan - Latest Developments -
Protests escalate in Afghanistan as frustration with Taliban rule and abuses grow
In recent months, protests by women activists have been met by restrictions and violence as well as arrests, torture and ill-treatment. Media outlets have been banned and journalists covering protests restricted. Books and social media apps are being banned while political parties have effectively been banned. Read more
Tuesday 22.11.2022 Austria - Latest Developments -
Palestinian activists face lawsuit and ban; climate activists threatened with SLAPPs
In December 2021, after long and intense protests by climate organisations and scientists, the ‘Lobautunnel’ project was put on hold by climate and transport minister Eleonore Gewessler. Nonetheless, the Municipality of Vienna threatened to initiate court proceedings against individual protesters - some of them minors - scientists and civil society organisations involved in the demonstrations against ‘Lobautunnel’. Separately, a member of BDS Austria is being sued for defamation by the municipality of Vienna over a social media post. This case sheds light on the underlying hostile context for Palestinian rights advocates in Austria, Read more
Tuesday 22.11.2022 India - Latest Developments -
Government agencies used to silence dissent in India as its rights record is scrutinised at the UN
In recent months we have continued to see raids and investigation of NGOs, detention of human rights defenders, journalists and protesters, restrictions on journalists and disruption of protests Read more
Monday 21.11.2022 Dominican Republic - Latest Developments -
Dominican Republic: anti-colonial demonstration attacked by ultra-nationalist group
On 27th July 2022, medical professionals protested in Santo Domingo to demand improvements in the country’s healthcare system. The peaceful protest organised by the Dominican Medical Association (Colegio Médico Dominicano - CMD) was joined by about 200 people, who marched from a maternity hospital toward the National Palace. Read more | Read in Spanish
Friday 18.11.2022 Maldives - Latest Developments -
Maldives elected to UN Human Rights Council despite press freedom concerns, restrictions on protests and impunity
In recent months, there continues to be concern about restrictions to press freedom following the passage of the Evidence Act and ongoing restrictions on protests and arrests of protesters by the authorities. There is still a lack of accountability for the disappearance of journalist Ahmed Rilwan Abdullah. Read more
