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United States: ‘Free Dr Aafia Siddiqui Day’

Dr Aafia Siddiqui’s trial begins today (Tuesday), while representatives of civil society and human rights organisations have decided to observe the day as ‘Free Dr Aafia Siddiqui Day’. On this occasion, different events like protests and candlelight vigils are being arranged across the world including the US, Europe, Australia, Middle East and Pakistan to highlight the plight of Dr Aafia. According to the details, a ‘Stand in solidarity with Dr Aafia Siddiqui’ event would be held in the US in front of Federal Court, 500 Pearl St, in lower Manhattan. On the occasion, members of civil society would fill the Judge Richard Berman’s courtroom. Please seen article below for background to the trial of Dr. Siddiqui

Update: Iran: Religious minority members facing 'show trial'

Amnesty International has urged the Iranian authorities to release seven members of the Baha'i religious minority who appear to be facing a "show trial" in Tehran on a collection of spurious charges. The five men and two women, who were arrested almost two years ago, could face the death penalty if they are convicted of crimes including "espionage for Israel", "insulting religious sanctities" and "propaganda against the system”.

Iran: Solidarité avec les démocrates iraniens en lutte

Le soulèvement du peuple iranien contre le régime tyrannique des mollahs a été une fois de plus, le dimanche 27 décembre, réprimé dans le sang. Les nombreux tués ou blessés lors des manifestations viennent allonger la longue et sinistre liste des patriotes iraniens qui sacrifient leur vie pour la liberté de leur peuple. Le peuple iranien ne réclame que l'installation de la démocratie. Ce soulèvement qui a commencé en juin 2009 a un objectif clair : la chute du dictateur Khamenei et de sa marionnette Ahmadinejad, qui ne répondent que par la violence et la terreur aux exigences du peuple iranien. Les cris des manifestants sont dépourvus de toute équivoque : "Mort au dictateur !", "Khamenei assassin ! son régime est illégitime !".

Fiji: End harassment of women human rights defenders

The Women Human Rights Defenders International Coalition (WHRD IC) calls on Fiji’s military regime to end its harassment of Imrana Jalal and all women human rights defenders.

Update: Iran: Mourning Mothers Released

All members of the Mourning Mothers who were detained in Laleh Park in Tehran on Saturday, 9 January, have been gradually released, the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran reported today. The Campaign strongly condemns the harassment and detention of the Mourning Mothers and to address their legitimate grievances. Mourning Mothers is a group of mothers and relatives of those killed by government forces during recent events and was formed following the death of Neda Agha-Soltan. The group has grown to include the mothers and relatives of political prisoners who were executed in the past.

Fiji: WLUML Statement on charges against Imrana Jalal

The international solidarity network, Women Living Under Muslim Laws (WLUML), condemns the politically-motivated charges brought against human rights lawyer, Imrana Jalal, by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) on 1 January 2010. FICAC, as with most significant government bodies since the coup, is headed by a military officer. FICAC was established to investigate and prosecute corruption, but instead has been used to also persecute persons not supportive of the military regime.

Iran: Trial underway for Baha'i leaders

Seven leaders of Iran's Baha'i minority went on trial in Tehran Tuesday accused of spying for Israel, a charge their supporters say is motivated by religious discrimination. The seven -- two women and five men -- are also accused of spreading propaganda against the Islamic republic and committing religious offenses, charges that can carry the death penalty.

Update: Iran: Detained Mothers Shuffled Between Emergency Rooms and Detention Center

Authorities transferred nine of the 33 detained members of the Mourning Mothers to emergency rooms following their detention yesterday, and later took them to Vozara Detention Center in Tehran, the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran said today.

The nine mothers suffer from various illnesses and were taken back to Vozara Detention Center from Sajjad and Firuzgar hospitals in Tehran.

Fiji: Grave threats and false charges against human rights lawyer

STATEMENT by P. Imrana Jalal, Human Rights Lawyer, on fabricated FICAC charges. Suva, Fiji Islands, 8 January 2010: On 1 January 2010 I was served by Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) officers with seven charges alleging breaches of the law. I categorically deny these charges and will mount a robust defence against them. I am a human rights lawyer with a long record of public opposition to all unlawful, undemocratic regimes and my stance against Fiji’s 2006 military takeover is public knowledge. FICAC was established to investigate and prosecute corruption but instead has been used to also persecute persons not supportive of the military regime. The charges levelled against me at this time constitute part of this second strand of activities. FICAC has initiated various actions against myself and my husband in order to harass and intimidate us. I will continue vigorously to resist and challenge these efforts and to uphold the principles of democracy and the rule of law for all Fijians.

Iran: 30 Members of Mourning Mothers Detained

Security forces attacked and detained 30 members of Mourning Mothers in Laleh Park and surrounding streets in Tehran today at around 4 p.m. local time, the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran reported. Mourning Mothers is a group of mothers whose children have been killed in recent events. More than a hundred police and plain clothes agents attacked today’s gathering and transferred the detainees to the Vozara Detention Center in Tehran.