[state] repression of dissent

Algérie: La « non autorisation » de la tenue de la journée mondiale contre les violences faites aux femmes

Les associations de femmes signataires, réunies autour de l’AAPF, ont pris acte de la « non autorisation » qui leur a été signifiée oralement et tardivement, le 24 novembre 2010 pour la tenue de la commémoration de le journée mondiale contre les violences faites aux femmes, à l’hôtel Es Safir d’Alger. Elles tiennent à réaffirmer leur volonté à se battre contre les violences que, comme femmes elles subissent avec toutes les algériennes.

Iran: WHRD Call for Iranian authorities to release Nasrin Sotoudeh and other lawyers

On the occasion of 29 November, International Day of Women Human Rights Defenders, the Women Human Rights Defenders International Coalition calls on the Iranian authorities to release Nasrin Sotoudeh, a lawyer and defender of women’s human rights, detained since 4 September 2010 in Evin Prison, Tehran. Sotoudeh has been held in solitary confinement where she is at risk of torture or other ill treatment, since her arrest. In protest at her detention and treatment, Sotoudeh went on hunger strike between 31 October and 15 November 2010.

Iran: UN chief calls for release of human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh

On 23 November the UN human rights chief called for the release of Iranian human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh. This followed the first trial session on 15 November. She has now been held for 80 days, following her arbitrary arrest on 4 September 2010. Amnesty International considers her to be a prisoner of conscience, held solely in connection with her work as a lawyer.

MISE A JOUR: Gambie: Procès des deux FDDH, Dr Isatou Touray et Amie Bojang-Cissokho reporté au 1 Décembre

Le réseau international de solidarité, Femmes sous lois musulmanes (WLUML) et la campagne "Violence is Not our Culture" (VNC), continuent à appeler à un procès juste pour deux femmes défenseurs des droits humains, membre de conseil de WLUML, Dr Isatou Touray, et Amie Bojang-Cissokho: communiqué de presse de Coalition pour le Droits Humains en Gambie, 24 Novembre 2010: Le représentant du ministère public Sainey Joof a déclaré au Tribunal que l’affaire contre GAMCOTRAP n’est pas civile, mais que c’est l’Etat qui a porté plainte contre les deux femmes. L’audience du procès du Dr. Isatou Touray, Directrice exécutive et Amie Bojang- Sissoho, Coordonnatrice des programmes pour le Comité Gambien sur les pratiques traditionnelles (GAMCOTRAP), n’a finalement pas eu lieu ce lundi 22 novembre 2010 devant le juge Emmanuel Nkea au Tribunal de Banjul. Le ministère public ayant demandé le report du fait de l’absence de témoins à la barre.

UPDATE: Gambia: Trial of WHRDs Dr. Isatou Touray & Amie Bojang-Sissoho adjourned to 1 December

The International Solidarity Network, Women Living Under Muslim Laws (WLUML) and the Violence is Not our Culture Campaign (VNC), continue to call for the fair trial of two women human rights defenders, WLUML board member, Dr. Isatou Touray, and Ms. Amie Bojang-Sissoho. Coalition for Human Rights in the Gambia Press Release, 24 November 2010: State Prosecution Officer Sainey Joof told the court that the case against GAMCOTRAP is not a Civil case but it is the State that has brought in the case against the two Senior Officers of the Organisation. The court hearing of the trial of Dr. Isatou Touray, the Executive Director and Amie Bojang- Sissoho, Programme Coordinator for the Gambia Committee on Traditional Practices (GAMCOTRAP) failed to proceed yesterday Monday November 22nd 2010 at the Banjul Magistrates Court before Magistrate Emmanuel Nkea. The prosecution applied for an adjournment of the hearing because their witnesses were not present.

MISE A JOUR: Gambie: Procès des deux FDDH, Dr Isatou Touray et Amie Bojang-Cissokho reporté au 1 Décembre

Le représentant du ministère public Sainey Joof a déclaré au Tribunal que l’affaire contre GAMCOTRAP n’est pas civile, mais que c’est l’Etat qui a porté plainte contre les deux femmes. L’audience du procès du Dr. Isatou Touray, Directrice exécutive et Amie Bojang- Sissoho, Coordonnatrice des programmes pour le Comité Gambien sur les pratiques traditionnelles (GAMCOTRAP), n’a finalement pas eu lieu ce lundi 22 novembre 2010 devant le juge Emmanuel Nkea au Tribunal de Banjul. Le ministère public ayant demandé le report du fait de l’absence de témoins à la barre.

UPDATE: Gambia: Trial of WHRDs Dr. Isatou Touray & Amie Bojang-Sissoho adjourned to 1 December

State Prosecution Officer Sainey Joof told the court that the case against GAMCOTRAP is not a Civil case but it is the State that has brought in the case against the two Senior Officers of the Organisation. The court hearing of the trial of Dr. Isatou Touray, the Executive Director and Amie Bojang- Sissoho, Programme Coordinator for the Gambia Committee on Traditional Practices (GAMCOTRAP) failed to proceed yesterday Monday November 22nd 2010 at the Banjul Magistrates Court before Magistrate Emmanuel Nkea. The prosecution applied for an adjournment of the hearing because their witnesses were not present.

UPDATE: Gambia: Defence maintains stance on discharging of Gamcotrap officials

The team of defence counsel comprising Amie Bensouda, Lamin K Mboge, Sagarr Jaharteh and Ebrima Jah, have for the second time maintained their stance in their application for the court to discharge Dr Isatou Touray, executive director of Gamcotrap and Amie Bojang-Sissoho, programme coordinator of the same organisation.

Iran: Arrests of three more lawyers

Iranian authorities arrested another three lawyers yesterday as they returned to Iran from Turkey. Sara Sabbaghian, Maryam Kianersi and Maryam Karbasi were arrested at Imam Khomeini Airport on unspecified charges, Majzoban-e Noor website reported.

Sabbaghian is said to be involved in the defence of detained Iranian blogger, Hossein Ronaghi and Kinaersi was on the defence team of Kobra Najjar who was saved from a death by stoning sentence two years ago.

فلسطين: كاتبة فلسطينية تطالب المجتمع الدولي بالتدخل للإفراج عن مدون متهم بالإلحاد

طالبت كاتبة فلسطينية دول الإتحاد الإوروبي والولايات المتحدة واليابان بالضغط على السلطة الفلسطينية من أجل إطلاق سراح المدون وليد الحسيني المتهم بالالحاد. ودافعت زينب رشيد عن حق الحسيني في التعبير عن آرائه واستغربت قيام سلطة علمانية بالقبض عليه واعتبرت ذلك مناقض للدستور ولبيان الاستقلال.