Mr. Bekele and Mr. Demissie are anti-poverty activists who, prior to November 22, 2007, were detained for two years on charges of conspiracy to overthrow the government as a result of the legitimate and peaceful human rights work. If found guilty they faced the prospect of life imprisonment or the … [Read more...]

Daniel Bekele, policy researcher and advocacy manager for Actionaid Ethiopia, and international BGO dedicated to the fight against poverty, in the city of Addis Ababa. On October 16th, 2005, Mr. Bekele was attacked at gun point while entering his car by two unknown armed men. One man questioned … [Read more...]

These eight men were arrested on August 23rd, 2007, on suspicion of links with the armed opposition group Oromo Liberation Front (OLF). They were being held in the police station in the western town of Nekemte, where there was risk of torture or ill-treatment. Fortunately, on September 7th, 2007, … [Read more...]

The police have now detained over 40 people whose names had been published on a 'wanted' list of 58 people on 7 November. They are accused of violent conspiracy, in connection with demonstrations against alleged election fraud, yet the detainees maintain not basis for these accusations. Many of … [Read more...]

TEWELDE GHBREMEDHIN, Chairperson of the Food, Beverages, Hotels, Tourism Agriculture and Tobacco Workers Federation MINASE ANDEZION, Secretary of the Textile and Leather Workers' Federation HABTOM WELDEMICAEL, Head of the Coca-Cola Workers Union, and executive member of the Food and Beverage … [Read more...]

On December 3rd 2002, the Egyptian Court of Cassation overturned the State Security Court's July 2002 conviction and sentencing and ordered a third re-trial. Dr. Eddin Ibrahim has been released on bail pending the new trial which is expected to begin in February 2003. The new trial will be before … [Read more...]

Father Pedro Ruquoy, age 52, human rights defender, Belgian national & permanent member of the Dominican Republic. Has been criticized by governmental officials for his work defending the rights of Haitian migrant workers and Dominican peasants. Along with another priest, Father Ruquoy has also … [Read more...]

Marie-Thérèse Nlandu Mpolo-Nene, a lawyer at the Democratic Republic of Congo's Supreme Court of Justice and leader of the Parti pour la Paix au Congo (Congo-Pax) political party, was arrested in the capital, Kinshasa, on 21 November 2007. According to Amnesty International, she is being detained at … [Read more...]