A Moroccan court is today expected to hold the final appeal hearing of journalist and human rights activist Omar Radi, who was sentenced by a lower court to six years in jail on charges of rape and espionage following a grossly unfair trial, with similar flaws replicated on appeal, as documented by the organization in this detailed summary. Amnesty International’s Deputy Director for the Middle East and North Africa, Amna Guellali said:

“The Moroccan government has subjected Omar Radi to years of harassment, 19 months of detention in solitary confinement and an espionage prosecution over his journalistic work. Omar’s trial last year was marred with grave violations of due process from start to finish.  The same arbitrary denial of defense rights remained on appeal.

“All espionage convictions against Omar Radi should be quashed as these are politically motivated convictions that violate his right to freedom of expression. Only a fair trial can ensure justice for both Omar and the complainant making allegations of rape against him.  

“The Moroccan courts must ensure that fair trial violations, such as those documented by Amnesty International in Omar Radi’s case, are immediately rectified and cease to take place within the Moroccan justice system.”

Background

On 19 July 2021, the Casablanca Court of First Instance convicted Omar Radi of espionage and rape and sentenced him to six years in prison. His appeal trial started on November 2021 at the Appeals Court in Casablanca, and he has been in pretrial detention and in solitary confinement since July 2020.

Throughout Omar Radi’s first instance and appeal trial, Amnesty International has documented several breaches of fair trial guarantees, including limited access to his lawyers, denying the defence team the right to cross examine prosecution witnesses, excluding defence witnesses and refusal to admit pieces of evidence showing inconsistencies in the complainant’s statement.

Before his arrest Omar Radi had been repeatedly harassed by the Moroccan authorities because of his journalistic work criticizing human rights violations and exposing corruption. In June 2020, an Amnesty International report revealed that Omar Radi was targeted by the Moroccan authorities using spyware produced by NSO Group, an Israeli company.

The post Morocco: Authorities must ensure Omar Radi’s fair trial rights appeared first on Amnesty International.

A diverse array of human rights organisations have come together to establish an alliance to collectively monitor the dire human rights situation in Afghanistan and advocate for the protection of human rights and accountability for all violations and abuses.

The Alliance for Human Rights in Afghanistan members include Amnesty International, Front Line Defenders, Freedom House, Freedom Now, Human Rights Watch (HRW), MADRE, the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), and the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF).

The situation of human rights in Afghanistan has dramatically worsened since the collapse of the Afghan government and the Taliban’s return to power on 15 August 2021. The fighting in the country has ended but serious human rights violations continue unabated. The Taliban have committed and continue to commit widespread human rights violations including extrajudicial executions, enforced disappearances, torture, arbitrary detentions, a massive rollback of the rights of women and girls, censorship of and attacks against the media, and reprisals against human rights defenders including women’s rights activists, women in high- profile roles, journalists, religious minorities, LGBTI people and members and allies of the former government. People in Afghanistan are also facing an unprecedented humanitarian crisis which is being driven by decisions and positions taken by the international community, especially the US, that have blocked Afghanistan from aid funding and access to the global financial system. 

“There has never been a greater need for human rights organisations across the world to unite and demand accountability and justice for the people of Afghanistan. People in Afghanistan are caught between the Taliban abuses and a humanitarian disaster, and the international community can and should do more to protect them”, said Samira Hamidi, Regional Campaigner, Amnesty International.

The members of the alliance aim to work jointly to seek accountability for all human rights violations and abuses in Afghanistan. The purpose of the alliance is to collectively advocate and put pressure on the Taliban to respect human rights, and on the international community to make good on their commitments to hold the Taliban accountable and to not abandon the Afghan people.

“As the world’s focus is rapidly shifting from one crisis to another, the human catastrophe continues in Afghanistan. People in Afghanistan, especially women and girls, are once again deprived of their fundamental human rights. It is urgently important to keep the world informed about the violations committed daily in Afghanistan and to hold the international community to account for the commitments they have made to Afghanistan over the last 20 years,” said Juliette Rousselot, Program Officer for West and South Asia, FIDH.

Through this alliance, the member organisations will collaborate on joint advocacy, research, awareness raising, and mobilisation, as well as on documentation and reporting of human rights violations and abuses in Afghanistan. The alliance will also engage with the international bodies such as the UN Human Rights Council and the UN Security Council, UN experts such as the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan, and other actors to push for systematic and intensive monitoring of the human rights situation, accountability for perpetrators of human rights violations and abuses, and to seek an end to impunity.

“With the establishment of the Alliance for Human Rights in Afghanistan, we send a strong message of solidarity to people in Afghanistan. We also wish to convey to the Taliban and the international community that as international civil society organisations we will be closely monitoring the situation and will continue our efforts to advocate for a violence-free Afghanistan for all Afghans” said Gerald Staberock, OMCT Secretary General.

The post New alliance to protect human rights in Afghanistan appeared first on Amnesty International.

Algerian authorities have ramped up their assault on civil society in recent weeks, with 27 human rights defenders and peaceful activists arrested in February alone, Amnesty International said today.

On 20 February, a court in the western city of Tlemcen sentenced Faleh Hammoudi, head of the local chapter of the Algerian League for the Defence of Human Rights (LADDH), to three years in prison and a fine of 100000 dinars (705 USD). Days later, on 24 February, an investigative judge in Algiers ordered the pretrial detention of Zaki Hannache, an activist known for his work monitoring the government crackdown on the Hirak, a mass protest movement calling for political change in the country since 2019.

The Algerian authorities initially tolerated some protests and limited prosecutions to targeting those carrying the Amazigh flag during demonstrations; however, they have sought to suppress Hirak protests since 2021, have arrested hundreds of activists, human rights defenders and journalists, held them in pretrial detention or sentenced them under vaguely worded charges, including terrorism. There are currently at least 290 people languishing in Algerian jails simply for peacefully expressing their opinions, according to both the National Committee for the Liberation of Detainees, a national watchdog group, and the LADDH.

“The spurious and politically motivated charges against Faleh Hammoudi and Zaki Hannache are characteristic of the intensifying crackdown on dissent by Algerian authorities, who are weaponizing the law to silence their critics,” said Amna Guellali, Amnesty International’s Deputy Director for the Middle East and North Africa.

“Three years since the Hirak protest movement began, there is no end in sight to the Algerian authorities’ escalation of repression.  We are calling for the release of all peaceful activists and human rights defenders in Algeria.”

Algerian authorities arrested Faleh Hammoudi on 19 February and sentenced him the following day, after an interview he gave to the Algerian TV channel Al Maghribiya TV in which he commented on human rights violations in Algeria. This is known as an “immediate appearance” procedure and normally applies to people caught in the act of committing a crime. He was sentenced for “offending public bodies”, “spreading fake news” that might harm national security and running an “unregistered association”. The first two charges relate to his comments in the interview, while the third charge is linked to his activities with LADDH, which the authorities are accusing of noncompliance with a draconian 2012 law on associations.

Three years since the Hirak protest movement began, there is no end in sight to the Algerian authorities’ escalation of repression.  We are calling for the release of all peaceful activists and human rights defenders in Algeria.

Amna Guellali, Amnesty International

Another eight members of LADDH are currently being prosecuted for their participation in Hirak, or for criticism of the authorities. At least four are facing charges related to terrorism, defined very vaguely under Algerian law to include “attempting to gain power or change the system of governance by unconstitutional means.”

Among them is Hassan Bouras, currently on hunger strike to protest his pretrial detention since 12 September. Kaddour Chouicha, vice President of LADDH as well as Djamila Loukil and Said Boudour, LADDH members in Oran, are also being prosecuted on terrorism-related charges since April 2021 but are not in detention.

Zaki Hannache was arrested on 19 February and is being charged with “spreading fake news” in relation to his documentation of hunger strikes by several pre-trial detainees, who were arrested for participating in Hirak protests or for criticizing the authorities. Zaki also faces a charge of “apology of terrorism” in relation to his online publications, including a post that Zaki published in February about exiled YouTuber Amir DZ, who is subject to an arrest warrant because of his activism.

In December 2021, Zaki Hannache won the Ali Boudoukha prize for his work documenting the arrests of activists, peaceful protesters and journalists. According to a lawyer with knowledge of the case, police seized the award and prize money while arresting Zaki at his home, and he is facing a further charge of receipt of money for purposes of “harming the security of the state or the normal functioning of institutions, or the national unity, or the territorial integrity or the fundamental interests of Algeria or security or public order” under Article 95 bis of the Penal Code which could result in a prison sentence of up to seven years and a fine of 700000 Algerian dinars (4943 USD).

Background

LADDH is one of the main human rights groups in Algeria. It is a member of several international non-governmental organizations such as Euromed Rights and the International Federation of Human Rights. 

Like many civil society groups in Algeria, LADDH was legally registered but faced administrative obstacles when it tried to obtain a new registration as per a 2012 law. This situation puts its members at risk of prosecution and jail for conducting activities in a “non-accredited, suspended or dissolved” association.

The post Algeria: Mounting repression as more human rights defenders are detained appeared first on Amnesty International.

“My son was only

20 years old”

“Killed by a bullet in the head

while he was working”

“Wrong place, wrong time”

Famara Goudiaby was 20 years old and just passed his exam to enter the university. He had to go to his native village to take care of administrative formalities. On his way back, he decided to pay a visit to his sister who lives in Bignona. It is while he was walking on the street that a stray bullet hit him. Famara was not a protester.

time for justice to be served

Unlawfull killings must never go unpunished. Families of people who died need justice urgently. They have been patient. But now is the time for answers. #JusticeForthe14 #FreeSenegal

Senegal will never forget March 2021

Send this Tweet

My brother Cheikh was killed by a police officer
while protesting. Nearly a year on,
justice has yet to be served.

Ngoné Wade, Cheikh's twin sister

8 March 2021 remains a painful memory for Cheikh Wade’s family, whom a delegation of Amnesty International, met in the neighbourhood of Cambéréne, in the Dakar suburbs. His mother Marieme** is still affected by the brutal death of her youngest son, and desperately waiting for justice to be served. For nearly a year now, human rights organizations have been standing together with the family to say no to impunity. As part of its campaign “Join us in demanding justice for the victims of Senegal’s violent repression of protests”, Amnesty International is mobilizing its members to ensure that the perpetrators of Cheikh Wade’s murder are identified and held accountable, and that peaceful protest is no longer synonymous with the risk of death.

In an op-ed published on Cheikh’s birthday, Ngoné Wade, his twin sister, calls on the authorities to bring the perpetrators to justice.

YOU CAN HELP THE FAMILIES OF THOSE WHO WERE UNLAWFULLY KILLED

DURING THE PROTESTS OF MARCH 2021 OBTAIN JUSTICE

SIGN the card for The FAMILY OF Cheikh Wade

SEND AN EMAIL TO THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE

©Amnesty International

Share this campaign with your friends and family

The post Senegal will never forget March 2021 appeared first on Amnesty International.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is a manifest violation of the United Nations Charter and an act of aggression that is a crime under international law, said Amnesty International as it called for all those involved in this crime to be held accountable for those violations. Their personal, individual, and collective liability should be invoked for that, and for all the many crimes that have characterised their invasion of Ukraine thus far.

Emphasizing the gravity of the Ukraine crisis, the organisation called on UN member states to uphold and defend the UN Charter, which prohibits the use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state. It noted that the only exceptions to those provisions are self-defense and such use of force as is authorized by the UN Security Council – neither of which applies to this crisis.

Amnesty further stressed that, under international law, it is incumbent on all states to settle international disputes by peaceful means and in such a manner that international peace, security, and justice, are not endangered.

The invasion has triggered a huge human rights, humanitarian, & displacement crisis that has the makings of the worst such catastrophe in recent European history. Russia is breaching the sovereignty of Ukraine & challenging the global security architecture.

Agnes Callamard, Secretary General of Amnesty International

“Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is grave, severe and defined by one characteristic only: aggression. Russia is invading into the heart of Ukraine, seeking to depose its lawfully elected government, with a real and potential massive impact on civilians’ lives, safety and well-being; its acts cannot remotely be justified on any of the grounds that Russia has offered. Yet all of this is being committed by a permanent member of the UN Security Council,” said Agnes Callamard, Secretary General of Amnesty International.

“Russia is in clear breach of its international obligations. Its actions are blatantly against the rules and principles on which the United Nations was founded. All members of the United Nations should condemn that conduct unequivocally. Russia’s flagrant disregard cannot be allowed to embolden others to follow suit and nor should the UN’s ability to contain such behaviour be undermined.”

Since the Russia invasion began on 24 February, Amnesty has been documenting the escalation in violations of humanitarian and human rights law, including deaths of civilians resulting from indiscriminate attacks on civilian areas and infrastructure. Strikes on protected objects such as hospitals and schools, the use of indiscriminate weapons such as ballistic missiles and the use of banned weapons such as cluster bombs, may all qualify as war crimes.

Amnesty International urged UN Member States to stand together in condemnation of Russia’s crimes of aggression, in providing relief and assistance to the citizens of Ukraine including those fleeing the conflict, and to ensure the consequences of Russia’s aggression are not allowed to push the world closer towards an abyss of violence, violations and insecurity.

We must ensure that the tragically increasing number of victims of war crimes in Ukraine hear a message that the international community is already determined to secure redress for their suffering.

Agnes Callamard, Secretary General of Amnesty International

“In less than a week, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has triggered a massive human rights, humanitarian, and displacement crisis that has the makings of the worst such catastrophe in recent European history. Russia is not only breaching the sovereignty of a neighbour and its people, it is also challenging the global security architecture and exploiting its frailty, including a dysfunctional UN Security Council. There are long-lasting consequences from this for us all. We must not allow aggression and violations of international law to be their architect,” said Agnes Callamard.

Yesterday’s welcome announcement by the ICC Prosecutor that his office will seek to open an investigation in Ukraine puts all perpetrators of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Ukraine– including those in senior positions and most responsible – on notice that they will be held individually accountable.

“Amnesty International calls on all states parties to the ICC and the international community at large to cooperate with the ICC’s investigation. The ICC’s investigation cannot take place alone. Comprehensive accountability in Ukraine requires the concerted and innovative efforts of the UN and its organs, as well as initiatives at the national-level pursuant to the principle of universal jurisdiction,” said Agnes Callamard.

“At this early stage, the collection and preservation of evidence is crucial to successful future investigations. Above all, we must ensure that the tragically increasing number of victims of war crimes in Ukraine hear a message that the international community is already determined to secure redress for their suffering.”

Background

Serious violations of the rules of conflict constitute war crimes. Some of those are codified as such by the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. The ICC would have jurisdiction over war crimes committed in Ukraine, which made a declaration in 2015 accepting ICC jurisdiction over crimes committed on its territory since 20 February 2014. Russia signed the Rome Statute in 2000 but withdrew its signature in 2016.

The military intervention appears to meet the definition of aggression under the Rome Statute of the ICC. Art. 8bis(1) of the Rome Statute defines, in relevant part, a “crime of aggression” as “an act of aggression which, by its character, gravity and scale, constitutes a manifest violation of the Charter of the United Nations.” Although the Court, barring an unlikely Security Council referral, will not have jurisdiction over the crime of aggression in this situation a number of states, including Ukraine, have domestic laws that would allow prosecution of those responsible for this crime.

The invasion of Ukraine has already resulted in indiscriminate strikes on residential areas, medical institutions, social infrastructure and other civilian objects and infrastructure, and produced civilian deaths and injuries. It has led to mass displacement and destruction of civilian housing. In the fighting in Donetsk and Luhansk, particularly in 2014-2015, there have been extrajudicial executions, torture and other ill-treatment, enforced disappearances, and unlawful deprivation of liberty.

For more information contact Stefan Simanowitz press@amnesty.org
tel.: +44 (0) 20 7413 5566

The post Russia/Ukraine: Invasion of Ukraine is an act of aggression and human rights catastrophe appeared first on Amnesty International.