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Two escapees returned: Two North Koreans, who are part of a family of five who fled the country, have been forcibly returned to North Korea where they are at serious risk of arbitrary detention, torture and other ill-treatment, forced labour and possible death.
Jailed government critics on hunger strike: The men were among 94 defendants, some of whom are connected to the Reform and Social Guidance Association (al-Islah), who faced a grossly unfair trial that began on 4 March 2013. After a closed trial from which independent observers and international media were barred, the Federal Supreme Court convicted 69 of the defendants of charges including association with a group aiming to overthrow the country’s political system.
Child tortured in detention: Bahraini boy aged 14, Ali Hatem Ali Salman, was arrested on 26 August 2013 and reportedly tortured and otherwise ill-treated during interrogation to “confess” to rioting. On 3 September the Juvenile Prosecution extended his detention for another week.
New prisoner of conscience on hunger strike: Cuban activist Iván Fernández Depestre was arrested on 30 July during a peaceful march, and has been on hunger strike since. He was sentenced on 2 August to three years imprisonment on politically motivated charges. Amnesty International considers him a prisoner of conscience, detained solely for peacefully exercising his right to freedom of expression.
Detained Journalist at risk of torture: Journalist and human rights activist Prashant Rahi was arrested on 1 September 2013 on suspicion of having links with a banned organization. He is being held in police custody in Aheri, Maharashtra state, and is at imminent risk of torture or other ill-treatment.
Seven Iranians abducted from camp Ashraf: Seven Iranian exiles, members of the People’s Mojahedeen Organization of Iran (PMOI), were abducted from Camp Ashraf, northeast of Baghdad, on 1 September by armed men who had attacked the Camp and killed 52 residents. Unconfirmed reports have suggested that they are in the custody of the Iraqi authorities. They are at risk of torture or other ill-treatment and could be forcibly returned to Iran.
Households risk imminent forced eviction: Six households in Bagou village, in Haidian district in Beijing are at risk of forced eviction on 14 September. The authorities have failed to provide the protections required and the residents are at risk of being rendered homeless.
Indigenous leaders face unjust charges: Three Honduran indigenous leaders face unfounded charges in relation to their actions as human rights defenders. A hearing is scheduled to take place on 12 September. If they are imprisoned, Amnesty International will consider them prisoners of conscience.
Syrian conflict refugees face deportation: Twenty-three refugees from Syria – 21 Syrians and two Palestinians – are at risk of deportation from Egypt, including five women and nine children. The two Palestinians will likely be sent to Lebanon and the 21 Syrians to Turkey. The group sought refuge in Egypt after fleeing the armed conflict in Syria. Under international law, Egypt has a responsibility to protect people fleeing the conflict.
Activist tortured in police cell: Luis Rafael Escobar Ugas, a Venezuelan human rights activist has been in detention since March for participating in a protest. He has been tortured and threatened. He is ill and is not receiving the urgent medical care he needs.
Government urged to halt paramilitaries: Paramilitaries are threatening to kill Afro-descendants in the Cacarica River Basin in north-western Colombia. There is an imminent threat of forced displacement.
Two Canadians detained: Two Canadian nationals have been detained by Egypt’s Public Prosecution on charges relating to violent protests in the capital, Cairo, on 16 August.
Human rights activist stabbed: A community activist in Mexico was attacked on 5 September as a result of his peaceful human rights work defending the right to fair access to water. He and other members of the environmental group he works for are at risk of further attacks.
Human rights centre broken into: The offices of a Human Rights Centre in Coahuila State, northern Mexico, were broken into on 8 September and sensitive information was stolen. Staff could be at risk of further harassment.
Paramilitary abduction near peace community: Colombian soldiers and paramilitaries have threatened members of the Peace Community of San José de Apartadó and other civilians in the area. A peasant farmer has been subjected to enforced disappearance and dozens have been forcibly displaced.
Prominent Bahraini opposition member jailed: Leading Bahraini opposition member Khalil al-Marzouq was interrogated by the Public Prosecutor for seven hours on 17 September and ordered to remain in prison for 30 days pending investigation. He is a prisoner of conscience, targeted for his criticism of the government.
Do not let Herman Wallace die in prison: Herman Wallace, 71, diagnosed with liver cancer and given weeks to live, will die in prison if Governor of Louisiana does not grant him compassionate release.
Death sentences upheld, executions imminent: Death sentences of four Sunni men from Iran’s Kurdish minority have been upheld by Iran’s Supreme Court. They are at imminent risk of execution. All men are believed to have been tortured or otherwise ill-treated while in detention. They did not have a lawyer.
Fifteen-year-old diabetic boy in detention: ‘Ali Muslim Ebrahim, a 15-year-old Bahraini boy who suffers from diabetes, was arrested at his home in al-Hidd in northern Bahrain on 8 September and was reportedly hit on the head during interrogation. The Public Prosecutor has ordered his detention.
Women’s rights under threat: A law which criminalises acts of violence against women in Nicaragua is at risk of being reformed, which would weaken the protection it offers women. There are grave concerns for the safety of women if these changes are introduced.
Woman leaves hair uncovered, risks flogging: Sudanese women’s rights activist Amira Osman Hamed is to go on trial on 19 September for refusing to cover her hair in public. She is at risk of receiving up to 40 lashes for ‘indecent or immoral dress.’
Pregnant woman held without charge: A 37-year-old pregnant woman, Nadia ‘Ali Yousef Saleh, has been detained without charge or trial in Bahrain since 30 May, and was reportedly beaten upon her arrest. She is now eight-months pregnant, and was admitted to al-Salmaniya Medical Complex on 15 September.
Over 150 refugees from Syria detained: The refugees are being detained in Egypt following an attempt to leave Egypt by boat. The group includes an unaccompanied nine-year-old boy. Under international law Egypt has a responsibility to protect people fleeing the conflict in Syria.
Indigenous people threatened: There are concerns for the safety of some 60 Indigenous people, including children, who occupied a sugar cane plantation they say is their ancestral land in the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso do Sul on 15 September. They have been threatened by armed private security guards working on the plantation.
Journalist held for article on AQIM video: Moroccan authorities have arrested and detained independent journalist and editor Ali Anouzla, a well known critic of government policies. He is a prisoner of conscience, held for an article published on his news website about a video released by Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM). He has been detained without charge since 17 September and is believed to be held under Morocco’s draconian anti-terrorism law.
Journalist at risk of torture: Sergei Naumov, an independent journalist, has been detained and held incommunicado in Uzbekistan. Human rights defenders and colleagues fear that the authorities are trying to silence him and that he is at risk of being subjected to torture and other ill-treatment.
2013 Belgrade Pride march in jeopardy: There are concerns that the 2013 Belgrade Pride march in Serbia to be held on 28 September may be banned. This would deny the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people to freedom of expression and freedom of assembly.
Imprisoned activist’s health at risk: Social activist Adela Gómez Martínez’s health is at risk while she is in a prison in El Amate de Cintalapa, Chiapas State, Mexico. There is fear for her safety and that the detention could be a reprisal for her activism.
US national gets 10 years after unfair trial: Taqi ‘Abdallah al-Maydan, a 25 year-old US national, was sentenced on 24 September to 10 years’ imprisonment after unfair trial. He was reportedly tortured following his arrest in October 2012 and was forced to sign a “confession”. He was charged with “attempting to kill policemen”, “burning an armoured police vehicle” and “illegal gathering and rioting”.
Death threats for human rights defenders: Four human rights defenders received a death threat in Cali, south-western Colombia. All four women are campaigning for justice in cases of serious human rights violations implicating members of the armed forces.
Community leader killed, others at risk: A community leader was killed when he planned to return to Ituango municipality, Northern Colombia, from where hundreds were forcibly displaced while they were opposing the construction of a dam.
Bahrain authorities arrest yet another child: In a month that has seen an increasing number of children detained in Bahrain, 14-year-old Sayed Hassan Sayed Mohammad Shubbar has been arrested and the Public Prosecution has extended his detention pending investigation. The boy has reportedly been charged with burning tyres and is currently held in a juvenile detention centre.
Sudanese lawyer held incommunicado: Magdi Saleem, has been detained in an undisclosed location without charge by the National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS) following his arrest in Wad Medani, Sudan, on 24 September. Magdi Saleem was demonstrating against the government and exercising his right to peaceful assembly. He is being held incommunicado and is at risk of torture or other forms of ill treatment.

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