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Congo opposition member held without charge: Congolese political opposition member, Paulin Makaya has been detained since 23 November without being brought before a court. No charges have been brought against him. He has been questioned several times in the absence of his lawyer and was initially denied visits from family members.
Journalist arrested for his work: Journalist Ismail Alexandrani was arrested on 29 November at Egypt’s Hurghada International Airport. On 1 December a prosecutor ordered him to be detained for 15 days to investigate allegations that he had spread «false news and rumours» and belonged to a «terrorist» group.
Unlawfully detained migrant at risk: Jean Marie Justilien, a Haitian national, was shot in the back of the neck during an immigration raid in June 2015, and detained and charged with illegal entry into the Bahamas. On 2 December he was found not guilty, but was transferred to Carmichael Road Immigration Detention Centre where he remains deprived of his liberty. He is at risk of ill-treatment and needs urgent medical attention.
Human rights defender repeatedly threatened: Rafael Maldonado of the Guatemalan Centre for Environmental, Social and Legal Action received a series of threats this week, the most recent in a pattern of threats and intimidation towards him. His organization has recently been involved in litigation regarding a number of mining operations and palm oil production in Guatemala.
Syrian refugee detained in inhumane conditions: A Syrian refugee known as F.M., has been arbitrarily detained in inhumane conditions at Istanbul’s Ataturk Airport for almost nine months. He is without a bed or access to natural light. The conditions are so severe that he has even thought of agreeing to return to Syria in order to secure his release.
Activists held in crackdown on labour rights: Four prominent labour activists have been criminally detained in what appears to be a coordinated crackdown on labour rights organizations in Guangdong province, south-east China. The whereabouts of four other activists are currently unknown, and several others have been questioned. This crackdown comes at a time of escalating industrial tensions in the region.
Sixteen members of religious group sentenced: Sixteen members of the religious group Jehovah’s Witnesses were convicted of «religious extremism» solely for peacefully practising their religious beliefs.
Activists detained in secret, risk torture: Two Yemeni activists were arrested in October by the Huthi armed group. Their whereabouts are unknown, and they are at risk of torture and other ill-treatment.
Syrian refugees stranded at border crossing: The Jordanian government is refusing to let 12,000 Syrian refugees enter the country, including pregnant women, children and elderly people. They are now stranded in a remote desert area on the Jordan-Syria border.
Peaceful protestors at risk: In November 2015 there were over 1,400 politically motivated detentions in Cuba, the highest number in years. Many detainees were held between one and 30 hours, and some reported excessive use of force by political police during detention. On 10 December groups of political dissidents and human rights activists plan to peacefully protest for Human Rights Day. They are at risk of arbitrary arrests, detentions, and ill-treatment.
Denied medical treatment unless she «confesses»: Prisoner of conscience Tran Thi Thuy, currently serving an eight year sentence in Viet Nam, is being denied medical treatment for a tumour on her uterus in circumstances that could amount to torture. Although diagnosed by a prison doctor and despite being in severe pain, she has been told she will receive no treatment unless she «confesses» to the crimes for which she was convicted.
Sentenced after possible unfair trial: Twenty-one people among those detained during anti-government protests in Quito, the capital of Ecuador, have been sentenced following concerns of violations of their right to a fair trial. Amnesty International received reports during the protests of excessive use of force and clashes between the security forces and protestors, as well as arbitrary detentions.
Juvenile offender re-sentenced to death: An Iranian juvenile offender, Sajad Sanjari, was re-sentenced to death on 21 November, after a retrial. He had been convicted of murder, for fatally stabbing a man when he was 15 years old.
Nine arrested during memorial detained: Nine people, including two activists from Lutte pour le Changement (LUCHA), Juvin Kombi and Pascal Byumanine, are in detention. They were arrested on 28 November in Goma during a peaceful demonstration in honour of victims of the ongoing killings in the Beni area of Northern Kivu, DRC.
Executions could resume if regulation adopted: The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation has launched a public consultation on its proposed new lethal injection protocol. The public has until 22 January to submit comments on the regulation, the adoption of which would allow for the resumption of executions in the US state with the highest death row population.
Health concern for prisoner of conscience: Malukan prisoner of conscience, Johan Teterissa, has been suffering from severe pain in both his legs for more than a month. The prison authorities have repeatedly denied his request to seek medical treatment at a hospital.
Activist taken from hospital: Authorities in Thailand removed student activist Thanet Anantawong from hospital on 13 December where he was admitted for treatment. He is currently held in a military detention facility without adequate access to medical treatment, or to his family or lawyers. He may face up to 27 years’ imprisonment for a post he made on Facebook.
Indigenous leader and environmentalist in jail: Sergei Nikiforov, an Evenki indigenous people’s leader and environmental rights defender has been imprisoned for opposing a gold mining project in the Amur region, in Russia’s Far East, after an unfair trial. He is a prisoner of conscience.
Human rights lawyer arrested, at risk: Vietnamese human rights lawyer Nguyễn Văn Đài was arrested on charges of «conducting propaganda» against the state on 16 December. He is in detention pending investigation and at risk of torture and other ill-treatment.
Four held for supporting detained lawyer: Four activists have been criminally detained after gathering outside a court in Beijing during the trial of prominent human rights lawyer Pu Zhiqiang. It is not known what charges they are being held under, and they have not had access to their lawyers or families. Several other activists who were taken away have not been heard from since, and it is feared they may also be in detention.
Safety concerns for detained student activist: Emad Al Sadig Ismael Hamdoun, a 24-year-old student at Omdurman Ahlia University, is currently being held at the National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS) political office in Khartoum North after his arrest on 14 December. Amnesty International is concerned about his safety while in detention.
Five activists sentenced to two years in prison: Five activists, including surgeon Ahmed Said, are due to appear at a Cairo court for an appeal hearing on 30 December. They were sentenced on 13 December to two years in prison on trumped-up charges, less than a month after their arrest.
Juvenile offender again faces death penalty: Hamid Ahmadi, an Iranian juvenile offender now aged 24, has been sentenced to death again. He had been convicted of the fatal stabbing of a young man during a fight between five boys when he was 17.
Human rights activist held, at risk of torture: Vietnamese lawyer Lê Thu Hà, a human rights activist, was arrested on 16 December, at the same time as prominent human rights lawyer Nguyễn Văn Đài, a colleague. No other activists have been allowed to see her, and she is at risk of torture and other ill-treatment.
Men jailed for «sodomy» on human rights day: Six Tunisian men have been convicted of «sodomy» and jailed for three years, the maximum provided by Tunisian law.

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