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Filmmaker jailed for drug use denied health care
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Tunisian filmmaker Issam Bouguerra, imprisoned since 24 August 2021 on charges of use and possession of cannabis, suffers from bleeding but prison authorities are denying him access to urgently needed, adequate healthcare. His trial is scheduled for 24 November after a first session set for 6 October was postponed. If convicted, Issam Bouguerra faces up to 15 years in prison. Amnesty International calls on the Tunisian authorities to drop the charges against him and release him as the criminalisation of the use and possession of drugs violates a number of human rights.
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Lawyer faces contempt proceedings
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A Fijian lawyer is at risk of hefty fines or imprisonment for peacefully exercising his right to freedom of expression. After pointing out on social media a spelling mistake in a court decision, Richard Naidu will have a court hearing for contempt of court on 10 November 2022. His prosecution is a violation of the right to freedom of expression and inconsistent with international human rights law. In addition, the Attorney General has also claimed the lawyer representing Naidu may face similar contempt charges for submissions made in representing his client in court. Amnesty International urges the authorities to immediately discontinue the contempt proceedings against Naidu.
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Student leaders arbitrarily detained
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Sri Lankan student leaders Galwewa Siridhamma Thero and Wasantha Mudalige, have been detained by the Sri Lankan authorities since 18 August 2022. On 21 August, authorities issued a Detention Order under the draconian anti-terror law, the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) to detain them for 90 days, amidst an ongoing crackdown on protesters by the authorities. Their families are concerned about their safety and worsening health as they continue to be detained without charge or trial under suspicion of acts of «terror» for over 75 days. All anti-terror charges must be dropped against Galwewa Siridhamma Thero and Wasantha Mudalige and stop the detention order from being extended.
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Human rights defender must be released
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Belarusian human rights defender Nasta (Anastasia) Loika remains arbitrarily detained serving her fourth 15-day administrative punishment since September. The authorities continue targeting Nasta Loika with fabricated allegations in retaliation for her human rights work. There are serious concerns for her safety and wellbeing following reports that she has been subjected to torture or other ill-treatment. She must be immediately released.
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Drop the charges against jailed activists
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Activists Oumar Sylla, Ibrahima Diallo and Saïkou Yaya Barry were arrested by the Guinean authorities on 30 July, solely for peacefully exercising their rights to freedom of expression and assembly. Oumar Sylla and Ibrahima Diallo are still detained at Conakry prison, waiting for their trial after they called for a protest on 28 July. On 12 October, Saïkou Yaya Barry was provisionally released under judicial control and evacuated to Tunis after his health deteriorated during his detention. The Guinean authorities must drop all charges and immediately and unconditionally release Oumar Sylla and Ibrahima Diallo.
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1'150 people at risk of forced displacement
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Jamila and Muhammad Abu Sabha and their six children are one of some 180 Palestinian families living in Masafer Yatta, in the south of the West Bank in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, who are at risk of forced displacement. Around 1'150 Palestinians, half of whom are children, currently live in nine villages that are slated for complete demolition. After 23 years of legal procedures, the Israeli Supreme Court concluded on 4 May 2022 that the eviction of Masafer Yatta’s inhabitants could go ahead. Israeli military activity in the area has increased since the court’s decision in May 2022, leading to fears that demolitions are imminent. Israel’s execution of this large-scale expulsion would amount to forcible transfer, which is a war crime and crime against humanity.
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Prisoner of conscience faces new charges
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Dual Danish-Bahraini national and prisoner of conscience Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja is serving a life sentence in prison for leading peaceful protests during the 2011 popular uprising in Bahrain. He is now facing a number of separate trials accused of breaking a plastic chair and insulting a police officer. All charges against Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja must be dropped as these new cases against him compound his unjust imprisonment for the peaceful exercise of his human rights.
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Two detained Baluchi teenagers tortured
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The Iranian authorities are arbitrarily detaining 18-year-old Maziar Shahbakhsh and 17-year-old minor Yasin Shahbakhsh, both from Iran’s oppressed Baluchi minority. Since their arrest, when both were children, the authorities have subjected them to torture and other ill-treatment, barred them from accessing their lawyers, and denied or severely limited their access to their families.
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