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Uyghur student detained for posting protest video: Kamile Wayit, a Uyghur student studying in Henan, was taken away by the police on 12 December 2022, after she returned to her home in Atush, Xijiang, for a holiday. In November 2022, Kamile posted a video on WeChat about the «A4 protests» that took place across China after a fire in Urumqi. Soon after that, Kamile’s father received a warning call from the police and she deleted the post, which is believed to be one of the reasons for her detention. Kamile has now been detained for more than four months. Without access to her family or a lawyer of her choice, it is possible that Kamila might be subjected to torture and other ill-treatment.
Human rights activists must be released: King Mwamisyo and Elias Bizimungu are two activists with the citizens’ movement, LUCHA in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). They were arrested in April and September 2022, respectively, on trumped-up charges solely for peacefully exercising their rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly after criticising the military and police authorities in the eastern province of Nord-Kivu for failing to protect the people under their jurisdiction and for being complicit in human rights violations under the «state of siege» since May 2021. They are prisoners of conscience that must be released immediately and unconditionally.
Education activist arbitrarily arrested: Matiullah Wesa was arbitrarily arrested by the Taliban’s General Directorate of Intelligence (GDI) on 27 March 2023, while returning from evening prayer at the mosque. Following the arrest, the GDI raided his house the next day and confiscated his personal mobile and laptop. On 29 March, the Taliban spokesperson confirmed his arrest, accusing him of illegal activities. His family have not been allowed to visit him and there has been no avenue to challenge the legality of his detention.
Free journalist sentenced to five years: On 2 April, the tribunal of Sidi M'hamed in Algiers convicted prominent Algerian journalist Ihsane El Kadi to five years in prison, of which two suspended, a fine of 700'000 Algerian dinars (around USD 5,150), and ordered the dissolution of his media company, one of the last media outlets in the country, and a fine of 10 million Algerian dinars (around USD 73'862). He was convicted on charges of «receiving funds for political propaganda» and «harming the national security of the state», solely for investing money sent to him by his daughter into his media company and exercising his work of journalist. His conviction is a clear violation of his right to freedom of expression and the latest example of the Algerian authorities tightening their grip on critical voices and the independent media. He must be released immediately and unconditionally, and his conviction must be quashed.
Woman detainee needs vital health care: Emirlendris Benítez is a 42 year-old mother, sister and tradeswoman who in August 2018 was arbitrarily detained for political reasons and subjected to torture in Venezuela. She now faces an unjust 30-year prison sentence in inhumane detention conditions and needs urgent medical care, including a comprehensive diagnosis and holistic treatment for the severe aftereffects she carries because of the torture she was subjected to since her arrest and during a period of incommunicado detention. We call for Emirlendris to be released, and while in custody, for authorities to guarantee the adequate and trusted medical care she urgently needs.
Conscientious objector detained in Israel: 20-year-old Yuval Dag is serving a 20-day detention order at Neve Tzedek military prison in Tel Aviv for refusing to enlist in the Israeli army to which he was summoned for compulsory service. He was first arrested and detained for 10 days after refusing a conscription summons at Metzudat military base on 20 March. He had made his objection to military service on grounds of conscience clear prior to the summons date, but the army considered his refusal to be disobeying of orders. Days after his release, on 2 April, he was summoned and refused to enlist again, receiving another detention order, this time for 20 days. Yuval Dag is a prisoner of conscience. The Israeli authorities should release him immediately and unconditionally.
Refugees and migrants face criminalization: On 10 April 2023, the Commission on Citizen Security of the Chilean Chamber of Deputies began its discussion of a bill that criminalizes refugees and migrants in Chile who lack a regular migratory status. If approved, the law would impose prison sentences to those found guilty of irregular entry and stay in the country. This bill builds on policies and practices in Chile that violate the right to seek asylum and would put refugees and migrants at heightened risk of further human rights violations, including arbitrary detention. We demand the Chilean congress rejects this bill.
Millions of schoolgirls at risk of poisoning: The rights to education, health and life of millions of schoolgirls are at risk amid ongoing chemical gas attacks deliberately targeting girls’ schools in Iran. Since November 2022, thousands of schoolgirls have been poisoned and hospitalized. The authorities have failed to adequately investigate and end the attacks and dismissed girls’ symptoms as «stress», «excitement» and/or «mental contagion».
Urgent healthcare needed for jailed activist: On 13 January, activist Tanaice Neutro was arrested in connection to videos he recorded where he called the president a «clown» and the authorities «ignorant». He was tried in October 2022 and handed a suspended sentence of 15 months for causing outrage against state symbols. The judge, however, ordered his immediate release on health grounds. It has been six months since the ruling, but he remains in prison. Tanaice Neutro is in severe physical and mental pain and the prison authorities have not provided the necessary medical care he requires. The Angolan authorities must release him immediately and unconditionally.
Protect human rigths defender at risk: On 10 April, at around 5:30 pm, an explosive device was found 5 meters away from the front door of the office of the Santander’s (North) Regional Corporation for the Defence of Human Rights (CREDHOS in Spanish) According to the National Police, the explosive artefact was placed by the National Liberation Army (ELN in Spanish). On 11 April, while accompanying an administrative police procedure in the area known as «Finca El Hebron» in Barrancabermeja, staff members of CREDHOS were shot by armed civilians. We urge the president of Colombia to ensure the protection of CREDHOS.
Halt unlawful Singapore drug-related execution: The authorities of Singapore are poised to execute Tangaraju s/o Suppiah on 26 April 2023. Tangaraju was convicted of abetting the trafficking of approximately 1kg of cannabis and sentenced to the mandatory death penalty. His conviction relies mainly on statements from his police interrogation, taken without a lawyer and interpreter present, and the testimony of his two co-accused, one of which had his charges dismissed. The government of Singapore must halt his execution and commute his sentence and establish an official moratorium on all executions as a first step towards full abolition of the death penalty.
Free Gaza aid worker sentenced to 12 years: On 15 June 2022, Mohammed al-Halabi, Gaza director of humanitarian aid and development organization World Vision, was convicted of diverting millions of dollars to the Hamas administration, which Israel considers a terrorist group. On 30 August 2022 he was sentenced to 12 years in prison, after having spent already six years in detention. He was interrogated without legal representation, allegedly tortured, tried in secret hearings, and convicted on secret evidence that heavily relied on a coerced statement. His appeal hearing is scheduled for 17 May. Amnesty International considers that Mohammed al-Halabi has been unjustly targeted and tried in an unfair trial. He must be released or tried in proceedings that meet international fair trial standards.
Ecuadorian human rights defender Pablo Fajardo stigmatized: On April 26, 2023, in the Ecuadorian National Assembly, the Minister of Energy and Mines of Ecuador accused the lawyer of the Union of People Affected by Texaco (UDAPT), Pablo Fajardo Mendoza, of being an «international criminal» for his defense of human rights, mainly of indigenous peoples and communities, against the impacts of oil company operations in the Ecuadorian Amazon. Contrary to its obligations to provide a safe environment for the defense of human rights, the Ecuadorian State continues to defame and stigmatize human rights defenders, especially those who oppose the impacts of oil industry operations and support climate justice.
Missouri’s third execution of year imminent: Michael Tisius is scheduled to be executed in Missouri, USA, on 6 June 2023. He was sentenced to death for two murders committed on 22 June 2000. Now 42 years old, he was 19 at the time of the crime, emerging from a childhood of abuse and neglect. He has been diagnosed with neurological deficits and brain dysfunction, post-traumatic stress disorder and dependent personality disorder. Experts have concluded that an older man exploited Michael Tisius’s immaturity and psychological damage to involve him in the crime. The governor of Missouri should halt the execution and commute his death sentence.
Activist jailed for 25 years for anti-war views: Vladimir Kara-Murza is a prominent Russian political activist and journalist. He was arrested in April 2022 and prosecuted for his criticism of the Russian aggression against Ukraine and for his human rights activism. He was charged with «high treason», «dissemination of false information about the Armed Forces» and «cooperation with an undesirable organization». On 17 April, he was convicted and sentenced to 25 years in prison. Vladimir Kara-Murza has serious health problems — he was reportedly diagnosed with polyneuropathy of his both feet. Amnesty International considers Vladimir Kara-Murza a prisoner of conscience. He must be immediately and unconditionally released, and his conviction quashed.

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