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Mauritania: 2013 Front Line Defenders Award Recipient Biram Dah Abeid Returns Home to Rapturous Welcome.posted on: 2013/06/18

The return of Biram Dah Abeid to Mauritania on 15 June 2013 was marked with a large celebration by his supporters. The human rights defender had been in Europe to publicise his anti-slavery campaign after being presented with the 2013 Front Line Award for Human Rights Defenders at risk by Irish President Michael D Higgins on 3 May 2013.

Russian Federation: Update – Human rights defender Ms Sapiyat Magomedova applies to have case reopenedposted on: 2013/06/18

On 14 June 2013 human rights defender Ms Sapiyat Magomedova submitted a complaint to the Sovietsky District Dourt of Makhachkala regarding the closure of the investigation into an alleged police attack on her on 17 June 2010.

Honduras: Update – Human rights defender Ms Berta Cáceres granted temporary stay in proceedings due to lack of evidenceposted on: 2013/06/18

On 13 June 2013, human rights defender Ms Berta Cáceres was granted a temporary stay in proceedings against her due to a lack of evidence. The human rights defender was accused of possession of an illegal fire-arm, which she said had been planted in her vehicle, in a trial that  took place in Santa Barbara, Western Honduras.

Zimbabwe: Trial of Human Rights Lawyer Beatrice Mtetwa Postponedposted on: 2013/06/18

Faced with a charge of “obstructing justice”, the trial against human rights lawyer Beatrice Mtetwa has been postponed until 29 June 2013. The charge against her relates to allegations that she used insulting language towards police officers as they performed a search in March of this year.

Vietnam: Joint Letter About Detained Human Rights Defender Le Quoc Quan Sent to John Kerryposted on: 2013/06/18

On 17 June 2013, a joint letter was sent to US Secretary of State John Kerry requesting that he raise the issue of the unlawful arrest of the prominent lawyer, blogger and human rights defender Le Quoc Quan with the Vietnamese Government at the ASEAN conference due to take place later this month.

Vigil held at Iranian Embassy Dublin to protest against authorities efforts to silence human rights defenders and activists in run up to Presidential Electionposted on: 2013/06/17

On 14 June 2013, a vigil was held outside the Iranian embassy in Dublin coinciding with the Presidential elections in Iran. The action, organised by Iran Group Ireland, aimed to demonstrate concern for the safety and security of human rights defenders and political activists as the government clampdown intensifies.

Cambodia: Update – Appeal court upholds conviction but reduces sentence of human rights defender Ms Yorm Bophaposted on: 2013/06/17

On 14 June 2013, the Court of Appeals in Phnom Penh upheld the conviction of housing rights defender Ms Yorm Bopha, but reduced her sentence from three to two years. The human rights defender was found guilty of “intentional violence with aggravating circumstances” on 27 December 2012 and sentenced to three years imprisonment. She will now serve the remainder of her sentence – fifteen months.

Egypt: Update – Sentence of human rights defender Mr Hassan Mustafa reducedposted on: 2013/06/17

On 15 June 2013, an appeal court in Alexandria upheld the conviction of human rights defender Mr Hassan Mustafa but reduced the sentence from two years to one year. Hassan Mustafa was arrested on 21 January 2013, on charges of assaulting a staff member of the Alexandria Prosecutor's Office, charges which he strongly denies.

Mexico: Update – Ongoing threats against human rights defender Mr Rubén Figueroa and non-implementation of security measuresposted on: 2013/06/13

Human rights defender Mr Rubén Figueroa, together with other staff members of the human rights organisation El Refugio para Personas Migrantes “La 72” (The “72” Refuge for Migrant Persons) has been forced to cease his activities with the centre indefinitely as a result of ongoing threats and the Government's inaction in terms of providing security measures.

Vigil at Iranian Embassy Dublin to protest against Iranian authorities attempt to silence human rights defenders and activists in run up to the June 14th presidential Electionposted on: 2013/06/13

As Iranians prepare to vote tomorrow Friday 14 June 2013 there is increasing concern for the safety and security of human rights defenders and political activists as the government clampdown intensifies. Dozens of lawyers, journalists, political activists, trade unionists and  advocates of greater rights for Iran’s religious and ethnic minorities have all been targeted.

Bangladesh: Update – Pre-trial detention of human rights defender Mr Mahmudur Rahman further extended and charges confirmedposted on: 2013/06/13

On 12 June 2013, the pre-trial detention of human rights defender Mr Mahmudur Rahman was extended for three days by Metropolitan Magistrate Mohammad Harunur Rashid, who confirmed the charges of inciting violence. The human rights defender was arrested on 11 April 2013, and was subjected to severe torture whilst in custody.

Russian Federation: Update- Duma adopts bill banning 'propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations'posted on: 2013/06/12

On 11 June 2013, the Russian State Duma (lower chamber of Parliament) adopted in two final readings a federal law banning the 'propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations' among minors. The bill was adopted by an overwhelming majority of 436-0, with one abstention. The bill passed in first reading on 25 January 2013 under the title of 'propaganda of homosexuality among minors'.

Honduras: Campaign of Intimidation Against Human Rights Defender Dina Meza Highlighted by The Independent (UK)posted on: 2013/06/11

“It made me angry, the injustice. I knew then that I had to cover human rights abuses. I never had any choice!” - Dina Meza

Guatemala: Update – Release of human rights defender Mr Rubén Herreraposted on: 2013/06/11

On 30 May 2013, two court cases were heard against human rights defender Mr Rubén Herrera at the Supreme Court in Guatemala City, following which he was released, pending a new trial in six months' time.

Azerbaijan: High Representative Catherine Ashton and Commissioner Štefan Füle “disappointed” by amendments to the Criminal Code posted on: 2013/06/11

On 6 June 2013, the spokespersons of Catherine Ashton, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, and Štefan Füle, EU Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy made a statement on the approval of amendments to the Criminal Code in Azerbaijan which will establish punitive measures against slander and insult on the internet.