SAUDIA ARABIA: Execution Imminent - URGENT ACTION

Amnesty International, USA, 6-8-2021

Mustafa al-Darwish, a young Saudi Arabian man, is at high risk of being executed imminently after his case was referred to the Presidency of State Security and his death sentence upheld by the Supreme Court. 

Mustafa Al-Darwish was arrested in 2015 for allegedly participating in anti-government riots in the Shi’a majority Eastern Province. According to court documents, he was subjected to prolonged pre-trial detention, torture and grossly unfair trial. Amnesty International urges King Salman not to ratify the death sentence and order the relevant judicial bodies to quash his conviction and re-try him in line with international fair trial standards.

CLICK to TAKE ACTION

  

BELARUS: Journalist Unlawfully Arrested - URGENT ACTION

Amnesty International, May 27, 2021

Exiled Belarusian journalist and government critic, Raman Pratasevich, was unlawfully arrested on May 23, 2021 by the Belarusian authorities along with his partner Sofia Sapega, a Russian national. 

Their Athens-Vilnius flight was diverted and forced to land in Minsk under false pretext. Raman Pratasevich was wanted by the Belarusian authorities on trumped-up “terrorism” charges solely for his journalistic work. 

If convicted, Raman Pratasevich is facing up to 20 years' imprisonment. A televised “confession” may indicate torture and other ill-treatment.

CLICK HERE to TAKE ACTION

  

IRAN: NEW PRISON SENTENCE for HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDER - NEW

Amnesty International, IRAN, 5-28-2021

A court in Iran has given human rights defender Narges Mohammadi a new prison sentence, 80 lashes and fines. This outrageous sentence has been imposed solely for her peaceful human rights activism. @Khamenei_fa must quash her sentence and remove her travel ban NOW! 

CLICK to LEARN MORE

EGYPT: ACTIVIST AND LAWYER HELD IN CRUEL CONDITIONS - URGENT ACTION

Amnesty International, USA, 5-26-2021.

Human rights lawyer Mohamed el-Baqer and activist Alaa Abdel Fattah have been arbitrarily detained for 20 months without trial over unfounded terrorism-related accusations. They are held in a maximum-security prison in inhumane conditions and subjected to discriminatory and punitive treatment.

CLICK HERE TO TAKE ACTION

  

IRAN: Saba Kord Afshari Goes on Hunger Strike in Prison - NEWS

National Iranian American Council, May 2021.

Iranian women’s rights activist, Saba Lord Afshari, was arrested in June 2019 for her activism against Iran’s enforced dress code, including compulsory hijab that all women in Iran must don in public.  Though initially sentenced to 24-years in prison for “encouraging corruption and prostitution” and “propaganda against the state” her sentence was reduced to 7.5 years. 

Any punishment for the simple act of removing her headscarf in public and for advocating for women’s freedom is an affront to basic human rights.

CLICK to LEARN MORE (click under news & publications and scroll down)

IRAN: Video - Stop Executions in the Islamic Republic

 

In November 2019, protests broke out against the dictatorship in Iran. The response of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s dictatorship was a brutal crackdown on protesters, including violence, mass arrests, and executions. In her talk, Iranian journalist and human rights activist Masih Alinejad speaks about the dictatorship’s execution of those involved in protests, and how it is being used as a tool of intimidation against those that dare to speak out.

The Oslo Freedom Forum is a global event series presented by the Human Rights Foundation (HRF).

USA: Stop Imminent Execution - URGENT ACTION

Amnesty International, USA, 5-14-2021.

Quintin Jones’ execution is scheduled for May 19, 2021. He is on death row in Texas, USA in connection with the 1999 murder of his 83-year-old great aunt when he was just 20 years old. 

The sentencing jury was presented with a since discredited theory regarding his “future dangerousness”, which proved to be a key factor leading to his death sentence. 

His first postconviction attorney filed both the state habeas application and federal habeas petition late, which prevented meaningful review of his case. The victim’s sister and great-nephew have called for clemency for Jones. We urge Governor Abbott to grant clemency.

CLICK HERE to TAKE ACTION