Update: Court Terminates Last Case against Kenyan Human Rights Defender Joel Ogada
On Monday 21 September 2015, a Malindi court terminated a case in which the Kenyan Human Rights Defender (HRD) Joel Ogada had been charged with forcible detainer under section 91 of the Criminal Procedure Code in 2013. The case has not proceeded due to lack of witnesses. When the matter came up for hearing, the prosecutor indicated he could not […]
Update: Kenyan Human Rights Defender Joel Ogada Released from Prison
Kenyan Human Rights Defender (HRD) Joel Ogada was finally released on Wednesday 16th September 2015, exactly sixteen (16) months since he was convicted of arson on 16th May 2014. Mr. Ogada, a farmer in the Marereni area of Kilifi County, off the Kenyan Coast, was sentenced to seven (7) years’ imprisonment. This sentence was reduced to two […]
Women Who Defend Human Rights – Irene Petras
The human rights record of Zimbabwe is a tainted one. Despite challenges, Zimbabwe has a dedicated human rights community, Irene Petras tells us. Irene is the Executive Director of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR). She tells us about the context in which human rights defenders must work in Zimbabwe. Irene joined ZLHR in 2002 and has […]
Protection Journal #4: Protecting your life, my life, our lives
This manual focuses on the work and the protection of women human rights defenders and is the fruit of reflexion and testimonies that they have shared with us over years of experience. Available in English and Spanish. The Protection Manual number 4, from the series published by UDEFEGUA and PI, is dedicated to the defenders. […]
Burundi: PI participates with the National Independent Human Rights Commission (CNIDH) to support the protection of human rights defenders
Burundi: The National Independent Human Rights Commission (CNIDH) invited Protection International to a roundtable to discuss the issues affecting HRDs in the country and to analyze the contents of a draft public law to protect HRDs, prepared by the CNIDH. Protection International contributed by sharing its expertise in the following areas: • Provide details of similar legislative processes […]
Human Rights Defender Joel Ogada awaits appeal decision
Conflicts around natural resources are globally on the increase. In many countries, environmental defenders suffer severe threats and assaults. To counter these alarming developments, IUCN NL, Protection International, and the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs will host a three-day event, to be held from 8 to 10 December in The Hague. “The aim is to […]
Conference Dec 8-10 on the safety of environmental defenders
Conflicts around natural resources are globally on the increase. In many countries, environmental defenders suffer severe threats and assaults. To counter these alarming developments, IUCN NL, Protection International, and the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs will host a three-day event, to be held from 8 to 10 December in The Hague. “The aim is to […]
Burundi: Serious threats to FOCODE and its President Pacifique Ninahazwe
Pacifique Nininahazwe, one of the leading representatives of Burundian civil society and of the NGO of which he is the President, Forum pour la Conscience et le Développement(FOCODE), has for the last three weeks been the target of anonymous telephone calls and messages on social media making serious threats to him personally and to his family. These […]
UPDATE: Bail of Kenyan Human Rights Defender Joel Ogada denied
Nairobi, 6 November 2014- On 6 October, the magistrate at the Malindi Law Courts denied the application for bail pending the appeal of human rights defender Joel Ogada. Kenyan human rights defender Joel Ogada has faced multiple charges in several court cases. In the latest case (criminal case 41/2013), Ogada has been charged with arson and […]
Kenya Media Working Group Publishes Protocol on Safety and Protection of Journalists
In cooperation with Protection International, the Kenya Media Working Group has published a Protocol on the Safety and Protection of Journalists in Kenya. This safety manual, published in both English and Swahili, contains essential guidelines for ensuring the general safety and security of journalists. It aims to provide journalists and media houses with tips and […]