Urgent Action: Halt plans to reinstate the death penalty in The Philippines
The House of Representatives and Senate of the Philippines will consider and vote on draft legislation to reintroduce the death penalty from as early as 13 December.
Urgent Action: Two Palestinian human rights defenders on trial
Palestinian human rights defenders Farid al-Atrash and Issa Amro face charges in an Israeli military court relating to their rights to freedom of expression and assembly. Both face time in prison if found guilty.
Urgent Action: One year in prison for denouncing corruption in Algeria
An Algerian court sentenced journalist Hassan Bouras to a year in prison and fines for a video denouncing corruption of local officials in the city of El Bayadh. He is a prisoner of conscience.
Urgent Action: Health concern for prisoner of conscience in Myanmar
Aung Win Hlaing, a member of the National Democratic Force party in Myanmar, has been sentenced to nine months in prison for a Facebook post critical of the President.
Urgent Action update: Sentenced to 10 years for graffiti protest in Azerbaijan
Azerbaijani youth activist Bayram Mammadov was sentenced to 10 years in prison on 8 December for a graffiti protest. Fellow activist Giyas Ibrahimov was also sentenced to 10 years in prison on 25 October.
Urgent Action: Independent journalist tortured, facing jail in Turkmenistan
Journalist Khudayberdy Allashov was detained on 3 December, together with his wife and mother, in Turkmenistan. He is accused of possessing chewing tobacco, which is a criminal offence, and faces up to seven years in prison if convicted. His mother also remains in detention.
Urgent Action update: Worrying escalation in the crackdown on NGOs in Egypt
A spurious investigation into Egyptian human rights organizations has escalated. On 7 December, prominent women’s rights defender and lawyer Azza Soliman was arrested and charged.
Urgent Action: Demand commutation for Chelsea Manning in USA
Chelsea Manning was sentenced to 35 years in prison after disclosing classified information – some of which pointed to potential human rights violations – after a trial marred by due process shortcomings. President Obama must commute her sentence before he leaves office.
UA good news: Man returned to Sudan from France, other no longer at risk
One of the two Sudanese nationals at risk of being illegally returned to Sudan from France was released on 22 November and is not at immediate risk.
UA update: Circus performer held in administrative detention in Israel/OPT
The High Court of Israel accepted to review the case of Mohammad Faisal Abu Sakha but, in a 5 December hearing, his lawyer decided to withdraw the petition after the judges indicated that they believed there was enough “evidence” in a secret file to justify his detention.