Russia vs. Aleksey Navalny
Just weeks after returning to Russia from Germany—where he had been recuperating from having been poisoned—Russian opposition leader Aleksey Navalny was tried and convicted of slander.
Kazakhstan v. Aigul Utepova
Aigul Utepova was involuntarily committed to a psychiatric clinic, unjustly convicted under abusive anti-extremism laws, and banned from carrying out her profession as a journalist, should have her conviction reversed.
The Crime of Sedition: At the Crossroads of Reform and Resurgence
The use of sedition laws has escalated in recent years in several countries as a way to stifle dissent and restrict free speech, concludes this report by the Clooney Foundation for Justice’s TrialWatch initiative.
Turkey vs. Ahmet Tuna Altınel
During a visit to Turkey, Ahmet Tuna Altınel’s passport was seized. When he inquired as to its whereabouts, he was arrested on suspicion of “propaganda for a terrorist organization,” soon thereafter charged with “membership in a terrorist organization,” and detained for nearly three months.
The Trial of the Peacock Generation Troupe: Myanmar
The Peacock Generation troupe performs thangyat, a traditional form of slam poetry that functions as social criticism. Six out of the seven members were convicted after an April 2019 performance making jokes about the military and criticizing the military’s role in politics.
Morocco v. Hajar Raissouni et al.
At Hajar Raissouni’s trial on charges of non-marital intercourse and abortion, Ms. Raissouni was denied critical rights protected by the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, including her right to a hearing before an independent and impartial tribunal.
Thailand v. Does 1-5 of the Organization for Thai Federation
The trial against five individuals for their alleged membership in a “secret society”— the Organization for Thai Federation, which advocates for a republican system of government in Thailand—was marred by serious procedural violations of the right to a fair trial.
Government of Thailand & Chaiwat Limlikhitaksorn v. Wuth Boonlert & Samak Donnapee
Wut Boonlert, an indigenous rights activist, and Samak Donnapee, a retired national park officer, were charged with criminal defamation due to social media posts that, according to the prosecution, suggested a government official was misusing national forest land for private gain.
Russian Federation v. Mikhail Benyash
In December 2018, well-known human rights lawyer Mikhail Benyash was criminally indicted for allegedly assaulting police officers who had arrested him in connection with a protest. The evidence, however, suggested that it was in fact Mr. Benyash who had been assaulted by the police.
El Salvador: The Case Against Evelyn Hernandez
Evelyn Hernandez was prosecuted for aggravated homicide based on an obstetric emergency she suffered while giving birth. Although Ms. Hernandez was acquitted, her retrial was marred by due process violations.
El Salvador: The Case Against Diana
Diana was prosecuted for aggravated homicide in connection with an out-of-hospital delivery. Although the San Salvador court ultimately dismissed the charges against Diana for lack of evidence, the authorities’ conduct throughout the proceedings violated a number of her rights.
Uganda v. Stella Nyanzi
From March to August 2019, the ABA Center for Human Rights monitored the criminal trial of academic and prominent women’s and LGBTQ rights activist Dr. Stella Nyanzi. The prosecution and conviction of Dr. Nyanzi for political speech constituted a violation of her right to freedom of expression.
Turkey v. Veysel Ok
The Clooney Foundation for Justice monitored the trial of Turkish free speech lawyer Veysel Ok, which concluded on September 12, 2019. Mr. Ok was charged with insulting the judiciary for giving a newspaper interview in which he commented on the erosion of judicial independence in Turkey.
Cambodia vs. Uon Chhin and Yeang Sothearin
In 2017, after Radio Free Asia shut down its Phnom Penh operations due to a government crackdown on the media, Cambodia charged the two former RFA journalists with espionage, an offense carrying a sentence of up to 15 years in prison.
Trial Monitoring of Proceedings against Ahmed Manseri
Ahmed Manseri was charged with criminal defamation after filing a complaint against the head of the Tiaret police for assault. The alleged assault occurred in mid-2016, when Mr. Manseri was detained by the police in apparent retaliation for his work as a human rights activist.