Trial Monitoring of People v. Cansu Pişkin
Cansu Pişkin, a journalist for a Turkey newspaper, was criminally charged with “ma[king] a public servant into a target for terrorist organizations” after she published an online news on April 5, 2018 criticizing the government for its prosecution of student protesters.
Nigeria v. Egbeda 57
The 47 defendants in this case were among a group of 57 men rounded up and arrested at a hotel in Nigeria without a warrant. The men were arrested for alleged same-sex relationships, which is a violation of Nigeria’s 2013 “Same Sex Marriage Prohibition Act.”
Monitoring of the Trial of Marina Zolotova
Marina Zolotova is the editor-in-chief of the largest independent online news portal in Belarus, a country dominated by state and state-affiliated media. She was convicted after two weeks, and several elements of Ms. Zolotova’s prosecution raise concerns that the case was politically motivated.
Trial Monitoring of People v. Miti et al.
Between September and December 2018, TrialWatch monitored the trial of six activists in Zambia, who were arrested and charged in connection with an anti-corruption protest they organized in 2017. On December 21, 2018, the judge dismissed the charges and acquitted all six defendants.
Indonesia vs. Suzethe Margaret
Suzethe Margaret, a Catholic woman with schizophrenia, was prosecuted for blasphemy for bringing a dog into a mosque while wearing shoes. Her case reveals concerning deficits in how the Indonesian authorities respond to defendants with psychosocial disabilities in criminal proceedings.
Uganda v. The 67
In November 2019, 67 individuals were arrested in Uganda at Ram Bar, which was known as one of the only safe spaces for the LGBTQ+ community in Uganda. The defendants, who were among a larger group of 125 individuals rounded up at the bar, were charged with “common nuisance.”
Tunisia vs. Emna Chargui
In July 2020, the Clooney Foundation for Justice’s TrialWatch initiative monitored the criminal trial of Emna Chargui in Tunisia. The prosecution and conviction of Ms. Chargui on incitement charges for sharing a satirical poem online constituted a violation of her right to freedom of expression.
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region v. Tong Ying-kit
The trial of Tong Ying-kit, the first trial under the 2020 National Security Law in Hong Kong, undermined Tong Ying-kit’s fair trial and other human rights.
Monitoring of Mass Trial in Equatorial Guinea
From March to May 2019, the American Bar Association’s Center for Human Rights monitored a mass trial in Equatorial Guinea as part of the CFJ’s TrialWatch initiative. The proceedings concluded with the unjust conviction of 112 defendants for participation in an alleged coup attempt.
15 Post-Election Trials: A Window into Courts in Belarus
The proceedings against the 15 accused Belarusian citizens who protested the presidential election results reveal severe, systemic violations of the defendants’ right to a fair trial and right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.
Belarus v. Viktor Dmitrievich Babariko
On July 6, 2021, the Supreme Court of the Republic of Belarus convicted Viktor Dmitrievich Babariko, a leading opponent of incumbent Belarusian President Lukashenko during the 2020 Belarusian elections, of bribery and money laundering offenses. He was sentenced to a 14-year prison term.
Malaysia v. Malaysiakini and Steven Gan
From July 2020 to February 2021, the Clooney Foundation for Justice monitored contempt of court proceedings against the news outlet Malaysiakini and its editor-in-chief Steven Gan. Malaysiakini’s prosecution represents a shot across the bow to independent media outlets in Malaysia.
The Case of Paul Rusesabagina
The ABA Center for Human Rights has been monitoring criminal proceedings against Paul Rusesabagina in Rwanda since September 2020. This report details many aspects of the proceedings thus far which cause grave disquiet as to their fairness, and which may have irretrievably prejudiced the defense.
Kyrgyzstan v. Gulzhan Pasanova
Gulzhan Pasanova was prosecuted for and convicted of the offense of grievous bodily harm for fatally injuring her husband. Ms. Pasanova, who had been subjected to long-term domestic abuse by her husband, claimed she acted in self-defense.
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region v. 9 Pro-Democracy Protesters
The nine defendants in this case are all well-known pro-democracy figures in Hong Kong. On April 18, 2020, these nine individuals were arrested and charged with knowingly participating in and organising an unlawful assembly in violation of the Public Order Ordinance.