Press Release Dec 2, 2024 HRF celebrates the release of Iranian dissident rapper Toomaj Salehi Iranian dissident rapper Toomaj Salehi was released on Sunday after spending 753 days in arbitrary detention.
Press Release Nov 27, 2024 HRF Submits Joint UNWGAD Petition for Thai Pro-Democracy Activist Sopon ‘Get’ Surariddhidhamrong In early November, the Human Rights Foundation (HRF) and Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR) submitted a joint petition to the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (UNWGAD) on behalf of Thai pro-democracy activist Sopon “Get” Surariddhidhamrong, who is serving a total prison term of eight years and six months for criticizing the Thai monarchy.
Press Release Oct 17, 2024 HRF Brings UN Attention to Rights Abuses in Two Countries Last week, the Human Rights Foundation (HRF) submitted contributions to the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) regarding Laos and Türkiye.
Strategy Advocacy We advocate for human rights defenders through multi-pronged campaigns, videos, op-eds, and Universal Periodic Review submissions to the UN Human Rights Council, among other means. By drawing global attention to our clients’ cases, we increase pressure on regimes that suppress dissent by taking political prisoners, for instance. Our work shines a light on the injustices of authoritarianism.
Strategy Litigation We litigate on behalf of prisoners of conscience before international courts and semi-judicial bodies. Our team of international attorneys takes cases to the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention and other international bodies to secure positive outcomes for our clients. Using international law, we argue for our clients’ release, to ensure that their rights are respected.
Press Release Sep 13, 2024 HRF calls for the unconditional release of Indian human rights activist Umar Khalid On the fourth anniversary of his arrest and at the beginning of his highly anticipated trial, the Human Rights Foundation (HRF) calls on the Indian government to immediately release activist Umar Khalid from his excessively long and arbitrary pretrial detention.
Press Release Aug 28, 2024 HRF Submits UNWGAD Petition for Two Former Swazi Lawmakers On Monday, the Human Rights Foundation (HRF) submitted a petition to the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (UNWGAD) on behalf of former Swazi lawmakers Mduduzi Bacede Mabuza and Mthandeni Dube, who were sentenced to heavy prison terms for their pro-democracy advocacy.
Video Series Aug 26, 2024 The Case of Toomaj Salehi Rapper and human rights activist, Toomaj Salehi was sentenced to death under bogus charges due to his songs, activism and speaking out against the Iranian regime. HRF submitted a petition to the United Nation’s Working Group on Arbitrary Detention on Toomaj’s behalf asking for his unconditional release.
Press Release Aug 20, 2024 HRF Succeeds in UN Petition: Rwanda Condemned for Unlawful Detention of Nine Dissidents The Human Rights Foundation (HRF) welcomes the decision of the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (UNWGAD) deeming the 2021 arrest and imprisonment of nine Rwandan dissidents arbitrary and in violation of international law.
Press Release Aug 13, 2024 HRF submits petition to the UN for Singaporean activist Jolovan Wham Last month, the Human Rights Foundation (HRF) submitted an individual complaint to the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (UNWGAD) on the case of Singaporean human rights activist Jolovan Wham.
Press Release Aug 1, 2024 HRF Welcomes the Release of Vladimir Kara-Murza The Human Rights Foundation (HRF) welcomes the release of prominent Russian opposition leader and pro-democracy advocate Vladimir Kara-Murza, along with other prisoners of conscience in Russia.
Press Release Jul 30, 2024 HRF Submits Petition to United Nations on Egyptian Human Rights Activist Ahmed Amasha This month, the Human Rights Foundation (HRF) submitted a petition to the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (UNWGAD) on behalf of Ahmed Amasha, an Egyptian veterinarian, environmentalist, and human rights activist.
Press Release Jul 25, 2024 HRF submits petition to UNWGAD for Karakalpak activist Dauletmurat Tazhimuratov Last week, the Human Rights Foundation (HRF) submitted a petition to the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (UNWGAD) on behalf of Dauletmurat Tazhimuratov, a lawyer, journalist, and human rights defender in the Karakalpak autonomous region of Uzbekistan.
Press Release Jul 23, 2024 HRF submits joint petition to the United Nations on behalf of Iranian dissident rapper Toomaj Salehi Last week, the Human Rights Foundation (HRF) submitted an individual complaint to the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (UNWGAD) in the case of Iranian dissident rapper Toomaj Salehi in conjunction with Doughty Street Chambers and Index on Censorship.
Press Release Jul 19, 2024 HRF Brings UN Attention to Rights Abuses in Three Countries Last week, the Human Rights Foundation (HRF) submitted contributions to the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) regarding Bolivia, Iraq, and Kazakhstan.
Video Series Jul 12, 2024 The Case of Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Aliou Sané In the lead-up to the 2024 presidential elections in Senegal, concern and uncertainty over whether President Macky Sall would pursue a third, unconstitutional term, along with his regime’s efforts to bar opposition leader Ousmane Sonko from the polls, fueled popular discontent, protests, and a wave of repression on dissent.
Press Release Jun 25, 2024 Iran Supreme Court Overturns Toomaj Salehi’s Death Sentence On June 22, Iran’s Supreme Court overturned the death sentence of Iranian hip-hop artist and Havel Prize Laureate Toomaj Salehi.
Press Release Jun 24, 2024 HRF submits joint petition to UNWGAD for Belarusian activist Palina Sharenda-Panasiuk In late May, the Human Rights Foundation (HRF) and the Human Rights Center Viasna (Viasna) submitted a joint petition to the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (UNWGAD) on behalf of well-known Belarusian pro-democracy activist Palina Sharenda-Panasiuk.
Press Release Jun 17, 2024 HRF submits joint petition to the United Nations on behalf of Russian opposition leader Vladimir Kara-Murza On June 3, the Human Rights Foundation (HRF) submitted an individual complaint to the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (UNWGAD) in the case of Russian opposition leader and pro-democracy advocate Vladimir Kara-Murza, along with the Centre de la Protection Internationale (CPI), Freedom House, Free Russia Foundation (FRF), Global Justice Advisors, McCain Institute, and the Raoul Wallenberg Centre for Human Rights (RWCHR).