Category: Fair Trial
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Pakistan’s Military Courts Must Not Be Allowed to Override Civilian Justice
Pakistan’s use of military courts to try civilians has become one of the country’s most serious ongoing human rights concerns. Human rights organizations warned in May 2026 that the Supreme Court’s 2025 ruling upholding such trials severely undermined the rights to liberty and fair trial by allowing civilians to be prosecuted in secret proceedings before…
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The Case of Bugra Baldan – A Cry for Justice in Turkey
“I am innocent, but no one hears me.” This is not only a statement, but a desperate cry for help from an innocent human being — and a reflection of the deep-rooted injustice prevailing in today’s Turkey. Burak Baldan, a decorated Turkish military pilot, was recognised throughout his career for his outstanding achievements and service…
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Dawit Isaak – The world’s longest imprisoned journalist
In 1993, Eritrea gained its independence from Ethiopia. After that, many of its refugees and migrants returned back to Eritrea, hoping for a better country. Dawit Isaak, a journalist and a writer, who sought refuge and granted citizenship in Sweden was one of them. After his return, he co-founded Eritrea’s first independent newspaper, Setit. The…
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Rwanda Opposition Leader Victoire Ingabire Re-Arrested Amid Human Rights Concerns
Victoire Ingabire Umuhoza, an opposition leader in Rwanda, was re-arrested in June 2025. Ingabire, who returned from exile in 2010 to participate in the country’s presidential elections and spent many years in prison, had continued her opposition activities through peaceful means following her release. Authorities stated that she was taken into custody on charges of…
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Chad’s Democratic Decline: The Silencing of Opposition Voices
The recent arrest of opposition leader Succès Masra in Chad has sparked widespread concern over the erosion of democratic principles and the deterioration of human rights in the country. Masra, a former prime minister and leader of the opposition party Transformers, was detained on charges related to a violent clash in Logone Occidental province, which…
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Unjust Arrest of Ayşe Barım: A Violation of Human Rights and the Rule of Law
Ayşe Barım is the founder of ID Iletisim and a well-known manager of many famous actors in Turkiye. In early January 2025, various allegations surfaced in the media regarding her dual role as both a casting director and a manager. Some industry figures argued that this situation created a conflict of interest and was unethical,…
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Justice and Accountability After the 2023 Turkey Earthquake: Challenges and Unresolved Questions
The February 6, 2023, earthquakes in Turkey exposed widespread construction malpractices and regulatory failures, leading to thousands of deaths and massive destruction. Investigations revealed that many buildings collapsed due to the use of substandard materials and negligence in enforcing earthquake-resistant regulations. Corruption played a major role, as permits and inspections were often bypassed, allowing unsafe…
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The Case of Akin Öztürk: Violations of Human Rights and Arbitrary Detention
On 15 July 2016, during the events of the so-called coup attempt in Türkiye, Akin Öztürk, former Commander of the Turkish Air Force, returned to Ankara from his annual leave, which he had spent at a military summer facility in İzmir. His return was prompted by his wife’s health issues. That evening, he received a…
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Osman Kavala
Osman Kavala is a well-known philanthropist and rights advocate in Turkey. Yet, he has been behind bars for over 86 months (over 7 years), and his case has come to symbolize the decline of human rights and judicial independence in the country. Kavala’s imprisonment is not just an isolated case but a reflection of the…
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Targeted for Activism: Hossam Bahgat Faces Escalating Charges in Egypt’s Crackdown on Dissent
Hossam Bahgat, a leading figure in Egypt’s human rights movement and founder of the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR), continues to face systematic state harassment. Over the years, Bahgat has been targeted with legal challenges and punitive measures for his outspoken advocacy for civil liberties and democracy. Most recently, in January 2025, he was…