UN expert on human rights defenders to visit Bosnia and Herzegovina (Press Release)

The flag of Bosnia and Herzegovina flying from the top of a pole against a blue sky background.

Press Release: UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders Mary Lawlor will conduct a country visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina from 9 to 20 June 2025. 

The flag of Azerbaijan flying in the wind under a blue sky.

Press Release: UN independent experts express grave concern over the continued detention of Anar Mammadli, a prominent Azerbaijani human rights defender who was arbitrarily detained on 29 April 2024.

The flag of Azerbaijan flying in the wind under a blue sky.

This is the summary of a joint communication sent to the Government of Azerbaijan about the ongoing prosecution and detention of Anar Mammadli; the alleged deterioration of his health; the alleged lack of access to adequate healthcare, exercise, and nutrition; as well as the alleged lack of progress in providing a remedy and reparations for previous violations of his rights.

Western Sahara human rights defender Ali Salem Tamek stands in front of a dark door wearing a white and gold traditional Sahrawi attire. He smiles and raises both arms in a double peace sign gesture.

Ce qui suit est basé sur une communication conjointe envoyée au gouvernement marocain à propos d’allégations de harcèlement et d’attaques physiques, de menaces de nature politique, et d’actes de surveillances contre le défenseur des droits humains au Sahara occidental Ali Salem Tamek.

The flag of Bosnia and Herzegovina flying from the top of a pole against a blue sky background.

Call for input for the official country visit of the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders to Bosnia and Herzegovina in June 2025.

A close up photo of Bahraini blogger and human rights defender Naji Fateel smiling at the camera.

This is the summary of a joint communication sent to the Government of Bahrain about the threats received by human rights defender and blogger Naji Fateel following his release on pardon on 8 April 2024, as well as obstacles to the enjoyment of his economic and social rights.

The flag of Ethiopia flying in the wind against a blue sky background.

This is the summary of a joint communication sent to the Government of Ethiopia about the alarming increase at the end of 2024 in the cases of suspension of civil society organizations by the Authority for Civil Society Organizations (ACSO).

Three flags of Morocco are flying in the wind next to each other on a blue sky background.

Ce qui suit est basé sur une communication conjointe envoyée au Gouvernement du Maroc à propos de la répression des défenseurs des droits de l’homme, des journalistes et des porte-paroles de la contestation au Sahara occidental au cours des derniers mois.

The flag of Georgia floating in the wind against a blue sky background.

This is the summary of a joint communication sent to the Government of Georgia about the widespread violations of the human rights to security and liberty of person, freedom of expression and freedom of peaceful assembly in the context of the protests in Georgia in November and December 2024.

On 5 March 2025, I gave my opening remarks before the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. I was presenting my latest report: Out of Sight: Human rights defenders in rural, remote and isolated contexts, as well as my country visit reports on Algeria and Brazil.