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Cambodia: Arbitrary arrest of human rights defender Mr Kuch Vengposted on: 2013/05/21

On 19 May 2013, human rights defender Mr Kuch Veng was arrested by four police officers at Kbal Trach commune, Krako district, Pursat village. Kuch Veng is a land rights activist and is a member of the Community Peace Network.

Belarus: Update – Abuse of prison regulations against imprisoned human rights defender Mr Ales Bialiatskiposted on: 2013/05/20

On 16 May 2013, the wife of human rights defender Mr Ales Bialiatski went to the Bobruysk colony No.2, where her husband has been held since February 2012, in order to bring him a food parcel. However, the food parcel was refused by prison officials, who informed her that in March 2013 Ales Bialiatski's right to receive food from visitors had been suspended for six months.

China: Update - Two More Jiangxi Human Rights defenders facing subversion chargesposted on: 2013/05/17

On 16 May 2013 it emerged that human rights defenders Messrs Li Sihua and Wei Zhongping, in custody since 27 April 2013, are to face charges of 'inciting subversion of state power'.

Kenya: Charges still pending against human rights defenders Messrs Francis Sakwa, John Abok and Patrick Kamotho.posted on: 2013/05/16

On 15 May 2013, human rights defenders Messrs Francis Sakwa, John Abok and Patrick Kamotho, along with thirteen other protesters, were released from Nairobi parliament police station on free bond pending their reporting back to the station on 17 May 2013 at 8am. The group had been held on charges of cruelty to animals after participating in a protest in which a pig and a dozen piglets were released outside the Kenyan parliament to voice concern over MPs demanding higher salaries.

Bangladesh: Update – Hunger strike and Reported torture of Mahmudur Rahman whilst in detentionposted on: 2013/05/14

On 7 May 2013, Front Line Defenders learned that the High Court Division of the Supreme Court rejected a petition by human rights defender Mr Mahmudur Rahman challenging the decision to place him under police remand without adequate measures in place to ensure his physical health. The human rights defender's wife had argued that the decision violated the High Court's directives concerning pre-trial detention, but the Attorney General claimed that the human rights defender's wife could not file a written petition.

Thailand: Ongoing detention of human rights defender Mr Somyot Prueksakasemsukposted on: 2013/05/14

On 8 May 2013, the lawyer of human rights defender and magazine editor Mr Somyot Prueksakasemsuk submitted an application to the Supreme Court in Bangkok to refute the ruling by the Appeal Court rejecting his previous application. On 3 April 2013, the Appeal Court had rejected the lawyer's application for Somyot Prueksakasemsuk to exercise his right to bail. Somyot Prueksakasemsuk was sentenced to 10 years in jail by the Court of First Instance on 23 January 2013 on charges of publishing two articles with negative references to the Thai monarchy under the lèse majesté law.

China: Human rights defender and anti-corruption activist Ms Liu Ping  “criminally detained” posted on: 2013/05/09

On 7 May 2013 human rights defender Ms Liu Ping was  “criminally detained” for 'inciting subversion of state power' in Xinyu, Jiangxi province.

Bahrain: Update - Alleged torture of human rights defender Naji Fateel whilst in detentionposted on: 2013/05/09

On 5 May 2013 human rights defender and blogger Mr Naji Fateel was transferred to the Dry Dock prison in Bahrain where he is suffering from several injuries due to torture whilst he was in detention. The human rights defender was arrested at dawn on 2 May 2013, and was only allowed to contact his family to inform them he was in the Criminal Investigation Building two days later, on the evening of 4 May 2013.

China: Daughter of human rights defender Mr Zhang Lin denied permission to attend schoolposted on: 2013/04/17

17 April 2013 marked the seventh week in which Zhang Anni, the daughter of Anhui human rights defender Mr Zhang Lin, has not been able to attend classes in primary school as a result of her father's work in defence of human rights.

Turkey: Update – Human rights defender Osman Işçi and 21 more trade unionists released pending trialposted on: 2013/04/12

On 11 April 2013, an Ankara court released 22 jailed defendants, amongst them human rights defender Mr Osman Işçi, pending trial on 8 July 2013. The defendants are part of a group of 72 members of Turkey's Confederation of Public Workers’ Trade Unions (KESK), who have been charged with membership of a terrorist organisation.