Latest News

Release Detainees Held in Aftermath of Disputed Election in Iran

Iran continues to detain human rights defenders in the wave of repression that has followed the disputed June 12 presidential election. On Friday, July 17, Shadi Sadr, a prominent lawyer and women's rights activist, was headed toward Tehran University for Friday prayers when plain clothes security personnel violently forced her into a car. On July 28, Ms. Sadr was released on bail.

Fact Sheet on Detained Human Rights Defenders in Iran

Joint Statement Supporting Global Day of Action on Iran

7/24/2009

End Government Harassment of Pakistani Champion of Women's Rights

Mukhtar Mai, a leading Pakistani women's rights activist and gang-rape victim, has faced constant harassment from government officials since her decision to testify in a rape case against her attackers in 2002. Last week, a power company raided her human rights organization, significantly hindering her organization?s ability to carry out its human rights work. Read HRF's Huffington Post article about Mukhtar Mai

6/19/2009

HRF joins Coalition Protesting Treatment of LGBT Activists in Uganda

HRF joined the Women Human Rights Defenders International Coalition in demanding the Ugandan government take action to protect LGBT activists. See Petition 5/15/2009

2008 HRF Submissions to the UN Committee on the Status of Women

CSW Submission on Iran CSW Submission on Colombia 5/13/2009

Iranian Authorities Must End Imprisonment of Women Defenders

Human Rights First and seven other human rights organizations sent a letter to Iranian authorities expressing concern over the imprisonment of women's human rights defender Alieh Eghdamdoost and twelve other women's defenders. Read Joint Letter in English In Farsi 4/10/2009