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human rights defenders
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- 1How human rights activists are prosecuted abroad●How human rights activists are prosecuted abroad | D+C - Development + Cooperation
D+C, the Development and Cooperation publication, has published a piece examining how governments overseas pursue legal action against human rights activists. The report looks at the methods used to prosecute or otherwise silence defenders of civil liberties abroad. Beyond the headline, no further details on the countries, cases or individuals involved were available in the source material.
- 2Nasrin Sotoudeh awarded 2026 Václav Havel Human Rights Prize▼2026 Václav Havel Prize awarded to Iranian human-rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh
Iranian human-rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh has been awarded the 2026 Václav Havel Human Rights Prize. The award, presented by the Council of Europe, honours individuals defending human rights and democracy. Sotoudeh is known for representing activists and women's rights protesters in Iran and has faced repeated imprisonment for her work, making the recognition a significant international endorsement of her advocacy.
- 3Six Turkish human rights defenders face trial after months in detention▼Turkey: Six Human Rights Association (İHD) members to stand trial on 29 September and 2 October after months in pre-trial detention
Six members of Turkey's Human Rights Association (İHD) are due to stand trial on 29 September and 2 October after spending months in pre-trial detention. The International Federation for Human Rights has highlighted the case, drawing attention to concerns about the prosecution of rights defenders in Turkey. Observers are watching whether the court will release the defendants or prolong their detention.
- 4Iranian Lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh Wins Václav Havel Human Rights Prize▼Iranian Lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh Awarded Václav Havel Human Rights Prize
Iranian human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh has been awarded the Václav Havel Human Rights Prize. Sotoudeh, known for defending women's rights activists and political prisoners in Iran and for serving prison time for her work, is one of the country's most prominent rights defenders. The award honours individuals committed to defending human rights in Europe and beyond, and news of the honour is being reported across international media.
- 5Nasrin Sotoudeh wins 2026 Vaclav Havel Human Rights Prize▼Iranian human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh wins the 2026 Vaclav Havel Human Rights Prize
Iranian human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh has been awarded the 2026 Vaclav Havel Human Rights Prize. Sotoudeh, long recognized for defending women's rights activists and political prisoners in Iran despite repeated imprisonment, receives one of Europe's most prominent human rights honors. The award highlights ongoing concerns about the treatment of lawyers and dissidents in Iran and renews international attention on her case.
- 6PACE Awards Nasrin Sotoudeh Václav Havel Human Rights Prize▼PACE Awards Iranian Lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh the Václav Havel Human Rights Prize
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) has awarded Iranian human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh the Václav Havel Human Rights Prize. Sotoudeh, known for defending women's rights activists and opponents of mandatory veiling in Iran, has faced repeated imprisonment for her work. The award recognises her longstanding defence of civil liberties and is expected to draw criticism from Tehran.
- 7Overcrowded Asian jails leaving thousands languishing in detention●Too many people are languishing in jails throughout Asia
A report from the Catholic news outlet UCA News argues that prisons across Asia are holding far too many people in poor conditions, with defendants and prisoners often stuck in prolonged detention. The piece highlights overcrowding, slow judicial processes and the plight of marginalised inmates as urgent human rights concerns that regional governments have failed to address.