Human Rights Watch

Authorities announced regulation changes that now allow women over 21 to travel abroad freely and obtain passports without permission from their male guardian. However, the new regulations do not positively affirm the right to travel abroad.

Ahmed Benchemsi was detained while observing a pro-democracy demonstration in downtown Algiers; following his release, he was repeatedly summoned back for questioning by police who eventually placed him on a flight to Morocco on 19 August.

The four women are well-known advocates who have previously called for the lifting of the ban on women attending football matches.

At least two of eight environmentalists detained without evidence for over 18 months have begun a hunger strike. They are demanding that authorities end their legal limbo and either release them on bail until a verdict is issued against them or transfer them to the public ward of Evin prison.

Among the 1,373 people detained while protesting the exclusion of opposition candidates from Moscow’s elections in September were 25 children. Several dozen people were injured, including at least six journalists.

The ECtHR ruled that the Russian government discriminated against LGBTQI+ groups and that it must pay approximately US$46,000 in damages to three LGBTQI+ rights groups for having refused their registration in recent years.

Russian authorities have brought dubious terrorism charges against 24 Crimean Tatar activists; security officers tortured 4 of them, planted evidence and denied them access to lawyers.

Another heavy-handed police response to protesters saw the group ‘Extinction Rebellion’ targeted from close range with tear gas as they staged a sit-in on France’s hottest day ever.