Human Rights Watch

Shams registered with the government’s secretary general in May 2015, as an organization working to support sexual and gender minorities. On January 4, 2016, the first instance tribunal in Tunis notified the group that the court was suspending its activities for 30 days.

On 19 January, Russia’s parliament will hold the first reading of another abusive homophobic law, which proposes jailing people for public displays of non-heterosexual orientation or gender identity.

“Muzzling free expression and prompting fear, especially outside Kampala where there is so little international scrutiny, doesn’t bode well for Uganda’s ability to hold free and fair elections in February.”

“The EU, which is among Ethiopia’s biggest donors, should press the Ethiopian government to respond with talks rather than gunfire to the protesters’ grievances.”

Saudi courts are sentencing prominent reform advocates, activists, and writers to lengthy jail terms – and even death – on vague charges related to the peaceful exercise of free expression.

A written statement from Justice Minister Samuel Tembenu explicitly commits the government to the suspension of enforcement of anti-gay penal code provisions. The statement also emphasizes the government’s commitment to freedom of association for groups working to advance LGBT rights

Thai authorities should immediately provide necessary medical treatment to Thanet Anantawong, a critic of Thailand’s junta who was arrested in his sickbed and has been held in military custody since 13 December.

An arbitrary travel ban is preventing a prominent rights activist from leaving Bahrain. The ban against Nabeel Rajab is based on charges that violate his right to free expression.