The worldwide network of 200+ NGOs standing up against torture. OMCT is a member of the #UnitedAgainstTorture Consortium.
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In 2021, when OMCT learned about the case of Abdoul Aziz Goma, a human rights defender detained in Togo, it became clear that securing his release would require sustained international mobilisation.
In this interview, Isidore Ngueuleu, Head of OMCT’s Africa Desk, takes us behind the scenes of the #FacesOfHope campaign. He reflects on the years of advocacy, solidarity and collective action that helped secure Goma’s release, and the many people and organisations who played a part.
His story is a powerful reminder that change rarely comes from one action alone. It takes people standing together, across borders, refusing to let injustice go unseen.
Read the full interview here: bit.ly/4sNNxRW
#FacesOfHope #HumanRights #Togo #InternationalSolidarity
Today, SOS-Defenders published 61 cases of long-term detention documented by @MaryLawlorhrds and her team during her mandate as UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders (2020-2026). Spanning 16 countries, these cases bear witness to the persecution, criminalisation, and arbitrary detention faced by human rights defenders under repressive governments.
These 61 cases complement the more than 800 cases documented by SOS-Defenders since its launch in 2024, contributing to a growing body of evidence on detention as a tool of censorship.
We thank Mary Lawlor and her team for entrusting us with this important documentation, and renew our call for the immediate release of all human rights defenders arbitrarily detained worldwide.
Check the new cases here: bit.ly/4zzM2cG
Access the SOS-Defenders platform here: sos-defenders.org
What does Ukraine’s fight for self-determination look like through the eyes of a human rights defender from the Global South?
In this reflection, Mohamed Lotfy, Executive Director of the Egyptian Commission for Rights and Freedoms (ECRF) and member of OMCT’s executive council, shares his experience witnessing Ukraine at war, reflecting on the resilience of its people, the human cost of occupation, and the struggle for freedom, democracy and human dignity.
Drawing on his encounters with Ukrainian civil society, Lotfy calls on human rights defenders around the world to stand in solidarity with Ukraine and all those fighting for their right to self-determination.
Read his reflections: bit.ly/3WORE4i
#Ukraine #HumanRights #HumanRightsDefenders
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🇧🇷 We express deep concern over recent developments in Brazil, where legislative proposals seek to lower the age of criminal responsibility. These measures would undermine children's rights and expose adolescents to heightened risks of torture, institutional violence and other serious human rights violations.
📢 In an open letter, we urge Brazilian authorities to reject these proposals, uphold international human rights standards and strengthen specialised juvenile justice, education and social reintegration.
🔗 Read our open letter: bit.ly/3WjSRR6
@SenadoFederal @camaradeputados @ItamaratyGovBr
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🚨 Recent protests in France and reports of life-changing injuries have renewed urgent questions about the use of police weapons against demonstrators.
These risks are not new. In November 2018, Gabriel suffered life-changing injuries, resulting in the amputation of three fingers, while Florent sustained injuries to his feet and leg from a police grenade during a Yellow Vests protest in Paris.
REDRESS, Omega Research Foundation and the OMCT- World Organisation Against Torture, have submitted a joint third-party intervention in the case before the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR), examining France’s human rights obligations when policing protests.
The intervention raises critical questions:
🔹 Are explosive weapons suitable for use in protest settings?
🔹 What safeguards must govern the selection, regulation and deployment of police weapons?
🔹 How should police operations be planned and conducted to minimise the risk of torture and other ill-treatment?
🔗 bit.ly/4BIUDeA
#RightToProtest #HumanRights #PoliceAccountability #ECtHR #UnitedAgainstTorture
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🇧🇷 During a hearing before the @CIDH, alongside brazilian civil society organizations, we denounced legislative proposals in #Brazil to lower the age of criminal responsibility from 18 to 16, and even to 14 in certain cases, and to subject adolescents to the adult criminal justice system.
📢 We called on the IACHR to urge Brazil to uphold international child rights standards, preserve a specialized juvenile justice system, prevent torture, and strengthen policies on education, violence prevention, and social reintegration.
@camaradeputados, @SenadoFederal, @ItamaratyGovBr, @Gajop_ @cedecaceara
#197PeríodoCIDH | #AudiênciasCIDH | #Brasil: Regulamentação da responsabilidade penal na adolescência.
👉🏾 As organizações expuseram sua rejeição aos projetos de redução da maioridade penal para 16 anos, alertando que afetariam principalmente a juventude afrodescendente e empobrecida. Advertiram que transferir adolescentes para o sistema carcerário adulto aumentará a reincidência e a violência, motivo pelo qual pediram a manutenção da justiça juvenil especializada.
👉🏾 O Estado sustentou que a inimputabilidade antes dos 18 anos é uma garantia constitucional e confirmou sua rejeição técnica aos projetos que incrementam as penas de internação. Ressaltou a implementação do plano nacional do sistema socioeducativo, e o fortalecimento de programas sociais e de permanência escolar como "Pé de Meia" e "Juventude Negra Viva".
👉🏾 A #CIDH questionou a tendência de aumento das penas e a falta de evidências empíricas que demonstrem que a redução da maioridade penal diminua a criminalidade. Reiterou que a privação de liberdade deve ser uma medida de último recurso e enfatizou a necessidade de priorizar a prevenção social, a educação e o combate ao perfilamento racial.
Assista à audiência aqui: ow.ly/m2BH5101V8L
#DireitosHumanos
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🇧🇴A major step forward against torture in Bolivia!
The United Against Torture Consortium (UATC) welcomes the Human Rights Commission’s approval of the comprehensive anti-torture bill, which the Senate has already passed.
📢 We now call on the Plenary of the Chamber of Deputies to prioritise its swift adoption.
This is a historic opportunity to strengthen torture prevention, ensure accountability, uphold survivors’ rights to justice and comprehensive reparation, and bring Bolivia closer to fulfilling its international human rights obligations.
Read our statement: bit.ly/4ipZN6m
#UnitedAgainstTorture
@MRE_Bolivia @Diputados_Bol @IRCT @Omega_RF @apt_americas
🇲🇽Hace 24 años, en agosto de 2002, seis hombres fueron detenidos arbitrariamente en el Estado de México por agentes de la policía de Tlaxcala y posteriormente sometidos a tortura para obligarlos a asumir la responsabilidad de secuestros que no cometieron.
Acompañamos la presentación del documental El Caso Tlaxcala: la fabricación de “Los Kempes”, que visibiliza las graves violaciones a los derechos humanos sufridas por las víctimas y retrata la incansable lucha de ellas y sus familias por el reconocimiento de su inocencia, el acceso a la justicia y la recuperación de su libertad.
Mira el tráiler: instagram.com/reel/DerawR_Rn…
@FundarMexico @laminuta @EliaAlmanzaA
En audiencia ante la @CIDH, junto a organizaciones de la región, denunciamos la discriminación, segregación y aislamiento de mujeres privadas de libertad en América Latina. El aumento de la población penitenciaria femenina, la infraestructura inadecuada, la falta de atención médica y la ruptura de vínculos familiares agravan las desigualdades, especialmente para mujeres con discapacidad, indígenas y con responsabilidades de cuidado.
Solicitamos a la Comisión instar a los Estados a garantizar condiciones dignas de detención, asegurar el acceso a la salud y promover alternativas al encarcelamiento con perspectiva de género.
@DocumentaAC @EquisJusticia @HumanasColombia @casaartesana
#197PeríodoCIDH | #CIDHAudiencias | #Regional: Situación de las #MujeresPrivadasDeLibertad.
👉🏼 Las organizaciones visibilizaron las dificultades de las mujeres encarceladas, con énfasis en accesibilidad, salud integral y derechos sexuales y reproductivos. Expusieron el impacto en las labores de cuidado y las restricciones al contacto familiar. Instaron a los Estados a implementar medidas alternativas.
👉🏼 La #CIDH enfatizó el impacto específico de la privación de libertad en las mujeres y la obligación estatal de garantizar condiciones dignas de detención, que se adecúen a sus necesidades y con la preservación de vínculos con hijas, hijos y familiares. Asimismo, señaló la necesidad de revisar las políticas criminales que han favorecido un mayor uso de la prisión.
Ve la audiencia aquí: ow.ly/sZ8T5101xku
#DerechosHumanos
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Nos sumamos al llamado de organizaciones nacionales e internacionales a la @CorteConstEcu para que resuelva con urgencia la consulta sobre las restricciones a las visitas en la Cárcel del Encuentro, incorporando la perspectiva de género y el derecho al cuidado.
Exigimos restablecer las visitas familiares y la comunicación, así como garantizar supervisión independiente para prevenir el aislamiento, la tortura y los malos tratos.
🚨 Más de 23 organizaciones nacionales e internacionales exigen a la @CorteConstEcu resolver con urgencia la consulta sobre las restricciones a las visitas en la Cárcel del Encuentro.
🔗 cdh.org.ec/ultimos-pronuncia…
World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) retweeted
🚨 Más de 23 organizaciones nacionales e internacionales exigen a la @CorteConstEcu resolver con urgencia la consulta sobre las restricciones a las visitas en la Cárcel del Encuentro.
🔗 cdh.org.ec/ultimos-pronuncia…
World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) retweeted
2/2🗒️Un an après la sortie du rapport «France: démocratie en décrochage», @OBS_defenders, @liguedh_be et @mensenrechtenBE publient une étude comparative des restrictions aux libertés associatives observées dans les deux pays.
👉fidh.org/fr/regions/europe-a…
We are deeply saddened by the passing of Daniela Fichino, Deputy Director of Justiça Global (@justicaglobal), a member organisation of the SOS-Torture Network in Brazil.
Many will remember her dedication to human rights and social justice. Our heartfelt condolences to her family, friends and colleagues. Rest in peace, Daniela. 🕊️
En audiencia ante la @CIDH, junto a organizaciones nacionales e internacionales, expresamos nuestra preocupación por la inacción de la Procuraduría para la Defensa de los Derechos Humanos de #ElSalvador ante las violaciones de derechos humanos cometidas en el marco del régimen de excepción.
Solicitamos a la Comisión que requiera información al Estado, exhorte a la Procuraduría a cumplir su mandato conforme a los Principios de París y promueva la realización de verificaciones en los centros penitenciarios. Lee nuestra declaración: bit.ly/4yFIi8f
@nayibbukel @cancilleriasv @PDDHElSalvador
World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) retweeted
❗️Caso Tlaxcala, dictan libertad a Sergio Rodríguez Rosas, Jorge Hernández Mora y Ricardo Almanza Cerriteño, sobrevivientes de tortura, tras 24 años de cárcel 👇🏾
educaoaxaca.org/caso-tlaxcal…
