📍MEXICO It's been six years since lawyer, feminist and Amuzga Indigenous woman human rights defender Kenia Inés Hernández Montalván was arbitrarily detained, criminalised and sentenced to more than 20 years in prison on eleven charges, for exercising her right to protest and defending human rights. Despite being cleared of the eight federal charges against her in April 2026, Kenia remains in prison. In July, one of those cases was reopened after an appeal by a federal agency, CAPUFE, challenging a judge's decision not to proceed with the case on the premise that doing so would amount to criminalising the defence of human rights and activism in Mexico. Over these six years, Kenia has been separated from her young children and held in several prisons, including a maximum-security facility. Last year, she was denied the right to attend her mother's funeral. Even so, she continues to defend the rights of other women in prison and has set up "Weavers of Freedom", a weaving and beadwork workshop that supports more than 30 women in custody. Six years of injustice have also brought six years of solidarity from people and organisations in Mexico, Latin America and beyond. Front Line Defenders joins the call for Kenia's immediate release and demands that the authorities close the cases against her. FREEDOM FOR KENIA NOW! 🔗Read the joint statement: frontlinedefenders.org/en/st…

🔊 HRD Ahmed Mansoor marks another birthday in prison in the UAE. Front Line Defenders calls for his immediate and unconditional release. #BirthdayWishes4Ahmed #FreeAhmed 🔗zurl.co/5zL1N

🔊 Amid widespread threats to HRDs and global funding cuts, developing collective approaches to resourcing and coordinating protection is more urgent than ever. We're sharing the 2026 Global HRD Protection Summit Findings Report and 12 Commitments to shift resources and decision-making closer to defenders, with clearer roles and shared priorities! 🔗 zurl.co/xA12A @OpenSociety @UNHumanRights @AfricaDefenders @Irish_Aid @MAECgob @SpainMFA @AECID_es @dfatirl @ProtectHRD_EU @noradno

📣 Front Line Defenders is recruiting for a Head of Region (MENA). More information and how to apply can be found here ⬇️ zurl.co/m96ZQ

📍BANGLADESH 🚨WHRD Shampa Goswami faces imminent arrest after a sedition case was filed against her targeting her for her human rights work. FLD calls on the authorities in Bangladesh to drop all criminal investigations against her and cease all forms of harassment against her. 🔗zurl.co/TrN8U

📍India 🚨The crackdown on peaceful protesters in New Delhi involved mass detention, unlawful force and targeting of journalists and HRDs. We call on Indian authorities to release everyone arbitrarily detained and ensure accountability for abuses by security forces. 🔗zurl.co/KzjTz

📍IRAN 🚨WHRD Pouran Nazemi faces imminent risk of imprisonment after an appeal against her prison sentences may not have been registered. FLD believes her conviction is linked to her peaceful human rights work and calls for the convictions and sentences against her to be dropped. 🔗zurl.co/LV5P7

📍BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA 🚨Environmental WHRDs Sara Tuševljak and Sunčica Kovačević, are due to appear in court for hearings in the SLAPP lawsuits filed against them in January 2022. FLD reiterates its concern about the lawsuits and significant delays faced by both defenders. 🔗 zurl.co/nLEoW

🔊 Front Line Defenders is recruiting for an Americas Officer. For more information and to apply, see here: zurl.co/bAymi

📍Bahrain After being released on a royal pardon in 2024, HRD Naji Fateel was re-arrested in August 2026 and is being held in Jau Prison, where prisoners are protesting to demand improved detention conditions. Naji spends 22 hours a day in a crowded cell. Information received about the prison conditions indicate overcrowding, a lack of regular maintenance of toilet facilities, and inadequate arrangements for phone calls and outdoor exercise given the number of prisoners. We call for Naji Fateel’s immediate release and for him to be allowed to complete his jaw and dental treatment plan to ensure he maintains his health. Until his release, we urge the authorities to review his classification, transfer him to another building and ensure his safety. We also urge the authorities to address prisoners’ legitimate demands, ensure humane detention conditions and protect them from reprisals for their peaceful protest.

📍MOROCCO / WESTERN SAHARA 🚨Sahrawi HRD Hassana Eddouihi & 6 student activists were arrested after police violently dispersed a peaceful solidarity gathering for political prisoners. FLD calls for their immediate & unconditional release. 🔗 zurl.co/iFiYR

📍Occupied Palestinian Territory Front Line Defenders stands in solidarity with Palestinian human rights organisations still under US sanctions, and calls for an immediate end to the sanctions: Read more here: zurl.co/H0xgJ

📍ECUADOR 🚨 On 14 April 2026, 31 farming families from the Montubio village of Los Ángeles, in Guayas – who have been defending their land rights following decades of dispute with companies linked to the shrimp farming industry – were evicted. They lost their homes, crops and livelihoods. Among those affected are children, older people and people with disabilities. In 2023, the land was awarded to one of their community associations and, a few weeks later, sold to a company that had been set up just days earlier. The families are challenging the legality of this sale and have taken the case to court. Since then, they have faced administrative and criminal complaints (both of which have been dismissed), an eviction order enforced by the National Police, threats, restrictions on access and the destruction of crops. Their appeal has been delayed for almost five months and the hearing has been rescheduled for 27 November. Front Line Defenders urges the Ecuadorian authorities to guarantee access to justice, investigate the eviction and the reported threats, ensure full reparations, and facilitate a safe and dignified return to the land. Those who defend the land must be able to do so without fear of reprisals or criminalisation. 🔗Read the full statement: frontlinedefenders.org/en/st… [ESP] 🚨 31 familias campesinas del pueblo Montubio de la comunidad Los Ángeles, en Guayas, que defienden sus derechos sobre el territorio tras décadas de disputa con empresas vinculadas a la actividad camaronera, fueron desalojadas el 14 de abril de 2026. Perdieron sus viviendas, cultivos y medios de subsistencia. Entre las personas afectadas hay niñas, niños, personas adultas mayores y personas con discapacidad. En 2023 el predio fue adjudicado a una de sus asociaciones comunitarias y, pocas semanas después, vendido a una empresa creada días antes. Las familias cuestionan la legalidad de esa venta y llevan el caso a la justicia. Desde entonces se han enfrentado a denuncias administrativas y penales (ambas archivadas), una orden de desalojo ejecutada por la Policía Nacional, amenazas, restricción de acceso y destrucción de cultivos. Su apelación judicial lleva casi cinco meses de retraso y la audiencia fue reprogramada para el 27 de noviembre. Front Line Defenders insta a las autoridades ecuatorianas a garantizar el acceso a la justicia, investigar el desalojo y las amenazas denunciadas, asegurar la reparación integral, y facilitar un retorno seguro y digno al territorio. Quienes defienden la tierra deben poder hacerlo sin temor a represalias ni criminalización. 🔗Lee el comunicado: frontlinedefenders.org/es/st…

As part of the Lighthouse consortium, Front Line Defenders welcomes the steady progress of the Lighthouse Fund, the Global Protection Fund providing rapid, flexible support to those on the front lines of human rights, enabling them to continue their vital work when it matters most. Read more about the progress of the Fund since its inception in January this year: zurl.co/l66xD

📍India 🚨FLD joins other human rights organisations in urging GANHRI to downgrade the NHRCI's “A” rating over its failure to comply with the Paris Principles and address India's deteriorating human rights situation. 🔗zurl.co/Qyp5D