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As Georgian authorities look to introduce new “foreign agent” legislation, HRHF’s Kety Abashidze outlines the situation unfolding in the country and highlights the importance of international organisations, civil society and like-minded states to show solidarity with the Georgian public and civil society and to call on the authorities to abandon the law.

We, the undersigned human rights organisations, condemn in strongest possible terms the Azerbaijani authorities’ detention of Anar Mammadli, a prominent human rights defender, leader of the country’s largest independent election watchdog and member of the Network of Human Rights Houses. We demand his immediate and unconditional release.

As Russia’s war in Ukraine continues, the resilience of those affected is tested daily. The psychological toll on the Ukrainian population is profound, with widespread reports of trauma, anxiety, and stress-related disorders. Ukrainian civil society organisations have mobilised to provide critical support to those in need while often needing support themselves. HRHF asked the partners from the Network of Human Rights Houses about the connection between mental health and human rights and what kind of role mental health support plays in the resilience of Ukrainian civil society.

Human Rights House Foundation (HRHF) advocated alongside partners during the 55th session of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) on human rights issues including calling for the renewal of key mechanisms and mandates.

On 2 April 2024, Human Rights House Foundation delivered a statement at the 55th session of the UN Human Rights Council underlining the deteriorating situation of human rights in Russian-occupied Crimea as well as the newly occupied territories of Ukraine.

Human Rights House Foundation and members of the Network of Human Rights Houses urge the Parliament of Georgia and the National Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Republika Srpska to drop proposed “Foreign agent” legislation that can damage civil society and media irreversibly, to respect international obligations undertaken by their states under Council of Europe and the UN instruments, and to uphold fundamental freedoms underpinning free and independent civil society.

As a part of the Coalition Against SLAPPs in Europe (CASE), Human Rights House Foundation welcomes today’s adoption of the CoE recommendation on Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) by the Committee of Ministers. We call on CoE member states to follow the comprehensive recommendation, and to genuinely implement effective domestic measures to protect human rights defenders, journalists, and other civil society actors against SLAPPs.

On 19 March 2024, a new Regional Network of Human Rights Houses was launched by Human Rights Houses Banja Luka, Belgrade, Zagreb and the Sarajevo Open Centre. The group also launched their first Regional Report on the situation of human rights defenders in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and Serbia.

The human rights situation across the regions where Human Rights House Foundation (HRHF) works was further influenced by military conflict and crackdown against independent civil society. Despite this, we continued to work closely with the Network of Human Rights Houses to protect and advance human rights. Read our 2023 Annual Report.

Human Rights House Foundation joins several international CSOs led by European Partnership for Democracy calling on the European Commission to strengthen the effectiveness of the rule of law dialogue, improve the impact of reporting and take decisive action against systematic human rights violations in the EU Member States.

On 25 March 2024, Human Rights House Foundation delivered a statement highlighting the human rights situation in Azerbaijan during the country’s UPR adoption at the 55th session of the UN Human Rights Council.

On 25 March 2024, Human Rights House Foundation delivered a statement highlighting the human rights situation in the Russian Federation during the country’s UPR adoption at the 55th session of the UN Human Rights Council.