Human Rights Defender Cases
Human Rights Defenders are people who work to promote or protect human rights. They collect information about violations, support victims, pursue the accountability of perpetrators, work to end impunity, and support the protection of human rights for all. Human rights defenders play a vital role in the functioning of democracy, human rights and the rule of law.
In many European countries, they are under attack - often from the governments that they are trying to hold to account. Many have won judgments in their favour from the European Court of Human Rights, but are still denied justice.
EIN works for the implementation of these judgments and the protection of human rights defenders. Here are some of their stories.
Featured
Intigam Aliyev is an Azerbaijani lawyer and human rights activist. He was arrested and imprisoned for his human rights activities. Intigam was eventually released from jail and proved his case at the European Court of Human Rights. However, he has still not been exonerated, meaning that he is unable to conduct his important human rights work. His case reflects widespread persecution of human rights defenders in Azerbaijan, who are continually targeted for political reasons.