The letter included the names of their fellow award-winners and finalists who are currently imprisoned for their work as human rights defenders: Ilham Tohti (China, Martin Ennals Laureate 2016); Ahmed Mansoor (United Arab Emirates, Martin Ennals Laureate 2015) Nabeel Rajab and Abdullah Al-Khawaja (Bahrain, Martin Ennals Finalists 2012) and Nasrin Sotoudeh (Iran, Martin Ennals Finalist 2012).
The letter expresses a deep concern about the health risks that arise for prisoners held in crowded and unhygienic conditions and refers to the request of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, to release political prisoners and those who are detained simply for expressing critical views. The signatories thereby demand to ensure the physical integrity and medical as well as psychological support to detained human rights defenders all around the world – first and foremost in the four countries where the winners of the Martin Ennals Award are facing unjust detentions.
Among the signatories are two former guests of the NHRF: Norma Librada Ledezma (Mexico, Martin Ennals Finalist 2020), who works to raise awareness about femicides, forced disappearances and human trafficking; and Marino Córdoba (Colombia, Martin Ennals Finalist 2019) who advocates for the rights of Afro-Colombians and other marginalized groups. Norma visited the NHRF in February 2020 and Marino visited and was a guest speaker at a panel on the peace process in Colombia in February 2019.
The NHRF is proud to continue supporting the Martin Ennals Foundation and their important work for human rights defenders.
Read the letter here.
