The African Bar Association called on Nigeria to release the abductees within 48 hours of receiving its letter or face legal action in international and local courts.
Political Dissidents articles on Democracy Chronicles
In this political dissidents section, DC highlights people who actively challenge established dictatorships, putting their lives on the line for democracy. Also see our entire section on the Political Dissidents who fight dictators around the world or our main section on World Democracy.
Barred from election, Navalny vows to fight emperor Putin
The Kremlin’s top critic Alexei Navalny has slammed Russia’s March presidential election, in which he is barred from running, as a sham meant to “re-appoint” Vladimir Putin on his way to becoming “emperor for life”. With two months to go before Russians vote in polls that are all but guaranteed to hand Putin a historic […]
Bahrain confirms decision to jail activist Nabeel Rajab
Human rights groups have roundly condemned a ruling by a Bahraini court to affirm a two-year jail sentence of activist Nabeel Rajab, saying the verdict “illustrates the corruption” of the kingdom’s justice system. Rajab had been found guilty in July of “spreading rumours and untruthful information” against the government in TV interviews. The verdict was […]
Hong Kong democracy activist Joshua Wong jailed for protest
Hong Kong activist Joshua Wong was jailed for three months Wednesday for obstructing clearance of a major encampment during mass pro-democracy protests in 2014, the second time he has been imprisoned over the rallies. Wong, 21, who had pleaded guilty to the contempt charge, was already on bail pending an appeal over a six- month […]
Ethiopia Freeing 528 Arrested Anti-Government Protesters
Ethiopia’s top prosecutor said Monday that charges against 528 prisoners detained in connection with anti-government protests would be dropped, and the inmates would be released on Wednesday. General Prosecutor Getachew Ambaye indicated that individuals already convicted and sentenced in connection with the protests were not among those set for release. Most of the prisoners were […]
Leading Hong Kong Democracy Activists Appeal Jail Sentences
Three young Hong Kong democracy activists returned to court Tuesday to appeal their convictions and jail sentences for leading massive protests in 2014. Joshua Wong, Nathan Law and Alex Chow initially received non-custodial sentences by a lower court in 2016 for storming a courtyard on the grounds of the government’s headquarters in September 2014, which […]
North Korean Defector Speaks Out After China Repatriates Family
China organizes forced repatriation and likely prospect of family’s imprisonment and possible execution in North Korea
Teen jailed for insulting Indonesian president on Facebook
An Indonesian teenager was sentenced Tuesday to 18 months in prison for “insulting” President Joko Widodo on Facebook. The 18-year-old high school student from Medan on the island of Sumatra, identified by the initials MFB, was found guilty of violating the country’s internet law by making defamatory and slanderous comments online. Judges also ordered him […]
Burundi Accused of Arresting Opponents of Constitutional Changes
Burundi’s government recently proposed constitutional changes that would, among other things, allow President Pierre Nkurunziza to stay in office beyond 2020. Civil society groups say the government is arresting opponents of those changes in advance of an upcoming referendum. Officially, Burundi’s government has banned anyone from campaigning for or against the proposed changes to the […]
Equatorial Guinea activist dies in prison after ‘torture’: opposition
An opposition activist died in prison after being tortured in Equatorial Guinea, the country’s main opposition party said Monday, accusing the government of “cruel and inhumane” treatment of its detainees. Santiago Ebee Ela, 41, died at the central police station in capital Malabo on Saturday night as a result of “cruel torture”, Citizens for Innovation […]