Iran: No Justice for Bloody Crackdown
Unlawful Lethal Force, Families Threatened, Cover-Ups
![Iranian protesters gather around a burning car during a demonstration against an increase in gasoline prices in the capital Tehran, on November 16, 2019.](/sites/default/files/styles/square/public/multimedia_images_2019/201911mena_iran_protests.jpg?itok=wODaCINE)
Tajikistan: Journalist Held on Baseless Charges
Sharipov Case Latest Attempt to Stifle Critical Voices
![Daler Sharipov. Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WrH1GEHu5dE. Accessed by Human Rights Watch on February 20, 2020.](/sites/default/files/styles/square/public/multimedia_images_2020/202002eca_tajikistan_daler.jpg?itok=1oXRQOjl)
Kyrgyzstan: Free Ailing Rights Defender
Appeal Pending for Azimon Askarov, Convicted in Unfair Trial
![Ethnic Uzbek journalist Azimzhan Askarov, who was arbitrarily arrested, tortured, convicted after an unfair trial and jailed for life looks through metal bars during hearings at the Bishkek regional court, Kyrgyzstan.](/sites/default/files/styles/square/public/multimedia_images_2020/202002eca_kyrgyzstan_askarov.jpg?itok=jEMWmJMm)
Philippines: Free Senator; End Attacks on Rights Defenders
Duterte Critic Leila de Lima Held 3 Years on Fabricated Charges
![Jailed Senator Leila de Lima votes during the midterm elections in Paranaque, Philippines, May 13, 2019.](/sites/default/files/styles/square/public/multimedia_images_2020/202002asia_philippines_delima.jpg?itok=LAk8mBNk)
Iran: Environmentalists’ Unjust Sentences Upheld
Detainees Faced Torture, Bogus Charges, Unfair Trials
![A campaign poster showing environmental activists, Taher Ghadirian, Niloufar Bayani, Amirhossein Khaleghi, Houman Jokar, Sam Rajabi, Sepideh Kashani, Morad Tahbaz and Abdolreza Kouhpayeh.](/sites/default/files/styles/square/public/multimedia_images_2018/201808mena_iran_enviro.jpg?itok=xHbdRGG8)
Russia: Quash Conviction of Peaceful Protester
Clear Konstantin Kotov of All Charges, Repeal Repressive Protest Law
![Konstantin Kotov and his lawyer, Maria Eismont, wait for the verdict in his case at Moscow's Tverskoi district court, September 5, 2019.](/sites/default/files/styles/square/public/multimedia_images_2019/201910eca_russia_kotov.jpg?itok=Jy-UFOtA)
China: Free Prominent Legal Advocate
Xu Zhiyong Detained Amid Crackdown on Activists
![A demonstrator raises a poster of Xu Zhiyong during a protest against his sentencing, Hong Kong, January 27, 2014.](/sites/default/files/styles/square/public/multimedia_images_2020/202002asia_china_xu.jpg?itok=yd_eClZY)
EU: Press Vietnam on Human Rights Reforms
Upcoming Dialogue Should Focus on Commitments Made in Recent Trade Deals
![Members of the European Parliament sit in the plenary chamber of the European Parliament during a vote. Among other things, MEPs will vote today on a free trade agreement with Vietnam.](/sites/default/files/styles/square/public/multimedia_images_2020/202002asia_asia_euvietnam.jpg?itok=wMONEsMO)
Russia: Raids on Rights Defenders in Dagestan
Stop Assault, Intimidation of Activists
![dagestan map](/sites/default/files/styles/square/public/multimedia_images_2015/russia0615_dagestan_map-01.jpg?itok=PJfwmP3Y)
Bangladesh: New Arrests Stifle Free Speech
Publisher, Singer Charged Under Digital Security Act
Russia: Court Convicts Journalist for Activism
First Guilty Verdict in an ‘Undesirables’ Case
![Maxim Vernikov at his verdict announcement, Yekaterinburg, Russia.](/sites/default/files/styles/square/public/multimedia_images_2020/202001eca_russia_vernikov.jpg?itok=XieuGoVA)
South Sudan Academic Suspended Over Opinion Piece
Ensure Free Speech and Academic Freedom
![Academic and writer, Taban Lo Liyong.](/sites/default/files/styles/square/public/multimedia_images_2020/202002africa_southsudan_tabanloliyong.jpg?itok=AoEbSpWL)
Russia: Harsh Verdicts in Controversial Terrorism Cases
Allegations of Torture, Unfair Trials, Misuse of Terrorism Law
![Pictured (L) members of a left-wing group Set (Network) in court in Penza, Russia on Monday, Feb. 10, 2020, when the court convicted seven members on terrorism charges, sentencing them to prison terms ranging from six to 18 years. (R) Eduard Nizamov.](/sites/default/files/styles/square/public/multimedia_images_2020/202001eca_russia_combined.jpg?itok=KdGw3xko)
Philippines: Duterte Seeks to Shut Network
Case Against ABS-CBN Attacks Media Freedom
![Journalists and supporters, wearing black, display their messages during a protest against the recent Securities and Exchange Commission's revocation of the registration of Rappler, an online news outfit, Friday, Jan. 19, 2018, northeast of Manila, Philip](/sites/default/files/styles/square/public/multimedia_images_2020/202002asia_philippines_dutertefreespeech.jpg?itok=K8rXxdIZ)