Gourt > Society > Issues > Human Rights and Liberties > Political Prisoners (7)
A political prisoner is someone held in prison or otherwise detained, perhaps under house arrest, because their ideas or image are deemed by a government to either challenge or threaten the authority of the state.
In many cases, political prisoners are imprisoned with no legal veneer directly through extrajudical processes.
However, it also happens that political prisoners are arrested and tried with a veneer of legality, where false criminal charges, manufactured evidence, and unfair trials are used to disguise the fact that an individual is a political prisoner. This is common in situations which may otherwise be decried nationally and internationally as a human rights violation and supression of a political dissident. A political prisoner can also be someone that has been denied bail unfairly, denied parole when it would reasonably have been given to a prisoner charged with a comparable crime, or special powers may be invoked by the judiciary. Particularly in this latter situation, whether an individual is regarded as a political prisoner may depend upon subjective political perspective or interpretation of the evidence.
More on [ Political prisoner ]
Civil society crucial in advancing human rights, UN officials tell Paris meeting
Wed, 03 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0500
Top United Nations officials have highlighted the important role played by civil society in advancing human rights around the world, as a major United Nations conference bringing together some 2,000 representatives of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) from 90 countries got under way in Paris today.
UN urges Iran not to impose death penalty on juveniles
Tue, 02 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0500
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has urged Iran not to impose the death penalty on juvenile offenders, following reports that two minors were recently put to death, in violation of the country's obligations under international law.
New UN human rights chief takes up post
Mon, 01 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0500
Navanethem Pillay today began her duties as the top United Nations human rights official, taking over a growing office that now has 1,000 staff working in 50 countries.
UN panel voices concern over growing number of enforced disappearances
Sat, 30 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0500
The United Nations body set up to assist families in determining the fate or whereabouts of disappeared relatives has expressed its concern over the growing number of cases of enforced disappearances taking place worldwide.
Ban urges redoubling of efforts to protect, promote human rights for all
Thu, 28 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0500
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today highlighted the progress made since the holding of a landmark United Nations human rights meeting in 1993, while calling for a redoubling of efforts to ensure that everyone around world is able to enjoy their rights.
Amid violent protests, UN urges restraint in Indian-administered Kashmir
Wed, 27 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0500
The United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has voiced its concern about the recent violent protests in Indian-administered Kashmir that have reportedly led to civilian casualties and restrictions to the right to freedom of assembly and expression.
A State of Denial - The story of Canadian Bill Sampson who is awaiting execution inside a Saudi jail cell. It is believed that he was tortured into signing a false confession of guilt. Includes a rare look inside a Saudi jail cell.
Meta Description: [ the fifth estate explores the case of Bill Sampson, a Canadian being held in a Saudi jail accused to setting off a car bomb. ]
Boycott Brazil - Background information and current status of John Gregory Lambros illegal extradition and imprisonment in Leavenworth, Kansas federal prison.
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Documents Concerning Political Prisoners in Laos - Press releases and other documents concerning political prisoners in Laos, including 2 journalists.
Meta Description: [ Hmong-Lao Human Rights. Documents concerning political prisoners in Laos and forced repatriation of political refugees from Thailand to Laos. ]
Free Arzhang Davoudi - A 46 year old political activist who was arrested after having an interview in Iran with Jane Kokan, a Canadian reporter who reported and filmed the documentary Forbidden Iran
Meta Description: [ Free Arzhang Davoudi Petition, hosted at PetitionOnline.com ]
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Free Payman Piran - Online petetion for Peyman Piran, a Kurdish student who on March 7, 2004 was arrested by the Revolutionary Courts of Tehran and transferred to Branch 6 of Qasr prison, a branch known for holding criminals and convicts.
Meta Description: [ Free Peyman Piran Petition, hosted at PetitionOnline.com ]
Freedom Now - An all-volunteer, non-profit organization to facilitate representation for arbitrarily detained individuals who have neither used nor advocated violence.
Meta Description: [ Our mission is to free prisoners of conscience through
focused legal, political and public relations advocacy efforts ]
FreeLou - United States citizen was tortured and sentenced to two years in jail by a Qatari court under the influence of its ruler. Lou's family and friends are seeking to free him and return him home.
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Mexico: Bacilio Is Detained - Just months after speaking up on human rights and free speech issues in Mexico, Dr. Bacilio Gomez was arrested by Mexican authorities.
Rafael Marques Jailed in Angola - Professional reviews and comments about the case/ background of this jailed journalist in the Republic of Angola.
Report Criticizing Detention Practice - Human rights groups question the continuing imprisonment of those who sought political asylum here.
Solidarity Group Political Prisoners - Links to several issues including the jailing of Mumia Abu-Jamal, Kurds, and German leftist press.
The Free Iranian Freedom Fighters' Petition - An online petition to the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to free four democracy advocates.
Meta Description: [ Free Iranian Freedom Fighters: Amir Abbas Fakhravar, Dr. Farzad Hamidi Petition, hosted at PetitionOnline.com ]
Together Against Torture - Site attempting to save Zeynep Avci, a Kurdish woman tortured in Turkey.
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| Help bring Noel Maguire an Irish Political Prisoner Home and Reunite a family. Contact These emails politicalstatus@aol ... | |
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