Human rights defenders
HuMENA documents the cases of human rights defenders in the Middle East and North Africa who have been targeted for their work. Each entry is a dated case file.
Scope of the archive and inclusion criteria
HuMENA applies the definition set out in the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders: a human rights defender is any person who, individually or with others, acts by peaceful means to promote or protect internationally recognised human rights, their own or those of others. The status derives from the act, not from a person's profession or title.
Each person in this archive meets two conditions, established by reliable sources: a specific act of this kind, and targeting that followed from it. Cases that rest solely on a violation suffered, on family ties to a defender, on party membership, or on prosecution in a politically sensitive case fall outside its scope.
References: UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders (resolution 53/144, 1998); HuMENA Editorial Guide.
Defenders on record, by country
Select a country to show its case files in the list below. The same countries are available in the country filter.
The Record
Filtered cases
Ibrahim Mrikli
Released May 2020, arrested 2019
Arbitrary detention
Latest: Hearing, 8 October 2021
At liberty Maâti Monjib
Released July 2024, arrested 1995
Arbitrary detention
Latest: Hunger strike begins, 31 March 2026
At liberty Mahfouda Bamba Lefkire
Released May 2020, arrested November 2019
Arbitrary detention
Latest: Physical assault, 17 March 2025
Yahya Mohamed El Hafed Aaza
Physical assault, 19 March 2023
Arbitrary detention
Babouzeid Mohamad Said Labbihi
Other act, 5 January 2022
Arbitrary detention
At liberty Sultana Khaya
Released May 2022, arrested November 2020
Arbitrary detention
Jalal Bouchaab
Held since September 2021
Arbitrary detention
Latest: Hearing, 16 November 2021
Jamal Ahrouch
Held since September 2021
Arbitrary detention
Latest: Conviction, 30 November 2021
At liberty Jamila Mojahid
Released May 2022, arrested May 2022
Arbitrary detention
Latest: Context, 14 November 2024
At liberty Ahmed Ettanji
Released October 2024, arrested October 2024
Arbitrary detention
Latest: UN opinion or decision, 3 January 2025
At liberty Mhamed Hali
Award or recognition, May 2025
Defamation and smear campaign
At liberty Rida Benotmane
Released March 2024, arrested January 2007
Arbitrary detention
Latest: Context, 13 January 2025