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
At liberty Malcolm Bidali
Released May 2021, arrested May 2021
Arbitrary detention
Latest: Travel ban lifted, 16 August 2021
Badr Baabou
Context, November 2021
Physical assault
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
At liberty Rasha Azab
Released October 2026, arrested April 2024
Arbitrary detention
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 Imtithal Abdelfadeel
Released April 2025, arrested April 2025
Arbitrary detention
Latest: Travel ban imposed, 22 April 2025
At liberty Mohamed Mayara
Released October 2024, arrested October 2024
Arbitrary detention
Latest: Context, 3 January 2025
Imprisoned (serving sentence) Mohammed Al-Otaibi
Held since May 2017
Arbitrary detention
Latest: Appeal: sentence increased, April 2021
Imprisoned (serving sentence) Mohamed Tadjadit
Held since January 2025
Arbitrary detention
Latest: Statement by UN experts, 28 April 2026