Repressive governments worldwide use arbitrary detention of HRDs as a strategy to silence dissent and obstruct human rights work, a practice known as 'censorship by detention'
Join these campaigns to raise the cost of censorship by detention
HRDs are detained worldwide through the use of trumped-up charges, mock trials and the complicity of judicial systems. Here is a statistical breakdown of the cases collected by SOS-Defenders
HRDs defend all human rights, from civil and political rights to economic, social and cultural rights.
Governments use all sorts of trumped-up charges to arbitrarily detain HRDs and obstruct their human rights work.
Navigate the interactive map to see where HRDs are being detained and discover their stories.
Criminalisation and arbitrary detention often last for long periods, including years or even decades. This has a devastating impact not only on the lives of HRDs and their loved ones, but also on the entire human rights movement, depriving it of valuable resources and stifling the space for civil society in the country
Arbitrary detention can take many forms and can occur before, after or even in the absence of a trial.
Some HRDs are acquitted or released after a long time. Others, unfortunately, never get justice.
Learn more about HRDs, arbitrary detention and SOS-Defenders.
Explore all cases collected by SOS-Defenders.