Busy times for Human Rights defenders.
The shocking scenes in the US of ICE enforcers arresting and detaining refugees and migrants and shooting Human Rights defenders have shown that the attacks on the human rights of refugees and migrants are threatening us all. In the UK Nigel Farage has pledged that, when in power he would deport 600000 people seeking asylum, including those who have been granted leave to remain.
The concept of “Remigration” the forced deportation of refugees, immigrants and even citizens of colour is being normalised. And rhetoric leads to violence. Driven by xenophobic rhetoric and hate speech by far-right influencers and agitators and often but not always led by far- right organisers people are attacking hotels and other accommodation housing asylum seekers and refugees. Vulnerable people, survivors of torture, families with children, unaccompanied minors are re-traumatised by verbal and physical violence. As human right defenders we need to staunchly defend the universal human right of seeking asylum from persecution.
And far-right violence doesn’t stop with terrorizing people seeking asylum. The Ahmadi community in Crewe is getting targeted by far-right followers of Tommy Robinson. On Saturday 28th February Far right thugs have again announced a protest at the premises of the Ahmadi community. Activists from Manchester Stand up to Racism are going to travel to Crewe to support the Ahmadi community. For further questions or if you want to get involved please contact Hadil Hadil.El-Khouly@amnesty.org.uk
120 organisations so far have joined the Together Alliance to march against the Far Right on 28th of March 2028. Amnesty has joined the coalition. World-wide there will be actions on or around the same day in Greece, France, Norway, Spain, Germany, Denmark and the US. Join the Amnesty bloc on the 28th ! https://www.togetheralliance.org.uk/
Hungary
Urgent Action
DROP CHARGES AGAINST PÉCS PRIDE ORGANISER
On 10th February the Hungarian prosecution brought charges against Géza Buzás-Hábel, organiser of Pécs Pride and Director of the Diverse Youth Network.
Géza Buzás-Hábel is a Roma, gay man. He worked as a teacher and human rights defender and is from Pécs. He taught Romani language and culture, trained future educators, and has long organised Pécs Pride, the country’s only Pride outside of Budapest, ensuring it remains inclusive, peaceful, and community-driven.
On 4 September 2025, Géza Buzás-Hábel, submitted notification to local police regarding the fifth edition of Pécs Pride, scheduled for 4 October 2025. The Pécs Police Department immediately issued a pre-emptive ban, on 5 September 2025, claiming that the assembly, which aimed to support same-sex marriage rights, transgender legal gender recognition, and commemorate LGBTI+ Holocaust victims, would expose children to prohibited content. Géza Buzás-Hábel, appealed the ban, but the Kúria, Hungary’s Supreme Court, rejected the appeal. Despite the ban, Pécs Pride proceeded on 4 October 2025 without police intervention. On 10 October 2025, Géza Buzás-Hábel, received an official police summons identifying him as a person “reasonably suspected of committing a criminal offence.”
Dávid Vig, Director of Amnesty International Hungary, said:
“We are outraged that the prosecutor has brought charges against Géza Buzás-Hábel. Rather than being threatened with a criminal sentence he should be commended for his courage in organizing the largest Pécs Pride in history. Géza did nothing wrong but instead was standing up for equality and for freedom of assembly.
“Together with our partners – the Háttér Society, the Hungarian Helsinki Committee and the Hungarian Civil Liberties Union – we stand with Géza and commit ourselves to defending him.”
Please write letters in your own words, calling for charges against Géza Buzás-Hábel to be dropped. You can also use the attached sample letter.
Urgent Action and sample letters are attached and also available on the link below :
https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/eur27/0712/2026/en/
Greece
Criminalisation of rescue. Defend the human rights defenders !
In our January Newsletter we celebrated the acquittal of Sean Binder. But the criminalisation of human rights defenders who are monitoring abuse at the borders of Fortress Europe, or are offering humanitarian assistance to refugees in distress is continuing.
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL 12 February 2026
Criminalization of humanitarian worker Tommy Olsen, founder of Aegean Boat Report
Background
Tommy Olsen, a Norwegian national, started Aegean Boat Report as a Facebook page in 2017 to share information on new arrivals to Greece and cases of distress following his experience as a volunteer on Lesvos. Aegean Boat Report has been an NGO since 2018, and provides regular information on arrivals, cases of distress at sea and pushbacks.
On 11 February, Tommy was informed by the Norwegian authorities of the European Arrest Warrant issued against him. The arrest warrant follows an investigation opened by the Greek authorities in 2022 against both him and Panayote Dimitras, on charges related to their work assisting refugees and migrants. The details of the arrest warrant remain undisclosed to date.
Among others, the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders has expressed concerns about Olsen’s case expressing “serious concern that the investigations […] may amount to the improper use of Greece’s legal framework to sanction their actions as human rights defenders, in particular their communicating of information to the Greek authorities as to the presence of persons within Greek territory seeking to claim asylum, a right guaranteed under European and international law”.
In 2020 Amnesty International documented how Greek authorities have misused smuggling charges against human rights defenders. Greek law is inconsistent with the international law definition of smuggling and does not sufficiently protect humanitarians and rescue workers and others acting with a humanitarian aim from punishment or prosecution.
For more information see: PRESS STATEMENT — AEGEAN BOAT REPORT 11/02/2026 – Aegean Boat Report
What is Amnesty International’s comment on this latest development in Olsen’s case?
Amnesty International is deeply concerned by reports that Tommy Olsen was contacted by Norwegian police and informed that they have received a European Arrest Warrant against him, issued by Greece. We are closely monitoring this case.
A month ago, 24 humanitarian workers were acquitted of smuggling charges after an agonizing seven-year investigation. Today’s arrest warrant against Olsen sends out the clear message that humanitarian work remains under threat in Greece.
The arrest warrant against Olsen and the ongoing criminal case against him and against Panayote Dimitras, of the NGO Greek Helsinki Committee, happens in a climate of growing hostility against refugees and migrants and those who help them in Greece. Several people have faced similar criminal investigations and prosecution, and an untold number of migrants and refugees have experienced violent abuses both in the country and at its borders.
Last week, Greece passed new rules which make membership of a registered migration NGO an aggravating factor in smuggling cases, creating a dangerous and unjustified link between legitimate humanitarian action and criminal activities.
In the absence of any credible efforts from the Greek authorities to create safe and legal routes for migrants and refugees, and ensure accountability for pushbacks, the work of Tommy Olsen and other humanitarians, has proven vital in ensuring that people in distress are protected and that abuses don’t go unnoticed. This work should be protected and enabled, not hindered and criminalized.
Iftar in Watford ! Everyone is welcome !
The Watford Amnesty group has organised an Iftar on Saturday 7th March. This years topic is about welcoming refugees. I will be talking about human rights violations at the borders of Fortress Europe and threats to the universal human right to seek asylum from persecution in the UK and Europe. I will also talk about inspiring human rights defenders and the need to work together to challenge prejudice, hate and fear and replace it with positive narratives of solidarity and hope. A representative of a grassroots organisation will talk about practical help and support within communities. You can book your ticket using the link below:
TÜRKİYE
LENGTHY PRISON SENTENCES IMPOSED ON
LAWYERS AND PRISONERS’ FAMILIES SUPPORT ASSOCIATION FOR LAWFUL PROFESSIONAL AND HUMAN RIGHTS WORK
Amnesty has joined 32 international legal and human rights organizations strongly condemn the conviction and sentencing of 10 lawyers who are members of the Association of Lawyers for Freedom (ÖHD) and of 20 executives and staff of the Prisoners’ Families Solidarity Association (TUAD) by the Istanbul 14th Heavy Penal Court on 28 January 2026. The unjust sentences, imposed after nearly 10 years of proceedings, are the latest alarming example of a broader pattern of criminalising the legal profession and human rights defence in Türkiye. Those convicted and sentenced are at liberty pending appeals of their convictions.
The case originates from a criminal investigation launched in 2016 against ÖHD lawyers and TUAD members, based on allegations that they had facilitated communication between prisoners held in separate prisons and the outside world between 2011 and 2014.
The evidence relied upon by the prosecution appears, to consist entirely of lawful activities. These included prison visits, trial monitoring, legal representation of clients, public statements, and communications with colleagues and clients carried out by ÖHD lawyers, as well as TUAD’s work documenting prison conditions, issuing public statements on rights violations, and monitoring the health of prisoners during the 2012 hunger strikes.
For a copy of the full statement and further details regarding the case click on the following link:
https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/eur44/0720/2026/en/
Amnesty Türkiye launches new opportunity for activists to send messages of support to Gezi PoC Tayfun Kahraman
As reported in the January newsletter Gezi PoC Tayfun Kahraman who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis some time ago was hospitalized following a serious deterioration in his condition.
He has been in Silivri Prison since April 25, 2022, due to the unfair conviction and 18-year prison sentence he received in the Gezi Trial. Despite the Constitutional Court’s July 2025 ruling on rights violations and the decision for a retrial, he still has not been released, and his health condition is deteriorating the longer he remains in prison.
Amnesty Türkiye are now requesting activists to show their support for Tayfun Kahraman by writing a message of solidarity using the following link that they have provided on the section’s X (Twitter) account. Please click on the link to send your message.
And finally some good news !
HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDER ACQUITED
In our August 2025 newsletter we reported that Human Rights defender Enes Hocaoğulları had been placed in arbitrary pre-trial detention after being detained at Ankara Esenboğa Airport upon his return to Türkiye, due to comments he made in March during a speech at the Council of Europe in Strasbourg. He was released from prison at the first hearing of his prosecution on 8 September 2025 but still faced charges.
Today (23 February) we heard from Amnesty Türkiye that at today’s hearing Enes was acquitted.
He presented a very strong defence and described the physical, sexual, and psychological violence he was subjected to in prison. He stated that his speech found a wide audience outside the Council of Europe thanks to his pre-trial detention.
In his closing opinion, the prosecutor stated that Enes’ speech fell within the scope of freedom of expression and requested his acquittal. The court subsequently acquitted Enes. Thank you to everyone who took action on behalf of Enes.
