Weaponising counter-terrorism and national security to imprison defenders

This event will address the misuse of counterterrorism policies to oppress human rights defenders. Many activists, lawyers, and journalists face arbitrary arrests, torture, and imprisonment under the guise of national security. The session will highlight these abuses, particularly the use of sophisticated surveillance tools like Pegasus spyware, and will call for the release of detained defenders.

Speakers: 

• Ben Saul, UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism
• Dr. Hala Al-Dosari, Woman Human Rights Defender, Saudi Arabia
• Widad Franco, UN Advocacy Officer, Human Rights Watch
• Yasmin Omar, International Women's Rights Lawyer, Middle East Democracy Center, Egypt

Moderator: Khalid Ibrahim, Executive Director, Gulf Centre for Human Rights

Lunch will be served at 1:00PM.

This event is co-hosted by the International Service for Human Rights, Front Line Defenders, CIVICUS, Middle East Democracy Center, Gulf Centre for Human Rights and Human Rights Watch.