On 12 February 2010, the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Belarus refused to register the Belarusian Assembly of Pro-Democratic Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), the largest association of NGOs in Belarus.

Human rights defender Ms Mahboubeh Karami was arrested on 2 March 2010. Mahboubeh Karami is a member of the One Million Signature Campaign, a movement which aims to end discriminatory laws against women in Iran. Front Line previously issued an appeal in relation to the arrest and detention of Mahboubeh Karami on 2 April 2009.

Human rights defender Mr Edwin Nebolisa Nwakaeme, in detention since his arrest on 1 March, was denied bail today 10 March. Edwin Nebolisa Nwakaeme is the founder and program director of Africa in Democracy and Good Governance (ADG), an organisation which works to promote human rights, democracy and good governance in Africa.

Human rights defender Mr Thamer Abdulkareem Al-Khather was arrested on 3 March 2010. Thamer Abdulkareem Al-Khather is an advocate of prisoners' rights and a member of a youth movement that calls for constitutional reform.