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    Trial Monitoring

    The ABA Center for Human Rights has been conducting trial monitoring around the world since 2011. Since 2019, it has been a proud implementing partner of the Clooney Foundation for Justice TrialWatch initiative, which monitors criminal trials against those who are most vulnerable and shines a light on the abuses taking place in detention centers and courts.

    The Latest

    Timeline of Obstacles Faced by Defense Lawyers in the Cases of José Rubén Zamora & Samari Gómez

    José Rubén Zamora, an award-winning Guatemalan journalist and the Founding Director of the now-shuttered Guatemalan outlet ElPeriódico, was prosecuted for money laundering, influence peddling and blackmail. He was tried alongside former prosecutor Samari Gómez, from the Special Prosecutor’s Office against Impunity (FECI), who was charged with disclosing confidential information. This update details the timeline of the trials and obstacles against the defense lawyers. Zamora was sentenced to six years for "money laundering."

    View - The Update
    Latin America & the Caribbean: 9 Cases; Africa: 23 Cases; Southwest Asia and North Africa: 4 Cases; Eurasia: 15 Cases; Asia: 13 Cases.

    Four Years of Trialwatch

    April 25 marks four years of the Clooney Foundation for Justice TrialWatch initiative, which was launched in partnership with ABA CHR. Since the project launch, CHR has deployed monitors to 65 criminal trials in 28 countries across the globe, with a focus on trials where there is a high risk of fair trial violations.

    Read more - Here

    Update: Paul Rusesabagina Released from Prison

    On March 24, 2023, Rwandan activist and former hotelier Paul Rusesabagina, who inspired the movie “Hotel Rwanda,” was released from a prison in Rwanda. Rusesabagina had been convicted on terrorism charges in a seriously flawed trial, monitored by ABA CHR.

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    About the TrialWatch Initiative

    Where We Work

    As part of the Clooney Foundation for Justice TrialWatch Initiative, the Center has worked in 21 countries thus far.

    View - Where We Work

    Support the Initiative

    Submit a Trial

    If you know of a trial or judicial proceeding that you believe may present a risk of human rights violations, please complete a trial submission. We understand that you may have limited information of the case, but please provide as much as you can. If you prefer to remain anonymous, you are not required to state your name or contact information. Due to the high volume of potential cases, submitting case information does not guarantee the Center will monitor the case. We thank you for your submission and support of fair trial rights.