Daphne Panayotatos
@dpanayo.bsky.social
Advocacy & Campaigns Director @freedomnoworg.bsky.social
Formerly @open-society.bsky.social and covering Europe @refugeesintl.bsky.social.
Views are my own. She/her.
🇺🇸🇨🇭🇬🇷 🏃🏻♀️
Formerly @open-society.bsky.social and covering Europe @refugeesintl.bsky.social.
Views are my own. She/her.
🇺🇸🇨🇭🇬🇷 🏃🏻♀️
Journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio turns 27 today & should be celebrating with loved ones. Instead, she & activist Mariel Domequil remain wrongfully detained 6 years after arrest. The court's conviction Thursday on trumped-up charges breaches justice, press freedom & rights #Philippines claims to uphold
January 23, 2026 at 3:36 PM
Journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio turns 27 today & should be celebrating with loved ones. Instead, she & activist Mariel Domequil remain wrongfully detained 6 years after arrest. The court's conviction Thursday on trumped-up charges breaches justice, press freedom & rights #Philippines claims to uphold
Reposted by Daphne Panayotatos
It is deeply troubling that 13 Kazakh activists are facing up to 10 years in prison for exercising their right to freedom of expression. We call for their release and for the Kazakh government to end its repression of public protests thediplomat.com/2025/12/burn...
Burning Xi Jinping: Is Kazakh Rights Group Facing Its Final Days?
A group of activists set fire to a portrait of Chinese leader Xi Jinping and the Chinese flag during a demonstration against the continued detention of ethnic Kazakhs in Xinjiang.
thediplomat.com
January 8, 2026 at 8:02 PM
It is deeply troubling that 13 Kazakh activists are facing up to 10 years in prison for exercising their right to freedom of expression. We call for their release and for the Kazakh government to end its repression of public protests thediplomat.com/2025/12/burn...
If due process is followed & an independent court reviews the facts, Frenchie Mae Cumpio & co-defendant Mariel Domequil should be acquitted. If their rights were being upheld, they should never have been arrested. The only just outcome is to see them cleared of charges, with their freedom restored.
The Philippines’ presidential office has told CPJ that it will uphold due process and protect the rights of journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio, weeks before key judgments in a long-running case that could see her jailed for up to 40 years. cpj.org?p=549133
#FreeFrenchieMaeCumpio #JournalismIsNotACrime
#FreeFrenchieMaeCumpio #JournalismIsNotACrime
Philippines tells CPJ it will uphold due process ahead of Frenchie Mae Cumpio verdict - Committee to Protect Journalists
New York, January 7, 2026—The Philippines’ presidential office has told the Committee to Protect Journalists that it will uphold due process and protect the rights of journalist Frenchie Mae Cumpio, w...
cpj.org
January 7, 2026 at 8:48 PM
If due process is followed & an independent court reviews the facts, Frenchie Mae Cumpio & co-defendant Mariel Domequil should be acquitted. If their rights were being upheld, they should never have been arrested. The only just outcome is to see them cleared of charges, with their freedom restored.
Reposted by Daphne Panayotatos
Seven years in arbitrary detention. Over 40 days on hunger strike. I am now seriously concerned for the life of human rights defender Abdoul Aziz Goma and urge the Togolese authorities to release him before it is too late.
December 21, 2025 at 1:25 PM
Seven years in arbitrary detention. Over 40 days on hunger strike. I am now seriously concerned for the life of human rights defender Abdoul Aziz Goma and urge the Togolese authorities to release him before it is too late.
Reposted by Daphne Panayotatos
ABDOUL AZIZ GOMA - TOGO
Irish-Togolese citizen detained since December 2018 for helping protesters find accommodation. After 6 years of pretrial detention, he was sentenced to 10 years in a one-day trial in February 2025.
Irish-Togolese citizen detained since December 2018 for helping protesters find accommodation. After 6 years of pretrial detention, he was sentenced to 10 years in a one-day trial in February 2025.
December 10, 2025 at 2:51 PM
ABDOUL AZIZ GOMA - TOGO
Irish-Togolese citizen detained since December 2018 for helping protesters find accommodation. After 6 years of pretrial detention, he was sentenced to 10 years in a one-day trial in February 2025.
Irish-Togolese citizen detained since December 2018 for helping protesters find accommodation. After 6 years of pretrial detention, he was sentenced to 10 years in a one-day trial in February 2025.
Reposted by Daphne Panayotatos
VICTOIRE INGABIRE - RWANDA
Opposition leader arrested in June 2025 after challenging Rwanda's authoritarian rule. She previously served 8 years in prison for daring to run against President Kagame. Now facing new charges of "inciting public disorder."
Opposition leader arrested in June 2025 after challenging Rwanda's authoritarian rule. She previously served 8 years in prison for daring to run against President Kagame. Now facing new charges of "inciting public disorder."
December 10, 2025 at 2:51 PM
VICTOIRE INGABIRE - RWANDA
Opposition leader arrested in June 2025 after challenging Rwanda's authoritarian rule. She previously served 8 years in prison for daring to run against President Kagame. Now facing new charges of "inciting public disorder."
Opposition leader arrested in June 2025 after challenging Rwanda's authoritarian rule. She previously served 8 years in prison for daring to run against President Kagame. Now facing new charges of "inciting public disorder."
Reposted by Daphne Panayotatos
FRENCHIE MAE CUMPIO - PHILIPPINES
26-year-old journalist arrested in February 2020 on fabricated charges of illegal firearms possession and terrorism financing. She has been detained for over 5 years without conviction.
26-year-old journalist arrested in February 2020 on fabricated charges of illegal firearms possession and terrorism financing. She has been detained for over 5 years without conviction.
December 10, 2025 at 2:51 PM
FRENCHIE MAE CUMPIO - PHILIPPINES
26-year-old journalist arrested in February 2020 on fabricated charges of illegal firearms possession and terrorism financing. She has been detained for over 5 years without conviction.
26-year-old journalist arrested in February 2020 on fabricated charges of illegal firearms possession and terrorism financing. She has been detained for over 5 years without conviction.
Reposted by Daphne Panayotatos
DZYANIS IVASHYN - BELARUS
Investigative journalist serving 13 years for exposing human rights abuses. Arrested in March 2021 bafter publishing an article about Ukrainian special forces members employed by Belarusian police to suppress protests.
Investigative journalist serving 13 years for exposing human rights abuses. Arrested in March 2021 bafter publishing an article about Ukrainian special forces members employed by Belarusian police to suppress protests.
December 10, 2025 at 2:51 PM
DZYANIS IVASHYN - BELARUS
Investigative journalist serving 13 years for exposing human rights abuses. Arrested in March 2021 bafter publishing an article about Ukrainian special forces members employed by Belarusian police to suppress protests.
Investigative journalist serving 13 years for exposing human rights abuses. Arrested in March 2021 bafter publishing an article about Ukrainian special forces members employed by Belarusian police to suppress protests.
Reposted by Daphne Panayotatos
TOFIG YAGUBLU - AZERBAIJAN
Veteran opposition activist sentenced to 9 years in prison in March 2025 on fabricated fraud and forgery charges. Authorities planted evidence during a raid on his home. This is his THIRD arbitrary imprisonment.
Veteran opposition activist sentenced to 9 years in prison in March 2025 on fabricated fraud and forgery charges. Authorities planted evidence during a raid on his home. This is his THIRD arbitrary imprisonment.
December 10, 2025 at 2:51 PM
TOFIG YAGUBLU - AZERBAIJAN
Veteran opposition activist sentenced to 9 years in prison in March 2025 on fabricated fraud and forgery charges. Authorities planted evidence during a raid on his home. This is his THIRD arbitrary imprisonment.
Veteran opposition activist sentenced to 9 years in prison in March 2025 on fabricated fraud and forgery charges. Authorities planted evidence during a raid on his home. This is his THIRD arbitrary imprisonment.
Reposted by Daphne Panayotatos
On #HumanRightsDay, we remember the thousands of brave individuals who remain behind bars for exercising our most basic rights. Today we highlight 5 political prisoners whose courage reminds us how important these rights are. 🧵
December 10, 2025 at 2:51 PM
On #HumanRightsDay, we remember the thousands of brave individuals who remain behind bars for exercising our most basic rights. Today we highlight 5 political prisoners whose courage reminds us how important these rights are. 🧵
Deeply worrying 2025 report @civicusalliance.bsky.social. The data validates perceptions at @freedomnoworg.bsky.social. Especially notable? "Detention is the top tactic for repression reported. Protestors were detained in at least 82 countries, journalists in 73, and human rights defenders in 71."
🚀 New global #PeoplePower2025 report shows civic freedoms are under attack globally. A record number of countries are now rated as ‘Repressed’ and ‘Closed.’
See country ratings & data on top violations 🔴🟡🟢: web.civicus.org/PeoplePower2025
See country ratings & data on top violations 🔴🟡🟢: web.civicus.org/PeoplePower2025
December 9, 2025 at 4:55 PM
Deeply worrying 2025 report @civicusalliance.bsky.social. The data validates perceptions at @freedomnoworg.bsky.social. Especially notable? "Detention is the top tactic for repression reported. Protestors were detained in at least 82 countries, journalists in 73, and human rights defenders in 71."
Reposted by Daphne Panayotatos
We reiterate that the detention of Ruth López is unjust and disproportionate, and violates international human rights standards as well as our own legal frameworks.
We will continue supporting all efforts to ensure her freedom and her right to a fair trial
#FreeRuth #HaveDecency #RuthBloomsInFreedom
We will continue supporting all efforts to ensure her freedom and her right to a fair trial
#FreeRuth #HaveDecency #RuthBloomsInFreedom
December 6, 2025 at 1:24 AM
We reiterate that the detention of Ruth López is unjust and disproportionate, and violates international human rights standards as well as our own legal frameworks.
We will continue supporting all efforts to ensure her freedom and her right to a fair trial
#FreeRuth #HaveDecency #RuthBloomsInFreedom
We will continue supporting all efforts to ensure her freedom and her right to a fair trial
#FreeRuth #HaveDecency #RuthBloomsInFreedom
Reposted by Daphne Panayotatos
This persecution must end and she must be released immediately. We are confident the UN will agree.
November 26, 2025 at 1:48 PM
This persecution must end and she must be released immediately. We are confident the UN will agree.
Reposted by Daphne Panayotatos
We are grateful for the inclusion of Tofig Yagublu in the Lantos Commission's Defending Freedoms Project. Tofig was arrested in 2023 & is serving a 9 year sentence in #Azerbaijan in retaliation for his political work. We call for his immediate release humanrightscommission.house.gov/defending-fr...
Tofig Yagublu
Image Detained: December 23, 2023.
humanrightscommission.house.gov
November 21, 2025 at 8:44 PM
We are grateful for the inclusion of Tofig Yagublu in the Lantos Commission's Defending Freedoms Project. Tofig was arrested in 2023 & is serving a 9 year sentence in #Azerbaijan in retaliation for his political work. We call for his immediate release humanrightscommission.house.gov/defending-fr...
A thread highlighting three @freedomnoworg.bsky.social cases in Member States of l'Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie. Leaders should use this week's conference in Kigali to raise these issues, in line with their mandate to promote human rights and democracy.
Reps from dozens of francophone countries are meeting in Kigali this week. The Francophonie mandate includes “to promote peace, democracy & human rights.” But in some member states, individuals peacefully exercising their rights are wrongfully detained. A 🧵about 3 cases 👇
November 18, 2025 at 6:50 PM
A thread highlighting three @freedomnoworg.bsky.social cases in Member States of l'Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie. Leaders should use this week's conference in Kigali to raise these issues, in line with their mandate to promote human rights and democracy.
A meaningful evening with @rferl.org.web.brid.gy, @nationalpress.bsky.social , @penamerica.bsky.social & most importantly, Vlad himself. We heard the awful circumstances of his detention but also got to celebrate his freedom together.
November 7, 2025 at 4:56 PM
A meaningful evening with @rferl.org.web.brid.gy, @nationalpress.bsky.social , @penamerica.bsky.social & most importantly, Vlad himself. We heard the awful circumstances of his detention but also got to celebrate his freedom together.
Reposted by Daphne Panayotatos
On this International Day of Political Prisoners, we’re proud to co-lead a joint statement—standing in solidarity with the estimated one million political prisoners detained worldwide. #FreeThemAll
freedomhouse.org/article/join...
freedomhouse.org/article/join...
Joint Statement on the International Day of Political Prisoners
freedomhouse.org
October 30, 2025 at 2:22 PM
On this International Day of Political Prisoners, we’re proud to co-lead a joint statement—standing in solidarity with the estimated one million political prisoners detained worldwide. #FreeThemAll
freedomhouse.org/article/join...
freedomhouse.org/article/join...
Reposted by Daphne Panayotatos
A truly shameful decision by #Kyrgyzstan to declare independent investigative outlets Temirov Live and Kloop as “extremist.” A country that was once a beacon of press freedom in Central Asia continues its slide into authoritarianism cpj.org/2025/10/kyrg...
Kyrgyzstan declares investigative outlets Kloop and Temirov Live ‘extremist’ - Committee to Protect Journalists
New York, October 28, 2025—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls for the reversal of an October 27 court decision in Kyrgyzstan declaring the publications of investigative outlets Temirov Live an...
cpj.org
October 29, 2025 at 12:40 PM
A truly shameful decision by #Kyrgyzstan to declare independent investigative outlets Temirov Live and Kloop as “extremist.” A country that was once a beacon of press freedom in Central Asia continues its slide into authoritarianism cpj.org/2025/10/kyrg...
Reposted by Daphne Panayotatos
It has been one and a half years since Anar Mammadli was detained in #Azerbaijan as reprisal for his election observation and #humanrights work. His detention is part of a worsening human rights situation in the country, marked by politically-motivated detentions.
October 29, 2025 at 1:33 PM
It has been one and a half years since Anar Mammadli was detained in #Azerbaijan as reprisal for his election observation and #humanrights work. His detention is part of a worsening human rights situation in the country, marked by politically-motivated detentions.
Reposted by Daphne Panayotatos
On October 31, we will mail messages of solidarity and hope to imprisoned journalist Dzyanis Ivashyn to let him know he has not been forgotten. Please join us! www.freedom-now.org/write-a-lett...
October 21, 2025 at 7:55 PM
On October 31, we will mail messages of solidarity and hope to imprisoned journalist Dzyanis Ivashyn to let him know he has not been forgotten. Please join us! www.freedom-now.org/write-a-lett...
Reposted by Daphne Panayotatos
On Sunday, Cameroonians go to the polls to vote for president. But so long as journalists are persecuted for their reporting, elections cannot be truly democratic. Thomas Awah Jr and all wrongfully jailed journalists must be freed immediately. www.freedom-now.org/cases/thomas...
October 10, 2025 at 8:07 PM
On Sunday, Cameroonians go to the polls to vote for president. But so long as journalists are persecuted for their reporting, elections cannot be truly democratic. Thomas Awah Jr and all wrongfully jailed journalists must be freed immediately. www.freedom-now.org/cases/thomas...
Reposted by Daphne Panayotatos
Since returning to power the Taliban have steadily eroded the rights of Afghans, especially the rights of Afghan women who have nearly been erased from public life. This unprecedented communications blackout is an escalation of these rights abuses and will also cause irreversible economic harm
September 30, 2025 at 1:05 PM
Since returning to power the Taliban have steadily eroded the rights of Afghans, especially the rights of Afghan women who have nearly been erased from public life. This unprecedented communications blackout is an escalation of these rights abuses and will also cause irreversible economic harm
Reposted by Daphne Panayotatos
For a second day, Afghanistan is cut off from the outside world as the Taliban regime has instituted a near total communications blackout. Internet and mobile phones services have been cut nationwide in order to "prevent immorality." www.theguardian.com/world/2025/s...
Afghanistan ‘blind without phones and internet’ on second day of telecoms blackout
Taliban authorities cut fibre-optic network in nationwide shutdown of communications to prevent ‘vice’
www.theguardian.com
September 30, 2025 at 1:05 PM
For a second day, Afghanistan is cut off from the outside world as the Taliban regime has instituted a near total communications blackout. Internet and mobile phones services have been cut nationwide in order to "prevent immorality." www.theguardian.com/world/2025/s...
Reposted by Daphne Panayotatos
🚨 Yesterday marked 10 years since Tajik human rights lawyer Buzurgmehr Yorov was wrongfully imprisoned.
We call on Tajikistan’s authorities to free him immediately and release all others jailed for defending human rights.
🔗 Read the full statement here: www.lawyersforlawyers.org/lawyer-wrong...
We call on Tajikistan’s authorities to free him immediately and release all others jailed for defending human rights.
🔗 Read the full statement here: www.lawyersforlawyers.org/lawyer-wrong...
Lawyer wrongfully held for a decade - Free Buzurgmehr Yorov - Lawyers for Lawyers
Twelve civil society organisations, including Lawyers for Lawyers, have called for the release of Tajik lawyer Buzurgmehr Yorov. In a separate statement, a coalition of bar associations have similarly...
www.lawyersforlawyers.org
September 29, 2025 at 9:37 AM
🚨 Yesterday marked 10 years since Tajik human rights lawyer Buzurgmehr Yorov was wrongfully imprisoned.
We call on Tajikistan’s authorities to free him immediately and release all others jailed for defending human rights.
🔗 Read the full statement here: www.lawyersforlawyers.org/lawyer-wrong...
We call on Tajikistan’s authorities to free him immediately and release all others jailed for defending human rights.
🔗 Read the full statement here: www.lawyersforlawyers.org/lawyer-wrong...
Reposted by Daphne Panayotatos
It has been 10 years since #Tajikistan arrested human rights lawyer Buzurgmehr Yorov. He remains imprisoned on politically motivated charges. Freedom Now and 11 human rights organizations renew our call for his immediate and unconditional release www.freedom-now.org/tajikistan-l...
September 29, 2025 at 12:08 PM
It has been 10 years since #Tajikistan arrested human rights lawyer Buzurgmehr Yorov. He remains imprisoned on politically motivated charges. Freedom Now and 11 human rights organizations renew our call for his immediate and unconditional release www.freedom-now.org/tajikistan-l...