Defend International (DI) documents the official participation of Dr. Widad Akreyi at the United Nations First Committee on Disarmament and International Security during the 62nd UN General Assembly in New York. The high-level diplomatic mission focused on curbing the proliferation of small arms, advancing the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) framework, and delivering a landmark address on the human cost of illicit weapons trafficking.

In light of continuing reports of human rights violations in Syria, Defend International (DI) launchs its new campaign in which DI urges the Syrian authorities to comply strictly with international human rights law and to respect freedom of opinion, expression, demonstration, assembly and association.

A group of youth from Karzakan province were arrested in Bahrain and there were claims of physical attacks or ill-treatment. In October 2007, DI launched a campaign in collaboration with Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights, urging Bahrain’s Minister of Interior to release them immediately. On 1 November 2007, the Bahraini authorities released them .

In July 2007, authors Mr. Ibrahim Mostafa and Mr. Adnan Sheikh Bozan were arrested in Syria. In August, Defend International launched an urgent action, calling on the authorities to release them unless they were charged with a recognizable criminal offence. In October, they were released.