Persian Wildlife Heritage Foundation conservationists: arrests, a death in custody and prison sentences, 2018–2024
- The IUCN Species Survival Commission chair said in 2018 that practically the only information about me, the Asiatic cheetah, comes from camera traps. Mongabay
- In 2018, at least 63 conservationists, environmental scientists and activists were arrested in Iran, according to Amnesty International. Amnesty International
- 1 people died.Kavous Seyed-Emami, in Evin Prison, 9 February 2018 (authorities' date).
Revolutionary Guards arrested staff of the Persian Wildlife Heritage Foundation in January 2018 after they used camera traps to monitor Asiatic cheetahs. The founder died in custody, and on 20 November 2019 a Tehran Revolutionary Court branch convicted eight others of collaborating with the United States and sentenced them to 4–10 years; all those sentenced had been freed by April 2024.
Eight defendants: seven received 6–10 years and one received 4 years. Niloufar Bayani was also ordered to return US$360,000. The foundation's founder, Kavous Seyed-Emami, died in custody on 9 February 2018, before trial.
Status As of April 2024: all eight convicted conservationists had been released; the convictions of 20 November 2019 stand in the court record and the 2024 releases were described as pardons; no independent investigation of Seyed-Emami's death has been allowed.
- Eight convicted PWHF conservationists — Prison terms of 4–10 years; all had been released by April 2024 Human Rights Watch
- Niloufar Bayani — Ordered to return US$360,000 in “illicit funds” Human Rights Watch
- Kavous Seyed-Emami and his family — He died in custody on 9 February 2018; his wife was banned from leaving the country until October 2019 Human Rights Watch
- Asiatic cheetah monitoring — Two of the defendants were key cheetah field researchers, and camera traps provide practically the only information on the species, according to the IUCN Species Survival Commission chair Mongabay
What happened
On 24–25 January 2018 Revolutionary Guards officials entered the office of the Persian Wildlife Heritage Foundation (PWHF) in Tehran, went through it and the staff's homes and arrested staff. Amnesty International described the eight as being among nine scientists arrested by the Revolutionary Guards in January 2018 and held incommunicado in Section 2-A of Evin Prison without access to a lawyer. The foundation had bought 45 camera traps from Panthera in early 2017 and used camera traps to monitor Asiatic cheetahs. On 14 February 2018 the Tehran prosecutor, Abbas Jafari Dolatabadi, said, as reported by Mehr, that a network had installed cameras ostensibly for environmental monitoring in strategic areas that in fact watched missile activities, acting under CIA and Mossad officers. Science, as reported by Mongabay, said the Revolutionary Guards alleged the team used camera traps to collect information on Iran's missile programme.
The foundation's managing director and founder, the Iranian-Canadian professor Kavous Seyed-Emami, died in Evin Prison; Iranian authorities told his wife it happened on 9 February 2018 and informed the family on 10 February. The Tehran prosecutor told ILNA that he had committed suicide in prison. His son, Raam Seyed-Emami, said the family could not believe it and the family asked for an independent autopsy. Amnesty reported that authorities refused to release the body unless the family agreed to an immediate burial without an independent autopsy and that no independent investigation had been carried out. Human Rights Watch reported that his wife's travel ban lasted until October 2019. On 23 February 2018 four UN experts called it hard to fathom how work to preserve Iranian flora and fauna could be linked to espionage and called Seyed-Emami's death “extremely disturbing”.
In May 2018 a government committee of the ministers of intelligence, interior and justice and the president's legal deputy concluded that there was no evidence to suggest the detainees were spies, according to Amnesty and Human Rights Watch. On 22 May 2018 the head of the Department of Environment, Isa Kalantari, reported this. In March 2019 Amnesty reported pre-trial charges: efsad fil arz, a charge that can carry the death penalty, against Houman Jowkar, Niloufar Bayani, Morad Tahbaz and Taher Ghadirian; espionage against Amirhossein Khaleghi, Sepideh Kashani and Abdolreza Kouhpayeh; and, for Sam Rajabi, offences including cooperating with hostile states against the Islamic Republic. The trial took place in January and February 2019 at Branch 15 of the Revolutionary Court in Tehran. Bayani told the court that she had “confessed” only after being “broken” by torture and later retracted.
On 20 November 2019 the Revolutionary Court convicted the eight of “collaborating with the enemy state of the United States”: Morad Tahbaz to 10 years; Niloufar Bayani to 10 years and an order to return US$360,000 in “illicit funds”, calculated by multiplying her latest annual UNEP salary by her six years there; Houman Jowkar and Taher Ghadirian to 8 years each; Amirhossein Khaleghi, Sepideh Kashani and Sam Rajabi to 6 years each; and Abdolreza Kouhpayeh to 4 years on a lesser charge. A Tehran appeals court upheld the sentences on 18 February 2020. The judiciary spokesman, Gholamhossein Esmaili, had said on 14 October 2019 that the charge had been changed to cooperating with the United States and Israel.
Kouhpayeh, Khaleghi and Rajabi were released after serving their sentences. Tahbaz was freed on 18 September 2023 in a US–Iran exchange that followed the release of “nearly $6 billion” in frozen Iranian assets from South Korea to Qatar. Bayani and Jowkar were freed on 8 April 2024 and Kashani and Ghadirian on 9 April 2024; Iran International reported that they were pardoned. The monitoring of the Asiatic cheetah had been largely camera-trap work: the chair of the IUCN Species Survival Commission said in 2018 that practically the only information on the species comes from camera traps.
- 2018Revolutionary Guards arrest PWHF staff (24–25 Jan); Kavous Seyed-Emami dies in Evin Prison (9 Feb); UN experts' statement (23 Feb); government committee finds no evidence of spying (May)
- 2019Trial at Branch 15 of the Revolutionary Court (Jan–Feb); Amnesty urgent action (11 Mar); verdicts communicated (20 Nov)
- 2020Appeals court upholds the sentences (18 Feb)
- 2023Morad Tahbaz freed in a US–Iran exchange (18 Sep)
- 2024Niloufar Bayani and Houman Jowkar freed (8 Apr); Sepideh Kashani and Taher Ghadirian freed (9 Apr)
What was said
“he committed suicide in prison since he knew that many had made confessions against him.”
“They said he committed suicide. I still can't believe this.”
“It is hard to fathom how working to preserve the Iranian flora and fauna can possibly be linked to conducting espionage”
“Mr Emami's death is extremely disturbing.”
“merely a fishing rod”
“practically the only information we have on the Asiatic cheetah comes from camera traps.”
“an unbelievable fictional scenario about espionage under the guise of protecting the environment”
“There is no evidence that the imprisoned individuals committed any crimes.”
“We at UNEP call for clemency.”
“Such unjust sentences would be yet another hallmark of the abusive nature of Iran's revolutionary courts.”
“This is a very bizarre charge to bring against environmental activists.”
“I am shocked.”
“It is not easy to explain why they are being freed at this particular time.”
Where accounts differ
Each party's account, side by side, with its source. The record does not settle these points; it shows them.
The cameras installed for environmental monitoring in strategic areas in fact watched missile activities, under CIA and Mossad guidance.
Eghtesad News (Mehr)The team used camera traps to collect information on Iran's missile programme.
MongabayConvicted eight defendants of collaborating with the enemy state of the United States.
Human Rights WatchA government committee of the intelligence, interior and justice ministers and the president's legal deputy found no evidence they were spies.
Human Rights WatchThese individuals are not spies.
Radio FardaShe told the court she “confessed” only after being “broken” by torture and later retracted; her letters describe at least 1,200 hours of interrogation.
Amnesty InternationalThe object described as a spy antenna was “merely a fishing rod”.
Radio FardaIt is hard to fathom how work to preserve Iranian flora and fauna can be linked to espionage; they called for release and an impartial investigation.
Center for Human Rights in Iran (reproducing the UN experts' statement)There is no evidence against the imprisoned individuals.
MongabayA “grossly unfair trial” that “relied almost entirely on ‘confessions’ allegedly made under torture”; it called the defendants prisoners of conscience.
Amnesty InternationalCalled the sentences unjust and said they reflected the abusive nature of Iran's revolutionary courts.
Human Rights WatchIts last material interaction with the foundation was the 2017 sale of 45 camera traps.
MongabayHe committed suicide in prison.
RFE/RLThe family could not believe the suicide account and asked for an independent autopsy.
RFE/RLAuthorities refused to release his body unless the family agreed to an immediate burial without an independent autopsy; no independent investigation was held.
Amnesty InternationalThe family described the circumstances as suspicious and authorities had not conducted an impartial investigation.
Human Rights WatchHis death was “extremely disturbing”; they called for an impartial investigation.
Center for Human Rights in Iran (reproducing the UN experts' statement)Confirmed the verdicts of Branch 15 and, on 18 February 2020, the upholding of the sentences on appeal.
MongabayDefendants were not allowed to read the full indictment or the evidence file.
Human Rights WatchThe defendants had no lawyer of their own choosing at any stage.
Amnesty International“I am shocked.” She urged the release of the conservationists.
RFE/RLHow it looked
Shown
- The cameras were installed ostensibly for environmental monitoring but in fact watched missile activities, under CIA and Mossad officers.Tehran prosecutor Abbas Jafari Dolatabadi, via Mehr · Eghtesad News (Mehr)
- An “antenna” said to be a spying device belonging to Seyed-Emami was aired on state television.State television, as described by Radio Farda · Radio Farda
- The charge was changed to collaborating with the United States and Israel “to spy for the CIA and Mossad”.Judiciary spokesman Gholamhossein Esmaili, as reported by Human Rights Watch · Human Rights Watch
Recorded
- Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court convicted eight defendants on 20 November 2019 of collaborating with the enemy state of the United States, with sentences of 4–10 years.
- Niloufar Bayani was ordered to return US$360,000 in “illicit funds”, calculated from her UNEP salary over six years.
- A Tehran appeals court upheld the sentences on 18 February 2020.
- A government committee concluded in May 2018 that there was no evidence the detainees were spies.
- Kavous Seyed-Emami died in custody on 9 February 2018; authorities gave suicide as the cause; no independent autopsy or investigation took place.
- Amnesty recorded at least 63 conservationists, environmental scientists and activists arrested in Iran in 2018.
Who gained
Reached nature or the ground
Gained elsewhere
Responses on record
- iran-judiciary (October 2019 – February 2020): Judiciary spokesman Gholamhossein Esmaili confirmed the Branch 15 verdicts and said the charge had been changed to cooperating with the United States and Israel; on 18 February 2020 he said seven were convicted of cooperating with the hostile state of the US, with 6–10 years, and one with 4 years. · Human Rights Watch
- iran-doe (22 May 2018): The Department head, Isa Kalantari, said on 22 May 2018 that a government committee had found no evidence they were spies. · Human Rights Watch
- panthera (December 2019): Said its last material interaction with the foundation was in early 2017, when the foundation purchased 45 camera traps from Panthera, and that unnamed authorities, presumably American, had asked it not to comment during the trial. · Mongabay
- unep (2020): UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen called for clemency. · Mongabay
In court and with insurers
Lawsuits and rulings
- 2018–2019Claimant won$0.36m ordered returned by Niloufar Bayani as “illicit funds”Prosecution of PWHF conservationists for collaborating with the United StatesBranch 15, Revolutionary Court, Tehran · Criminal · Tehran prosecutors → Morad Tahbaz, Niloufar Bayani, Houman Jowkar, Taher Ghadirian, Amirhossein Khaleghi, Sepideh Kashani, Sam Rajabi, Abdolreza Kouhpayeh
Trial in January–February 2019. On 20 November 2019 the court convicted the eight of “collaborating with the enemy state of the United States” and sentenced Morad Tahbaz to 10 years; Niloufar Bayani to 10 years and the return of US$360,000; Houman Jowkar and Taher Ghadirian to 8 years; Amirhossein Khaleghi, Sepideh Kashani and Sam Rajabi to 6 years; and Abdolreza Kouhpayeh to 4 years on a lesser charge (“collusion”, per Mongabay). Pre-trial charges reported by Amnesty in March 2019 were efsad fil arz (which can carry the death penalty), espionage, and cooperating with hostile states. Morad Tahbaz was also ordered to repay “illicit income”; the amount was not reported. Human Rights Watch
- 2019–2020Defendant wonAppeal by the PWHF defendantsCourt of appeal, Tehran · Appeal · The defendants (appellants) → State prosecution
On 18 February 2020 the appeals court upheld the sentences. Judiciary spokesman Gholamhossein Esmaili said seven were convicted of cooperating with the hostile state of the United States and sentenced to 6–10 years, and Abdolreza Kouhpayeh to 4 years. Mongabay
Insurers
What nature saw
Nature's report opens this page. Below: further outcomes measured on the ground.
What we don't know
Accounts
Record
- Not measured Not measured: the effect of the arrests on cheetah monitoring in Iran.
- None on record None on record: an independent investigation into the death of Kavous Seyed-Emami; Amnesty (2019), Human Rights Watch (2019) and the family (2020) state that none was allowed.
- Not disclosed Not disclosed: the written judgments. Human Rights Watch reports that the defendants were not allowed to read the full indictment or evidence file; Amnesty reports they had no lawyer of their own choosing at any stage.
- Not disclosed Not disclosed: the amount of the “illicit income” Morad Tahbaz was ordered to repay.
- Unclear Unclear: the exact release dates of Abdolreza Kouhpayeh, Amirhossein Khaleghi and Sam Rajabi.
- Unclear Unclear: whether the “illicit funds” orders were enforced or ended with the 2024 pardons.
- Unclear Unclear: the arrest date: 24 January 2018 in most sources; one Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty article body gives “February 24”.
Did the harm stop?
Not on record. The eight convicted were released between 2020 and April 2024 and the founder died in custody in February 2018; no source describes the state of cheetah monitoring afterwards.
Who paid?
The defendants served prison terms of up to 10 years, Niloufar Bayani was ordered to return US$360,000, and Kavous Seyed-Emami died in custody. Whether the order was enforced is not on record.
Sources
Government and regulators
- New details on how environmental activists spied / target: missile programme (Persian; prosecutor's allegations via Mehr)Eghtesad News (Mehr) · 2018-02-14
Press and investigations
- Iranian-Canadian Activist Dies In Tehran Prison, Family ToldRFE/RL · 2018-02-11
- German rights commissioner urges release of Iranian conservationistsRFE/RL · 2019-11-22
- Environmental activists' lawyer: Seyed-Emami's alleged spying device was a fishing rod (Persian)Radio Farda · 2018-05-20
- Four wildlife conservationists held by Iran could face the death penaltyMongabay · 2018-11-27
- Iran upholds heavy sentences for conservationists convicted of spyingMongabay · 2020-02-21
- US-Iran prisoner swap: Morad TahbazWBUR / Connecticut Public · 2023-09-19
- PWHF conservationists freedIran International · 2024-04-09
- How Many Asiatic Cheetahs Roam across Iran?Scientific American blog (Sam Khosravifard) · 2013-03-29
Communities and civil society
- Urgent Action UA 33/19: Tortured conservationists face death penalty (MDE 13/9978/2019)Amnesty International · 2019-03-11
- Iran: Environmentalists SentencedHuman Rights Watch · 2019-11-22
International bodies
- UN Experts: Iran's Spying Charges Against Wildlife Activists “Hard to Fathom”Center for Human Rights in Iran (reproducing the UN experts' statement) · 2018-02-23
Connected cases
- Asiatic cheetah conservation project in Iran: 25 years of funding and a count of 26 animals Iran · 2000–2026 Related matter
- Department of Environment (Iran) (Public authority) — here: Its head reported the government committee's finding; there: Executing agency; funded the project alone from December 2017
- Panthera (NGO) — here: Sold 45 camera traps to the foundation in early 2017; there: Partner that later replaced the Wildlife Conservation Society
- Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics: environmental pledges and the Mzymta valley Russia · 2007–2018
- Amnesty International (NGO) — here: Documented the arrests, detention and trial; there: Called Vitishko a prisoner of conscience
- Human Rights Watch (NGO) — here: Documented the verdicts and sentences; there: Reported on detention of EWNC activists
- UN Environment Programme (International organisation) — here: Employer of Niloufar Bayani as a consultant; called for clemency; there: Expert missions, declaration of commitments, advisory role
- Iran's 2026 war-damage estimate of about USD 270bn and its calls for compensation and environmental accountability Iran · 2026
- Human Rights Watch (NGO) — here: Documented the verdicts and sentences; there: Source of the quoted UNEP statement
- UN Environment Programme (International organisation) — here: Employer of Niloufar Bayani as a consultant; called for clemency; there: Statement of 13 March 2026 on smoke from burning oil
- Iran's Clean Air Law and urban air pollution in Tehran and Ahvaz Iran · 2017–2025
- Judiciary of Iran (Government) — here: Spokesman confirmed verdicts and the changed charge; there: Tehran Province Judiciary announced convictions of five managers
- Department of Environment (Iran) (Public authority) — here: Its head reported the government committee's finding; there: Responsible for 60 provisions of the law
- Mazut burning in Iranian power plants, 2020–2025 Iran · 2020–2026
- Judiciary of Iran (Government) — here: Spokesman confirmed verdicts and the changed charge; there: Tehran Province Judiciary announced convictions; case against Esmail Kahrom
- Department of Environment (Iran) (Public authority) — here: Its head reported the government committee's finding; there: Environmental regulator; low-sulfur mazut programme
- Ngorongoro and Loliondo relocations Tanzania · 1992–2026
- Amnesty International (NGO) — here: Documented the arrests, detention and trial; there: NGO; reported on forced evictions
- Human Rights Watch (NGO) — here: Documented the verdicts and sentences; there: NGO; reported services cut
- Ogoniland and Bodo spills clean-up (SPDC, HYPREP) Nigeria · 1958–2026
- Amnesty International (NGO) — here: Documented the arrests, detention and trial; there: Reported on spill-cause determination and sabotage attribution
- UN Environment Programme (International organisation) — here: Employer of Niloufar Bayani as a consultant; called for clemency; there: Author of the 2011 assessment and fund proposal
- Strikes on Tehran fuel depots, March 2026: smoke, black rain and Iran's "ecocide" claim Iran · 2025–2026
- Human Rights Watch (NGO) — here: Documented the verdicts and sentences; there: Satellite record and letters to both governments
- UN Environment Programme (International organisation) — here: Employer of Niloufar Bayani as a consultant; called for clemency; there: Statement of 13 March 2026 on inhaled smoke
- Addis Ababa riverside and corridor demolitions led to evictions without compensation Ethiopia · 2020–2024
- Amnesty International (NGO) — here: Documented the arrests, detention and trial; there: called for a halt to evictions
- Artisanal gold in Mali: mercury use and its money (Minamata National Action Plan) Mali · 2018–2020
- UN Environment Programme (International organisation) — here: Employer of Niloufar Bayani as a consultant; called for clemency; there: Executing agency (UN Environment)
- Boké bauxite mining and the CBG expansion Guinea · 1974–2025
- Human Rights Watch (NGO) — here: Documented the verdicts and sentences; there: Researcher and reporter
- Cambodia REDD+ indigenous consultation failure Cambodia · 2015–2025
- Human Rights Watch (NGO) — here: Documented the verdicts and sentences; there: Author of the 2024 report
- Caspian sturgeon and caviar: trade suspensions, fishing bans and the move to farmed caviar Caspian Sea (Kazakhstan, Russia, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Iran) · 1998–2026
- UN Environment Programme (International organisation) — here: Employer of Niloufar Bayani as a consultant; called for clemency; there: Took part in the 2001 Geneva meeting; spokesman quoted
- Chepang man dies in army custody after Chitwan park detention; homes reportedly burned Nepal · 2020
- Human Rights Watch (NGO) — here: Documented the verdicts and sentences; there: Reported the case
- Crude-oil pipeline spills into Khuzestan rivers: Karkheh 2009 and Marun 2025 Iran · 2009–2025
- Department of Environment (Iran) (Public authority) — here: Its head reported the government committee's finding; there: Regulator; decided not to fine in 2009; demanded repairs in 2025
- Darvaza gas crater: orders to extinguish the fire, wells drilled, methane measured Turkmenistan · 1971–2026
- UN Environment Programme (International organisation) — here: Employer of Niloufar Bayani as a consultant; called for clemency; there: International Methane Emissions Observatory, co-affiliation of the preprint authors
- Destruction of the Kakhovka dam and drainage of the Kakhovka reservoir (June 2023) Ukraine · 2023–2026
- UN Environment Programme (International organisation) — here: Employer of Niloufar Bayani as a consultant; called for clemency; there: Rapid Environmental Assessment and sediment assessment
- DuPont CFC phase-out and the ozone treaty United States · 1974–2019
- UN Environment Programme (International organisation) — here: Employer of Niloufar Bayani as a consultant; called for clemency; there: Hosts the Montreal Protocol ozone secretariat
- Gaza reconstruction and the Board of Peace's first contract Palestine (Gaza Strip) · 2024–2026
- UN Environment Programme (International organisation) — here: Employer of Niloufar Bayani as a consultant; called for clemency; there: Estimated rubble clearance time and cost
- Gotvand dam on the Karun: a reservoir on a salt formation Iran · 1996–2021
- Department of Environment (Iran) (Public authority) — here: Its head reported the government committee's finding; there: Said the environmental impact study was never submitted
- Half-Earth and 30x30 advocacy funding (Wyss Campaign for Nature) Global · 2016–2026
- UN Environment Programme (International organisation) — here: Employer of Niloufar Bayani as a consultant; called for clemency; there: Co-author of the Protected Planet Report 2024
- Hamoun wetlands, Helmand water and the EU/UNDP restoration project Iran · 1973–2025
- Department of Environment (Iran) (Public authority) — here: Its head reported the government committee's finding; there: National executing agency of the project
- Hoor al-Azim wetland, oil-field development and dikes in Khuzestan Iran · 2007–2026
- Department of Environment (Iran) (Public authority) — here: Its head reported the government committee's finding; there: Environment regulator; officials' 2021 accounts
- ICVCM approves three REDD+ methods; older Verra methods left out Global · 2023–2024
- Human Rights Watch (NGO) — here: Documented the verdicts and sentences; there: published the 2024 report on the voluntary carbon market
- Iran hunting permits for wild sheep and wild goat: Department of Environment prices for foreign hunters, 2018–2025 Iran · 2013–2025
- Department of Environment (Iran) (Public authority) — here: Its head reported the government committee's finding; there: Issues the hunting quotas and permits
- Kabwe lead-poisoning claim against Anglo American is under appeal in South Africa Zambia · date not stated
- Amnesty International (NGO) — here: Documented the arrests, detention and trial; there: advocate reporting on the case
- Ken Saro-Wiwa and the Ogoni Nine; Wiwa v Shell Nigeria · 1958–2026
- UN Environment Programme (International organisation) — here: Employer of Niloufar Bayani as a consultant; called for clemency; there: Author of the 2011 Ogoniland assessment
- Kerch Strait storm, November 2007: Volgoneft 139 fuel-oil spill and sulphur-ship sinkings Russia · 2007–2018
- UN Environment Programme (International organisation) — here: Employer of Niloufar Bayani as a consultant; called for clemency; there: Post-disaster needs assessment with the European Commission
- Kolwezi forced evictions (Cité Gécamines, DRC) Democratic Republic of the Congo · 2016–2023
- Amnesty International (NGO) — here: Documented the arrests, detention and trial; there: Documented the evictions
- Lagos waterfront evictions (Otodo-Gbame, Badia East) and Eko Atlantic Nigeria · 2014–2026
- Amnesty International (NGO) — here: Documented the arrests, detention and trial; there: NGO; recorded evictions and deaths
- Lake Urmia decline and the Urmia Lake Restoration Program Iran · 1995–2026
- Department of Environment (Iran) (Public authority) — here: Its head reported the government committee's finding; there: Secretary of the ULRP; reports lake levels and progress
- Marange diamonds and the Kimberley Process (Zimbabwe) Zimbabwe · 2008–2025
- Human Rights Watch (NGO) — here: Documented the verdicts and sentences; there: NGO that reported the killings
- Methane super-emitters in Turkmenistan's oil and gas fields Turkmenistan · 2017–2026
- UN Environment Programme (International organisation) — here: Employer of Niloufar Bayani as a consultant; called for clemency; there: MARS alerts; confirmed 8 stopped leaks
- Mongolia's 2009 ban on mining at river headwaters and in forests: licence cancellations, compensation duty, 2015 amendment and artisanal gold-mining programmes Mongolia · 2009–2025
- UN Environment Programme (International organisation) — here: Employer of Niloufar Bayani as a consultant; called for clemency; there: planetGOLD Mongolia
- NEOM evictions and death sentences Saudi Arabia · 2023
- UN human rights experts (International organisation) — here: Called for release and an impartial investigation; there: International body raising alarm
- Net Zero Banking Alliance exits and closure International · 2023–2026
- UN Environment Programme (International organisation) — here: Employer of Niloufar Bayani as a consultant; called for clemency; there: UN body whose statement on the 2023 insurer exits was reported
- Net-Zero Insurance Alliance collapse and insurers’ fossil underwriting Global · 2021–2025
- UN Environment Programme (International organisation) — here: Employer of Niloufar Bayani as a consultant; called for clemency; there: Convener of NZIA
- Niger Delta oil spills and sabotage attribution (Shell, Eni) Nigeria · 2008–2022
- Amnesty International (NGO) — here: Documented the arrests, detention and trial; there: NGO; report on spill investigations
- Plant-for-the-Planet: 13.6 billion trees Germany / Global · 2011–2024
- UN Environment Programme (International organisation) — here: Employer of Niloufar Bayani as a consultant; called for clemency; there: Original owner of the tree campaign
- Plastic waste imports into Türkiye (Adana) Türkiye · 2016–2026
- Human Rights Watch (NGO) — here: Documented the verdicts and sentences; there: Reported health impacts on recycling workers and residents (2022)
- South Pars and Assaluyeh: sulphur dioxide emissions and the pollution levy Iran · 2005–2026
- Department of Environment (Iran) (Public authority) — here: Its head reported the government committee's finding; there: Regulator; filed court cases and costed damages
- Southern Cardamom REDD+ project and the arrest of Pork Nget (Cambodia) Cambodia · 2015–2025
- Human Rights Watch (NGO) — here: Documented the verdicts and sentences; there: Author of the 2024 report
- Study estimates 2,000 tonnes of uranium in DR Congo cobalt exports Democratic Republic of the Congo · 2000–2024
- Amnesty International (NGO) — here: Documented the arrests, detention and trial; there: documented evictions and abuses near Kolwezi
- UK packaging recycling notes (PRN) system and fraud cases United Kingdom · 2009–2025
- Human Rights Watch (NGO) — here: Documented the verdicts and sentences; there: NGO; interviewed workers in Turkey
- UN plastics treaty negotiations (INC-5, Geneva, Nairobi, Bangkok) Switzerland · 2024–2026
- UN Environment Programme (International organisation) — here: Employer of Niloufar Bayani as a consultant; called for clemency; there: Convenes the negotiations; issued the announcement of the new chair
- UNEP estimate: about 2,000 tons of depleted uranium used in Iraq Iraq · date not stated
- UN Environment Programme (International organisation) — here: Employer of Niloufar Bayani as a consultant; called for clemency; there: Estimated the quantity of uranium used (about 2,000 tons)
- Uzbek cotton boycott ends forced labour Uzbekistan · 2017–2026
- Human Rights Watch (NGO) — here: Documented the verdicts and sentences; there: Human rights investigator
- Uzbek cotton clusters took farmers' land and set quotas, rights group reports Uzbekistan · 2017–2026
- Human Rights Watch (NGO) — here: Documented the verdicts and sentences; there: Published the 2026 report
- Wadi El Ku catchment project, North Darfur Sudan · 2013–2026
- UN Environment Programme (International organisation) — here: Employer of Niloufar Bayani as a consultant; called for clemency; there: Implementer