Middle East
Bahrain has announced a retrial for hunger-striking political activist Abdulhadi al-Khawaja and 20 others accused of plotting against the state in the Arab Spring protests last year, report the Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR), the Writers in Prison Committee (WiPC) of PEN International and Human Rights Watch. The IFEX members are disappointed that the activists remain in custody pending the retrial, and are calling for their immediate release.
Kuwait's parliament has provisionally voted in favour of a legal amendment that could make insulting God and the Prophet Mohammed punishable by death, reports the Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (ANHRI).
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One hundred organisations appeal to authorities to release human rights activists in Bahrain from prison. They include Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja, founder of IFEX member BCHR, his daughter Zaynab Al-Khawaja, and Nabeel Rajab, President of BCHR. Al-Khawaja’s life is at risk after more than three months on hunger strike.
A joint campaign initiated by Iranian and international student and rights groups calls for the unconditional and immediate release of the 32 students in prison on various national security-related charges.
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From the Communiqué
2 May 2012
Bahrain
Retrial announced for al-Khawaja and other activists
Bahrain has announced a retrial for hunger-striking political activist Abdulhadi al-Khawaja and 20 others accused of plotting against the state in the Arab Spring protests last year, report the Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR), the Writers in Prison Committee (WiPC) of PEN International and Human Rights Watch. The IFEX members are disappointed that the activists remain in custody pending the retrial, and are calling for their immediate release.
25 April 2012
Kuwait
Parliament considers death penalty for insulting God, Prophet
Kuwait's parliament has provisionally voted in favour of a legal amendment that could make insulting God and the Prophet Mohammed punishable by death, reports the Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (ANHRI).
See all articles: Middle East
Campaigns and Advocacy
18 May 2012
Bahrain
One hundred organisations call to end assault on freedom of speech, and to free all detained human rights defenders and netizens
One hundred organisations appeal to authorities to release human rights activists in Bahrain from prison. They include Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja, founder of IFEX member BCHR, his daughter Zaynab Al-Khawaja, and Nabeel Rajab, President of BCHR. Al-Khawaja’s life is at risk after more than three months on hunger strike.
8 May 2012
Iran
Authorities urged to free students jailed for speaking out
A joint campaign initiated by Iranian and international student and rights groups calls for the unconditional and immediate release of the 32 students in prison on various national security-related charges.
3 May 2012
Palestine / Israel
World Press Freedom Day: an occasion to defend freedom of expression
For Palestinian journalists, the day highlights the daily challenges they face, with increasing violations against media freedoms by the Israeli forces and Palestinian parties in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.See all campaign news: Middle East
Reports
30 April 2012
Palestine
Violations of media freedoms in March 2012
MADA is concerned about the deterioration in freedom of expression in the territories, in particular the safety of journalists and bloggers in response to their reporting or their writing on social networking sites.
6 April 2012
Bahrain
Press freedom situation worsens as authorities attempt to whitewash actions
The authorities have hired Western PR firms to help project a favourable image of the regime in the Western media.See all reports: Middle East
Take action!
BAHRAIN: Join our call to save human rights defender Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja
Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja, renowned human rights advocate and past president of IFEX member BCHR has been on hunger strike in prison since 8 February to protest a life sentence for peacefully expressing his right to freedom of expression. He pledged to continue his protest until “freedom or death.” His life is now in serious danger and there may be irreparable damage to his health. Join the call to save Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja.
4 April 2012
Alerts
SYRIA: Citizen journalist sentenced to death for Al-Jazeera interview 18 May 2012 KUWAIT: Blogger sentenced to ten years in prison 17 May 2012 IRAQ: Kurdish authorities arrest magazine editor 17 May 2012 SAUDI ARABIA: Activist detained for supporting religious freedom 17 May 2012 YEMEN: Two journalists face trial for covering uprisings 16 May 2012 SYRIA: Authorities detain journalists, release others 16 May 2012 SYRIA: Two Turkish journalists released 14 May 2012 SYRIA: Writer arrested, held incommunicado 11 May 2012 IRAQ: Television news crew assaulted, equipment confiscated 11 May 2012 UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: Expanded crackdown on members of peaceful Islamist group 10 May 2012 IRAN: Harassment of journalists and media ongoing 10 May 2012 SYRIA: Another citizen journalist killed despite ceasefire plan 7 May 2012 BAHRAIN: Prominent rights activist Nabeel Rajab arrested 7 May 2012 KUWAIT: Television station fined over 1.3 million euros 4 May 2012 YEMEN: Journalists attacked; newspaper harassed 4 May 2012 KUWAIT: Security forces arrest 16 Bidun protesters 4 May 2012 IRAQ: Editor held illegally for six days because of corruption coverage 2 May 2012 BAHRAIN: Re-trial ordered of jailed human rights defenders, writers and bloggers 1 May 2012 IRAN: Elderly revolutionary icon sentenced to eight years in jail 30 April 2012 SYRIA: Young activist faces possible death sentence 27 April 2012 SAUDI ARABIA: Human rights activist sentenced, on hunger strike 26 April 2012 PALESTINE / ISRAEL: Palestinian Authority blocks critical websites in West Bank 26 April 2012 JORDAN: Publisher, journalist charged in State Security Court 25 April 2012 IRAN: Journalist arrested, government decrees new media controls 25 April 2012 See all alerts: Middle East
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