Middle East and North Africa
One of Morocco's most famous rappers and activists was handed a one-year jail sentence on 11 May for "insulting the police" through a video, report the Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (ANHRI), Human Rights Watch and Freedom House.
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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
16 May 2012
Morocco
Rapper jailed for video insulting police
One of Morocco's most famous rappers and activists was handed a one-year jail sentence on 11 May for "insulting the police" through a video, report the Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (ANHRI), Human Rights Watch and Freedom House.
9 May 2012
Libya
IFEX members demand repeal of law banning insults of state, Gaddafi glorification
Human Rights Watch and Reporters Without Borders (RSF) are urging Libya's interim government to repeal a broad new law that bans criticising last year's revolution and spreading false news or "propaganda" that endangers the state.See all articles: Middle East and North Africa
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.
9 May 2012
Egypt
ARTICLE 19 outlines how to protect free expression and information in new constitution
The new Constitution is on the verge of being drafted and ARTICLE 19 has produced a comprehensive policy brief outlining how the new Constitution should protect the right to freedom of expression and freedom of information In order to support the forthcoming work of the drafters.
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.
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Reports
4 May 2012
Tunisia
Fleeting Words: An Anthology of Revolution launched for World Press Freedom Day
The anthology, part of IFEX-TMG's ongoing project, brings together journalistic articles, commentaries, prose and verse in Arabic written both during the Ben Ali regime and since its fall, and is illustrated with images of the revolution.
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.See all reports: Middle East and North Africa
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 EGYPT: Police shutter Al-Alam's Cairo office 16 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 TUNISIA: Judicial confusion puts press freedom in peril 14 May 2012 MOROCCO: Rapper sentenced to one year in prison for criticising police 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 ALGERIA: Crackdown on protest as election nears 9 May 2012 EGYPT: Two journalists report being brutalised in custody 8 May 2012 LIBYA: Authorities urged to revoke new draconian law 7 May 2012 SYRIA: Another citizen journalist killed despite ceasefire plan 7 May 2012 EGYPT: At least 18 journalists assaulted, arrested in clashes 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 See all alerts: Middle East and North Africa
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