Human Rights Watch

The authorities have detained dozens and suspended a human rights organisation that assisted local groups with international human rights advocacy work.

Ahmad Arar had called for demonstrations in favour of ending the split between the Palestinian Authority and Hamas.

Leo Valladares Lanza told Human Rights Watch that he has received intimidating phone calls, and noticed people monitoring his home and following him, after he questioned the increasing power of the military since the 2009 coup.

“We were walking toward the military post, just chanting slogans and holding banners, and the soldiers just started shooting at us,” one of the protesters said.

The 20-page report, “Days of Bloodshed in Aden,” documents attacks on protesters in the strategic port city of Aden from 16 to 25 February.

Human Rights Watch expressed concern at anonymous death threats against opposition politicians and human rights lawyers, arbitrary arrests of journalists and activists, and misuse of the state media for partisan political purposes.

“If the members of the Jasem family were arrested for distributing pamphlets calling for a peaceful demonstration, authorities should release them and discipline the officials who ordered their arrest,” Human Rights Watch said.

Demonstrators gathered in response to reports that state security officers had been destroying documents, including records that might be used to hold former officials accountable for human rights violations.

At the 16th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council taking place from 28 February to 25 March 2011, groups urged their governments to support a resolution which omits “defamation” and “denigration” of religions and focuses on freedom of expression, freedom of religion and non-discrimination.

The government should rescind its categorical ban on peaceful demonstrations and release the more than 20 protesters detained in the eastern town of Qatif, Human Rights Watch said.

Thousands of people were expected to demonstrate in Tehran and other cities on 8 March to demand democratic reforms, including full legal equality for women.

Officials and security forces have facilitated attacks by armed gangs on peaceful anti-government protesters in places away from Sanaa, or stood by while such attacks occurred.

“Sudan’s abusive national security apparatus is using torture and harassment to silence dissent,” said Human Rights Watch.

Deaths tied to drug violence and grave human rights violations have increased significantly since Calderón deployed the military in 2007 to combat drug cartels.

“Egypt should also stop arbitrarily arresting peaceful demonstrators in the name of enforcing curfews,” Human Rights Watch said.

Witnesses told Human Rights Watch that most of the security forces attacks appeared to be efforts to prevent crowds from forming and chanting slogans.