In new report, CIHRS hails the courageous work of human rights defenders in the region who were locomotives for change in 2011.
(CIHRS/IFEX) – December 14, 2011 – The Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies (CIHRS) hails the courageous work of the many human rights defenders in the Arab region who were – and still are – one of the locomotives for change. 2011 has been marked as a year of hope instigated by the Arab uprisings which called for more freedoms and liberties and an end to corruption and human rights violations. Yet this year of revolution is ending with looming consequences for Arab human rights defenders across the region who, as a result of their work, continue to be subjected to unchecked attacks and repression.
Tactics such as arbitrary arrests and detention based on trumped-up charges continue to be wielded against activists, bloggers, and rights defenders. Accusations such as “conspiracy against the state with foreign powers,” “insulting top officials,” “disturbance of public peace” and “involvement in terrorist activity” are among the now-famous charges often used to silence opposing voices and those demanding respect for human life and dignity.
