Middle East & North Africa

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Middle East & North Africa

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“Nightmares”: Syrian journalist Tal al-Mallohi on surviving 15 years in Assad’s jails

After 15 years in Assad’s prisons, journalist Tal al-Mallohi opens up about the trauma, resilience, and her hopes for Syria’s future.

Syria: Authorities threaten social media users and confiscate Starlink devices

Amid promises to improve internet access, Syrian authorities are tightening control – threatening social media users and cutting off thousands from satellite internet.

Authoritarian repression and escalation of the political crisis after the 2024 Tunisian presidential elections

Authorities are openly consolidating power, restricting media freedom, and stifling civil society, including by targeting journalists and bloggers.

Unprecedented surge in hate speech against Palestinians on digital platforms

The 2024 Racism and Incitement Index from 7amleh reveals a sharp rise in online hate speech against Palestinians by Israeli social media users, as online platforms fail to control inciting and violent content.

Hanin Gebran, released from al-Assad’s jails in Syria: “The conditions in which journalists were held were horrible, and much worse for a woman”

Syrian journalist Hanin Gebran details the horrific conditions she endured in Assad’s prisons, shedding light on the gendered violence and torture faced by women journalists under the regime.

Lebanese women journalists face escalating cyber violence

A Maharat Foundation report examines the rise in targeted online attacks against women field reporters, how they navigate these threats, and the urgent need for legal and policy reforms.

Bahraini children torn from classrooms, thrown into prisons

An ADHRB report reveals Bahrain’s ongoing persecution of minors for political dissent, detailing coerced confessions, prolonged detentions, and inhumane prison conditions.

Supreme Court upholds sentences of those convicted in UAE84 case, including GCHR’s Board member Ahmed Mansoor

GCHR denounces the ruling as a tactic to imprison critics indefinitely, calling for the immediate release of those arbitrarily detained and urgent reforms to ensure fair trial standards.

Abusive conspiracy trial opens in Tunis

Tunisian authorities are prosecuting 40 political opponents and activists on unfounded conspiracy charges, with key defendants denied fair trial rights and held in abusive pretrial detention.

Bahrain must immediately free detained human rights defender Ali AlHajee

IFEX joins human rights organisations calling for the immediate release of the detained Bahraini human rights defender and former political prisoner.

“Media21” outlet shuttered, 4 journalists arrested in Iraq

CPJ urges authorities to release journalist Bashdar Bazyani and allow “Media21” to resume operations, calling the arrests and shutdown a direct attack on press freedom.

Algeria: Joint open letter to member and observer states of the UN Human Rights Council

Rights groups warn that Algeria’s repression of civic space, marked by a brutal crackdown on free expression, is steadily eroding human rights and they call on UNHRC members to act.

Detention of human rights activist and former political prisoner Ali Al-Hajee

“The continued targeting of human rights defenders in Bahrain through arbitrary summonses and prolonged detentions is a clear attempt to silence dissent” – Bahrain Center for Human Rights

Syria’s National Dialogue: A first step, but uncertainty clouds the way forward

A safe civic space, where independent civil society can operate freely, is crucial for Syria’s transition, and its protection must be a priority in the next phase of reforms.

Media freedom restricted under the pretext of countering fake news

AFTE examines how Egypt’s media regulator exploits the fight against fake news to stifle independent journalism and restrict access to vital information, calling for urgent reforms in line with international human rights standards.

Launching #ReconnectGaza: A global campaign to restore connectivity in Gaza

The global campaign pushes for an independent Palestinian ICT sector, free from Israeli control, to secure equitable access to telecommunication services and end enforced digital isolation.