Middle East & North Africa

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Middle East & North Africa

8180 articles

Egypt: Hundreds of political detainees overdue for release referred to terrorism courts by Supreme State Security Prosecution

Rights groups criticize Egypt’s continued practice of referring political detainees to terrorism courts, further undermining due process and justice for those held for extended periods without trial.

Tunisia uses new cybercrime law to jail record number of journalists

Local journalists believe Decree 54 is being used to suppress investigative journalism, pushing many to self-censorship.

Gaza Ceasefire: Crucial step against genocidal campaign, but justice and immediate end to blockade must follow

To this end, full access to the Gaza Strip and other affected areas must be provided to independent international investigatory mechanisms.

Iraq: Balgh platform marks two years as a tool of repression

Rights groups urge authorities to shut down the ‘indecent content’ reporting system, which has been weaponized to suppress free expression.

Journalist Ahmed Hassan Al-Zoubi released

Al-Zoubi’s case reveals the misuse of the Cybercrime Law to suppress online free expression.

CPJ welcomes Gaza ceasefire, calls for media access and war crimes investigations

“Journalists have been paying the highest price – with their lives – to provide the world some insight into the horrors that have been taking place in Gaza during this prolonged war.”

MADA calls for the immediate release of detained journalists and the cessation of their persecution

Escalating harassment of journalists by Palestinian security forces in the West Bank threatens press freedom and freedom of expression.

RSF calls on Syria’s new authorities to adopt seven priority measures to safeguard press freedom

The transitional government promises press freedom, but must act to release detained journalists and hold perpetrators accountable for past killings.

Syria after Assad, growing consensus on Gaza genocide, and repression intensifies across MENA

December 2024 in MENA: A free expression and civic space round-up produced by IFEX’s Regional Editor Naseem Tarawnah, based on IFEX member reports and news from the region.

CPJ urges Palestinian Authority to lift ban on “Al Jazeera’s” operations in West Bank

The ban comes after the PA criticized Al Jazeera’s coverage of a standoff in the Jenin refugee camp.

Syria: Preserve evidence of mass atrocities

Transitional authorities must protect evidence crucial for uncovering the fate of the disappeared and securing future justice.

Blogger Salman Al-Khalidi extradited from Iraq to Kuwait

The extradition raises serious human rights concerns and threats to his safety amid allegations of political persecution.

Egypt: ‘Exceptional’ Code of Criminal Procedures undermines justice

The proposed Egyptian criminal code reforms codify repression and shield authorities from accountability under the guise of legality.

MADA condemns the targeting of five journalists from “Al-Quds Today” TV

Since the beginning of December, 13 journalists have been martyred, in addition to others who have been subjected to various forms of violations.

Bahrain: Rising tensions in Jau Prison amid systematic exclusion of political prisoners from royal pardon

Authorities responded to prisoner protests with severe retaliation, including the violent suppression of inmates and collective punishment measures.