Middle East & North Africa

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Middle East & North Africa

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Berlin court sentences perpetrator to life imprisonment for war crimes in Syria

SCM welcomes the court’s decision as a step toward justice and redress for the victims of grave violations committed in Syria since 2011.

Egypt: NGOs call for urgent action by the UN Human Rights Council to address the country’s worsening crisis

“As witnessed by the world during COP27, the brutal crackdown on civil society in Egypt continues to intensify.”

Rights groups reiterate their call on Moroccan authorities to end the persecution of Taoufik Bouachrine, and other critical journalists

Rights groups urge the Moroccan authorities not to dispute the European Parliament’s recommendations to uphold freedom of expression, but rather to act accordingly to free all unfairly-imprisoned journalists who are spending years in prison on false charges.

Iran: Seizure of detained journalists’ devices raises fears of fresh arrests, convictions

More than half of detained Iranian journalists had devices seized since protests began.

Sudan: Radio shutdown leaves information void

Closure of BBC Arabic radio threatens access to credible information and risks amplifying misinformation.

Iraq’s new platform to combat “indecent content” sparks censorship fears

Critics warn government platform for reporting social media content violating public morals could infringe on freedom of expression.

Algeria: Reverse decision to dissolve leading human rights group

“The Algerian authorities seem determined to shut down any independent activity that would shed light on human rights violations,” says HRW.

Egypt: CIHRS website blocked in reprisal for joint report to UN Human Rights Council

The latest censorship confirms the report’s conclusion that no serious steps are being taken by the authorities to address the ongoing human rights crisis.

New year, violent trends: Escalating violence against media, impunity, and digital oppression in MENA

January 2023 in Middle East and North Africa: A free expression roundup produced by IFEX’s Regional Editor Naseem Tarawnah, based on IFEX member reports and news from the region.

Yemen: Houthis impose harsh restrictions on women’s and girls’ rights

UN experts report on increased violations of women’s rights to freedom of movement, expression, health, and work in Yemen.

Palestine: Online free expression battles escalated censorship in 2022

A new report examines the state of Palestinian digital freedoms, and the most prominent violations last year.

Iran: International community urged to strengthen support for protesters

Over 480 global voices join forces to support Iranians fighting for freedom and democracy.

Living in Agony: The long-term effects of torture in Bahrain

Victims of torture continue to suffer from their abuse years after their mistreatment.

Palestine: 605 violations against media freedoms in 2022, the most serious of which is the killing of two female journalists

Rise in serious violations against journalists last year included the murder of Shireen Abu Akleh and Ghufran Warasneh, documents a new report from Mada Center.

Two refugee journalists in Turkey risk deportation to Syria

“Sending them back to Syria is to send them back to imprisonment, disappearance, or even death,” says RSF.

Heightened digital oppression in Egypt

Laws and measures adopted by authorities in recent years enable unlawful internet censorship and mass surveillance of users, reports SMEX.