Articles by Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies (CIHRS)
Egypt’s draft anti-terrorism laws constitute greatest threat to civil liberties in 37 years
Two draft anti-terror laws were sent to President Adly Mansour on 3 April to be signed. The Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies sent a letter to the president urging him not to adopt the laws as they represent a serious breach of the rights and liberties of Egyptian citizens.
Concern for Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja’s health on third anniversary of his arrest in Bahrain
Former president and co-founder of the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights (BCHR) Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja was sentenced to life in prison in June 2011. He continues to be denied adequate medical attention and suffers from severe medical complications as a result of his mistreatment in detention.
Morocco approves law to end military trials for civilians
Upon its adoption by the Moroccan parliament, the new bill will prohibit the referral of civilians to trial before military courts in times of peace, regardless of the nature of the alleged crime or the status of the accused and even if military personnel were allegedly involved in the perpetration of the crime in question.
Free key rights defenders held in violation of international standards in Syria
The government of Syria should immediately and unconditionally release the arbitrarily detained human rights defender Mazen Darwish and his colleagues Hani Al-Zitani and Hussein Ghareer, 61 human rights organizations said on 17 March 2014.
Rights defenders in Syria continue to be targeted because of their work
On 17 February 2014, the home of detained human rights defender Khalil Ma’touq in Damascus was raided by security forces. His daughter, Ranim an art student, was arrested and his 17 year old son was beaten during the raid.
Transparency, independent media are vital for global development plan
195 civil society organisations from around the world have called on the UN to put government accountability and independent media at the centre of a new framework for global development.
Economic progress in Qatar fuelled by totalitarian repression
Draconian restrictions have been imposed on freedoms of assembly and association in Qatar, where protests and political parties are completely banned – an extreme form of totalitarian repression that is rare even in the most oppressive countries in the world.
The new constitution: Why Egyptians shouldn’t be rejoicing just yet
Egyptian voters have overwhelmingly approved the new military-backed constitution giving General Abdel Fattah El-Sisi the legitimacy he seeks to strengthen the army’s grip on the country. Although it is considered preferable to the last constitution, local rights groups have voiced their reservations regarding its efficacy.