Gulf Centre for Human Rights (GCHR)

Since the start of anti-government protests in October 2019, dozens of Iraqi activists, journalists, and civil society members have been killed or forcibly disappeared, while their perpetrators roam free. To mark this year’s International Human Rights Day, rights groups call for an end to impunity, and the release of those arbitrarily held for their free speech or peaceful assembly.

A new report by the Gulf Centre for Human Rights to mark the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists highlights the perilous violations and dangers journalists continue to face in the MENA region.

The Gulf Centre for Human Rights calls for the urgent release of imprisoned renowned Iranian lawyer and human rights defender, Nasrin Sotoudeh, who has been on a hunger strike to protest the detention of prisoners of conscience in Iran’s overcrowded prisons.

Lebanese protesters that have taken to the streets since the Beirut port blast have been met with excessive violence and systematic targeting by security forces, says the Gulf Centre for Human Rights.

Saudi woman human rights defender Loujain Al-Hathloul has been incommunicado in prison for the sixth week amidst an ongoing COVID-19 outbreak. The Gulf Centre for Human Rights calls for her immediate release, as well as many other imprisoned human rights defenders facing dire circumstances.

As a second coronavirus outbreak hits the country, imprisoned women human rights defenders are facing continued ill-treatment as well as new charges designed to prolong their imprisonment.

With more online activists finding themselves detained for their tweets, the Gulf Centre for Human Rights calls on authorities to end their systematic campaign aimed at denying freedom of expression.

Founding Director of the Gulf Centre for Human Rights and President of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights, Nabeel Rajab, is finally free after serving nearly four years in prison.