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Weekly update for the Arabic Network for Human Rights Information # 214
Year 5
6 June 2008 - 12 June 2008
Bahrain:
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Rights Activists comments raises disputes between governments in the Human Rights Council
Two notes presented before the Human Rights Council by Abdel Hadi Al Khawaja, the head of the Bahrain Human Rights Center induced an intensive discussions, what made visible divisions between the different governments representatives.
The Islamic and Arab States representatives – such as Pakistan and Egypt- protested, interrupting the comments of Al Khawaja repeatedly, alleging that the meeting was convened for the recommendations rather than proposing more of the human rights issues.
In the proposal made by Abdel Hadi Khawaja in behalf of the Front Line for Protection of Human Rights Defenders, some of the Arab delegates had interrupted the speech several times, where the proposed paper addressed the ban imposed by the Bahrain government against a group of organizations and committees work in the human rights field, breaking the United Nation Commission recommendation to counter racial discrimination, the paper addressed also the pressures, assaults and judicial and security prosecution that the activists during the recent four years.
It is a Crime Punishable by the Law, to Establish a Youth Rights Organization
Bahrain Youth Association for Human Rights watched with deep concern the summon of the Bahraini Justice Ministry to Mohamed Mesgati- college student, 21 yr-old- (regional member in the Norwegian International Defense Organization, and chairman of the Bahrain Youth Association for Human Rights), the summon requires him to appear before the 4th Penal Court on 6 November 2008. As a defendant in a criminal case (practicing association activity before obtaining establishment permission), the claim was filed by the Ministry of Social Affairs, in this case, Al Mesgati will face one of the charges imprisonment term up to 6 months or a fine to 500 BD, or both of them. Mohamed Misgati is a
Sources :
Bahrain Youth Association for Human Rights
Bahrain Center for Human Rights
More information on Bahrain Page: http://anhri.net/bahrain
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Tunisia
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Mass Human Rights Violations, Fire Shooting by the Tunisian Authorities
On Friday 6th June, 2008, and on the background of al-Haoud al- Menjami demonstrations, and in a terrible way the security forces in Tunis violently fired live bullets at a group of protestors in Radif city, resulted in the murder of young citizen Hafnawy Ben Reda, and wounded dozens of the demonstrators.
In another context,
The First Penal Directorate of the Primary Court in Tunis have reviewed on Monday 9th June, 2008, the case no. 15437, where some of the citizens were accused of association with a terrorist organization that use terrorism as a means to achieve its goals within the republican land, and incitement to commit terrorist crimes, it is worth mentioning that these prosecutions took place under the pretext of countering terrorism in Tunisia.
The Violations Continued:
The prison management in Sfax persist to deprive the political prisoner Mohamed Naguib El Lwati from his simplest legal rights, deliberately leaving him vulnerable for sickness without providing the proper medications and treatment, or allowing his family to provide it on their own.
Sources :
International Association for Solidarity with Political Prisoners
Local Committee for the Support of Citizen in Sfax
Tunisian League for Defense of Human Rights
More information on Tunisia page: http://www.anhri.net/tunisia
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Sudan
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Darfur is Waiting for Justice
Photographer of the genocide crimes victims of Darfur testifies, about the role of the government, Ahmed Haroun in transporting the equipments for the Janjaweed militias, and the crimes committed by those gangs against civilians in Darfur region.
To watch the video press the link: http://ifhamdarfur.net/node/375
Refugees in Jabal Camp, Goza Beda Call on the Security Council Delegates to Provide Protection
Refugees displaced by the conflicts in Darfur and Chad call on the Security Council Envoys to provide greater protection in order to enable them to return to their homes. A group of Sudanese refugees in Jabal camp, Goza Beda area, has informed the Envoys of the United Nation of their desire to return back to their homes if their safety and protection form attacks were guaranteed.
Killing of 27, and 31 wounded in Gogrial clashes South of Sudan
27 persons were killed and 31 injured in armed clashes on 4th June, 2008, in Gogrial south of Sudan immediately after armed conflict over livestock (cows) between two tribes, chases continued between the two tribes until late time that day.
Tensions between North and South, Future Prospects for War Outbreaks
Within a range of researches about the Minor Weapon Survey comes a research entitled: “Emerging Tensions between North and South, and the Future Prospects of War Outbreak”, the research reviews the recent changes in on the level of security in south of Sudan, which poses a possibility for conflict reemergence between north and South.
To get the full report go to:
http://ifhamdarfur.net/files/SWP%207%20North-South%20tensions%20ar.pdf
More information and topics on Ifham (understand) Darfur web site: http://ifhamdarfur.net
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Syria
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The Activists Prosecution in Syria Continues
On Sunday, 8/6/2008 the Supreme State Security Court suspended the prosecution of the Syrian young man Kareem Arbaji to an uncertain date, alleging that the new court premises in Mazza Neighborhood in Damascus are not yet ready regarding the safety and security as well as the detainees escape from the court building is possible.
The defendant in this case, Kareem Arbaji.was arrested by the district branch of the Military Intellegence on the background of his activity as a moderator in some online brotherhood forums.
The Front Line Foundation for Protection of Human Rights Defenders in a Communiqué, demanding the release of Dak El Bab, the member of the Arab Organization for Human Rights in Syria, attaching a letter to the president of Syria, urging him to interfere to free Dak Al Bab.
Dak Al Bab a summon on 2/5/2008, and arrested immediately after, the summon thought to be issued against him because of articles he wrote recently, which included critics against the Information Minister, Mohsin Belal.
Sources :
Committees of Defense of Democracy and Human Rights in Syria
Syrian Observatory for Human Rights
Reporters without Borders
Arab Organization for Human Rights in Sirya
More information and topics in Syria page: http://www.anhri.net/syria
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Iraq
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The American Forces Break in Journalists Homes and Arrest them
Reporters without Borders and the Press Freedoms Observatory call on to release the Associated Press photographer Ahmed Nori who is detained since 4 June, 2008 in an American Base in Tekreit.
Both of the organizations declared that withholding Ahmed Nori without justification conform a patent break of the laws enforced in Iraq. The American authorities those detaining this journalist should release him unless charging him.
In another context:
The journalist Saad El Rikabi told the Iraqi Association for Defense of Journalists Rights that the American forces had break in his house in Nassirya governerate, arrested two of his siblings, while he in his work place, where he works as a deputy editor in chief of Assharq(The East) daily newspaper. One of his brothers was released while the American forces still withholding the brother of El Rikabi, and without an official warrant by the Iraqi Judiciary.
Sources :
Iraqi Association for Defense of Journalists Rights
Press Freedoms Observatory
Reporters without Borders
More information and topics on Palestine page: http://anhri.net/iraq
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Palestine
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Journalists in Palestine Faces to Risks of Fire Shooting and Arrest
Despite the regional campaign launched by the members of the International Federation for Journalists in the Arab world and Iran for supporting the press freedom, and annulling the imprisonment punishment as means of intimidating the Journalists and silencing the independent media, but the Palestinian territories witnessed a rise in the media freedoms in particular arrest of journalists by the Palestinian security agencies and the Israeli occupation forces. The past months witnessed arrest of a number of journalists and fire shooting at some journalists by the Israeli occupation forces.
Sources :
Palestinian Center for Development and Media Freedoms
More information and topics on Palestine page: http://www.anhri.net/palestine
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Lebanon
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Rasid announced reopening its office after a month and half closure due to threats
The Palestinian Association for Human Rights (Rasid) announces reopening its office located in Ain El Helwa camp for Palestinian refugees in Lebanon, after resolving the reasons for those precautionary measures, through a settlement included pledges of non-infringement against the association, its members, or obstruction of its activities.
Sources :
The Palestinian Association for Human Rights (Rasid)
More information on Lebanon page: http://www.anhri.net/lebanon
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Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
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Rights Association directs a letter to the King Abdullah in concern of the Detained Reformers
Fourteen rights associations including the Arab Committee for Human Rights demanding the release of prominent reformers who spent 17 months in prison because of their demands of a constitutional monarchy in the Saudi Arabia, immediately after King Abdullah ascension to throne in August 2005.
“The message poses the issue of this elite arrest of the kingdom citizens who defending the internal dialogue for the reform, based on the good honest word, and the devoting advice”, and demanding their release.
Sources :
Arab Committee For Human Rights
More information on Saudi Arabia page: http://www.anhri.net/saudi
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Egypt
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The Discrimination Policies and Corruption Lead to the Deterioration of the Education Process in Egypt
The Land Center for Human Rights received complaints from over 35 of the workers in Rashid Educational Compound in Rashed, Behaira governerate, demanding justice about the School Excellence Performance Awards which their school was nominated for, as a result of their efforts, and adherence to regulations, and implementation of exercises and activities to ensure the good quality education for their students.
They have worked despite the limited facilities provided by the ministry to bridge the gaps solving the school problems. But the school was excluded from the competition due to amendments on the evolutions and results regulations. In spite of the collective work of the students and the school staff.
The Court Order Should be Executed Regarding the Recognition of the Labor Organization
Stated Human Rights in a communiqué: “Judges Ruled Organization’s Closure Contrary to ‘Reality and Law’ Egyptian authorities should immediately remove all restrictions against a labor organization and comply with a court order to legally recognize the workers’ rights group.
Sources :
Land Center for Human Rights
Human Rights Watch
For more information and topics on Egypt page: http://www.anhri.net/egypt
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Yemen
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Abduction and Unfair Trials against Activists in Yemen
Human rights organizations condemned strongly the ruling of the Specialist Penal Court against the journalist Abdul Karim al- Khaiwani to 6 months in prison, the prosecution was on the background of owning information related to Saada war and linked closely to his work nature as a journalist. The court sentence against al-Khaiwani is driven by non but a political revenge and punishment for upholding his complete right to express his opinions and practicing his legitimate right as a journalist to access to information and publish.
Abduction of Al Tagheer Organization Staff Member
According to Al Tagheer Organization for Defense of Rights and Freedoms, unidentified bodies had abducted Eng. Yasser al- Wazir the member of al- Tagheer Organization for Defense of Rights and Freedoms on 5/6/2008, where he could not be located until now. Moreover the organization said this abduction is on the background of his activity in teaching the Zaidism doctrine in Yemeni universities.
Sources :
Sisters Arabic Forum for Human Rights
Yemeni Organization for Defense of Democratic Rights and Freedoms
The National Committee for Countering Torture and Illegal Detention
Arab Network for Human Rights Information
al-Tagheer Organization for Human Rights
More information and topics on Yemen page:http://www.anhri.net/yemen
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Morocco
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Rights association condemns the brutal intervention against the citizens in Sedi Efni, demanding the investigation of the bodies involved in this criminal event.
“ dozens of civilian women and men in Efti City were exposed to a violent intervention by the public forces. Since the early morning of 7th June, 2008, civilians were exposed to batter, bone breaking, rape and sexual harassments, verbal assault, looting, while they were asleep, tear gas, rubber bullets, and stoning were used by the security forces in a blatant violation of the freedoms law, and a breach of the international conventions of the human rights, prohibition of torture and all of the degrading and undignified treatments.”, said the Moroccan Association for Human Rights in a press release.
Sources :
Moroccan Association for Human Rights
More information and topics on Morocco page: http://www.anhri.net/morocco
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Iran
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A Statement of Solidarity with the Iranian Woman on the anniversary of the 12th June, 2006’s Demonstrations
A number of the international women and human rights organizations expressed their solidarity with the Iranian Woman, concurrently with the day declared- by the women rights activists in Iran- a national day for the solidarity in rejecting the discriminative law against women three years ago. On 12 June 2008 the Iranian women activists demonstrated, and planned for another similar protest in Hafti Terr square in Tehran raising the same demands and objectives, where the protest was quelled violently, more than 70 demonstrators were arrested. It was an unprecedented crackdown against the women peaceful activities. Up to now large numbers of Iranian women activists were acing summons, charges, detention and prosecutions.
Sources :
International Committee for Human Rights in Iran
More information on Iran page: http://www.anhri.net/iran
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Arabic Network for Human Rights Information
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The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information "anhri.net" and "Mosawah" Association for Human Rights announce that tomorrow, June 9th 2008, the Azzohour Court of Port Said will review a unique case filed by "Trust Chemicals" Company against Egyptian Internet blogger Tamer Mabrouk the owner of "The Truth Blog” http://elhakika.blogspot.com.
The company is accusing Tamer Mabrouk of defamation for his posting of information which reveals Trust Chemical’s dumping of chemicals into “Manzallah Lake” and the Suez Canal. Tamer also reported information on harsh working conditions in the company. These conditions are the reasons behind a recent worker sit-in, where workers demanded access to copies of their contracts and that the company stop firing workers arbitrarily.
6 Years in Prison Sentence Against a Yemeni Journalist
The case raised by Trust Chemicals Inc. did not include any words or expressions could be interpreted as slander or offense, even the documents in the case do not include but some articles supported by photos that shows clearly how the company throw its chemical waste in the lake of Al Manzalah.
The Arabic network for human rights information “ANHRI” condemned the harsh sentence issued by the Yemeni State Security Court against Abdul Karim al- Khaiwani, the ex-chief editor of the Yemeni “Al Shora” newspaper, and “alShora net” website. Al-Khaiwani was sentenced to 6 years in prison as one of 14 Yemenis accused in the case known as “The Second Cell of Sana’a”. The Yemeni government accused the 14 persons of supporting the Houthis opposition militant group in Yemen.
Despite the courage of many Yemeni Journalists, al-Khaiwani was exposed to security pursues because of his soar critical writings against the Yemeni Government and president, which seem to be the reason behind the tough sentence” Gamal Eid the executive Director of ANHRI said.
More information and topics on the Arabic Network for Human Rights Information page: http://www.anhri.net/en
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anhri is a legal organization that defends the freedom of opinion and expression of the press and the right to exchange information. Moreover, it works on collecting the publications of nearly 140 Arabic human rights organizations from 18 countries across the Middle East and North Africa, which are published in Arabic and presented in one website. It also provides human rights Sources in the Arab world for media workers, journalists, activists and the public in an attempt to increase the number of internet users and those interested in human rights issues in the Arab speaking world. Though one of many human rights groups serving the Middle East and North Africa, it is the only one in the Arab world devoted exclusively to protecting the freedom of expression across the region.
For more information, suggestions or membership in the Arabic Network for Human Rights Information, please contact anhri at:
Address: 19-26 July st-Downtown - Cairo- 4th floor - suit 55
Phone Number: (00202) 27736177
Email address:
info@anhri.net
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