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Freedom of expression is missing despite a decision banning imprisonment for press crimes
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Weekly update for the Arabic Network for Human Rights Information # 224
Year 5
15 August 2008 - 21 August 2008
Tunisia
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Journalist was Attacked and Barred from Departing the Country
The Tunisian Alliance for Defense of Human Rights condemned the assault on Sihem Bensedrine at Tunis Carthage International Airport, while she was leaving to Austria, where she was attacked because she refused to obey illegal commands, and after she refused to go through an extra physical inspection. She was harassed for a while until she missed her flight. Ms. Bensedrine was also threatened to bar her from travel in the future if she did not obey their commands
Sources
Tunisian Alliance for Defense of Human Rights
More information and topics on Tunisia page: http://www.anhri.net/tunisia
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Syria
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Wives of Islamist Suspects Detained, Whereabouts Unknown
Human Rights Watch Organization, said on 18th August, that “the Syrian government should immediately release three women detained by state authorities since July 31, 2008, unless they have evidence that these women have committed criminal offenses and intend to try them for these.” So far, the authorities have not said why the women were detained, whether or not they intend to bring any charges against them, or where they are being held.
Sources
Human Rights Watch
More information and topics on Syria page: http://anhri.net/syria
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Iraq
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Iraqi Journalists Face Threats to Detention and Imprisonment in Tehran
The Press Freedoms Observatory called on the Iraqi Foreign Ministry to ensure the safe return of all of the Iraqi Journalists and Media workers who accompanied the Iraqi delegation headed by the deputy prime minister Berhum Salih, who is visiting the Iranian capital Tehran. Following the threat directed to them by the Iranian authorities to arrest and to imprison them for ten years if they persist in objecting the harassments and the ill-treatment they were subject to in Tehran, including preventing them from sending reports to their agencies, the strict censorship imposed over their activities as journalists.
Sources
Press Freedoms Observatory
More information and topics on Iraq’s Page: http://www.anhri.net/iraq
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Palestine
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Al Mizan Center Issues a Brief Report on the Conclusion of its Investigations in Shana’s Murder
Al Mizan Center in his investigations into the death of the Reuters’ journalist Shanaa, and found that he probably was targeted by the Israeli army because it was so hard to overlook the press badge he wore, and it was also on the jeep beside him, while there were some children around him, the matter that should be considered by the soldiers before they shoot. The Center believe that any professional and neutral investigation will convict the soldiers for this war crime, rejecting the Israeli army investigations which took a political theme far from professionalism, and aimed to protect the soldiers and ensure their escape from prosecution and punishment. The Center also believes that the decision of Shanaa’s targeting was issued by higher military bodies and was not a field decision made by the soldiers.
Sources
Al Mizan Center for Human Rights
More information and topics on Palestine page: http://www.anhri.net/palestine
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Lebanon
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Escaping Punishment in a Rise in Palestinian Camps
The Palestinian Association for Human Rights (RASID) expressed its deep concerns towards the increase in the impunity cases, and the crimes committed against vulnerable people. As well as the absence of the rule of law, accountability, and neglecting the respect the human dignity, and human rights in the Palestinian camps in Lebanon, in particular in Ain Al Helwa and Shatila Camps.
Sources
Palestinian Association for Human Rights(Rasid)
More information and topics on Lebanon’s page: http://www.anhri.net/elbanon
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Egypt
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Killing Those Who Cross the Borders Must End
Amnesty International had sent a memorandum addressed to the Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, in which it has called on the Egyptian authorities to end using the killing force against the immigrants from the sub-Saharan countries, who try to cross borders from Egypt to Israel. In its recent report issued on 20th of August on the situation, it has called on the Egyptian authorities to stop the violations against the sub-Saharan immigrants who still subject to risks of serious human rights violations.
Sources
Amnesty International
More information and topics on Egypt’s page: http://anhri.net/egypt
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Morocco
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Saharawi Political Prisoners Released
The Moroccan authorities had released a group of three political prisoner on 15 and 18th of August 2008, after they completed their prison term. The political prisoners released are Abdel Aziz Al Dai, and Mohamed Al Bousaidi each had served three months’ term, and Amar Akhnabila who served 10 months. Three of them and others who still in prison, where arrested arbitrarily for participating in peaceful demonstration demanding the self-determination for the Saharawi people.
Sources
An Eye on Morocco
More information and topics on Morocco’s page: http://www.anhri.net/morocco
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Yemen
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Barring the Families and Political and Rights Activists from Visiting Detainees in Political Security Institution
The Yemeni political security apparatus disallowed visiting the detainees by all of the attended organizations, and people who came early in the morning on 20th August. They have also barred the detainees families from visiting them, as well as the wife of Prof. Mohamed Meftah who was prevented to enter, despite their permit to visit him in the two past weeks, alleging that the president of the political security apparatus and his deputy were not present, and there is no visit permit. This measurement was among restrictive security procedures and intensive presence of the security elements.
Sources
Yemeni Organization for Defense of Democratic Rights and Freedoms
For more information and topics on Yemen’s page: http://anhri.net/yemen
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International and Regional
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Lawyer held for 12 days is latest victim of government harassment of opposition websites
Reporters Without Borders reiterates its condemnation of the government’s behaviour towards certain opposition websites after lawyer and website editor Abdallah Souleiman Ali was detained for 12 days for “persisting in publishing legal and political articles criticising the role of the government.” It was the second time he has been targeted since March.
“His arrest was an unacceptable but unfortunately common intimidating method,” the press freedom organization said. “The owners of opposition websites are constantly harassed by the Syrian authorities and are often held incommunicado although the constitution guarantees free expression. We urge the government to put a stop to its harassment of Souleiman.”
Sources
Reporters Without Borders
More information and topics on the regional and international page: http://www.anhri.net/mena
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The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information-
Legal Aid Unit for Freedom of Expression
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Egypt: Censorship Now Prevents Printing Newspaper
he Arabic Network for Human Rights Information - anhri.net - expressed its objection and firm condemnation toward Al Ahram Press’ rejection to print the second edition of Al-Badeel, the daily independent newspaper on 20th of August, 2008, following the newspaper coverage of the fire breakout in al-Shoura Council, including some headlines of experts’ stating that the “fire occurred by an actor”.
To review the full report:
http://www.anhri.net/en/reports/2008/pr0820.shtml
For more of ANHRI’s press releases and reports:
http://www.anhri.net/en/reports
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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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