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Our Reports
The Internet In the Arab World
A New Space of Repression?
No Rules, No Limits
United Arab Emirates:
Freedom of expression is missing despite a decision banning imprisonment for press crimes
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The weekly update for ANHRI # 231
Fifth Year
9 October to 15 October 2008
United Arab Emirates
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Blocking a blog for publishing an article about the impact of American financial crisis
authorities of United Arab of Emirates have blocked a blog called" Mujarad Ensan"-http://mujarad-ensan.maktoobblog.com- since 12th of October 2008. the blog, the most visited blog in local sphere, is used to disseminate articles on political transparency and freedom of expression. On 11th October 2008, the blogger published an article titled" Laugh with Me and say: Our Economic is Fine!” in his article, the blogger analyzed the impact of the American financial crisis over the Emirate's, describing owners of companies as “speculators" and criticized the lack of transparency in state's institutions in Emirates.
Sources
Reporters Without Borders
More information and topics on Emirates page: http://www.anhri.net/uae
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Jordan
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Torture and Impunity, Reforms Failed to End Violations
"Jordanian Authorities has to put an end to torture in Jordan prisons", A Human Rights report said. It called upon the Jordanian government to examine investigation, discipline, and complaints mechanism against perpetrators, in particular, transferring Investigation authority from police prosecutor to civil prosecutor. The report recommended to development donors to Jordan to put prisons reformation and accountability on torture acts among the requirements and conditions for such funding so that human rights record in security forces sector be enhanced.
Sources
Human Rights Watch
For further information on Jordan page |||:http://www.anhri.net/jordan
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Tunisia
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President of Human Rights Organization Searched and his Flash Disk Confiscated
Mohamed al- Nouri, president of Liberty and Equity organization, accompanied by Abdel Raof al- Eyadi, executive committee member and the Judiciary and Law Bar Independence officer were subjected to inspection, before seizing his memory unit. At Qartaj disk at Gartag international airport in his way to Paris on Tuesday 14/10/2008, confiscation process occurred without recording of the flash disk
Sources
Liberty and Equity
For further information and topics, see Tunisia page on:http://www.anhri.net/tunisia
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Saudi Arabia
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The Saudi security forces kidnapped the Egyptian engineer and programmer Yousif Alashmawy and sent him to Al Hayer prison in Riyadh City since two months. Security have not informed Yousif or his family or his lawyers about charge set against him. Appeals made by al Ashmawy family and his lawyers at the Arabic Network for Human Rights Information to diplomatic departments and human rights institutions in Saudi and Egypt for his release had failed and were ignored.
Sources
Arabic Network for Human Rights Information
For further information and topic see Saudi page at: http://www.anhri.net/saudi
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Sudan
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The Sudanese police forces arrested journalist Nhial Bol , Bol was accused in a civil case of defame and disseminating false information following publication on 7th of October an article accusing minister of legal affairs of corruption and criticizing the huge amount of salaries paid to the ministry employers. He was later released on bail.
Sources
Arabic Network for Human Rights Information
For further information and topic see Sudan page at: http://www.anhri.net/sudan
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Syria
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Habib Saleh Third Trial under Bashar’s Rule
The First Court Judge of Damascus issued order No(468) which charges the writer and opponent Habib Saleh for 1- publishing false information that weaken national sensation and stir up racial and sectarian conflicts 2- provoke sectarian turmoil according to articles(285-298) of Syrian criminal code. The order also required Salih to be prosecuted for chharges before Damascus criminal court, as well as his undergoing trial in the first court for insulting the president according to articles( 377-374). Saleh was tried for publishing his reform advocating and transformation to democracy article, which was also called for respect of freedom of opinion.
Sources
Syrian Observatory for Human Rights
For further information and topic see Syria page at: http://www.anhri.net/syria
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Iraq
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35 Journalists were held inside the Iraqi Parliament
Security forces responsible of Iraqi parliament protection, and by a direct order from some MPs, arrested 35 journalist while covering a press conference. after taking photos at the conference for consultant staff of Shapak ethnicity , during which an argument took place with the representative of the Shabak ethnic minority in parliament. Security forces confiscated video tapes and recorders, and cut down internet lines to prevent journalists from disseminating the news.
Sources
freedoms of the press observatory
For further information and topic see Iraq page at: http://www.anhri.net/iraq
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Palestine
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Three journalists arrested
Three groups of internal security organ broke into three journalist’s houses at the same time early morning on Sunday 12/10/2008 and arrested them. according to statements made by the three journalists brothers , security forces confiscated two computers and cell phone belong to the first journalist and his brother, from second journalist a computer, camera, two cell phones, and documents, and from the third journalist a computer.
Sources
Palestine center for development and freedom of information.
For further information and topic see Palestine page at: http://www.anhri.net/palestine
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Libya
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Appearance of Salem Abd Alsalam After Nine Month under Enforced Disappearance
The Libyan authorities unfolded in the beginning last week the place where Mr. Salem Abd Alsalam is being held ,authorities informed his family that he is under detention at Ain Zahra prison in Tripoli and give one of his parents a permission for a visit per month. This information comes after forcible disappearance by internal security in Libya since 24/1/2008. it is the first time that Libyan authorities admit Abd Alsalam whereabouts, though the reason behind his arrest and the charge against, if any, remain secret.
In another context, Libyan authorities released political prisoner Idris Abu Fayed for he has been suffering from cancer.
Sources
Karama for Human Rights.
For further information and topic see Libya page at: http://www.anhri.net/libya
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Egypt
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Farmers of Marashda Villages Commenced on Hunger Strike Protesting an Order issued by Qina governor, investment corporation, and construction corporation to assign their reformed land to a Japanese company working on agricultural investment. The order seizes the land from farmers after they planted the desert west of Marashda in Qina ten year ago, the land is about four thousand acre. The farmers terminated their hunger strike after Qina’s governor promised to give them alternative land, but he did not fulfilled his promise, the farmers were insulted by employers in the province and they were that the promise made by the governor was only a trick to make them finish the strike
Sources
land center for human rights
For further information and topic see Egypt page at: http://www.anhri.net/egypt
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Morocco
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Maisour Catastrophe
In 10/10/2008, MaIsour area witnessed a disastrous flood, Malwia river and Shof Al Sharq valley overflowed Sidi Botaeib villages and Ikly, lirak, Masyra district in Maysour, as well as villages on both river banks. The flood caused panic within citizens, and resulted in several losses, four deaths, 8000 homeless, the disaster also had destroyed hundreds of houses, bridges, dams, waterwheels, telephone lines, and electricity services. State institutions were fully absent from the tragedy scene in terms of providing relief and security, instead, security forces were put on high state of alert in order to repress protests against the inhuman situation.
Sources
Moroccan Association for Human Rights
For further information & topic on Morocco’s page: http://www.anhri.net/morocco
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Yemen
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Children arrested for pointing hunting rifle to the photo of the president
A group of republican guard raided on last Wednesday night houses near presidential palace in Fatah district and arrested a group of individuals to press them to surrender four children accused of pointing a hunting rifle to the photo of the presidents which was posted on a wall the republican palace. Parents and relatives of the children were released after two hours in detention in Tawahi prison, but the four children Mohamed Ali Alsaady, Younis Hssan Saad, Mohamed Abdalla Hamoud, and Nazeh Nagy remain in detention and handed to juvenile prison
Sources
Change Organization for the Defense of Rights and Freedoms
For further information and topic see Yemen page at: http://www.anhri.net/yemen
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Regional and international
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Iran
Emadoldin Baghi outside Evin prison
Emadoldin Baghi, defender of prisoners of opinion, who himself was a imprisoned in Evin prison, now released for purpose of receiving medical care as he suffers many health issues. Baghi is still facing two former cases expected to be sentenced.
Sources
Reporters Without Borders
For further information: http://www.anhri.net/mena
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Arabic network for Human Rights Information
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Legal Aid Unit for Freedom of Expression
Arabic network for Human Rights Information strongly condemned the assassination of Syrian human rights activist Sami Ma'touq by a Syrian security patrol.
The Ma'touq, an activist was working for the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, shot dead by Syrian security forces last Tuesday 14th of October 2008.the shooting took place while Ma'touq in front of his house in Mushrafa village, near Lebanese Syrian boarders under pretext of pursuing smugglers. The Arabic Network considers Fire shooting citizens in such way is unjustifiable regardless of the reason.
For further press releases, see: http://www.anhri.net/press
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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