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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 # 237
Fifth Year
21 November to 27 November 2008
Jordan
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Censorship in Jordan as books are confiscated
The censorship commission in Jordan continues to prevent the publication of books. So far this year about thirty books have been banned from going to print. The collection of poetry by the poet Islam Samhan was banned, following the accusation of apostasy by the Jordanian Mufti. The department also continues to prevent the publication of Allwaida magazine.
The campaigning body known as Zabahtouna, (meaning you are killing us) decided to issue a report about student freedoms in the area of the law which regulates students' activities, representative bodies, practices that restrict the freedom of student activities, and other issues relating to the freedoms of students inside universities. The campaign has observed fifteen intrusive and restrictive actions, such as prevention of demonstrations, arrests of students who participate in demonstrations inside universities, the banning of the students' union inside Zarqaa university, and the prevention of the elected students' union from meeting in Feladelfia university.
Sources
The National Campaign for the Rights of Students
Further information on Jordan page: http://www.anhri.net/jordan
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Tunisia
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Curfew against the Tunisian Association for Human Rights
In a blatant violation of all civil principles, and following on from the prevention of activists from traveling, from allowing paid propaganda about the Tunisian government to pose as genuine journalism and after all the harassment of journalists in their professional lives, as for example what happened to Fatine Al-Hamdi who works for Kilma radio, Abd Allatif Albaely, has been put under a curfew. Albaely is a member of the executive committee of the Tunisian Association for Human Rights in Dar Shaban and Nayel cities and on the night of 23rd November he was escorted home by a group of security forces in civil dress, his house was surrounded by three security vans and his car was vandalized and he was kept under curfew all night.
Sources
Reporters without Borders
Further information on Tunisia page: http://www.anhri.net/tunisia
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Saudi Arabia
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The king releases a warning against the violation of individuals' rights and freedoms
Human Rights First Association in Saudi Arabia welcomed the warning released by the king against the violation of the freedoms and rights of individuals and holding the perpetrators of such violations accountable to the king himself. In the same context, the Association asks the king to consider the sufferings of women in the kingdom, discrimination against religious minorities, such as those of Shiite and Ismailia faiths, the nine Shiite individuals who are forgotten in prison without trial, and the thousands of Saudi citizens who are prevented from travelling without first obtaining a judicial order.
Sources
Human Rights First Association
Further information on Saudi page: http://www.anhri.net/saudi
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Sudan
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Sudanese government discuss press laws in the absence of journalists
In a blatant breach to the transitional constitution and parliamentary norms, the Sudanese government banned journalists from covering the parliamentary session of 17th November 2008, which was dedicated to the discussion of a bill regulating the relationship between press and government and other issues concerning the press. The police forces also dispersed a peaceful gathering carried out by journalists in front of the parliament protesting the ban during which they arrested seventy eight journalist with no just cause.
Sources
Sudanese Organization for Human Rights
Further information on Sudan page: http://www.anhri.net/sudan
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Syria
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Thousands of Syrian nationals prevented from returning home
In a vivid example of the contradiction between words and deeds, the Syrian government has proposed the organization of a forum to take place in Damascus about Palestinian refugees' right to return home, while at the same the government has forced thousands of Syrian nationals into exile with no right of return. Generations of those exiled have been prevented from returning home, and for those who dare to try, article 49 of 1980 sentences them to the death penalty through the Exceptional State Security Court.
Sources
Syrian Commission for Human Rights
Further information on Syria page: http://www.anhri.net/syria
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Somalia
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Arrests of journalist become routine
Security forces in the city of Bedo arrested the director of radio Worsin, an independent station of Hilal Sheikh Shuaib on 25th November. On 17 November, authorities in the state of Puntland ordered the closure of the city radio station in Jalkew in the mid Somalia and arrested journalist Hassan Mohamed Jami, director of the radio though he was released two days later without any charges.
Sources
Justice Observation Association.
More information on Somalia page: http://www.anhri.net/somalia
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Iraq
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Faculty of Arts in Babil city threatens to use force against journalists
In a case of violation of press freedom and the right to circulate information, Alhura TV satellite reporter in Babil city, Hayder Al-Badri and his team were turned away by force from the faculty of arts. The faculty administration has adopted restrictive procedures against journalists under the pretext of security approval and procedures.
Sources
Protection of Journalists Commission
More information on Iraq page: http://www.anhri.net/iraq
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Palestine
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A show of solidarity with the Palestinian people
Saturday 29th November is International Day for Solidarity with Palestinian people, and a chance to demonstrate against the continuing racist acts committed by the Israeli authorities, such as the destruction of houses, confiscation of lands, building of Israeli settlements, assaults on places of worship, and the blockage of Gaza.
Sources
The Arab Organization for Human Rights
Further information on Palestine page: http://www.anhri.net/palestine
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Egypt
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Citizenship at stake…Copts feel like strangers in their own land
The principle of citizenship which is the centre of the Egyptian constitution is not being enforced yet, and the diversity which enriches society and has contributed so much to its development is going to vanish, for Copts feel like strangers in their own home, in clear contradiction to the freedom of religious practice stipulated in the Egyptian constitution. In response to a call for a demonstration released by a Muslim Sheikh to protest against building a church, thousands of Muslims gathered in Ain Shams in Cairo, carrying banners denouncing the construction which led to religious inflammation.
Sources
Egyptian Center for Human Rights
More information on Egypt page: http://www.anhri.net/egypt
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Morocco
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International day for the elimination of violence against women
Every year women around the world celebrate 25th November as the international day for the elimination of violence against women, so designated by the United Nations in 1999. The occasion comes against a back drop of an international situation where human rights are being violated as a result of the consequences of globalization and new liberalism, which is making a large number of women victims of war, occupation, prostitution, and the growth of fundamentalism. The Moroccan Association for Human Rights, jointly with Amnesty International, Morocco Branch celebrated this day under the slogan "elimination of all kinds of violence against women is the guarantee to human dignity"
Sources
Moroccan Association for Human Rights
More information on Morocco page: http://www.anhri.net/morocco
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Yemen
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The Yemeni government continues to violate freedom of expression
The Yemeni government continue to violate freedoms, in particular the freedom of the press, in a country where journalists and newspapers are brought before courts. The latest case involves the newspaper El-Sharey which was brought before the state security court on a publishing case. The ministry of information refuses to issue licenses for new newspapers in, for example, the case of Al-Madina newspaper. The ministry has also instructed printing houses to stop some newspapers from being released, as in the case of Al-Qadia newspaper, which was unable to release even issue number one, though it has a formal license.
Sources
The Yemeni Organization for the Defense of Rights and Democratic Freedoms
More information on Yemen page: http://www.anhri.net/yemen
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Iran
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Blogger persecuted
Security Guards in Iran have threatened blogger and former political activist Mojtaba Saminjad to force him stop his activities. State Security have also tried to bring charges against him for immoral acts and for divorce. Saminjad runs a blog called Love Gamble, on which he criticizes human rights violations in Iran. He formerly spent three months in solitary confinement in 2004 and was then transferred to Ghazl Hesril prison, where he was placed along with dangerous criminals and drugs smugglers.
Sources
Iran Human Rights Voice
More information on Iran page: http://www.anhri.net/iran
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Regional and International
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Egypt :Amnesty International fears about police acts
In a clear violation of the right to life and personal security, security forces are using extreme force while makes searches, dispersing protestors, and during patrols on the Israeli/Egyptian border. On 23rd November, a migrant crossing the Israeli-Egyptian border was killed by Egyptian police forces. The number of those killed on the border this year is about 26 individuals. On the same day in Aswan, a policeman from the drugs squad shot and killed Abd Al-Elrazik Abd Al-Wahid while searching his house.
Sources
Amnesty International
More information and topics on regional and international page: http://www.anhri.net/mena
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Legal Aid Unit for Freedom of Expression The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information
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This is the law of the state of emergency
The security forces kidnapped blogger Mohamed Adel, who runs the blog Meit (http://43arb.info/meit) on 20th November through placing a tap on his phone. Forty security personnel and three police vans surrounded his house, made a search of his house and confiscated books and CDs.
Gamal Eid, the executive director of the Arabic Network for Human Rights Information said in a statement: "An enormous security force, and special forces to take into custody a young blogger who owns nothing other than a keyboard and a blog! These are the laws of the state of emergency which has ruled the Egyptians for twenty seven years".
More press releases on freedom of expression: http://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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