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The weekly update for ANHRI # 241
Sixth Year
26th December, 2008 to 1 January 2009
Tunisia
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Rosa Al Yousef, defamation of a female journalist and human rights activist
In a joint press release, many of Egypt’s human rights organizations condemned the actions of the Cairo based pro-government daily newspaper Rosa Al Yousef in publishing a story attacking a Tunisian human rights activist and journalist named Siham Bensedrine. The advertisement, accompanied by a photograph of President Zain Al Abedeen Ben Ali, included false accusations against Bensedrine in an attempt to damage her reputation.
The organizations called on the Supreme Press Council and the Committee of Journalist Honor Charter of the Journalists Union to act against the newspaper and to state their opposition to all such attacks.
Source:
Arabic Network for Human Rights Information
More information and topics on Tunisia page: http://anhri.net/tunisia
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Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
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ICC should prosecute the Israeli officials
The Saudi Human Rights First Association called on the Arab human rights and legal associations to hold an urgent meeting in order to put together a case against Israeli government and military officials to take to the International Criminal Court. The Association considered Israel’s disregard of UN resolutions on the Arab-Israeli issue grounds for UN sanctions including boycott and blockade in a similar manner to the methods used against South Africa during the time of apartheid.
Source:
Human Rights First Association
More information and topics on saudi page: http://anhri.net/saudi
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Sudan
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The protection of civilians whose lives are at risk
After recent changes in the humanitarian and security situation in Darfur, the Arab Coalition for Darfur issued a press release warning of the risks faced by civilians in the region, particularly women and children. The press release confirmed international reports stating that there are around 6000 children serving in government and rebel armies, some as young as 11. This is contrary to the UN memorandum stating its opposition to the recruitment of children under 18 years old to the military which Sudan recently signed.
Source:
Eye on Sudan
More information and topics on sudan page: http://anhri.net/sudan
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Palestine
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Israeli air forces strike Al Aqssa TV
The Israeli air forces destroyed the headquarters of Gaza-based TV station Al Aqssa but they continue to broadcast from a secret location. Similarly, the occupation forces hacked into the signal of the Gaza-based People’s Voice Radio, and used it to air incitements against the resistance.
Source:
Palestinian Center for Development and Media Freedoms (MADA)
More information and topics on palestine page: http://anhri.net/palestine
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Lebanon
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Denouncing the Israeli Occupation and targeting of the media
The Israeli forces prevented Ramtan independent news agency from moving media equipment from Ramallah to the Gaza strip by rejecting Ramtan’s official request. It noteworthy that the Israeli occupation forces still obstruct the freedom of the media in Gaza, particularly after firmly refusing access to the strip to all Arab and foreign journalists during November.
Source:
SK Eyes
More information and topics on lebanon page: http://anhri.net/lebanon
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Egypt
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Police seize and arrest Gaza supporting protestors
Security forces seized protesters who took to the streets to voice their support and solidarity with Gaza in various locations around Cairo. Some gatherings were prevented from taking place by police locking protesters in their own quarters in places such as the Cinema Institute, Lawyers Bar, Assembly Party, Nasrist Party. Dozens of political activists and citizens were arrested in the streets, while others were beaten in violent attempts to break up the gathered masses. Many human rights NGOs and Centers collaborated to release a joint statement demanding the immediate release of the detainees and proclaiming their right to demonstrate and voice their solidarity with Palestinians and their anger against the brutal massacres perpetrated by the Zionist enemy in Gaza.
Source:
Hisham Mubarak Law Center
More information and topics on egypt page: http://anhri.net/egypt
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Morocco
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Minors Arrested in Western Sahara and South Morocco
The Moroccan police arrested three children all under 16 years old, in Western Sahara and South Morocco. Two were subjected to ill-treatment, physical and psychological torture before being released, while the third remains in the custody of La’youn police where he has been since 27th of December, 2008.
Source:
CODESA
More information and topics on morocco page: http://anhri.net/morocco
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Yemen
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Indicting an independent newspaper of insulting the president of the republic
Al Masdar, the independent Yemeni newspaper is being subjected to a judiciary prosecution and threats of suspension on the basis of opinions published by the newspaper. The newspaper has simply practiced its right to freedom of opinion and expression as provided by international human rights laws as well as the Yemeni legal constitution. The indictment for insulting the president of the republic results from an article criticizing him as a public employee and not in personal terms and thus was a piece of professional journalism and not targeting his character.
Source:
Eye on Yemen
More information and topics on yemen page: http://anhri.net/yemen
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International and Regional
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Memorandum submitted by Arab Human Rights Organizations to the UN Secretary General Concerning the Ongoing Massacre in Gaza.
The Arab human rights organizations submitted a memorandum to the UN Secretary General concerning the increasing deterioration of human rights in the Palestinian occupied territories, particularly in Gaza. The memorandum expressed their deep anger at the immoral and inhumane attitude of the international community to the ongoing massacre being perpetrated by the Israeli occupation forces and their reiteration of the fact that the vast majority of their victims are unarmed civilians
Source:
Arab Organization for Human Rights
More information and topics on mena page: http://anhri.net/mena
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Arabic Network for Human Rights Information
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In a triumph for freedom of expression, the Egyptian judiciary acquits two bloggers and a human rights activist after a fabricated defamation law suit
The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information announced today in a joint statement with Hisham Mubarak Law Center that the end of 2008 will be marked by a judiciary verdict that will give great comfort and hope to all those who struggle for their right for freedom of speech and have suffered through the deterioration of these rights in Egypt.
Source:
Arabic Network for Human Rights Information
hmcl
For more of the Arabic Network for Human Rights Information’s press releases:
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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