|
The weekly update for ANHRI # 242
Sixth Year
2th January , 2009 to 8 January 2009
Emirates
========
CONCERN OVER PRESS LAW AMENDMENTS
Reporters without Borders' executive director Jean-François Julliard sent a personal message to the Emirati government expressing concern about over the proposed amendments to laws governing the media.
The organization urged the Emirati government to clarify "ambiguous" aspects to ensure the proposed amendments won’t threaten news media outlets. It also suggested slashing fines, greater definition of cabinet liabilities and confirmation of the courts sitting in judgement over media institutions
Source:
Reporters without Limits
More information and topics on uae page: http://anhri.net/uae
==========================
Bahrain
========
SHIA TARGETED BY BAHRAINI AUTHORITIES
In an escalation of religious persecution, the Bahraini authorities used the Special Forces yesterday to cordon off al Sadik mosque in the Kofoul area of Al Manamah.
People were prevented from taking part in prayers and were also warned of the consequences of remaining in the area.
The Special Forces, made up of tribal mercenaries from Jordan, Syria, Yemen and Pakistan, had blocked all entrances leading to the mosque and occupied the parking places an hour before Maghreb prayers on Friday.
Source:
the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights
More information and topics on bahrain page: http://anhri.net/bahrain
==========================
Tunisia
========
ASSAULT ON STUDENTS
Police forcibly prevented a number of peaceful demonstrations by secondary students in Tunisia. The students, protesting Israeli aggression in Gaza attempted to take to the streets and express solidarity with the Palestinian people. Some students were beaten in the attempts to disperse the rallies.
Source:
The Tunisian Bond for defending human Rights
More information and topics on Tunisia page: http://anhri.net/tunisia
==========================
Saudi Arabia
========
The Saudi authorities arrested 13 people on 19 Dec 2008 after a demonstration protesting the continuing siege of Gaza.
Another eleven people were arrested on Monday Dec 29 in al Katif in a demonstration against the Israeli atrocities. Only Majed Abdel Karim el Safwany, a young man in his 20s, was known of the detainees. On the same day in the evening a peaceful rally in Safawy was staged without incident but security bodies continue to arrest peaceful protesters.
Source:
Human Rights First
More information and topics on Saudi Arabia page: http://anhri.net/saudi
==========================
Syria
========
SYRIAN VEHICLES DETAINED
Iraqi customs detained 250 Syrian vehicles in the vicinity of al Walid frontier outlet and another 250 at the border strip between Iraq and Syria (al tinf- al Walid .The Iraqi customs denied the vehicles access to Iraq and most would be held for 46 days.
Source:
The National Organization for Human Rights in Syria
More information and topics on syria page: http://anhri.net/syria
==========================
Somalia
========
Shbily radio correspondent killed
Hassan Myo Hassan, a correspondent with shbily radio, was killed Thurs 1/1/2009 in Afgooye 30km west of the capital Mogadishu. After clashes between the security forces in the city and armed militias, the journalist was attempting to report on the incidents. Security forces shot him dead minutes later.
Source:
Justice Watch Association
More information and topics on somalia page: http://anhri.net/somalia
==========================
Iraq
========
American forces shoot and wound female Iraqi TV journalist
Hadil Emad, an editor with the montage department of Biladi Iraqi television has been shot by American forces. A bullet exploded in her abdomen and passed through to the kidney requiring surgical removal.
Doctors prevented relatives and media correspondents from visiting Emad while she was convalescing.
The US forces claimed that she did not follow instructions and warnings and acted suspiciously while crossing the road.
Source:
Press Freedom Watch
More information and topics on iraq page: http://anhri.net/iraq
==========================
Palestine
========
MEDIA WORKER DIES FROM HEAD INJURIES
Bassil Ibrahim Farag, 22, an assistant cameraman with Algerian TV was killed in Gaza on 7 Jan 2009. Farag suffered fatal head injuries after his crew came under fire on the first day of military campaign on Gaza 27/12/2008.
Source:
The Palestinian Centre for Development and Media Liberties
More information and topics on palestine page: http://anhri.net/palestine
==========================
Lebanon
========
ISRAELI POLICE ATTACKED PALESTINIAN ACTORS
Palestinian actors Hannan el Bakri and Saleh el Bakri were beaten and attacked by Israeli police at midnight on new year's eve during a peaceful protest against the Israeli attack on Gaza. The protest took place in al Karmal, Ben Gorion Street in Haifa and the two actors were released on 1 Jan 2009.
Source:
THE CENTRE FOR DEFENDING MEDIA AND PRESS IN THE MIDDLE EAST
More information and topics on lebanon page: http://anhri.net/lebanon
==========================
Egypt
========
REDA ABDEL RAHMAN TO BE RELEASED
Supreme State security’s emergency court issued a final judgment ending the detention of the Koranic blogger Reda Abdel Rahman. Rahman was arrested under emergency law last October on the basis of his religious beliefs. The Egyptian Initiative for personal Rights has demanded that the Interior Ministry complies with the court's decision and releases the blogger without delay.
Source:
The Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights
More information and topics on egypt page: http://anhri.net/egypt
==========================
Yemen
========
ASSAULT UPON THE JEWISH COMMUNITY IN BORAIDAH
Members of the Jewish community of Emran district, Yemen were attacked during a demonstration against Israel’s actions in Gaza. Students from the al zahra school committed many violations, insulting people and even hurling stones at women and children.
Source:
EYE ON YEMEN
More information and topics on yemen page: http://anhri.net/yemen
==========================
INTERNATIONAL AND REGIONAL
========
Israel:MEIDA WORKERS SHOULD BE ALLOWED INTO GAZA
Human Rights Watch today stated that Israel should allow journalists and rights activists access into Gaza in order that their presence might deter people from committing atrocities and save lives
WHO called upon the Israeli government to grant foreign media access into Gaza and stated that the lack of Foreign journalists and human rights monitors in areas of dispute guarantees censorship over human rights and war crimes.
Source:
Human Rights Watch
More information and topics on INTERNATIONAL AND REGIONAL page: http://anhri.net/mena
==========================
the Arabic Network for Human Rights Information
========
EGYPT: AFTER QUELLING DEMONTRATIONS IN SUPPORT OF GAZA , AL-AHRAM PRINTING HOUSE FORCES SOUT AL-UMMAH INTO SELF-CENSORSHIP
Cairo, 5 Jan 2008
The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information fiercely condemns officials from Al-Ahram presses for their refusal to print the latest edition of opposition weekly Sout al-Ummah, until its editor, Dr Abdel Halim Kandil had removed his article criticizing the President and Egypt's stance on the crisis in Gaza.
Sout al-Ummmah was finally published today after the article had been removed.
ANHRI warns that security monitoring has become common practice at Al-Ahram presses and Al-Badeel has previously been censored on occasions, which has caused them to turn to Al- Gomhoria printing house as an alternative.
The article by Kandil, entitled Those Who Brought Egypt Disgrace, was objected to by security bodies which illegally monitor journals and printing. Al-Ahram presses, a mouthpiece for the Egyptian government prints seventy five per cent of Egyptian newspapers on its premises and thus has easy access.
Hamdy al-Assiouty, the legal consultant for ANHRI's legal support department for freedom of expression said it is a tragedy that the Egyptian government stops demonstrations in support of Gaza and censors newspapers reactions to these events. He added that it is the right of a journalist to constructively criticize a government.
Source:
Arabic Network for Human Rights Information
For more of the Arabic Network for Human Rights Information’s press releases:
http://www.anhri.net/en/reports
==========================
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
|
