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The weekly update for ANHRI # 244
Sixth Year
15th January , 2009 to 22 January 2009
Bahrain
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National security granted same powers as public security
The king of Bahrain issued decree 117/2008 as an amendment to decree 14/2002 which regulates the establishment of the national security services.
1) The decree says that the national security body has the same capacity as the officers and the noncommissioned officers of the public security forces.
2) Legal affairs within national security forces carry the same weight and authority as in public security.
3) Officers and noncommissioned officers and personnel working for national security have the same right of arrest concerning crimes which fall under their specialty.
This gives the national security forces authority independent from national security and defense requirements and has greatly increased their powers. Its members cannot be prosecuted in front of the criminal or civil judiciary but only the military judiciary which lacks transparency and independence. Those injured by these changes will be denied judicial equity. This will also open the doors for more violations and immunity from punishment.
Source:
Bahrain Centre for Human Rights
More information and topics on bahrain page: http://anhri.net/bahrain
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Iraq
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Newspaper editor arrested on the instruction of the Iraqi judiciary
The Iraqi judiciary has signed a warrant for the arrest of editor-in-chief of Al-Siysah and Al-karar Al-Sahafi newspapers, Haider Hassoun Al-Faza after his newspaper published a report criticizing the head of security at the Central Bank of Iraq. Al-Faza said the warrant came after a brigadier general submitted a complaint against him for publishing a piece criticizing traders and ordinary citizens in the brigadier general's security services, accusing them of extortion.
Source:
Journalistic Freedom Observatory
More information and topics on iraq page: http://anhri.net/iraq
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Saudi Arabia
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Kamal Abbas Al-Ahmed refuses to sign confession for future crimes, committing himself to staying in prison
Kamel Abbas Al-Ahmed, who was arrested after al-Zahran demonstration on 19 Dec 2008, has refused to sign a confession for future as yet uncommitted crimes. Al-Ahmed has now been on hunger strike for several days and the organisation Human Rights First has charged the country with the responsibility of his life.
Source:
Human Rights First in Saudi Arabia
More information and topics on saudi page: http://anhri.net/saudi
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Tunisia
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Rights activist referred to criminal proceedings, charged with circulating false news
The public prosecutor in Benzert has referred human rights activist and member of the international association for the support of political prisoners Tarek al-Sussi to the criminal courts charging him with circulating false news. Al-Sussi was referred to the judiciary in Benzert in September 2008 on the charge of circulating false news which could lead to public disorder according to articles 42 and 49 of the law regulating the media. The journalist was arrested after a comment to Al-Jazeera television on 26th August 2008 about the kidnapping of seven young people by political police in Benzert.
Source:
International Association for the Support of Political Prisoners
More information and topics on tunisia page: http://anhri.net/tunisia
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Palestine
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Over three hundred civil society organizations file claim against Israel
Representatives of more than three hundred civil organizations are planning to file a claim against Israel accusing it of perpetrating war crimes and crimes against humanity. These organizations - most of which are European – have arranged to document the violations before submitting the complaint officially to the ICC prosecutor general to press him to take action in accordance with his responsibilities. In related news, and as a symbolic gesture, the organization, Reporters without Borders have delivered a petition to the Israeli authorities at their embassy in Paris, demanding the opening of Gaza’s borders to the press. The petition carries the logo of 160 international media institutions.
Source:
Arabic Commission for Human Rights
Reporters without Borders
More information and topics on palestine page: http://anhri.net/palestine
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Syria
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Harassments continue against Kurdish culture activists.
Political security authorities in al-Haska city on 17/1/2009 launched a chain of arbitrary arrest raids against civil actors in the country. These arrests are extrajudicial and in contrary to all the human rights related international conventions and treaties. In this context Both of the agricultural Engineer Fawaz Kano, and the Laboratory Assistant Zaki Ismael Khalil were arrested on the background of participating in printing and handing certificates for Kurdish Language courses. The Syrian authorities hinder the communication of the Kurdish culture and language and harass the Kurdish culture actors.
within the Kurdish cultural matter.
Source:
Eye on Syria
More information and topics on syria page: http://anhri.net/syria
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Egypt
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Sectarian clashes flare in seven provinces, tensions focused on Christian community centers
Sectarian tensions are still prevalent all over Egypt whilst prison is the destination of those who convert. Two bloggers have also been detained, according to the Fourth Quarterly Report on Freedom of Religion and Faith in Egypt, which is published by the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights. This report deals with a number of the most important changes which have taken place freedom of religion and belief throughout October, November and December 2008. It also includes documentation of cases heard in Cairo, Alexandria, Qaliyoubia, Sharqeya, Kafr al-Sheikh, Mania, and Luxor.
Source:
Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights
More information and topics on egypt page: http://anhri.net/egypt
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Morocco
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Release of three Sahrawi detainees
On 18th January, Moroccan authorities released the three political prisoners Abdel Salam Dida, Moloud Mustafa Hajaj and Mohamed Salim Bhaha, who had served a two and a half years sentence at Layoun prison, in Western Sahara. Their only crime was participating in a peaceful demonstration calling for self determination for the Sahrawi nation.
Source:
CODESA
More information and topics on morocco page: http://anhri.net/morocco
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Yemen
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Child held hostage for father’s debt
Fifteen year old Mohamed Amer Al Ba'adani was abducted from Hadda Street in the city center and held in a house by a powerful and as yet unnamed man for three years before being handed over to the relevant authorities in the governorate as a hostage to put pressure on his father to repay supposed debts.
Source:
Seyaj Organization for Childhood Protection
National Corporation for Defense of Rights and Freedoms
More information and topics on yemen page: http://anhri.net/yemen
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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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