|
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
|
|
|
The weekly update for ANHRI # 248
Sixth Year
12Feb 2009-19 Feb 2009
Jordan
========
Women's Radio Channel Denied License
The Jordanian government denied a license to a social radio channel for women, even though it does not broadcast politically-oriented news or programs -- The radio was supposed to cover the Jordan Valley region and the northern and middle depressions. The government gave no explanation for denying the license.
Source:
Arabic Archive Society
More information and topics on jordan page: http://www.anhri.net/jordan
==========================
Bahrain
========
Escalation in Religious Discrimination
In light of the ongoing discrimination committed by the Bahraini government against Shia citizens, the ministries of Justice, Islamic Affairs, and of the Interior decided to issue an order to ban prayers and sermons every Friday evening at al-Imam Assdik mosque in the capital Manamah.
The decision was implemented by the special security forces, made up of non-Bahraini mercenaries, who surrounded the mosque on the afternoon of Feb 12 . This vicious attack comes as part of a larger trend of “tightening the robe” of religious freedoms led by new groups in the Information Ministry, who have shut down a number of Shia websites concerned with religious, cultural, social and political issues. On the other hand, the authorities are turning a blind eye to websites and talk shows that offend the Shia in their political and religious beliefs, make light of them and encourage hatred against them.
Source:
The Bahraini Centre for Human Rights
More information and topics on bahrain page: http://www.anhri.net/bahrain
==========================
Tunisia
========
Gagging The Opposition To Secure Life-Long Presidency
While Tunisia is on the brink of new presidential and legislative elections set for Oct 2009, political and social repression have escalated in the country. The move is evidence that the government is taking every measure possible to gag the opposition and quell social and political protests to secure a life-long presidency and rebuild the country's "facade of democracy".
The government's means of repression practices include: an oppressive ruling against figures in the protest movement al-Howd al-Mangami; the closing of Kalimah radio station and confiscation of its equipment; and pressuring the crew from al-Hiwar al-Tunisi channel to put an end to its work. In addition, the government has seized Issue 113 of al-Tarik al-Jadid newspaper, continued its legal actions against al-Mawkif newspaper to silence their voices, and refused to accept a file pertaining to the publication of al-Naseriyah newspaper. The government also makes use of taxes as a tool to settle political scores with members of the opposition. Newspapers supported by the government launch defamation campaigns against leading figures from political parties and human rights organizations.
Source:
Oct 18 Society for Human Rights
More information and topics on tunisia page: http://www.anhri.net/tunisia
==========================
Algeria
========
Detained for 10 Years Without Trial
Malik Majnoun, an Algerian detainee kidnapped on Sept 28 1999 by members of the Information Department and security forces, was subjected during his nine-month arrest to the cruelest forms of torture, well-known techniques commonly employed by the security forces. Majnoun remains imprisoned without trail, and the Algerian authorities still refuse to respond to the comments made by the Human Rights Committee in July 2006, which demanded that Algerian authorities bring Malik before a judge to answer to the charges against him and ultimately release him. They also called for an investigation into his secret arrest and ill-treatment, and to bring those responsible for these violations to justice.
Source:
al-Karamah Society for Human Rights
More information and topics on algeria page: http://www.anhri.net/algeria
==========================
Sudan
========
Government Intelligence Bans Newspaper from Discussing Darfur
The Sudanese newspaper al-Midan went on strike on Tues 10/2/2009 in protest of the censorship imposed upon them by government intelligence. The security monitor interfered in the work of the paper by cancelling Kalimat al-Midan page which presents the newspaper's point of view in important cases which raise the people's interest. Intelligence has also cancelled four political sections in addition to canceling the main section on the front page, namely all political commentary concerning the strife in Darfur, its repercussions and possible solutions.
Source:
The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information
More information and topics on sudan page: http://www.anhri.net/sudan
==========================
Iraq
========
Trials against Journalists
Though a law has been issued assuring freedom of the press in the Kurdistan district , its effectiveness has remained merely on paper as the legislative authority and the security forces fail to take it into consideration. Journalists are being killed and detained, prevented from doing their work and facing trials and exorbitant legal fees. In the last forty days, more than twenty cases have been brought in Kurdistan district. The district court decided to fine Shawan Mohammed, editor-in-chief of "Awina" newspaper, thirty million dinars for refusing to provide the government with the name of the writer of a particular article.
Source:
The Iraqi society for Defense of Journalist Rights
More information and topics on iraq page: http://www.anhri.net/iraq
==========================
Palestine
========
The Youngest Prisoner in the World
The Israeli occupation forces have detained 7600 children since the beginning of the al-Aqsa uprising in Sept. 2000. Among them are 200 minors subjected to administrative arrest without charge or trial, while 246 are still languishing in Israeli prisons. Some of them are not even 12 years old, and the youngest prisoner is Yousuf, a 13 month-old baby detained while still in his mother's womb. His mother, the prisoner Fatinah Rizk, gave birth to him with both her hands and legs cuffed.
Source:
Palestine Behind Bars
More information and topics on palestine page: http://www.anhri.net/palestine
==========================
Egypt
========
Elections for Judges Club
On Friday, Feb 13, 2009, elections were held at the Judges Club for the administration's fifteen seats including the head position. An intense battle raged between the three lists. The first list, the so called “independent current” which seeks the independence of the judiciary and the elimination of government interference in its affairs, is led by legal counsel Hesham Geneinah, an ex- secretary of the council and a current member of the club's administration. The second list nominated itself under the slogan “Egypt's judges are the conscience of the nation -one line- one voice- one goal.” This list focused on calling for change for the sake of the judges. The third list took the name “a list for the future”.. for change, new thought for the sake of the judges …. From the judges and for the judges.
The list supported by the Minister of Justice and the head of the Court of Appeals has secured the position of president and reached the utmost majority in the council(10 seats) divided in the following way: two seats for retirees, two seats for councilors, two seats for presidents and judges, and four seats out of five for the prosecution. As for the independents, they won two seats for head of courts and one seat from the prosecution seats.
Source:
The Arabic Society for Support of Civil Society and Human Rights
More information and topics on egypt page: http://www.anhri.net/egypt
==========================
Morocco
========
Harassment of Head of Publishing and Editor-in-Chief of the Weekly al-Ayam
Mistreatment of journalists is an utter violation of the so-called "State of Rights and Law" Morocco calls itself and casts doubt on the credibility of its official stance on freedom of the press, or its intent to make the “Press Law” a primary reference for dealings with journalists. Last week, the head of publishing and editor-in-chief at al-Ayam weekly were subjected to harassment and arbitrary punishment as more than 20 security personnel from the second division of the judicial police cordoned off the building and offices of the newspaper and broke into the editor's house. Journalists Nor Eddin Moftah and Maria Mokayram were led to national police headquarters in order to file their police and subsequently released. The editor-in-chief was summoned once more for questioning.
Source:
The Moroccan Society for Human Rights
More information and topics on morocco page: http://www.anhri.net/morocco
==========================
Yemen
========
Comedian Fahd al-Karni On Trial Again for “Defaming President”
Targeting artists who use comedy as a tool to criticize policies is a clear example of censorship of their right to express themselves through art without fear of reprisal. This week, the comic actor Fahd al-Karni appeared before West Capital Court on the charge of defaming the president in spite of being pardoned by the President himself. The case goes back to 2006 when penal investigators arrested seven cassette sellers in an attempt to put a stop to the distribution of comic folk songs by the artist criticizing the government's policy.
Source:
The Public Front for the Defense of Freedoms and Rights
More information and topics on yemen page: http://www.anhri.net/yemen
==========================
Iran
========
Minister of Health Brings New Charges against the Alai brothers
After the prison sentence leveled against the Doctors Arish and Kamir Alai, on the pretext of their work fighting HIV being a plot to overthrow the government by peaceful means, the Minister of Health has brought new charges against them:: “libel against the truth of the Islamic republic by fighting AIDS.” They were arrested on the 22nd and 23rd of June and remain under detention.
Source:
Human Rights Voice
More information and topics on iran page: http://www.anhri.net/iran
==========================
The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information
Legal aid unit for the support for freedom of expression
========
Minister of Media Bars Gamal Fahmi From Participating in "Listen to the News"
The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information firmly denounced the decision of the media minister Anas al-Fiki to cancel the program Isma al-Akhbar (“Listen to the News”), hosted by the prominent media figure Mahmoud Saad, unless journalist Gamal Fahmi is banned from participation. Gamal Eid, executive director of ANHRI, said “the Egyptian media loses by removing effective journalists like Gamal Fahmi. The minister ought to advise Rose al-Yousef journal to cease undermining its credibibility and distribution by engaging in incitement against journalists and those who would criticize it along with the National Democratic Party's policy committee which the journal serves as a mouth piece for.”
For more on the freedom of expression visit ANHRI page: 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
|
|
