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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
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The weekly update for ANHRI #268
Sixth Year
2\7\2009 – 8\7\2009
Emirates
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Court Order to Ban Emirati Paper
ANHRI strongly condemns the court order of the supreme federal court to ban "Al Emarat Al Youm" in paper and electronic version for 20 and to fine CEO, Abd Al Latif Al Sayegh and chief editor Sami Al Ryami ED20000 for each. In October 2006,the paper published a report on using amphetamines in Warsan stables whose horses run international races.
Source:
The Arabic Network For Human Rights Information (anhri)
More details on: http://www.anhri.net/uae
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Tunisia
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Political Prisoner Persecuted
For 2 running weeks, his family was not able to visit him. Wissam Ben Monsef Kassemi was arrested on 18\5\2008, now serving a 3 year term in prison. He spent the first year in Al Mernakia prison , but all at once he was moved to Madani prison in Sfax on 14\6\2009. The international organization for political prisoners support condemns the disregard of prisoners rights by the Madani prison administration. The organization also condemns the assault against Wissam done by inmates after Wissam refused staying in the toilet room or in an over crowded cell. Moreover Wissam's family was unable to visit him twice as they were informed Wissam is being punished.
Source:
The international organization for political prisoners support
Eye on Tunisia
More details on http://www.anhri.net/tunisia
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Syria
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On 3\7\2009, the activist and leader in the Arab union social democratic party , Mohamed Marawan, was banned from traveling to perform Umrah in Damascus airport . The Syrian organization for human rights is surprised at this continuing attitude against human rights activists and people of opinion violating the Syrian constitution and all international agreements and accords Syria has signed.
The Syrian human rights watch learnt that Salah Kaftaro , manager of Abu Al Nour religious complex and the son of Ahmed Kaftaro former Mufti ,was prosecuted on 1\7\2009 charged of making illicit relationships with foreign bodies, unlicensed profession practicing and public funds embezzlement .
On the other hand , his brother, Mahmoud Kaftaro was detained last May for 13 days for prosecuting him with the charge of correspondence with foreign embassies , having been invited to attend national days celebrations , preparing joint religious festivals and awards giving ceremonies.
The Syrian human rights watch requests the authorities to give Salah a fair and public trial. If the charges against him were affirmed he should be punished as per the Syrian laws other wise he should be released immediately.
Source:
Syrian organization for human rights
Syrian Watch for human rights
More Details on: http://www.anhri.net/syria
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Somalia
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Reporters killed , tally adding up
While fierce fighting between transitional government and fundamentalist groups is continuing in Somalia ,Somali reporters are suffering like all Mogadishu residents the consequences of blood shed during the last months. More than once, reporters have been deliberately shot on the streets. On 4\7\2009 Mahmoud Youssef, Quran Kareem readio station staff, was shot while covering actualities East Mogadishu. Going south , several reporters were killed ; Nour Moussa of hiran voice station, Abd al Razeq and Rasmi Mohamed of radio shibili. Masked armed men in Bakaro market , dominated by fundamentalist militia, killed Moktar Haraby of radio shibili , while Ahmed Omar Hashi was wounded.
Source:
Justice Watch Organization
More details on http://www.anhri.net/somalia
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Iraq
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Iraqi Government on media tail
The Iraqi press freedom watch utterly resents the detention of Salaam channel correspondent ,Ammar Al-Elwani, in Ramadi, Anbar by the guards of Ahmed Abu Risha , leader of "Sahwat Al-Iraq" conference on 6\7\2009. Ammar was covering Nour Al Malkey's visit to Ramadi. He reported beig detained by six of Abu Risha guards . Ammar called on all officials and tribe leaders to guard reporters instead of harassing them and respecting the Iraqi constitution especially that these harassments hinder media work and are frequently repeated as no one is held accountable.
Source:
Press freedom Watch
More details on : http://www.anhri.net/iraq
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Palestine
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Prisoners and reporters under Zionist violation
Former prisoner and now prisoners' affairs researcher, Abd Al Naser Awni Farawna, asserted on the urgency of disclosing the files of thousands of Palestinian married prisoners in Zionist occupation cells. They and their wives are suffering in silence, deprived of their natural right to reproduce through artificial fertilization under religious and social shelters. This right is not granted but should be grabbed by all those who care.
A report prepared by prisoner's club in Al-Khalil says that on June 2009, the Israeli authorities arrested more than 40 citizens in inspection raids on houses in AL-Khalil 14 of which are sick , 6 are children , 12 are students. 8 of the arrested were referred to administrative detention , 9 were moved to Askilon prosecution and three moved to Maskoubia.
MADA declared that more press freedom violation took place in June 2009 than on May 2009 in the occupied territories. Central military court of Jerusalem sentenced Khedr Shahin and Mohamed Sarhan of Al-Alem channel to 2 months prison, while Israeli soldiers assaulted Naif and Nageh Hashlamon , Abd al Hafeez Hazem Badr , Eyad Hamad, Youssri Al –Gamal and Maamoun Azuz.
Source:
Palestine behind Bars
Palestinian Prisoner Club
MADA
More details on http://www.anhri.net/palestine
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Kuwait
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Workers rights given the heat
Working in 50C+ in the shade, that is what some firms do with their employees in Kuwait. Needless to say that is against all labor laws in the world and in Kuwait as well. The ministry of social affairs and that of labor and all entities in charge to make sure all firms abide to the law and none of the workers are subjected to violations risking their health. These practices are an indication of how some employers lack the morals and ethics of respecting employee rights as well as basic human rights. Eye on Kuwait hopes government officials would put and end to these cruel practices and follow up on implementing labor law regarding workers working under unfavorable conditions.
Source:
Eye on Kuwait
More details on http://www.anhri.net/kuwait
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Egypt
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Al Badeel , Rights Violated, Left Values Wasted
Hisham Mubarak law center expressed deep worry of the sad happenings regarding the continuation of Al Badeel daily paper. HMLC is even more worried after major shareholders showed a tendency to mass understaffing. Pressures are exerted on the staff to submit mass resignations from all reporters. It has to said from a human rights angle that 130 reporters are paying dearly for the board erroneous policies. 22 technicians , constituting the production unit ! were sacked. Those technicians did not sue the paper yet hoping for overcoming the problems and reissuing , meaning going back to their jobs.
The human rights and development forum expressed deep concerns to the wasted material and moral rights of Al-Badeel personnel as a result of the board policies and the closing down decision taken on 4\7\2009. This will result in discharging 120 reporters 92 of which have legal contracts. This is in essence arbitrary expulsion.
Source:
HMLC
The human rights and development forum
More details on http://www.anhri.net/egypt
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Morroco
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Refugees Assaulted
The Moroccan organization for human rights follows up on the unjustified and cruel assault of security forces on refugees recognized by HCR (Haute Commissaire pour les réfugiés) on 2\7\2009. They were in a peace sit- in in front of HCR office. This is the second assault in less than one month , the first was on 27\6\2009 . these assaults aim to break the one week sit – in . many refugees were wounded among whom were pregnant women not to mention insults and harsh words. 5 Refugees were detained in Sala prison , 4 from cote d'evoire and a Congolian. Many others were transferred to Rabat and presented to the royal prosecutor.
Source:
The Moroccan organization for human rights
More details on http://www.anhri.net/morocco
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Yemen
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President waves to sit- ins and ignores their demands
The Yemeni organization for rights and democratic freedoms in collaboration with detainees kin in Saada the 17th sit-in on 7\7\2009 near the ministry premises. Out of the signs and posters of detainees the blocked the ministry gate , came out the Yemni president , waved to the sit-ins and went along not hearing their pleas and the horror stories of the detainees and not knowing that his release instructions were not carried out.
At the same time ,reporters union condemned the exceptionally cruel measures taken against Fouad Rashed union member and chief editor of Makla press site . he was arrested on 4\5\2009 from Kheisa cultural forum and was jailed in political security prison in Makla. His detention place was not announced for a whole week not until union leaders contacted the HQ of the political security in Hadramout.
Source:
The Yemeni organization for rights and democratic freedoms
Yemeni reporters union
More details on http://www.anhri.net/yemen
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Regional and international
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Marwa Al-Sherbiny, Martyr of Hatred.
The Arabic organization for human rights condemns the racist and hatred crimes against Arabs and Moslems which are a normal result of international society not being up to its duties and responsibilities and resuming the efforts that started 30 years ago against racism and discrimination especially the Islamophobia syndrome. Murdering the Egyptian researcher Marwa Al-Sherbiny and shooting at her husband in a courtroom in Dresden ,Germany is an outstanding proof of the severity of racism and hatred o Arab and Moslems who literally became victims of racism since 9\11.
Reporters without borders resented the detention of two Jazeera channel reporters on 30\6\2009 by the Israeli forces . They were on the aid ship "Roah" sponsored by "gaza Horra" movement to get provisions to Gaza.
The reporters international union requested the reform of press law in Emirates. This request comes after the supreme federal court to ban "Al Emarat Al Youm" for 20 days in a defaming case. The paper published a report on using amphetamines in Warsan stables whose horses run international races. The supreme federal court orders are subject to appeal.
Source:
AOHR.
RWB
RIU
More details on http://www.anhri.net/mena
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ANHRI
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ANHRI Statements
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Reporters jailing reporters
ANHRI expresses deepest resentment to the arrest o Yasser Barakat chief editor of Al Moogaz paper.
ANHRI calls on reporters union to resolve reporter-reporter conflicts by activating the reporter honor charter. It is ridiculous to demand not to imprison reporters in publishing cases and yet receive such a blow from a reporter suing his colleague and imprisoning him.
ANHRI appeals to reporters union to intervene immediately so as to bridge the gap between colleagues, take all possible measures to release Yaser and settle the dispute in the union rather than law courts and gloomy dungeons.
On the other hand the president insult case was adjourned to 18\7\2009. The defendant, now uder arrest , Mounir Saad Hanna , a clerk in education administration in Adawa, Menya was accused of writing a poem insulting the president . he was prosecuted with no lawyer with him as per the criminal procedures code. He was tried without hearing his statements. The misdemeanor court in Adawa ,Menya sentenced him to 3 years in prison and a fine of LE100000.
More Statements on http://www.anhri.net/press
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Sufferings
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Economic crisis , the major Arab suffering
An Egyptian citizen cried for help on the TV show of Mahmoud Saad , Beit Beitak, hoping her sick voice will reach compassionate ears. She suffers rheumatoid and is very poor.
From Palestine , a man complained of political , economic and security situation and appealed to immigrate to Norway.
In Kuwait a father called on the Prince of Kuwait to pay his debts as the man is facing prison being unable to pay.
More on http://www.humum.net
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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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