Qatar: Detained ‘Jasmine uprising’ poet being tried in secret
A poet facing a secret trial in Qatar after being detained since last year is a possible prisoner of conscience and must be released immediately and unconditionally if he has been detained solely for his peaceful criticism, Amnesty International has urged as the one-year anniversary of his arrest approaches.
Mohammed al-Ajami – also known as Mohammed Ibn al-Dheeb – was arrested on 16 November 2011 in the capital Doha, and later reportedly charged with “inciting to overthrow the ruling system” and “insulting the Amir”.
Posted 7 hours ago
Syria: Free all prisoners of conscience after amnesty
All peaceful activists and other prisoners of conscience detained in Syria must be set free, Amnesty International said today after a mass amnesty was granted ahead of the Eid al-Adha religious festival.
On Tuesday, President Bashar al-Assad announced a general amnesty, reducing or eliminating prison terms for most crimes.
Posted 7 hours ago
Europe: Act now to help refugees fleeing Syria
On 26 September 2012 at the United Nations General Assembly, David Cameron, the UK’s Prime Minister, accused the United Nations of inaction over the Syria conflict, stating: “The blood of these young children is a terrible stain on the reputation of this United Nations.”
A few months earlier in June 2012, the European Council “strongly condemned the brutal violence and massacres of civilians and urged the Syrian regime to stop immediately its attacks against the civilian population”.
Posted 7 hours ago
Syria: Indiscriminate bombing in residential neighbourhood in Damascus
A car bomb in a residential neighbourhood of the Syrian capital Damascus on Sunday morning reportedly killed at least 13 people and injured 29 more, including civilians.
The attack was in front of a police station, which may have been the target, located in the heavily-populated residential district of Bab Touma in the capital’s historic Christian quarter, which includes numerous churches and hotels.
Posted 6 days ago
Iran executes 10 men despite international pleas
A shop worker convicted of a drugs-related charge was among 10 men put to death in Iran on Monday morning, despite calls on the country’s authorities by Amnesty International, UN human rights experts and others to halt their executions.
Saeed Sedeghi was permitted a “final meeting” with his mother at Evin Prison on Sunday, when judicial officials announced that his death sentence would be carried out early on Monday.
Posted 6 days ago
Bahrain: Teachers face further jail time after ‘nightmare’ verdict
Two former leaders of the Bahrain Teachers’ Association (BTA) received prison sentences on Sunday when an appeal court upheld a guilty verdict in what Amnesty International called another injustice.
Family members called the ruling a “nightmare”. Mahdi 'Issa Mahdi Abu Dheeb was sentenced to five years in prison while Jalila al-Salman – who was not present in the courtroom – was handed a six-month sentence. The new ruling reduces their sentences from 10 years’ and three years’ imprisonment, respectively.
Posted 6 days ago
Tunisia: At a crossroads, Tunisia must choose the path of human rights
Progress on human rights in Tunisia that followed the ousting of Zine El Abidine Ben Ali is being rolled back by the current Tunisian Government, casting doubt on their commitment to reforms, Amnesty International warned as the country marked the first anniversary of National Constituent Assembly (NCA) elections.
In a new briefing, One step forward, two steps back? the organization examines the challenges facing human rights in Tunisia since the October 2011 elections and identifies worrying trends, making a series of detailed recommendations.
Posted 6 days ago
Saudi Arabia must halt attempts to stifle peaceful protest
The Saudi Arabian authorities must withdraw their threat to deal “firmly” with people taking part in demonstrations and refrain from detaining those who exercise their right to peaceful protest, Amnesty International said.
The organization’s call came after the Minister of Interior issued a statement last week warning anyone taking part in demonstrations that they would face prosecution and be “firmly dealt with” by members of the security forces.
Posted 6 days ago
Bahrain must quash the convictions of two teachers
Convictions and sentences against two former leaders of the Bahrain Teachers’ Association must be quashed, Amnesty International urged ahead of the final verdict in their trial this weekend.
Teachers Jalila al-Salman and Mahdi 'Issa Mahdi Abu Dheeb face three and 10 years in prison, respectively, if the court upholds their convictions and sentences on 21 October. Abu Dheeb is already serving his sentence while al-Salman was previously released on bail.
Posted 10 days ago
Lebanon: Indiscriminate bomb attack in busy residential area of Beirut
A large explosion reportedly from a car bomb attack in the busy Ashrafiya residential district in downtown Beirut killed at least eight people and wounded dozens more on Friday.
Among those reportedly killed was Brigadier General Wissam al-Hassan, the head of the information branch at Lebanon’s internal security – but numerous bystanders are also believed to be among the dead and wounded.
Posted 10 days ago
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