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In an attempt to modernise the kingdom and diversify its economy, Saudi Arabia has announced a set of reforms in recent years. However, in early 2021, the authorities continued to severely repress any independent civil society movements and to target those who have campaigned for the introduction of these reforms. ALQST for Human Rights and MENA Rights Group condemn the renewed crackdown on human rights defenders and peaceful critics who have been brought to trial, sentenced to lengthy prison terms or had their convictions upheld or increased on appeal.

Ahead of the trial of Moroccan journalist Omar Radi on April 6, 2021, MENA Rights Group and 15 CSOs urged the Moroccan authorities to grant him provisional release and guarantee fair trial proceedings for all parties.

On March 24, 2021, MENA Rights Group and seven NGOs wrote to the Convention against Torture Initiative (CTI), an intergovernmental initiative aimed at promoting the implementation of the Convention worldwide, and of which Morocco is a founding member state. The NGOs brought to the CTI’s attention the recent extradition of Osama Al Hasani to Saudi Arabia, in violation of the principle of non-refoulement, expressing concern over this serious setback in the implementation of the Convention by Morocco.

Detained lawyer and human rights defender Hoda Abdel Moneim's health has severely deteriorated in prison. MENA Rights Group and six other organisations have called on the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders and the UN Special Rapporteur on Counter-Terrorism and Human Rights to urge the Egyptian authorities to immediately release her, in order to prevent an irreparable damage to her health, and potentially to her life, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

On Tuesday 16 March 2021, a coalition of ten NGO's appealed, through a joint letter, to the Iraqi Council of representatives, asking them to amend the proposed Draft Law on Freedom of Assembly and Peaceful Demonstrations in order to bring it in line with the Iraqi Constitution and international human rights laws.

NGOs from around the world, including MENA Rights Group, expressed their strong support today for a joint declaration by UN member states condemning the human rights situation in Egypt which was delivered at the UN Human Rights Council. In the declaration governments expressed “deep concern” for widespread human rights violations committed with impunity by the Egyptian authorities.

On February 23, 2021, ALQST for Human Rights and MENA Rights Group wrote to the Real Madrid Ethical Committee, raising concern over reports that the club was in talks with Saudi Arabia’s state-owned Qiddiya project about a 10-year €150 million partnership deal. They asked Real Madrid to fully take into conideration the dire human rights situation in Saudi Arabia before making any such partnership, as the proposed deal reflects the Saudi authorities’ PR strategy to invest in sporting ventures in a bid to revamp a tarnished image. The letter was also sent to Real Madrid on March 1 through the

The 2006 Charter on National Peace and Reconciliation continues to undermine justice in Algeria.

French Deputy Jean-Baptiste Moreau (LREM), president of the France-Saudi Arabia parliamentary friendship group joins forces with Americans for Democracy and Human Rights in Bahrain (ADHRB), Women’s March Global, International Service for Human Rights, MENA Rights Group, CODEPINK, to demand the definitive release of Loujain al-Hathloul and her right to return to France.

In response to the release of the long-awaited declassification of the U.S. national intelligence report regarding the involvement of Saudi Crown Prince Mohamed Bin Salman (“MBS”) in the murder of U.S. permanent resident and Washington Post columnist, Jamal Khashoggi, 42 organizations said:  “President Biden should use his power to impose the full range of sanctions […]

Together with 44 organisations, MENA Rights Group sent a joint letter to Formula 1 star Lewis Hamilton urging him to speak out against the Saudi authorities' human rights abuses and boycott the Formula 1 race projected to be held in Saudi Arabia later in 2021. The letter specifically recalled the Saudi-led war on Yemen, the Gulf state's treatment of women’s rights defenders, and the brutal murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. In the light of Hamilton's previous dedication to human rights related issues, we call on him to take action to uphold the most basic rights also in Saudi Arabia and

MENA Rights Group joined a coalition of 22 international and Egyptian NGOs in a joint-letter calling on the Egyptian authorities to end the hostage-like arrest of family members of Egyptian dissidents and activists.