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.
74 organisations call upon the Egyptian authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Ahmed Samir Santawy, student and researcher in Vienna, who has been arbitrarily detained since 1 February 2021 in Egypt solely for his academic work focusing on women's rights, including the history of reproductive rights in Egypt.
74 organisations appellent les autorités égyptiennes à libérer immédiatement et sans condition Ahmed Samir Santawy, étudiant et chercheur à Vienne, qui est détenu arbitrairement en Égypte depuis le 1er février 2021 pour son travail universitaire sur les droits des femmes, notamment sur l’histoire des droits reproductifs en Égypte.
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
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.
