Analysis

Oman responds to UN member states’ recommendations issued during the country's last universal periodic review

On January 21, 2021, Oman’s human rights record was reviewed during Oman’s third periodic review before the UN Human Rights Council. The Omani delegation accepted 208 of the 264 recommendations it was presented with, took note of 49 of them and partially accepted and took note of 7 other recommendations. While Oman accepted the member states’ recommendation to ratify the ICCPR, the Omani delegation refrained from accepting recommendations geared towards abolishing the death penalty, amending legislation to protect fundamental freedoms in the country and withdrawing their reservations to previously ratified human rights instruments.

Mauritania’s roadmap for human rights in light of the 3rd cycle of the Universal Periodic Review

Following the third cycle of the Universal Periodic Review, Mauritania informed the Human Rights Council of its decision to accept 201 out of the 266 recommendations it had received. While the authorities accepted recommendations on the fight against human trafficking, torture and racial discrimination, it did not accept those pertaining to the abolition of the death penalty. On issues related to the protection of freedom of expression, religion and association, the government provided mixed responses.

Le président algérien promulgue une ordonnance sur les documents classifiés qui porte atteinte à la liberté de rechercher, de recevoir et de répandre des informations

L'analyse ci-dessous porte sur l'entrée en vigueur en Algérie de l’Ordonnance n° 21-09 relative à la protection des informations et des documents administratifs, à la suite de son inscription au journal officiel le 9 juin 2021. Ce texte n’a fait l’objet d’aucun débat parlementaire compte tenu de la dissolution de l’Assemblée Populaire Nationale (APN) le 1er mars dernier par le président. Cependant, il devrait être théoriquement approuvé durant la prochaine session de la nouvelle législature issue des élections du 12 juin dernier.

Le président algérien durcit par ordonnance la législation antiterroriste

L'analyse ci-dessous porte sur l'entrée en vigueur en Algérie de l’Ordonnance n° 21-08 modifiant et complétant l’Ordonnance n° 66-156 du 8 juin 1966 portant Code pénal, à la suite de son inscription au journal officiel le 9 juin 2021. Ce texte n’a fait l’objet d’aucun débat parlementaire compte tenu de la dissolution de l’Assemblée Populaire Nationale (APN) le 1er mars dernier par le président. Cependant, il devrait être théoriquement approuvé durant la prochaine session de la nouvelle législature issue des élections du 12 juin dernier.

Mauritania’s human rights record examined by UN Member States

During its Universal Periodic Review (UPR) on January 19, 2021, Mauritania received over 250 recommendations from nearly 100 United Nations Member States on issues including the right to life, gender-based violence and the prohibition of slavery. Mauritania also received recommendations on how to safeguard the peaceful exercise of fundamental rights, including freedoms of expression, association and assembly. The persistence of discriminatory practices as well as the lack of a long-term resolution of the “Passif humanitaire” were also addressed during the review.

Oman’s human rights record reviewed at its third UPR session

On January 21, 2021, the Sultanate of Oman completed its third Universal Periodic Review (UPR) before the UN Human Rights Council. The UPR is a state-led review mechanism aimed at examining UN Member States’ human rights record. The review process allows other states to provide recommendations to the country under review. During this UPR session, Oman was presented with 264 recommendations, which it must now consider before reporting back during the Human Rights Council’s 47th session in June-July 2021, indicating which of these recommendations it has chosen to support, take note of, or reject.

Iraq's draft cybercrime law puts free speech in grave danger

Articles contained in the draft could be used to stifle criticism of politicians, government officials and other public figures

UN Committee issues roadmap to address endemic practice of enforced disappearance in Iraq

Iraq’s new draft Law on Combating Cybercrimes still contains problematic provisions restricting fundamental freedoms

Saudi Arabia: UN Group denounces continued and widespread use of enforced disappearances

The United Nations Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances (WGEID) has recently published a general allegation decrying the widespread practice of enforced disappearances in Saudi Arabia. The letter was sent to the authorities after the WGEID’s 121st session in May 2020, following a previous submission by MENA Rights Group.

Will COVID-19 Create a Human Rights Crisis in the Middle East and North Africa?

The human rights impact of the restrictive measures adopted across the MENA region since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic.

One year on, dozens of disappeared Iraqi protestors remain missing

On the occasion of the one-year anniversary of the beginning of the Iraqi protests, MENA Rights Group urges the authorities to clarify the fate and whereabouts of dozens of peaceful protesters who are still forcibly disappeared.