Analysis
Annual UNSG report sheds light on cases of reprisals against human rights defenders and NGOs in the MENA region
September 30, 2020
On September 30, 2020, during the UN Human Rights Council (HRC)’s 45th session, the United Nations (UN) Assistant Secretary-General (ASG) for Human Rights, Ms. Ilze Brands Kehris, presented the 11th annual report on cases of intimidation and reprisals against individuals who have cooperated with the UN and its mechanisms
Yemeni national secretly detained and tortured by Emirati forces in Balhaf
September 18, 2020
On June 2, 2020, the Association For Victims Of Torture In UAE and MENA Rights Group requested the intervention of several United Nations Special Procedures on behalf of a Yemeni national who was subjected to torture and ill-treatment, by Emirati forces, inside secret detention centres across the Shabwah governorate, Yemen, in 2018. The victim was detained for two weeks inside the Balhaf coalition base located inside a gas liquefaction plant, in which the French company Total holds substantial interests.
Only available in French
Algérie: Suivi des constatations du Comité des droits de l’Homme
September 10, 2020
En 2018, le Comité des droits de l’Homme a décidé lors de sa 122ème session de suspendre le dialogue avec les autorités algériennes ainsi que la procédure de suivi, en raison de l’absence de coopération de la part de l’Algérie. Depuis, certaines victimes de disparitions forcées et leurs familles ont vu leur situation s’aggraver. La décision de suspendre la procédure de suivi prive les victimes de leur seule possible voie de recours, met en péril la lutte contre les disparitions forcées en Algérie et contribue à un phénomène de « sur-victimisation » et à l’impunité. C’est pourquoi REDRESS, MENA Rights Group, Alkarama, la Coordination nationale des familles de disparus, Mish’al et TRIAL International appellent urgemment le Comité à renouer le dialogue et à reprendre la procédure de suivi avec les autorités algériennes. Les manquements du gouvernement algérien à ses obligations conventionnelles doivent être dénoncés.
Two decades after the Algerian civil war, the families of the missing are still claiming their right to truth and justice
August 30, 2020
On the occasion of the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances, MENA Rights Group has published a baseline study on the plight of victims of enforced disappearances in Algeria. Our report recalls that, more than 20 years after the end of the civil war, which ravaged the country in the 1990s, families of missing persons continue to face challenges to seek justice, truth and reparations.
Also available in French
Mauritania: Survivors of the “Passif humanitaire” demand truth and justice 29 years after the Inal massacre
August 13, 2020
On November 28, 2019, Mauritania celebrated the anniversary of its independence from France. This date corresponds with another, less joyful, anniversary, that of the summary execution of 28 Afro-Mauritanian soldiers on November 28, 1990. Taking place at the Inal military base, this event is symptomatic of the gross human rights violations committed during the so-called "Passif humanitaire" period between 1989 and 1991.
Kuwait rejects Universal Periodic Review recommendations to lift restrictions on civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights
July 24, 2020
On July 16, 2020, Kuwait informed the Human Rights Council of its decision to accept 230 of the recommendations made by UN member states during its Universal Periodic Review (UPR) in January 2020.
Also available in French
Algeria: Penal code amendments restrict freedoms of expression and association
July 02, 2020
On June 15, 2020, ARTICLE 19 MENA and MENA Rights Group submitted a legal analysis regarding the latest amendments to the Algerian Penal Code to the UN Special rapporteurs on freedom of opinion and expression and on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and association.
Also available in French
Morocco: Government must fully withdraw draft law on social media
June 30, 2020
On June 4, 2020, ARTICLE 19 MENA and MENA Rights Group submitted a legal analysis of the controversial draft law on social media to the UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of opinion and expression. The text contains several provisions that are not in line with international standards on freedom of expression online.
UAE authorities detain critics and activists at Munasaha “rehabilitation” centres
June 17, 2020
Research by MENA Rights Group has revealed that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) authorities are using Munasaha centres, or ‘counselling’ centres, to detain critics and activists de facto indefinitely, on broad and vague legal grounds.
UAE: COVID-19 outbreak puts Al Wathba prison’s detainees at risk
June 16, 2020
The UAE authorities have failed to take the necessary measures to address the COVID-19 outbreak in Al Wathba prison, Abu Dhabi, putting the health and life of prisoners at serious risk. On June 12, 2020, MENA Rights Group submitted an urgent appeal to the UN Special Rapporteur on the right to health, expressing concerns regarding the prisoners’ lack of access to medical care and poor prison conditions.
Submission to UN Secretary-General shows ongoing reprisals against Saudi human rights defenders who cooperate with the UN
May 18, 2020
On 1 May 2020, MENA Rights Group and ALQST submitted a report to the UN Secretary-General (UNSG), providing updated information on seven individuals who were subjected to reprisals by the Saudi authorities over the past year. This was submitted ahead of the presentation of UNSG’s annual report on reprisals against individuals who cooperate with the United Nations (UN) before the Human Rights Council, in September 2020.
Egypt supports 270 recommendations made during latest UPR whilst denying known human rights violations
March 13, 2020
Following the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of Egypt in November 2019, Egypt notified the Human Rights Council (HRC) of the recommendations it wishes to implement in the upcoming years. The UPR outcome was formally adopted on March 12, 2020.