Middle East & North Africa - Audio Commentaries

Egypt

Bill Van Esveld, Human Rights Watch Researcher, hrwpress@hrw.org — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 10:00:00 -0500

Egypt stepped up attacks on political dissent in 2007. In March the government enshrined aspects of emergency rule via amendments to the constitution, providing a continued basis for arbitrary detention and trials of civilians before military and state security courts. The government arrested thousands of Muslim Brotherhood members and tried senior members in military courts. It brought charges against journalists and bloggers who criticized human rights abuses, and closed human rights and labor rights organizations. Read more [+]

Iran

Assef Ashraf, Human Rights Watch Senior Associate, hrwpress@hrw.org — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 10:00:00 -0500

Respect for basic human rights in Iran, especially freedom of expression and assembly, continued to deteriorate in 2007. The government of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad routinely detains people solely for peacefully exercising their rights to freedom of expression and association, and regularly tortures and mistreats those detained. The Judiciary, which is accountable to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, is responsible for many serious human rights violations. The government increasingly cites “national security” as a pretext for silencing expressions of dissent or calls for reform. Read more [+]

Israel/Occupied Palestinian Territories

Fred Abrahams, Human Rights Watch Researcher, hrwpress@hrw.org — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 10:00:00 -0500

The heavy toll of fighting among Palestinian groups, Hamas’s armed takeover of Gaza, and the intensified humanitarian crisis in Gaza as a result of the Israel led blockade dominated events in 2007. In 2007, for the first time since Israel occupied the West Bank and Gaza in 1967, more Palestinians died as a result of internal Palestinian fighting than from Israeli attacks. The Israeli and Western economic embargo of Gaza, Israel’s almost total closure of Gaza’s border crossings, ongoing lawlessness in the OPT, and heightened Israeli restrictions on freedom of movement in the West Bank contributed to a serious human rights and humanitarian crisis. Read more [+]

Jordan

Human Rights Watch Researcher, hrwpress@hrw.org — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 10:00:00 -0500

In 2007 Jordan regressed in protecting the exercise of basic rights. A proposed NGO law would severely restrict freedom of association, and new laws on the press and on the right to information fell short of expectations. A new political parties bill threatened the existence of small parties by raising the required minimum number of founding members to 500, representing at least five governorates. Read more [+]

Libya

Fred Abrahams, Human Rights Watch Researcher, hrwpress@hrw.org — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 10:00:00 -0500

Libya’s international reintegration accelerated in 2007 despite the government’s
ongoing human rights violations. In July the government released six foreign
medical workers who had been tortured, unfairly tried, and imprisoned for eight
years for allegedly infecting children with HIV. In October Libya won a seat on the
UN Security Council. Driven by business interests and Libya’s cooperation on
counterterrorism, the United States and some European governments
strengthened ties with Libya throughout the year. Read more [+]

Morocco

Eric Goldstein, Human Rights Watch Researcher, hrwpress@hrw.org — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 10:00:00 -0500

Morocco continues to present a mixed picture on human rights. It has made great strides in addressing past abuses, allowed considerable space for public dissent and protest, and reduced gender inequality in the family code. But authorities, aided by complaisant courts, continue to use repressive legislation to punish peaceful opponents, especially those who violate the taboos against criticizing the king or the monarchy, questioning the “Moroccanness” of the Western Sahara, or “denigrating” Islam. The police continue to use excessive force to break up demonstrations, especially in outlying areas. Read more [+]

Saudi Arabia

Human Rights Watch Researcher, hrwpress@hrw.org — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 10:00:00 -0500

Human rights conditions remain poor in Saudi Arabia. International and domestic pressure to implement human rights reforms have considerably weakened and the government undertook no major reforms in 2007. Curbs on freedom of association and expression, unfair trials, arbitrary detention, mistreatment and torture of detainees, restrictions on freedom of movement, and lack of official accountability remain serious concerns. Saudi law and policies discriminate against women, foreign workers, and religious minorities, especially Shia and Ismaili Saudis. Read more [+]

Tunisia

Eric Goldstein, Human Rights Watch Researcher, hrwpress@hrw.org — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 10:00:00 -0500

President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali and the ruling party, the Constitutional Democratic Assembly, dominate political life in Tunisia. The government uses the threat of terrorism and religious extremism as a pretext to crack down on peaceful dissent. There are continuous and credible reports of torture and ill-treatment being used to obtain statements from suspects in custody. Sentenced prisoners also face deliberate ill-treatment. Read more [+]