Loujain Released But Not Free in Saudi Arabia: Daily Brief

Prominent rights defender released in Saudi Arabia; Ethiopian federal forces apparently indiscriminately shelling in Tigray region; using the cover of Covid to crackdown on free speech in 83 countries; the uneven vaccine roll-out; UN chief blasts Myanmar's coup; Hungary crackdown on independent media; new tax threatens free media in Poland; assault on LGBT rights in Poland; in Ukraine, taking three pro-Russia channels off the air raises complex issues; Egypt strips citizenship from activist; ten years in prison for peaceful Facebook posts in UAE; and join us, virtually, in Amsterdam this weekend!

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Saudi authorities released from prison the prominent women’s rights activist Loujain al-Hathloul. However, she is banned from travel and has a suspended sentence, which allows the authorities to return her to prison at any time.

Ethiopian federal forces carried out apparently indiscriminate shelling of urban areas in the Tigray region in November 2020 in violation of the laws of war.

At least 83 governments worldwide have used the Covid-19 pandemic to justify violating the exercise of free speech and peaceful assembly.

The World Health Organization reported an alarming statistic: by February 5, not a single dose was administered in 130 countries with 2.5 billion people.

The UN Secretary-General is being unusually candid about Myanmar's coup.

A Hungarian court this week forced the embattled independent radio station Klubradio off air, likely for good. It's part of a wider government crackdown on independent media.

Independent media in Poland are protesting a new tax proposal that could see independent media restricted even further. 

Staying with Poland, there's increasing pressure for the European Commission to take a stronger hand against the Polish ruling party's assault on LGBT rights. Also, a new report by the Council of Europe, the continent's top human rights body, is particularly blunt.

In Ukraine, taking three pro-Russia channels off the air raises complex issues...

Marking a new low in punishing dissent for the highly repressive state built by President Sisi, Egyptian authorities have stripped Egyptian citizenship from activist Ghada Naguib while she was in Turkey.

Ten years in prison for peaceful posts on Facebook? Seriously, UAE?

Join us - virtually - in Amsterdam this weekend!

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