Morocco: Imprisoning journalists, human rights activists perpetuates criminalizing critics
The Casablanca Appeal Court's upholding of seemingly vengeful prison sentences against opposing journalists after proceedings marred by legal irregularities is reprehensible, Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor said Sunday in a statement.
Punishing and excluding journalists without regard to their right of freedom of opinion and expression or the independence and impartiality of the judiciary, the authorities seem more determined than ever to make journalists and human rights defenders pay the price for their legitimate activities.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4939
The Casablanca Appeal Court's upholding of seemingly vengeful prison sentences against opposing journalists after proceedings marred by legal irregularities is reprehensible, Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor said Sunday in a statement.
Punishing and excluding journalists without regard to their right of freedom of opinion and expression or the independence and impartiality of the judiciary, the authorities seem more determined than ever to make journalists and human rights defenders pay the price for their legitimate activities.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4939
Iraq: Federal Court's disbandment of anti-corruption committee is a retrograde step for accountability
The Iraqi Federal Supreme Court has disbanded a committee formed to investigate corruption cases and major crimes by the Prime Minister, Mustafa Al-Kadhimi, about one and a half years ago, Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor said Monday in a statement expressing grave concern.
The court issued a decision on 2 March invalidating Diwani Order No. (29) of 2020, which included the "formation of a permanent committee to investigate corruption cases and important crimes […] for violating the provisions […] of the Constitution that guarantees the protection of human freedom and dignity, the principle of separation of powers stipulated in […] the Constitution, and the principle of judicial independence and its competence to undertake investigation and trial […], because the aforementioned order is considered an amendment to the Law of the Integrity Commission as it is a constitutional body with jurisdiction in the investigation of financial and administrative corruption cases."
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4943
The Iraqi Federal Supreme Court has disbanded a committee formed to investigate corruption cases and major crimes by the Prime Minister, Mustafa Al-Kadhimi, about one and a half years ago, Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor said Monday in a statement expressing grave concern.
The court issued a decision on 2 March invalidating Diwani Order No. (29) of 2020, which included the "formation of a permanent committee to investigate corruption cases and important crimes […] for violating the provisions […] of the Constitution that guarantees the protection of human freedom and dignity, the principle of separation of powers stipulated in […] the Constitution, and the principle of judicial independence and its competence to undertake investigation and trial […], because the aforementioned order is considered an amendment to the Law of the Integrity Commission as it is a constitutional body with jurisdiction in the investigation of financial and administrative corruption cases."
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4943
Syria: Investigate deaths of detainees in SDF prisons
Two detainees have died in less than one month in the prisons of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), apparently due to torture practices by the militia that controls parts of eastern and northern Syria, Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor said Tuesday in a statement expressing deep concern.
Euro-Med Monitor received information that a young man, Mustafa Omar Al-Hamdo, died on Saturday, 5 March, under torture, after six years of detention on alleged terrorism charges in SDF prisons in the Al-Hasakah governorate, northern Syria. Similarly, Youssef Muhammad Al-Salama Al-Rashed died on 20 February under torture after being arbitrarily detained during a recent attack ISIS launched on Al-Sina'a prison in Al-Hasakah in late January.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4949
Two detainees have died in less than one month in the prisons of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), apparently due to torture practices by the militia that controls parts of eastern and northern Syria, Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor said Tuesday in a statement expressing deep concern.
Euro-Med Monitor received information that a young man, Mustafa Omar Al-Hamdo, died on Saturday, 5 March, under torture, after six years of detention on alleged terrorism charges in SDF prisons in the Al-Hasakah governorate, northern Syria. Similarly, Youssef Muhammad Al-Salama Al-Rashed died on 20 February under torture after being arbitrarily detained during a recent attack ISIS launched on Al-Sina'a prison in Al-Hasakah in late January.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4949
At HRC: Euro-Med Monitor warns of Denmark's racist policies against "ghettos"
Denmark's discriminatory measures against minorities in ghettos fuel xenophobia, racial prejudice, and intolerance against vulnerable groups, Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor and the Youth Parliament said in a joint oral statement on Thursday at the Human Rights Council 49th session.
The statement warned of the dire effects of the punitive and discriminatory measures introduced by the Danish government in 2018 against the population in public housing areas it classifies as "ghettos", which already suffer from various social problems.
More: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4954
Denmark's discriminatory measures against minorities in ghettos fuel xenophobia, racial prejudice, and intolerance against vulnerable groups, Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor and the Youth Parliament said in a joint oral statement on Thursday at the Human Rights Council 49th session.
The statement warned of the dire effects of the punitive and discriminatory measures introduced by the Danish government in 2018 against the population in public housing areas it classifies as "ghettos", which already suffer from various social problems.
More: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4954
Saudi Arabia: Denying Palestinian detainee, his son of medical treatment betrays slow killing tendency
The health condition of Palestinian detainee Dr. Mohammed Al-Khoudari has deteriorated as the authorities continue to deny him specialized medical care, Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor said in a statement expressing deep concern.
The family of the 84-year-old detainee told Euro-Med Monitor that the Abha prison administration denied him his cancer drugs and access to medical review, which led to a further deterioration in his condition that he has to use a catheter to urinate.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4958
The health condition of Palestinian detainee Dr. Mohammed Al-Khoudari has deteriorated as the authorities continue to deny him specialized medical care, Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor said in a statement expressing deep concern.
The family of the 84-year-old detainee told Euro-Med Monitor that the Abha prison administration denied him his cancer drugs and access to medical review, which led to a further deterioration in his condition that he has to use a catheter to urinate.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4958
At HRC: Euro-Med Monitor calls on European countries respect asylum seekers' privacy
Illegal, disproportionate, and unnecessary interference with the personal data of individuals in Europe, especially asylum seekers who are treated as liars until proven truthful, has escalated, Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor and GIWEH said in a joint speech at the Human Rights Council's 49th session.
Delivered by Michela Pugliese, Euro-Med Monitor's migration and asylum researcher, the statement said the authorities in Denmark, Germany, Norway, and Switzerland extensively search asylum seekers’ phones as part of their asylum procedures, which means reviewing all their personal data, such as contact information, geodata, messages, and photos.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4961
Illegal, disproportionate, and unnecessary interference with the personal data of individuals in Europe, especially asylum seekers who are treated as liars until proven truthful, has escalated, Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor and GIWEH said in a joint speech at the Human Rights Council's 49th session.
Delivered by Michela Pugliese, Euro-Med Monitor's migration and asylum researcher, the statement said the authorities in Denmark, Germany, Norway, and Switzerland extensively search asylum seekers’ phones as part of their asylum procedures, which means reviewing all their personal data, such as contact information, geodata, messages, and photos.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4961
Denmark: Exempting Ukrainians from jewelry law while applying it to others is outright discrimination
Denmark’s exemption of Ukrainian refugees from the controversial “jewelry law”, applied to asylum seekers from the Middle East and North Africa, is further evidence of Denmark’s growing efforts to make itself less attractive to certain migrants, in that it creates Class A and Class B asylum seekers, Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor warned in a statement today.
The so-called “jewelry law”, passed by the Danish parliament in January 2016, gives Danish authorities the power to search for and confiscate cash, jewelry, and other valuables above 10,000 kroner – about 1.340 euro – from arriving migrants, allegedly to pay for their reception and stay.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4963
Denmark’s exemption of Ukrainian refugees from the controversial “jewelry law”, applied to asylum seekers from the Middle East and North Africa, is further evidence of Denmark’s growing efforts to make itself less attractive to certain migrants, in that it creates Class A and Class B asylum seekers, Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor warned in a statement today.
The so-called “jewelry law”, passed by the Danish parliament in January 2016, gives Danish authorities the power to search for and confiscate cash, jewelry, and other valuables above 10,000 kroner – about 1.340 euro – from arriving migrants, allegedly to pay for their reception and stay.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4963
Syria: Mass graves discovery additional evidence of Al-Assad's ongoing crimes
Two mass graves filled with thousands killed by Syria's President Bashar Al-Assad's regime have been found according to a press investigation. The international community should activate pressure and legitimate accountability techniqes to hold Al-Assad's regime accountable for its brutal human rights violations, Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor said in a statement.
The discovery revealed by an investigation published by The New York Times is yet one among many pieces of evidence of crimes committed against the Syrians, including detainees who died under torture in government prisons.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4968
Two mass graves filled with thousands killed by Syria's President Bashar Al-Assad's regime have been found according to a press investigation. The international community should activate pressure and legitimate accountability techniqes to hold Al-Assad's regime accountable for its brutal human rights violations, Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor said in a statement.
The discovery revealed by an investigation published by The New York Times is yet one among many pieces of evidence of crimes committed against the Syrians, including detainees who died under torture in government prisons.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4968
20 migrants drown off Tunisian coast — outcome of Europe's discriminatory policies
Twenty migrants and asylum seekers have died after their boat sank off the Tunisian coast last Friday, Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor said Sunday in a statement expressing acute concern over the continuation of such drowning incidents in the Mediterranean Sea.
Tunisian authorities discovered the bodies of 20 migrants and asylum seekers, mostly Syrians, washed up on the shore of the northeastern province of Nabeul.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4970
Twenty migrants and asylum seekers have died after their boat sank off the Tunisian coast last Friday, Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor said Sunday in a statement expressing acute concern over the continuation of such drowning incidents in the Mediterranean Sea.
Tunisian authorities discovered the bodies of 20 migrants and asylum seekers, mostly Syrians, washed up on the shore of the northeastern province of Nabeul.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4970
Jordan: 11 political activists detained in poor conditions without due process
Jordanian authorities have been detaining 11 political activists in poor conditions following procedures marred by serious legal violations, Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor said Monday in statement expressing deep concern.
Detainees’ families and defense lawyers confirmed to Euro-Med Monitor that authorities carried out some of the detentions without judicial warrants. These operations involved the violent storming of several detainees’ homes at night, terrifying their families, especially since the arrests were made without prior notice.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4973
Jordanian authorities have been detaining 11 political activists in poor conditions following procedures marred by serious legal violations, Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor said Monday in statement expressing deep concern.
Detainees’ families and defense lawyers confirmed to Euro-Med Monitor that authorities carried out some of the detentions without judicial warrants. These operations involved the violent storming of several detainees’ homes at night, terrifying their families, especially since the arrests were made without prior notice.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4973
Seven years of conflict in Yemen left millions on brink of starvation
The parties to the conflict in Yemen should accept the UN envoy's initiative for a ceasefire during the next month, in preparation for further talks end the seven-year fight and difficult humanitarian situation in the country, Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor said Thursday in a statement.
As the conflict is about to enter its eighth year, the resulting humanitarian crisis in Yemen has unprecedently deteriorated. The continuation of the fighting means a worse situation and more famine threatening the lives of millions, especially in light of the funding crunch afflicting relief organizations operating in Yemen.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4997
The parties to the conflict in Yemen should accept the UN envoy's initiative for a ceasefire during the next month, in preparation for further talks end the seven-year fight and difficult humanitarian situation in the country, Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor said Thursday in a statement.
As the conflict is about to enter its eighth year, the resulting humanitarian crisis in Yemen has unprecedently deteriorated. The continuation of the fighting means a worse situation and more famine threatening the lives of millions, especially in light of the funding crunch afflicting relief organizations operating in Yemen.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4997
Israeli air strike survivor at HRC: Hold perpetrators accountable for 'wiping out my family'
A survivor of an air strike during Israel's military attack on the Gaza Strip in May 2021 has called on the international community at the United Nations Human Rights Council to put an end to Israel's enjoyment of impunity and to bring justice to the victims.
Zainab Al-Qolaq, whose home was bombed by Israeli warplanes and who remained under the rubble for 12 hours before being rescued, said that the airstrike killed 22 members of her family, including her mother and three siblings. She called on HRC to explain what progress has been made by the investigation committee that was formed after the Israeli attack, as hundreds of victims are waiting to see those who committed grave violations against them held accountable.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/5000
A survivor of an air strike during Israel's military attack on the Gaza Strip in May 2021 has called on the international community at the United Nations Human Rights Council to put an end to Israel's enjoyment of impunity and to bring justice to the victims.
Zainab Al-Qolaq, whose home was bombed by Israeli warplanes and who remained under the rubble for 12 hours before being rescued, said that the airstrike killed 22 members of her family, including her mother and three siblings. She called on HRC to explain what progress has been made by the investigation committee that was formed after the Israeli attack, as hundreds of victims are waiting to see those who committed grave violations against them held accountable.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/5000
Ukraine war dramatically increases risk of women and children being trafficked and exploited
Women and children fleeing Ukraine are at a heightened risk of falling into the hands of human traffickers who are exploiting the chaos and anonymity resulting from mass displacements and humanitarian crises, Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor warned in a statement today.
With more than 1.5 million children having fled Ukraine since the beginning of the Russian military invasion—and countless others having been internally displaced—the risk of child trafficking and exploitation while in transit is increasingly reported, especially for those who are unaccompanied, separated from their families, or orphaned.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/5003
Women and children fleeing Ukraine are at a heightened risk of falling into the hands of human traffickers who are exploiting the chaos and anonymity resulting from mass displacements and humanitarian crises, Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor warned in a statement today.
With more than 1.5 million children having fled Ukraine since the beginning of the Russian military invasion—and countless others having been internally displaced—the risk of child trafficking and exploitation while in transit is increasingly reported, especially for those who are unaccompanied, separated from their families, or orphaned.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/5003
At HRC: Journalist complains of 'anti-Arab purge' in German media
Palestinian-Jordanian journalist Farah Maraqa has called on the United Nation's Human Rights Council to make all possible efforts to stop the arbitrary measures against Arab journalists in the German media and to protect the right to freedom of opinion and expression.
In a speech at HRC's 49th session, delivered on behalf of Euro-Med Monitor, Maraqa said that she and six of her Arab colleagues were expelled from Deutsche Welle (an official German media network) last February after receiving "false accusations of antisemitism carried out by a public media smear campaign."
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/5007
Palestinian-Jordanian journalist Farah Maraqa has called on the United Nation's Human Rights Council to make all possible efforts to stop the arbitrary measures against Arab journalists in the German media and to protect the right to freedom of opinion and expression.
In a speech at HRC's 49th session, delivered on behalf of Euro-Med Monitor, Maraqa said that she and six of her Arab colleagues were expelled from Deutsche Welle (an official German media network) last February after receiving "false accusations of antisemitism carried out by a public media smear campaign."
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/5007
Sudan: De-facto authority's arbitrary decisions threaten public universities
Sudan’s leader of the Sovereignty Council, Lieutenant-General Abdel-Fattah Al-Burhan, has decided to dissolve the boards of trustees of public universities and appoint 30 new directors and their deputies, Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor said Wednesday in a statement condemning the decision.
In a new arbitrary attack on the country's civil entities, Al-Burhan issued a decision on Tuesday to dissolve the boards of trustees of 30 Sudanese public universities. Hours later, he issued another decision dismissing and replacing the universities' directors.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/5011
Sudan’s leader of the Sovereignty Council, Lieutenant-General Abdel-Fattah Al-Burhan, has decided to dissolve the boards of trustees of public universities and appoint 30 new directors and their deputies, Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor said Wednesday in a statement condemning the decision.
In a new arbitrary attack on the country's civil entities, Al-Burhan issued a decision on Tuesday to dissolve the boards of trustees of 30 Sudanese public universities. Hours later, he issued another decision dismissing and replacing the universities' directors.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/5011
'We Have to Hide Who We Are': Euro-Med Monitor's report documents targeting of journalists by de facto Sudanese authorities
De facto authorities in Sudan appear to be deliberately targeting journalists and media outlets operating in the country following the military coup on 25 October, Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor said Wednesday in a statement.
In a report titled “We Have to Hide Who We Are", Euro-Med Monitor said security services carried out 55 attacks against journalists and media outlets in Sudan between October 2021 and March 2022. These attacks included arbitrary detention, harassment, the storming and closing of media offices, and physical and psychological assaults.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/5013
De facto authorities in Sudan appear to be deliberately targeting journalists and media outlets operating in the country following the military coup on 25 October, Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor said Wednesday in a statement.
In a report titled “We Have to Hide Who We Are", Euro-Med Monitor said security services carried out 55 attacks against journalists and media outlets in Sudan between October 2021 and March 2022. These attacks included arbitrary detention, harassment, the storming and closing of media offices, and physical and psychological assaults.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/5013
Euro-Med Monitor to HRC: EU technical support to Libyan Coast Guard must not be used to violate migrants’ rights
Libyan Coastguard should use the technical support and capacity building provided by European countries to support human rights, rather than to violate the rights of at-risk groups, Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor said in a joint statement with the Youth Parliament for SDG at the United Nations' Human Rights Council's 49th session.
The EU has allocated millions of euros in technical assistance to the Libyan Coast Guard to help control the country’s borders, intercept migrants and asylum seekers at sea, and block their arrival to Europe, said the statement delivered by Maha Hussaini, Euro-Med Monitor’s Strategy Director.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/5022
Libyan Coastguard should use the technical support and capacity building provided by European countries to support human rights, rather than to violate the rights of at-risk groups, Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor said in a joint statement with the Youth Parliament for SDG at the United Nations' Human Rights Council's 49th session.
The EU has allocated millions of euros in technical assistance to the Libyan Coast Guard to help control the country’s borders, intercept migrants and asylum seekers at sea, and block their arrival to Europe, said the statement delivered by Maha Hussaini, Euro-Med Monitor’s Strategy Director.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/5022
Tunisia: Journalists receive threats for covering political crisis events
Tunisian security forces have begun to tighten the screws on journalistic work in the country, and journalists are more afraid than ever of being subjected to arbitrary measures for practicing their legitimate work, Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor said in a statement.
Tunisian journalists told Euro-Med Monitor that they received information that they might be targeted by the security forces because they covered the political crisis in the country, especially events related to the opposition of President Kais Saied's policies.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/5025
Tunisian security forces have begun to tighten the screws on journalistic work in the country, and journalists are more afraid than ever of being subjected to arbitrary measures for practicing their legitimate work, Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor said in a statement.
Tunisian journalists told Euro-Med Monitor that they received information that they might be targeted by the security forces because they covered the political crisis in the country, especially events related to the opposition of President Kais Saied's policies.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/5025
Good news on Euro-Med Monitor's joint efforts towards ceasing human rights violations – March 2022
Since the beginning of the last decade, human rights violations have escalated in the Middle East and North Africa, as people took to the streets to protest against the dire political and economic conditions, and armed conflicts ravaged some countries. Governments in the region have used violent tactics to subdue and silence dissenting voices and systematically targeted political activists and journalists. In March 2022, repressive regimes continued to target peaceful activists and journalists, suppress popular protests, and restrict public freedoms.
In eastern Europe, the Russian-Ukrainian military conflict claimed the lives of hundreds of civilians and caused the displacement of millions of Ukrainians to neighboring countries. The crisis exposed discrimination and double standards by European politicians, officials, journalists, and celebrities, who called for embracing Ukrainian refugees because they share their ethnicity, color, and religion, unlike asylum seekers and migrants from regions outside Europe.
More: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/5027
Since the beginning of the last decade, human rights violations have escalated in the Middle East and North Africa, as people took to the streets to protest against the dire political and economic conditions, and armed conflicts ravaged some countries. Governments in the region have used violent tactics to subdue and silence dissenting voices and systematically targeted political activists and journalists. In March 2022, repressive regimes continued to target peaceful activists and journalists, suppress popular protests, and restrict public freedoms.
In eastern Europe, the Russian-Ukrainian military conflict claimed the lives of hundreds of civilians and caused the displacement of millions of Ukrainians to neighboring countries. The crisis exposed discrimination and double standards by European politicians, officials, journalists, and celebrities, who called for embracing Ukrainian refugees because they share their ethnicity, color, and religion, unlike asylum seekers and migrants from regions outside Europe.
More: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/5027
Bahrain: Punitive measures against detainee Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja may amount to slow killing
The situation of Bahraini prisoner of conscience Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja has dramatically worsened since the prison administration imposed a series of punitive measures against him, including denying him contact with his family last week, Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor said in a statement expressing grave concern.
Last February, the administration at Bahrain's Juw Prison prevented Al-Khawaja from receiving health care, including medical appointments to follow up on the condition of his right eye, as he may have glaucoma—a disease that can cause blindness, particularly if left untreated. It is important to note that he is being deprived of treatment he’d been receiving to specifically counter the effects of torture he was subjected to in prison.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/5030
The situation of Bahraini prisoner of conscience Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja has dramatically worsened since the prison administration imposed a series of punitive measures against him, including denying him contact with his family last week, Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor said in a statement expressing grave concern.
Last February, the administration at Bahrain's Juw Prison prevented Al-Khawaja from receiving health care, including medical appointments to follow up on the condition of his right eye, as he may have glaucoma—a disease that can cause blindness, particularly if left untreated. It is important to note that he is being deprived of treatment he’d been receiving to specifically counter the effects of torture he was subjected to in prison.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/5030