Yemen: Government and Transitional Council unite in suppressing protesters
Geneva –Yemeni security forces and the Southern Transitional Council (STC) forces have killed two and injured a number of demonstrators during popular demonstrations in cities in southern Yemen, Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor said in a statement expressing deep concern.
The Yemeni government security forces fired live bullets at peaceful demonstrators protesting against the deteriorating living conditions in the city of Mukalla in the Hadramout Governorate, killing young man Salem Bugshan, 21, with a direct bullet in the head. Several others were wounded.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4631
Geneva –Yemeni security forces and the Southern Transitional Council (STC) forces have killed two and injured a number of demonstrators during popular demonstrations in cities in southern Yemen, Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor said in a statement expressing deep concern.
The Yemeni government security forces fired live bullets at peaceful demonstrators protesting against the deteriorating living conditions in the city of Mukalla in the Hadramout Governorate, killing young man Salem Bugshan, 21, with a direct bullet in the head. Several others were wounded.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4631
New report: Economic and social crises in Jordan threaten citizens’ rights and freedoms
Geneva - The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor said in a report issued today that the crises Jordanians have been experiencing in recent years have reflected on the exercise of their economic and social rights, including the right to dignity, work, health, education, water, and the formation of unions.
Titled “Jordan...Epidemic decline in economic and social rights,” the report reviews the difficult conditions that have occurred in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in recent years as a result of the decline in economic activity, the exacerbation of the Coronavirus repercussions, the decline in financial aid provided to refugees in the kingdom, the corruption and tax evasion suspicions, and the increase in public debt.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4635
Geneva - The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor said in a report issued today that the crises Jordanians have been experiencing in recent years have reflected on the exercise of their economic and social rights, including the right to dignity, work, health, education, water, and the formation of unions.
Titled “Jordan...Epidemic decline in economic and social rights,” the report reviews the difficult conditions that have occurred in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in recent years as a result of the decline in economic activity, the exacerbation of the Coronavirus repercussions, the decline in financial aid provided to refugees in the kingdom, the corruption and tax evasion suspicions, and the increase in public debt.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4635
Euro-Med Monitor at HRC: Gazans are slowly poisoned as 97% of Gaza’s water is undrinkable
Geneva - Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor and the Global Institute for Water, Environment and Health (GIWEH) said in a joint oral statement during the 48th session of Human Rights Council (HRC) that the long-term Israeli blockade has caused a serious deterioration of water security in Gaza, making 97% of the water contaminated, while the residents of the besieged enclave are forced to witness the slow poisoning.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4644
Geneva - Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor and the Global Institute for Water, Environment and Health (GIWEH) said in a joint oral statement during the 48th session of Human Rights Council (HRC) that the long-term Israeli blockade has caused a serious deterioration of water security in Gaza, making 97% of the water contaminated, while the residents of the besieged enclave are forced to witness the slow poisoning.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4644
Libya: Security forces kill migrant, detain 4,000 others in one day
Geneva – The Libyan security forces killed one African migrant and wounded others during a large-scale security campaign, in which thousands of migrants and refugees were arrested in the Gargaresh area of the capital, Tripoli, Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor said today in a statement.
Euro-Med Monitor received information that an African migrant (of unknown nationality) was killed, while more than 20 others were injured, some of them in critical condition, and thousands of others were arrested during a security campaign carried out by the Libyan Ministry of Interior on Friday morning, in the Andalus neighborhood in the Gargaresh area of Tripoli.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4646
Geneva – The Libyan security forces killed one African migrant and wounded others during a large-scale security campaign, in which thousands of migrants and refugees were arrested in the Gargaresh area of the capital, Tripoli, Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor said today in a statement.
Euro-Med Monitor received information that an African migrant (of unknown nationality) was killed, while more than 20 others were injured, some of them in critical condition, and thousands of others were arrested during a security campaign carried out by the Libyan Ministry of Interior on Friday morning, in the Andalus neighborhood in the Gargaresh area of Tripoli.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4646
Swiss law to search through asylum seekers' phones is disproportionate, biased and flawed
Geneva- The Swiss parliament has recently agreed to allow the State Secretariat for Migration to search through asylum seekers’ mobile phones without proper consent and without any suspicion of false claim in clear breach of their rights, warned Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor on Monday. This is a disproportionate, biased and flawed test increasingly employed in Europe towards people treated unlawfully as liars until proven truthful.
In the past few years, Germany, Denmark and Norway have been heavily employing mobile phones’ searches in their asylum procedures, while similar legislation has been proposed in Belgium and Austria but has not yet been applied due to data protection issues.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4649
Geneva- The Swiss parliament has recently agreed to allow the State Secretariat for Migration to search through asylum seekers’ mobile phones without proper consent and without any suspicion of false claim in clear breach of their rights, warned Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor on Monday. This is a disproportionate, biased and flawed test increasingly employed in Europe towards people treated unlawfully as liars until proven truthful.
In the past few years, Germany, Denmark and Norway have been heavily employing mobile phones’ searches in their asylum procedures, while similar legislation has been proposed in Belgium and Austria but has not yet been applied due to data protection issues.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4649
Yemen: Ending group of eminent experts abandons victims, perpetuates impunity
Geneva – United Nations Human Rights Council Member States’ vote to not extend the mandate of the Group of Eminent Experts on Yemen today is bitterly disappointing, Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor said today in a statement. The move perpetuates impunity and ignores redressing the victims.
The decision to end the mission is a step backward in the path of justice and violates what the mission’s reports have confirmed throughout its four-year period of work regarding the perpetration of acts by all parties to the Yemeni conflict that may amount to war crimes, which required activating international accountability mechanisms, not ending the investigation.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4653
Geneva – United Nations Human Rights Council Member States’ vote to not extend the mandate of the Group of Eminent Experts on Yemen today is bitterly disappointing, Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor said today in a statement. The move perpetuates impunity and ignores redressing the victims.
The decision to end the mission is a step backward in the path of justice and violates what the mission’s reports have confirmed throughout its four-year period of work regarding the perpetration of acts by all parties to the Yemeni conflict that may amount to war crimes, which required activating international accountability mechanisms, not ending the investigation.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4653
Lebanon: Attempts of obstructing justice for Beirut port explosion victims continue
Geneva – The continued attempts – especially those carried out by members of parliament and former ministers – to obstruct the investigations into the Beirut port explosion, which killed more than 220 Lebanese and displaced about 300,000 others, are of deep concern and astonishment, Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor said in a statement.
The attempts began from the moment former judicial investigator, Judge Fadi Sawan, began prosecuting former Prime Minister Hassan Diab, former Minister Youssef Fenianos, and MPs Ali Hassan Khalil, Ghazi Zuaiter, and Nihad al-Machnouk.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4657
Geneva – The continued attempts – especially those carried out by members of parliament and former ministers – to obstruct the investigations into the Beirut port explosion, which killed more than 220 Lebanese and displaced about 300,000 others, are of deep concern and astonishment, Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor said in a statement.
The attempts began from the moment former judicial investigator, Judge Fadi Sawan, began prosecuting former Prime Minister Hassan Diab, former Minister Youssef Fenianos, and MPs Ali Hassan Khalil, Ghazi Zuaiter, and Nihad al-Machnouk.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4657
Yemen: Houthi's continued siege of Al-Abdiyah portends humanitarian catastrophe
Geneva – The Houthi group's continued siege of the Al-Abdiyah District, south of the Ma'rib Governorate, in light of the severe shortage of most of the basic materials is of grave concern, Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor said in a statement.
Massive Houthi forces have been besieging more than 35,000 civilians for the past three weeks in Al-Abdiyah as part of the group’s continuous attempts to wrest control of the district from the Yemeni government, which is backed by air cover from the Arab coalition.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4660
Geneva – The Houthi group's continued siege of the Al-Abdiyah District, south of the Ma'rib Governorate, in light of the severe shortage of most of the basic materials is of grave concern, Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor said in a statement.
Massive Houthi forces have been besieging more than 35,000 civilians for the past three weeks in Al-Abdiyah as part of the group’s continuous attempts to wrest control of the district from the Yemeni government, which is backed by air cover from the Arab coalition.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4660
EU-funded boats to abusive Libyan coastguard underline European complicity in grave violations against sea migrants
Geneva - The European Commission intends to continue providing Libyan authorities with material support instrumental for interceptions and detention of sea migrants despite late mass arrests, indiscriminate shootings and a recent UN report stating acts committed against migrants in Libyan detention centres “may amount to crimes against humanity”, Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor warned in a press release today.
EU institutions and member states, Italy in particular, have already poured millions of euros to provide material and technical assistance to the Libyan Coastguard to strengthen their capacity to control the country’s borders and intercept migrants at sea for preventing their arrival in Europe. Yet the EU has always denied any responsibility for facilitating migrants’ returns to Libya and their detention in appalling conditions.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4661
Geneva - The European Commission intends to continue providing Libyan authorities with material support instrumental for interceptions and detention of sea migrants despite late mass arrests, indiscriminate shootings and a recent UN report stating acts committed against migrants in Libyan detention centres “may amount to crimes against humanity”, Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor warned in a press release today.
EU institutions and member states, Italy in particular, have already poured millions of euros to provide material and technical assistance to the Libyan Coastguard to strengthen their capacity to control the country’s borders and intercept migrants at sea for preventing their arrival in Europe. Yet the EU has always denied any responsibility for facilitating migrants’ returns to Libya and their detention in appalling conditions.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4661
Yemen: Southern Transitional Council is responsible for forced displacements in Aden
Geneva – The Southern Transitional Council (STC) forcibly displacing residents in the Jabal al-Faris neighborhood of Crater city in the Aden governorate, southern Yemen, is a matter of great concern, Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor said in a statement.
Euro-Med Monitor received information that STC forces had set dozens of houses on fire in the Jabal al-Faras neighborhood after displacing their residents by force of arms.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4667
Geneva – The Southern Transitional Council (STC) forcibly displacing residents in the Jabal al-Faris neighborhood of Crater city in the Aden governorate, southern Yemen, is a matter of great concern, Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor said in a statement.
Euro-Med Monitor received information that STC forces had set dozens of houses on fire in the Jabal al-Faras neighborhood after displacing their residents by force of arms.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4667
Jordan: Maintaining Defense Law despite epidemiological situation improvement cannot be justified
Geneva – The Jordanian authorities should repeal the National Defense Law since most restriction measures imposed to fight the Coronavirus in the Kingdom last year were lifted and rely on the Public Health Law in facing the pandemic, Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor said today in a statement.
There is no logical justification for maintaining the law since the epidemiological situation has remarkably improved in Jordan.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4668
Geneva – The Jordanian authorities should repeal the National Defense Law since most restriction measures imposed to fight the Coronavirus in the Kingdom last year were lifted and rely on the Public Health Law in facing the pandemic, Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor said today in a statement.
There is no logical justification for maintaining the law since the epidemiological situation has remarkably improved in Jordan.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4668
Morocco: New government begins its term by suppressing contractual teachers
Geneva – Moroccan security services arresting teachers for participating in a sit-in in the capital, Rabat, rings alarm bells about the freedom situation under the new government. The authorities should release the detainees immediately and respect the right to freedom of opinion, expression, and peaceful assembly.
The security forces tried to thwart a peaceful assembly organized by the National Coordination Committee of “forcibly contracted teachers” in Rabat on October 14. The forces initially tried to scare the crowds away with a massive security presence. Then they forcibly dispersed protesting teachers and detained 16 of them, who were taken to nearby detention centers for interrogation.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4669
Geneva – Moroccan security services arresting teachers for participating in a sit-in in the capital, Rabat, rings alarm bells about the freedom situation under the new government. The authorities should release the detainees immediately and respect the right to freedom of opinion, expression, and peaceful assembly.
The security forces tried to thwart a peaceful assembly organized by the National Coordination Committee of “forcibly contracted teachers” in Rabat on October 14. The forces initially tried to scare the crowds away with a massive security presence. Then they forcibly dispersed protesting teachers and detained 16 of them, who were taken to nearby detention centers for interrogation.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4669
Qatar: Authorities must protect, reveal fate of young woman escaped domestic violence
Geneva – A young Qatari woman has been missing for the past five days, after returning from the UK where she sought refuge years ago escaping the discriminatory guardianship system and domestic violence, Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor said today in a statement expressing deep concern.
The Qatari authorities should immediately reveal the fate of the 23-year-old woman, Noof Al-Ma’adeed, who said in her last tweets last Wednesday she is in danger as her family attempted more than once to break into the hotel she is staying in.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4674
Geneva – A young Qatari woman has been missing for the past five days, after returning from the UK where she sought refuge years ago escaping the discriminatory guardianship system and domestic violence, Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor said today in a statement expressing deep concern.
The Qatari authorities should immediately reveal the fate of the 23-year-old woman, Noof Al-Ma’adeed, who said in her last tweets last Wednesday she is in danger as her family attempted more than once to break into the hotel she is staying in.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4674
New report: One-man rule setback for human rights and rule of law in Tunisia
Geneva – The presidential measures announced by Tunisian President, Kais Saied on July 25, 2021, unleashed illegal security practices against activists and opponents, including preventing peaceful gatherings, arrest campaigns, travel bans without judicial warrants, house arrests, and security attacks on the media and journalists, Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor said in a report.
The report, entitled “Tunisia: One-man rule setback for human rights and rule of law,” examined the presidential decisions’ impact on the rights and freedoms of the population under international covenants and charters ratified by Tunisia. The report also provides recommendations to end the state of concentration of powers in the hands of the Tunisian President in a manner that guarantees the protection of rights and freedoms.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4678
Geneva – The presidential measures announced by Tunisian President, Kais Saied on July 25, 2021, unleashed illegal security practices against activists and opponents, including preventing peaceful gatherings, arrest campaigns, travel bans without judicial warrants, house arrests, and security attacks on the media and journalists, Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor said in a report.
The report, entitled “Tunisia: One-man rule setback for human rights and rule of law,” examined the presidential decisions’ impact on the rights and freedoms of the population under international covenants and charters ratified by Tunisia. The report also provides recommendations to end the state of concentration of powers in the hands of the Tunisian President in a manner that guarantees the protection of rights and freedoms.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4678
Poland: Migrants' pushback violates European and International Law
Geneva - Amidst an illegitimate state of emergency and a wider political stand-off with the Belarusian regime, Poland is attempting to legalize migrants’ pushbacks in clear breach of European and international law but with the alarming support and emulation of various Member States, Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor said in a statement today.
On October 14, the Polish parliament passed a law enabling border guards to immediately send back migrants who crossed the border irregularly, allowing for their asylum applications to be refused without examination and banning them from the country “for between six months and three years”.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4680
Geneva - Amidst an illegitimate state of emergency and a wider political stand-off with the Belarusian regime, Poland is attempting to legalize migrants’ pushbacks in clear breach of European and international law but with the alarming support and emulation of various Member States, Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor said in a statement today.
On October 14, the Polish parliament passed a law enabling border guards to immediately send back migrants who crossed the border irregularly, allowing for their asylum applications to be refused without examination and banning them from the country “for between six months and three years”.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4680
Israel stifles civil and human rights work in the Palestinian territories amid absence of international response
Geneva - The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor condemned Israel's announcement today, Friday, to classify six Palestinian civil society organizations as terrorist organizations, considering this as another link in the chain of undermining the right to civil and human rights work in the Palestinian territories. Euro-Med Monitor said the classification aims to prevent the documentation of Israeli violations and support their victims amid an absence of international response to that.
The Geneva-based rights organization said in a press statement that it views with concern the decision issued by Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz to declare six well-known Palestinian human rights organizations as "terrorists organizations" according to a list published by the Israeli Ministry of Justice, claiming that they are linked to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine and its financial support from European countries.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4683
Geneva - The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor condemned Israel's announcement today, Friday, to classify six Palestinian civil society organizations as terrorist organizations, considering this as another link in the chain of undermining the right to civil and human rights work in the Palestinian territories. Euro-Med Monitor said the classification aims to prevent the documentation of Israeli violations and support their victims amid an absence of international response to that.
The Geneva-based rights organization said in a press statement that it views with concern the decision issued by Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz to declare six well-known Palestinian human rights organizations as "terrorists organizations" according to a list published by the Israeli Ministry of Justice, claiming that they are linked to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine and its financial support from European countries.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4683
Sudan: Military coup shatters democratic path, threatens with authoritarian rule return
Geneva – The Sudanese army's seizure of power in the country diminishes the hard-won human rights and civil gains achieved after the December 2018 protests, Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor said today in a statement.
The Sudanese army used excessive force, including live bullets, in suppressing the demonstrations that followed the army's announcement of the seizure of power, especially near the army general command’s headquarters in Khartoum. Seven protesters were killed and about 150 others were wounded, according to medical sources.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4693
Geneva – The Sudanese army's seizure of power in the country diminishes the hard-won human rights and civil gains achieved after the December 2018 protests, Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor said today in a statement.
The Sudanese army used excessive force, including live bullets, in suppressing the demonstrations that followed the army's announcement of the seizure of power, especially near the army general command’s headquarters in Khartoum. Seven protesters were killed and about 150 others were wounded, according to medical sources.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4693
Webinar: Swiss Law to search through asylum seekers’ phones a breach of human rights
Geneva - Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor has hosted an important and timely webinar on the new proposed Swiss law to search through asylum seekers’ phones that brought together a group of international experts with different backgrounds and unique competence on the topic.
The webinar, titled "Swiss Law to search through asylum seekers’ phones... breach of human rights?" and moderated by Euro-Med Monitor's Media officer, addressed the revoking of this procedure that undermines the national and international law. It presented a background on the new Swiss law and how it undermines asylum seekers' privacy and basic human rights.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4704
Geneva - Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor has hosted an important and timely webinar on the new proposed Swiss law to search through asylum seekers’ phones that brought together a group of international experts with different backgrounds and unique competence on the topic.
The webinar, titled "Swiss Law to search through asylum seekers’ phones... breach of human rights?" and moderated by Euro-Med Monitor's Media officer, addressed the revoking of this procedure that undermines the national and international law. It presented a background on the new Swiss law and how it undermines asylum seekers' privacy and basic human rights.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4704
Iraqi Kurdistan’s authorities must release Badinan detainees
Geneva - The Iraqi Kurdistan authorities should immediately release Badinan detainees who are being held in inhumane and illegal conditions, and are facing seemingly malicious charges for exercising their right to expression, Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor said today in a statement.
The authorities are still detaining 55 people out of 81 they arrested between August of last year and the end of last October, for being active in issues related to freedom of opinion and expression, and demanding basic rights. Only five were brought to trial.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4706
Geneva - The Iraqi Kurdistan authorities should immediately release Badinan detainees who are being held in inhumane and illegal conditions, and are facing seemingly malicious charges for exercising their right to expression, Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor said today in a statement.
The authorities are still detaining 55 people out of 81 they arrested between August of last year and the end of last October, for being active in issues related to freedom of opinion and expression, and demanding basic rights. Only five were brought to trial.
Press release: https://euromedmonitor.org/a/4706
