Iraq: Ahmed Al-Mashhadani, tortured in five different detention centers, still arbitrarily detained

Iraq is a stomping ground for armed struggle, human rights violations and general discontent. Despite the US occupying forces attempts to keep these elements at bay, it has become clear that Iraq's human rights record has not improved. As the Iraqi militias continue to grow in strength, more and more prisoners and the accused are flooding an already inadequate Iraqi judicial system. A recent victim of this quandary is Ahmed Abd Saleh Al-Mashhadani, a retired military officer, who was arrested on 29 September 2006 in Baghdad by an Iraqi militia.
11 Dec 2009
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A message from Ahmed Manai, Tunisian human rights defender

Dear all,

I would like to warmly congratulate and thank Alkarama, for having made the right choice in awarding the Alkarama Award 2009 to Abdennour Ali-Yahia.

This dignified soul, who has placed human dignity above all else, has defended human rights for decades in Algeria, in North-Africa and beyond, has been fighting for the rights of all men, without distinction - with immense courage, sheer constancy, exemplary honesty and undeniable expertise. All of this enacted with the utmost modesty.

11 Dec 2009
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Message from Mario Giro, the Community of Sant'Egidio

"Often ... our ears are offended upon hearing what is said by some people who, though enthused by by religious zeal, lack clearness of judgement and thoughtfullness in the way they see things. They see only the ruins and calamities in our current society; they are wont to say that our age has profoundly worsened over the past centuries; they behave as if history, the mentor of our lifetimes, had not nothing to teach them ...
11 Dec 2009
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Syria : Arbitrary detention of Ma'an Aqil

Forces from General Intelligence Directorate arrested Ma'an Aqil from his office at Al-Thawra newspaper in Damascus on 22 November 2009. He was originally arrested in 1987 for his political beliefs and spent nine years in prison.

Ma'an Aqil is a prominent journalist in Syria, known for his investigations into corruption within government and privately-owned pharmaceutical companies.

10 Dec 2009
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Saudi Arabia : Nasser Al-Hajiri's health deteriorates inside prison due to neglect

Alkarama has just received an update regarding Nasser Al-Hajri, who is presently detained inside Dammam's Intelligence Services detention center. Reports state that his state of health is currently deteriorating due to medical negligence and ill-treatment. He suffers from a dangerous brain tumor, which according to an medical examination five months ago, requires an urgent operation due to its gravity.
09 Dec 2009
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Egypt: Abdel Rahman Al-Sharkawy, torture and extraordinary rendition from Pakistan to Egypt

Abdel Rahman Al-Sharkawy, a 29 year old dual-citizen Egyptian-Pakistani, had been living with his family in Pakistan since 1989.
08 Dec 2009
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Egypt: Ahmed Abdelradi severely tortured by Aswan police

Ahmed Rajab Abdelradi, a 23 year old chemist from Aswan, was arrested on 12 November 2009, and was later severely tortured while in the custody of the Investigative Branch of the Aswan Police Department. He was taken from his home by State Security Intelligence (SSI) officers supported by officers of the Investigative Branch of the Aswan Police Department. He was accused of belonging to the Muslim Brotherhood.

On 13, 14, 15, and 18 November 2009, Mr Abdelradi was tortured by members of the SSI, in particular Major Mohamed Al-Omari and Captain Taha Abu Sahl.

08 Dec 2009
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Egypt: Magdi Hamdi Saqr, denied medical care inside prison, life in danger

The State of Emergency law is often used by the Egyptian security services as a pretext for arbitrary arrests of dissident groups or those believed to be members of such groups. In such cases, the victims are detained without legal justification and held for long periods of time without trials based on the assumption that they are a threat to national security. Within the prison themselves, many of these political prisoners are exposed to ill-treatment, humiliation and torture, especially those who require medical care are often denied this basic privilege and in some cases die.
08 Dec 2009
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Libya : Salem Saleh Ahmeed released after 25 years behind bars

On 25 November 2009, Libyan authorities released Saleh Salem Ahmeed after having served nearly 25 years behind bars. Mr Ahmeed was arrested on 3 November 1986 on fabricated murder charges. During the arrest, his house was ransacked and burned.
03 Dec 2009
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Syria: Two religious leaders held incommunicado, without trial, risk of torture

Since the publication on 16 October 2005 of the "Damascus Declaration for Democratic National Change", calling for peaceful change in Syria, the Syrian regime has arbitrarily detained hundreds of political and human rights activists, in an attempt to silence the growing support for the declaration. The Syrian government continues to arbitrarily detain those who oppose or criticize government policies, including community leaders, human rights activists, and pro-democracy reformers.
02 Dec 2009
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