Articles for

Saudi Arabia : Dr Saud Mokhtar Al Hashimi, detained incommunicado for four years

Alkarama is concerned at the worsening situation of Dr Saud Al Hashimi, a long-standing human rights defender who has been detained incommunicado for the last four years in the al Ruweis detention center in Jeddah. He was subjected to a closed trial on 7 May 2011 despite being deprived of his right to legal representation.

01 Jun 2011

Lebanon: 8 Syrians seeking refuge in Lebanon risk refoulement

In recent weeks, Lebanon witnessed the arrival of Syrian citizens escaping escalating violence in Syria. A large number of individuals living close to the Lebanese border (mainly from the Syrian city of Tal Kalakh) have fled into Lebanon, finding shelter in the country with relatives, host families and even in schools.

Estimations of Friday 20 May state that some 4000 people – including men, women and children - may have moved from Syria into northern Lebanon.

30 May 2011

Lebanon: four individuals at risk of death penalty following confessions extracted under torture

Four individuals who were tortured by agents of the Lebanese security forces, particularly during the period they were held incommunicado, face trial on 21 June 2011.

Alkarama is concerned that false confessions extracted under torture may be used during this hearing and has therefore submitted their cases to the Special Rapporteur on Torture and the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions as they are at risk of the death penalty.

The four individuals on trial are:

30 May 2011

Pakistan: Disappearance of 2 Egyptian-Pakistani students aged 22 and 17; fear of torture and extraordinary rendition

22 year-old Abdullah Al Sharkawy left his university in Islamabad to go get a drink around 6pm last Wednesday, 25 May 2011. He has not been seen since.

30 May 2011

Syria: persecution of 13 Assyrian human rights activists

Arbitrary arrests, torture and other human rights abuses, including crimes against humanity, continue to be committed by the Syrian authorities with total impunity.

On 20 May 2011, following the peaceful protest which took place in Qamishli city, in north-western Syria, a further 13 human rights activists from the Assyrian Democratic Organization (ADO) were arrested.

30 May 2011

Bahrain: ongoing secret detention of former MPs, Mattar Mattar and Jawad Fairuz

Alkarama is concerned at the arrest and apparent disappearance of two former Bahraini Members of Parliament in Bahrain, following unusual methods of arrest.

25 May 2011

Morocco: Mrs. Doha Aboutabit physically abused at Salé prison

Mrs. Doha Aboutabit, arrested 3 December 2009, is detained at Salé prison. During the revolt of 16 May 2011 at the prison, the security forces used firearms which wounded many prisoners. Though spared from these events, the women's section was nonetheless taken over by the agents. Mrs. Aboutabit was physically abused to the point of fearing that she had broken bones. The prison administration refused to have her examined.

On 19 May 2011 Alkarama urgently asked the Special Rapporteur on Torture to enjoin the Moroccan authorities to stop the persecutions to which Mrs.

23 May 2011

Yemen: extra-judicial executions on the rise

The excessive use of force by the Yemeni authorities has led to the deaths of hundreds of persons since protests began 26 January 2011. There has been a wave of peaceful popular protests in Yemen calling for the removal of President Saleh from power.

20 May 2011