The UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in the Palestinian territories, Francesca Albanese, stated that the “systematic” torture inflicted by Israel on Palestinians — sustained for decades by impunity and political support — is now being employed as a tool in the ongoing genocide in the territory. 

The United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (WGAD) adopted Opinion No. 63/2025 on 10 November 2025, concluding that the detention of Mr. Rached Kheriji, widely known as “Rached Ghannouchi” and former Speaker of Tunisia’s dissolved Parliament, is arbitrary and calling for his immediate release. 

The United Nations General Assembly, through resolution 76/254 adopted in 2022, designated 15 March as the International Day to Combat Islamophobia. It called on all Member States, entities of the United Nations system, as well as international and regional organizations, civil society, the private sector and religious institutions to mark this day.

Every year on this date, the world celebrates International Women’s Day, established by the United Nations in 1977. This day provides an important opportunity to highlight the situation of women worldwide and to remind everyone of the need to strengthen laws that protect their rights, as well as to ensure their protection from all forms of violence. 

For several days now, the Arab region has been experiencing rapidly unfolding military developments following attacks carried out by the United States and Israel against Iran, which were followed by Iranian strikes targeting U.S. facilities in Gulf countries. These developments have expanded the scope of the conflict and increased the risks threatening regional security and stability, with political, economic, and humanitarian consequences affecting peoples across the entire region. 

On 2 February 2026, Alkarama submitted a communication to the United Nations Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls concerning the situation of Ms. Kholoud MOKHTARI, a Moroccan national subjected to reprisals linked to her peaceful activism. 

Gender-based violations 

The family of Dr. Hossam Abouelezz, former governor of Egypt’s Qalyubia province, has warned that the political detainee’s life is at risk after receiving reports of several prisoner deaths attributed to medical neglect and inhumane detention conditions. 

In a statement to Alkarama, the family said it has had no news of the former governor, who remains deprived of visits and stripped of all his rights. 

As it enters its 21st year, Alkarama for Human Rights releases its 2025 Annual Report, providing an in-depth overview of the human rights situation across the Arab world and reflecting its unwavering commitment throughout the year. 

Alkarama has urgently appealed to the United Nations Special Procedures after learning that the Iraqi authorities had forcibly transferred Mr. Ayesh Al Harby, a Saudi national detained in Iraq, to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, despite serious risks of torture or even execution. 

Mr. Al Harby had been a refugee in Iraq since 2000 and had been arrested by U.S. forces before being handed over to Iraqi authorities, who detained him until his forced return. 

Alkarama and the Observatory for Media Freedoms ("Marsadak") express their deep concern over the prolonged detention of Yemeni journalist Nasser Shaker at Bir Ahmed Prison in Aden Governorate, southern Yemen. His detention continues despite a judicial ruling validating the time he has already served and an explicit order from the Public Prosecutor to release him. This situation constitutes arbitrary detention, in violation of the Yemeni Constitution, national laws and international human rights standards.