The trial of Amro El-Qazaz and Islam El Homsy, two Egyptian journalists working for the online news outlet "Rassd" (the monitor), opened today before the Misdemeanour Military Court of North Cairo. This is the first referral of civilians to a military court since the new Egyptian constitution entered into force on 18 January 2014. "We are very concerned by the current persecution against journalists and the use of military courts to clamp down on individuals lawfully exercising their rights under international law", said Alkarama.

Mohammad Muthana Al Ammari, a 34 year-old Yemeni teacher who had participated, like so many others, in the demonstrations that toppled former Yemeni president Saleh, was abducted from the street in Sana'a on 5 December 2011 by a dozen armed men. After being disappeared and tortured, he was sentenced on 19 October 2012 to two years in prison by a special courtfor political motives after a grossly unfair trial. It has been three years since the Yemeni revolution.

On 24 and 25 January, 106 demonstrators and bystanders were unlawfully killed in Egypt when the police and army used excessive force to quell protests against the Egyptian government. Most of the deaths occurred on 25 January 2014, which marked the third anniversary of the Egyptian revolution. Alkarama again urges the Egyptian authorities to respect the right to peaceful protest, as they are bound to do under international law, and prevent arrests and extrajudicial killings of peaceful protestors.

As soon as he learned about the U.S. decision, Mr.

On 12 December 2013 at 4:30 pm, a wedding procession composed of 14 vehicles and 70 passengers was targeted by 4 missiles launched from a drone. The result was 12 people killed and 13 injured.

The Council of the Alkarama Foundation met yesterday following the announcement by the US Department of Treasury of its decision to qualify Dr Abd al-Rahman Omair Alnaimi, president of the Council as a "Specially Designated Global Terrorist".

The Council takes note of this announcement and explores all ways and means to deal with this situation.