Alkarama is concerned by the disproportionate use of force by the security forces against the demonstrators in Egypt, which has lead to numerous deaths among the demonstrators. Having completely cut internet access and practicing severe censorship on all forms of media, the Egyptian authorities are trying hard to avoid disclosure any information about ongoing violations. Demonstrations erupted three days ago throughout Egypt calling for democratic political change and the departure of President Hosni Mubarak.

The United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention has adopted an Opinion calling on the Syrian government to "release Mr Haitham Al Maleh and accord him an enforceable right to compensation".

The past 3 months have seen a serious worsening of the situation of Dr Saud Al Hashimi, the 48 year old Saudi doctor and human rights defender arbitrarily detained since 2 February 2007 in al Ruweis detention center, in Jeddah. Following 4 years of continual protest by Dr Al-Hashimi at his detention conditions and the lack of any trial, he has again been subjected to serious torture to pressure him to accept charges fabricated by the Ministry of Interior to justify his arrest and detention and forcing him to refuse legal help.

This comes in the wake of increasing attention on his case by the United Nations human rights mechanisms, who have several times written to the Syrian government requesting that they explain Mr Ramadan's detention.