Brazilian author Paulo Coelho has published a message on his blog claiming his books have been banned in Iran. The Brazilian author has not been given the specific reasons for this action. However he has said that he has been using social networks...
CATEGORY: Middle East and North Africa
Tunisia: Protesters killed in continuing unrest
At least 14 protesters have been killed in violent demonstrations in the cities of Tala, Kasserine and Rgeb since Saturday amidst continuing anti-government protests. In Tala the Tunisian security force allegedly started firing at protesters who...
Iran: Two imprisoned for “anti-government” activities
Prominent Iranian lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh and human rights activist Shiva Nazar-Ahari have received prison sentences for their activities in the aftermath of the disputed 2009 presidential election. Nazar- Ahari has received a...
“It’s forbidden to be you sometimes”
Italian investigative journalist Emilio Casalini has made a documentary film, Iran About, focusing on Iranians and their lack of freedom. Featuring nine interviews in silhouette, the film points to aspects of everyday life that are taken for...

Tunisia: The Middle East’s first cyberwar
Conventional wisdom suggests that the web’s power to drive social revolution is over-rated, but the Tunisian government still isn’t taking any chances. Its agents are hacking its opponents’ networks and sabotaging them, even as foreign hackers retaliate against the state. Rohan Jayasekera reports
Workers of the world unite
Two weeks ago I wrote of Tehran Bus Workers' Union treasurer Reza Shahabi, eight days into a dry hunger strike (nil by mouth) at Evin Prison. Shahabi's demand for basic rights for he and his fellow workers in the first instance and for justice with...

Speaking out for Jafar Panahi
Index on Censorship calls on the head of Iran’s judiciary to overturn the prison sentences handed down this week to the film directors Jafar Panahi and
Mohammad Rasoulof
Bitter abstinence
Mourning means different things to different people. Even within one culture. But the month of Moharram, (7 December–4 January) the first month of the Islamic Calendar with its decrees and limitations is interpreted beyond the letter in Iran. To...
Jafar Panahi jailed, banned from film directing
Iranian director Jafar Panahi has been sentenced to six years in prison for "colluding in gathering and making propaganda against the regime". Panahi has also been banned from directing films or speaking to the press for 20 years.
Iran: Activists detained for planning a meeting
Four activists from the youth branch of the reformist Islamic Participation Front have been detained after they were summoned to a resident court in Evin prison. According to opposition website Rahesabz, prison officials cited "plan[s] to hold...