A major new global ranking index tracking the state of free expression is published today
Major new global free expression index sees UK ranking stumble across academic, digital and media freedom
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CATEGORY: Middle East and North Africa
Join our Twitter storm of protest against Salma al-Shehab’s 34-year sentence
On Sunday 15 January, we mark the two-year anniversary of the arrest of the University of Leeds student on her return home to Saudi Arabia
Remember their names: The protesters executed by the Iranian authorities
Four men have been executed following unjust show trials in Iran. Here’s what we know about them
2023: No calm water ahead
Happy New Year! I think we can all agree, regardless of where we live, that 2022 was a tumultuous year. There was seemingly a new crisis every day. Totalitarian regimes moving against their populations became increasingly normal, from Iran to...
Ramita Navai: No turning back from Iran’s women-led uprising
The British-Iranian journalist and author of the award-winning City of Lies speaks about the growing protests in her homeland
A year in freedom of expression
Our CEO Ruth Anderson reflects on the events of the past 12 months, yet another year of challenges to human rights around the world
The Saudi problem: can human rights ever trump trade?
As we mark 23 months since University of Leeds dental student Salma al-Shehab was arrested after returning home on holiday, we ask whether the UK Foreign Secretary has the courage to demand her release
Who is 2022’s Tyrant of the Year?
Choose from our shortlist of 12 despots and vote on who you think has done most to crack down on freedom of expression this year
Tyrant of the year 2022: Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Qatar
The atrocious worker conditions and contempt for basic human rights in Qatar have certainly been on our minds over the last year. However, relatively little attention has been paid to the man pulling the strings. “Al Thani holds a relatively lower...
Tyrant of the year 2022: Mohammad bin Salman, Saudi Arabia
“Mohammed bin Salman should be awarded the title of ‘tyrant of the year’ not only because of his track record of censorship and suppression, but also because of the potential for violent tyranny to come” says Emma Sandvik Ling, partnerships and...