In spite of the release of some pro-Morsi protesters, Egyptian activists worry that the state is as brutal as ever, says Shahira Amin
Egypt: ‘Authorities will stop at nothing to silence dissent’
read more
CATEGORY: Middle East and North Africa
Egypt: ‘Poet of the people’ Ahmed Fouad Negm dies
Ahmed Fouad Negm, who became popular for his political stance on the poor and working class, has died at the age of 84
In post-Morsi Egypt journalists toe the military line or self censor
Editorials and articles labelling democracy activists “anarchists and “thugs” signal that most Egyptian media has reverted to its old pre-revolution ways, siding with the military-backed government against the opposition activists. Shahira Amin reports
Saudi Arabia: Popular sci-fi novel banned
Bookstores told by authorities to stop selling the novel H W J N
UAE: American citizen in maximum-security prison over satirical YouTube video
Shezanne Cassim was arrested for posting a mock documentary spoofing youth culture in Dubai
United Arab Emirates’ cybercrimes regulation strategically silencing critics
The authorities of the United Arab Emirates are using the 2012 cybercrimes decree crack down on dissent. Rori Donaghy, director of the Emirates Centre for Human Rights, writes
Gaza: Hamas reopens Palestinian news agency
Palestinian news agency Ma’an to reopen in the Gaza Strip four months after Hamas closed down the organisation
Egypt moves to lower expectations for new constitution
Public service messages on Egyptian radio stations candidly tell listeners that a new constitution currently being drafted by a fifty-member panel “won’t be the best that the country has had”. Listeners are assured however, that the new charter will not be Egypt’s last. Shahira Amin reports
UAE: Activist sentenced to two years in prison for tweeting
Waleed al-Shehhi was accused of “endangering state security” and “harming the reputation of the state” for tweeting about a trial
Red Arrows hit Bahrain as Britain bids to sell weapons to royal family
Display team hits repressive kingdom amid negotiations over fighter jets contract. Padraig Reidy reports