Category: <span>Middle East and North Africa</span>

Tell Bahrain to drop charges against activist over tweet, demand human rights organisations

In October a Bahraini court ruled that prominent human rights defender Nabeel Rajab would face criminal charges stemming from a single tweet

23 Jan: Vigil for Saudi blogger sentenced to 1,000 lashes

by Index on Censorship | 15 Jan 15

Index on Censorship, English PEN and Article 19 will hold a peaceful vigil in front of the embassy of Saudi Arabia at 9am on Friday 23 January in...

Gay Egyptians living in “constant fear” as crackdown from authorities and media worsens

by Shahira Amin | 06 Jan 15

In recent months, 150 suspected homosexuals have been arrested and detained, while reporting by pro-government media has further fuelled prejudice against gay people. Shahira Amin reports

Bahrain: Zainab Al-Khawaja sentenced to additional 16 months

by Index on Censorship | 09 Dec 14

Bahraini human rights activist was handed an additional 16 month sentence for insulting a public official, according to her sister Maryam Al-Khawaja, co-director of the Gulf Center for Human Rights

Bahrain: Three years in jail for activist for “insulting the king”

by Milana Knezevic | 05 Dec 14

Zainab Al-Khawaja was on trial for ripping up a photo of King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa

Maryam Al-Khawaja: Why I am boycotting my date with Bahraini justice

by Index on Censorship | 01 Dec 14

The leading human rights defender explains her reasons for boycotting the court hearing that on Monday saw her sentenced to one year in prison

Egypt: Regime pushes self-censorship on journalists

by Shahira Amin | 24 Nov 14

The “loyalty pledge” taken by the editors of Egypt’s largest newspapers has been seen as unusual even in a country where the media is in lockstep with the regime. Shahira Amin reports

Bahrain releases Zainab Al-Khawaja

by Jennifer Janiak | 20 Nov 14

Bahrain human rights activist Zainab Al-Khawaja was released from prison on Wednesday after spending five weeks imprisoned. Al-Khawaja, who is more than eight months pregnant, must return to court on 4 and 9 December for her sentencing.

Shout Art Loud: A “living report” on art and sexual violence in Egypt

by Index on Censorship | 11 Nov 14

Graffiti artists, cartoonists, dancers and actors are fighting back against rising levels of violence and sexism in the streets of Cairo, according to a new documentary from Index.