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Yearly Archives: 2026

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Saïd Boudour, Algerian investigative journalist and human rights defender.
Statements

Algeria | Authorities must implement judicial decision lifting search notice against journalist Saïd Boudour

July 31, 2026 0Comments 0Reactions
The Algerian authorities must immediately implement the judicial order requiring the lifting of an outstanding search notice imposed in 2019 against investigative journalist and human rights defender Saïd Boudour in connection to his peaceful exercise of his fundamental rights to expression and assembly, and end the resulting practical restrictions on his freedom of movement which…

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Composite image featuring Tunisian journalists Zied El-Heni, Sonia Dahmani, and Haythem El-Mekki, alongside human rights defenders Sihem Bensedrine and Saadia Mosbah, accompanying a joint appeal by 47 human rights organizations calling for an end to the imprisonment of journalists and human rights defenders in Tunisia.
Joint Statements

Tunisia | Appeal to stop imprisoning journalists and human rights defenders

July 31, 2026 0Comments 0Reactions
We, the undersigned members of IFEX and civil society partners, appeal to the Tunisian authorities to stop imprisoning journalists and human rights defenders in violation of international law. There is a pattern of sentencing to prison those who criticise government policies, human rights violations or corruption, during trials that lack the minimum international standards. Among…

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Portrait of Moroccan rapper and filmmaker El Mahdi Lyoubi (Mehdi Black Wind) against a Moroccan flag background with a microphone wrapped in chains, symbolizing restrictions on artistic freedom and freedom of expression.
Statements

Morocco | Authorities must release rapper and filmmaker El Mahdi Lyoubi and drop charges targeting his artistic expression

July 30, 2026 0Comments 0Reactions
Ahead of the 31 July hearing in El Mahdi Lyoubi’s case before the Ain Sebaa First Instance Court in Casablanca, following the court’s decision at the first hearing on 22 July to reject his request for provisional release and adjourn the proceedings while maintaining all charges against him, HuMENA for Human Rights and Civic Engagement…

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Illustrative artwork showing a face partially covered by two banners displaying the title Guide to Artivism in Exile: Between Expression, Struggle, and Societal Transformation in English and Arabic.
Reports

Guide to Artivism in Exile: Between Expression, Struggle, and Societal Transformation

July 27, 2026 0Comments 0Reactions
At a glance: Artivism, exile and diaspora, cultural policy, freedom of artistic expression | For artists and cultural actors in exile, workshop facilitators, cultural and human rights organizations "This toolkit gives artists in exile the analytical tools to decide for themselves what the political dimension of their work will be." "Guide to Artivism in Exile:…

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Portrait of Lebanese President Joseph Aoun accompanying a joint civil society statement calling for U.S. support for Lebanon's sovereignty and security.
Joint Statements

Lebanon | President Aoun’s Visit to Washington Presents an Opportunity for Stronger U.S.-Lebanon Policy

July 17, 2026 0Comments 0Reactions
We, the undersigned civil society organizations, urge President Trump and U.S. policymakers to take advantage of Lebanese President Joseph Aoun’s upcoming visit to Washington, D.C. to take steps to press for security and sovereignty in Lebanon. Doing so is critical, not only for the security of Lebanon and its neighbors, but for U.S. national security…

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Portrait of human rights defender and former Truth and Dignity Commission President Sihem Bensedrine accompanying a joint statement on her appeal and transitional justice in Tunisia.
Joint Statements

Tunisia | Conviction of Sihem Bensedrine Threatens Transitional Justice and Deepens Restrictions on Civic Space

July 17, 2026 0Comments 0Reactions
While awaiting the scheduling of Sihem Bensedrine’s appeal trial before the Tunis Court of Appeal, the undersigned organizations express their deep concern over the judgment issued against the prominent human rights defender and former President of the Truth and Dignity Commission (TDC), sentencing her to twenty-five years in prison in connection with two cases directly…

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Illustration of a legal case file bearing a Tunisian official stamp alongside a portrait of Sihem Bensedrine, representing HuMENA's legal analysis on transitional justice in Tunisia.
Reports

Criminalising the Truth: Legal Analysis of the Sihem Bensedrine Verdict and the Criminalisation of Transitional Justice as a Method

July 14, 2026 0Comments 0Reactions
HuMENA for Human Rights and Civic Engagement publishes this legal analysis at a critical moment for transitional justice and civic space in Tunisia. The conviction of Sihem Bensedrine, former President of the Truth and Dignity Commission (Instance Vérité et Dignité), raises profound legal and human rights concerns that extend beyond an individual case and speak…

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Ahmed Douma, Egyptian activist, poet, and political writer.
Joint Statements

Ahead of Expected Judgment in Appeal, Civil Society Organizations Globally Call for the Release of Ahmed Douma

July 10, 2026 0Comments 0Reactions
We, the undersigned civil society organizations from across the globe, call on the Egyptian authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Egyptian activist, poet, and political writer Ahmed Douma. On July 16, 2026, the Fifth Settlement Appellate Misdemeanour Court is expected to issue its judgment in the appeal challenging the one-year prison sentence handed down to Douma…

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Collage showing journalism and civic space elements including a microphone, camera, justice scale, protest scenes in Lebanon, and digital tools such as a smartphone.
News Press Releases Reports

Lebanon Supports Key Civic Space Recommendations at the UPR, but Implementation Remains the Real Test

July 3, 2026 0Comments 0Reactions
Several recommendations supported by Lebanon reflect issues HuMENA advanced through its UPR advocacy, from freedom of expression and the protection of journalists and human rights defenders to digital rights and refugee protection. However, key recommendations on criminal defamation, military courts, Article 534, explicit protection for LGBTQI+ individuals, and Palestinian refugees' rights to work and property…

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Studies

Public Sphere Safety Kit: Practical Tools for Safer Civic Life in Lebanon

June 19, 2026 0Comments 0Reactions
Practical guidance for women human rights defenders, women in public and civic life, LGBTQI+ defenders, allies, and community moderators facing digital violence during periods of heightened public and political visibility. In Lebanon, taking part in public life can cost a woman far more than political disagreement. Speaking out can bring comments about her looks instead…

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Joint Statements

Egypt | Rights Groups Call for Release of Filmmaker Omar Salah Marei and his Immediate Access to Medical Care

May 23, 2026 0Comments 0Reactions
We, the undersigned organisations, condemn the continued detention of Egyptian filmmaker and screenwriter Omar Salah Marei. We call for his immediate and unconditional release, the dropping of all charges against him, and the closure of Case No. 3835 of 2026 (Supreme State Security). We are gravely concerned over the serious deterioration of Marei’s health, as he…

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Joint Statements

Criminalizing Truth: Gulf Governments Must End the Crackdown on Information

May 19, 2026 0Comments 0Reactions
Since the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran on February 28, 2026, triggering a wave of Iranian missile and drone attacks across the region, Gulf governments have moved swiftly to seal, even further, the information environment, controlling what their populations can see, say, and share about the attacks unfolding in their cities.   Across Kuwait,…

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Joint Statements

Bahrain | Freedom of Religion and Belief Is a Fundamental Right, Not a Basis for Arrest or Criminalization

May 16, 2026 0Comments 0Reactions
The Government of the Kingdom of Bahrain must immediately and unconditionally release the religious scholars arrested by Bahraini security forces across the Kingdom on May 9, 2026, especially since it has not presented any evidence to substantiate its claims or formally charged them with internationally recognized offenses. On the contrary, it has resorted to its…

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Joint Statements

Meta blocks human rights accounts from reaching audiences in Saudi Arabia and the UAE

May 15, 2026 0Comments 0Reactions
The undersigned organisations condemn Meta’s recent decision to restrict the Facebook and Instagram accounts of independent NGOs, researchers, and civil society figures from reaching audiences in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This is the latest in a pattern of major technology companies, including Meta, acting as enforcement arms for repressive governments in…

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Reports

Tunisia | The Verdict Against Zied El-Heni: How Tunisia Is Criminalizing Journalistic Expression A legal reading of Article 86, Law-Decree 54, and the sidelining of Tunisia’s press law safeguards

May 11, 2026 0Comments 0Reactions
HuMENA for Human Rights and Civic Engagement publishes this position paper in a context where Tunisia’s civic and media space is undergoing a cumulative transformation, shaped by judicial, administrative, and financial measures that are reshaping the relationship between public authorities and independent institutions. The case of journalist Zied El-Heni, which forms the immediate basis of…

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Joint Statements

Tunisia | HuMENA Condemns the Imprisonment of Journalist Zied El Heni and Calls for the Verdict to Be Annulled

May 9, 2026 0Comments 0Reactions
HuMENA for Human Rights and Civic Engagement condemns the ruling issued on the evening of Thursday, 7 May 2026, by the Criminal Chamber of the Tunis Court of First Instance, sentencing journalist Zied El Heni to one year in prison under Article 86 of the Telecommunications Code. The case relates to an expert media intervention…

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