Middle East and North Africa Archives

Index on Censorship welcomes the release of Palestinian human rights defender and lawyer Diala Ayesh

Ayesh was released from administrative detention on 14 January 2025 by Israeli authorities

Undemocratic states that seek to exploit soft power to hide their human rights abuses should be condemned, not celebrated

With a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas now imminent, Index reflects on the damage done to Palestine’s cultural institutions

by Maha Ghazal | 08 Jan 25

Syrian journalists have been subjected to free speech violations for decades. Could the future hold hope for a more open media landscape?

by Rizik Al-Abi | 03 Jan 25

A formerly imprisoned, exiled journalist talks about his plans to return to Syria and resume reporting

Contents

by Sarah Dawood | 13 Dec 24

Bashar al-Assad’s government was toppled by Syrian rebels this week, bringing the dictator’s 24-year-reign to a close

Index on Censorship spotlights four people standing up for human rights around the world

by Sarah Dawood | 06 Dec 24

Peaceful demonstration is a fundamental form of self expression, and a crucial mechanism of any democracy

by Pouria Nazemi | 06 Dec 24

Index looks at why being a scientist in Iran is so dangerous, and what is left behind when advancement is hindered