Nine people have been arrested in Bahrain for “misusing social media”, a charge which is punishable by a fine or up to two years in prison.
CATEGORY: Middle East and North Africa
Bahrain: Nabeel Rajab sentenced for a tweet
Human rights campaigner Nabeel Rajab was sentenced to six months imprisonment by a Bahraini court.
Chris Ames: Who’s behind the Chilcot Inquiry delay?
Despite his repeated assertions that it is nothing to do with him, it is now clear that British Prime Minister David Cameron not only has the power...
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
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
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
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”
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
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
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