Ahmet Altan, an imprisoned Turkish writer and journalist, has topped the December 2020 ranking of the One Free Press Coalition’s “10 Most Urgent” list of press freedom cases. Altan, described by Amnesty International as a “prisoner of conscience”, was first arrested in September 2016 as part of the Turkish government’s media purge following the failed coup d’état. He was accused of encouraging planners of the coup with “subliminal messages” via … Read more →
Middle East & North Africa
Short description of the region and the most pressing matters in the area.
News
Latest Global News on Human Rights
Rojava hands over 30 children of ISIS-linked parents to Russian authorities
The Kurdish-led administration of Rojava has handed 30 children of ISIS-linked parents over to Russian authorities. This is the fourth repatriation by Moscow in the last few months. The children were between the ages of two and 14 and were previously in camps in north-east Syria. Out of the 70,000 people who live in the north-east Syrian camps al-Hol and Roj, 13,000 are non-Iraqi foreign nationals. In al-Hol, 94% of … Read more →
Calls for Western governments to repatriate nationals in Syrian detention camps
Western governments are being called upon to repatriate nationals who are in detention camps in Northeast Syria. An open letter signed by over 200 academics urges Western governments to take responsibility for their citizens and end the deprivation of citizenship of European nationals. Syria’s al-Hol and al-Roj camps hold over 65,000 people who have faced devastation from ongoing fighting in Syria or Iraq. Within this, approximately 3,000 women and 7,000 … Read more →
IOHR TV
The Human Rights TV Channel
Blog Posts
Blogging about Human Rights from every Corner of the World
The Syrian war: the view from Idlib
With its beautiful landscapes embroidered with ever-green olive groves, cherry orchards, fig trees, and hundreds of historical sites, Idlib attracted tourists from all over the world. I was born there in 1969, one year before Hafez Assad became President-for-life of Syria. One whole year without an Assad regime, before our carefree life in Idlib was … Read more →
Mourning «A Tunisian Girl »: Arab Spring blogger Lina Ben Mhenni
Arab Spring icon and Tunisian cyber activist Lina Ben Mhenni passed away this January. Her funeral was a bittersweet reminder of Tunisia’s long-held yearning for a better future. Nine years after the Jasmine Revolution she courageously fought for, the Arab world is still navigating the legacy of its democratic awakening. Her nationally celebrated … Read more →
A Tribute to Hevrin Khalaf: “the loudest voice that fought for women’s rights in Syria”
On the afternoon of the 12th of October, Hevrin Khalaf was pulled from her vehicle, beaten and shot in an execution style murder on the side of a road, south of the Syrian town of Tel Abyad, also known as Gire Spi. She was also raped, and her body was … Read more →
Upcoming Events
Information meeting on the UPR Process in Turkey
The International Observatory of Human Rights and the Press Emblem Campaign are holding a panel discussion on 27 January 2020 to coincide with the UN’s Human Rights Council Universal Periodic Review of Turkey. The panel will highlight … Read more →
Press Releases
Our Voice in the Press
More than 100 international human rights organizations and individuals join forces and sign open letter to save 4 journalists from the death penalty in Yemen
Open letter with over 100 international signatories calling for freedom for four Yemeni journalists sentenced to death on 11 April 2020 by Houthi court in Sana’a, Yemen. IOHR releases special report by journalist monitoring the unlawful trial on the ground in Yemen. IOHR previews exclusive footage of interviews with relatives and witnesses of Houthi … Read more →
IOHR partners with Press Emblem Campaign to consider the future of human rights in Turkey prior to the UN’s Universal Periodic Review 3rd Cycle
The International Observatory of Human Rights teamed up with the Press Emblem Campaign to host a discussion to coincide with the UN’s Human Rights Council Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of Turkey and to highlight the unprecedented threat to human rights in Turkey. The discussion was convened at the Palais des Nations, United Nations in Geneva … Read more →
IOHR organise a discussion on the pathways for the children of IS and militant groups
What: IOHR organise a discussion on the pathways for the children of I.S and militant groups. When: 14th March 2019, 6-8pm Where: Bankside House London School of Economics – Auditorium room On Thursday 14 March the International Observatory of Human Rights organised a discussion hosted by Valerie Peay, Director of the International Observatory of … Read more →
Related Campaigns
Get Involved In Our Campaigns and Causes
#TurkeyTribunal
The Turkey Tribunal has been set up in collaboration with International Observatory of Human Rights to establish a framework to review the current situation in Turkey and the promises made by the Turkish government to improve their dire human rights record.
#SaveYemeniJournalists
The International Observatory of Human Rights is calling for the immediate and unconditional release of 4 innocent Yemeni journalists who have been sentenced to death by the Houthis for simply doing their job of covering the war in Yemen.
#RememberRefugees
The Remember Refugees campaign aims to make sure that the safety and security of refugees does not get lost in the noise. Learn more about our refugee advocacy work.