Challenging Repression - Human Rights Defenders in the Middle East and North Africa

Amnesty International 2008, englisch, 94 Seiten

In the Middle East and North Africa region, human rights defenders - people working to promote and protect universal human rights - are all too often vilified, persecuted and even criminalized for their peaceful activities. Advocates of reform, other activists and journalists who expose or publicize human rights abuses face fines, imprisonment and assaults. Lawyers who try to protect their clients from arbitrary arrest, torture and unfair trial sometimes suffer the same abuses themselves. People who speak out or demonstrate for the rights of women, workers and minority communities risk physical attack, jail and even death.

Despite these risks and often in the face of repression, human rights defenders across the region continue to stand up for freedom, justice, an end to abuses, and for realization in practice of the rights to which states have committed under international law.

This report describes many of their individual experiences, their triumphs as well as their setbacks. It shows that their efforts are helping to bring much-needed change, but also that their struggle for rights is far from won. Their steadfast commitment to universal human rights is nothing short of inspiring - and demonstrates vividly the need for urgent action to uphold their rights and support their efforts.