6 stories for 2026-03-21 · Political repression, arbitrary detention & extrajudicial violence
FIFA announced it will not take action against the Israeli Football Association over the participation of clubs based in illegal settlements in Israeli leagues. Amnesty International's Head of Economic and Social Justice stated that FIFA's refusal to act violates its own rules and international law.
Switzerland has condemned what it describes as extremist settler violence occurring in the West Bank and has called on Israel to take action to address the situation.
Despite escalating violence in the West Bank, Jewish settlers and Palestinian activists met during Ramadan to launch a rare solidarity initiative together.
Muslims in Jerusalem were prevented from praying at Al-Aqsa Mosque during Eid al-Fitr celebrations on Friday, with the mosque's entrances remaining closed. The restriction dampened what would otherwise be a joyful occasion for the community.
Human rights defenders in Egypt have faced a long history of targeting by state security apparatus. A recent incident involved a defendant stating before prosecutors that he would not speak without lawyers present, after which the prosecutor ordered lawyers to be brought from prison.
A rights organization released a report on March 17 documenting various violations of rights and freedoms by state actors. The report, titled "Under the Umbrella of Marginalization," records different categories of human rights violations.