81 stories from the past 30 days · Political repression, arbitrary detention & extrajudicial violence
Israel's ambassador to Washington informed the Foreign Ministry that settler attacks have become a significant topic in American society, generating widespread anger and criticism.
An Israeli Knesset committee has approved a bill that would legalize the death penalty for Palestinian convicts. The legislation represents a significant shift in Israel's criminal justice policy regarding Palestinians.
The National Security Committee of the Israeli Knesset approved a bill permitting the execution of Palestinian prisoners after amendments. The legislation has been scheduled for further votes in the coming weeks.
There has been a surge of attacks by Israeli settlers on Palestinian villages across the occupied West Bank territory. Palestinian communities warn of diminishing safety in the region.
An Israeli court has determined that a Palestinian minor likely died of starvation while in custody. The finding raises serious concerns about conditions and treatment of detainees.
Violence by Israeli settlers in Palestinian territories is described as an ongoing source of tension in the region. Palestinians express concerns about the escalation of such incidents.
Israeli police reported killing a Palestinian youth during a nighttime arrest operation in Jabal al-Mukaber, East Jerusalem. According to the police statement, the individual allegedly attempted to seize a weapon from an officer during the operation.
UN experts have urged Israel to release a detained Gaza doctor, citing reports of severe torture. The call represents international concern over the treatment of the detainee.
Israeli settlers are expanding into Areas B and A of the West Bank, which are nominally under Palestinian Authority jurisdiction, displacing Palestinian communities. This expansion follows decades of settler consolidation in Area C.
Israeli media outlets have reported suicide attempts occurring in settlements in the northern region. The reports indicate these incidents are happening away from public scrutiny.
On February 18, the first day of Ramadan, approximately 30 Israeli settlers attacked the eastern outskirts of Mukhmas, a Palestinian village of about 1,200 people located north of Jerusalem in the occupied West Bank.
The New Arab reports allegations that Israel tortured a Gaza toddler in an attempt to force a confession from the child's father.
Germany has supported European Union sanctions in response to Israeli settler violence in the West Bank.
Israel has implemented a prison lockdown at the start of the Iran war, restricting lawyer visits and preventing detainees from communicating with their legal representatives. A Palestinian woman detained in an Israeli prison has been left without external legal advocacy during this restriction.
A UN expert has warned of what she describes as systematic torture of Palestinians by Israel, characterizing it as state policy. She criticized the international community's silence on the issue and rejected Israeli delegation claims of bias and politicization.
According to a journalist and research center director, attacks by settlers against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank have increased. The source attributes this to Israeli state policies and criticizes European responses as inadequate, noting that international pressure has not deterred the escalation despite diplomatic focus on other regional tensions.
A Palestinian official responsible for settlements and caves in Tubas governorate in the northern West Bank stated that the Palestinian presence in northern cave areas has significantly declined over years. He attributed this decline to escalating settler attacks and procedures imposed by the Israeli occupation army on Palestinian residents in these areas.
Egypt has expressed significant concern about an escalating pattern of violent acts carried out by settlers in the West Bank.
A Palestinian man has reported being sexually assaulted by Israeli settlers in front of his family. According to reports, Israeli settlers have been documented discussing escalating violence against Palestinians in private communications.
Israeli authorities have dropped all charges against soldiers who were filmed abusing a Palestinian detainee at Sde Teiman. The decision has been characterized as undermining accountability within Israel's military justice system.
International diplomatic missions have condemned violence by settler militias and attacks against Palestinians in the West Bank, holding Israel responsible for protecting Palestinians as the occupying power. European Union delegations issued a joint statement calling for an end to settler violence, land seizures, and forced displacement of Palestinians.
According to Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, 39 Palestinian mothers continue to be held in detention by occupation forces.
A Palestinian youth was shot by Israeli forces during an operation in Beit Awa, south of Hebron in the southern West Bank, on Saturday morning. Five others were arrested during the operation.
The UN special rapporteur on Palestinian territories has accused Israel of engaging in systematic torture practices against Palestinians. The allegation was made by the rapporteur in a recent statement.
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.
Israeli authorities blocked Eid al-Fitr prayers at Al-Aqsa Mosque in East Jerusalem on Friday, marking the first such prohibition since the 1967 occupation. Israeli police deployed heavily throughout Jerusalem's Old City and erected iron barriers at entrances to prevent worshippers from accessing the mosque.
The head of the Israeli military has expressed concern about allegations of crimes by settler militias in the West Bank, stating that these groups are targeting Palestinians with killing and torture.
Palestinian citizens of Israel lack adequate protection from missile fire due to longstanding neglect of their communities. Simultaneously, police are conducting arrests targeting expressions of dissent among this population.
Israeli forces attacked worshippers and arrested several youths in Jerusalem. No additional details about the incident are provided in the source material.
Settlers attacked Palestinians and activists in the herding community of Humsa in the Jordan Valley, tying up and beating them and sexually assaulting one man. The incident is part of a broader wave of attacks in the area.
A trial began Friday in Berlin against a Syrian citizen who arrived in Germany as a refugee in 2015. The defendant faces accusations of committing crimes against humanity and murder.
According to a media official in Suwayda, a militia known as the "National Guard" affiliated with a local tribal leader abducted six people during a commemoration event for Sultan Pasha al-Atrash in the town of Qaryatayn.
An American court has convicted an individual described as a shadowy figure in Syria's government system of involvement in drug and arms trafficking. The conviction relates to work with high-ranking military officials in the Syrian state apparatus.
A report documents conditions in Syrian prisons, including deaths and the displacement of detainees. The excerpt does not provide specific details about the scope, scale, or current status of these incidents.
Hundreds of Syrians gathered in Damascus on Sunday in a silent protest against government restrictions on the sale and serving of alcoholic beverages in restaurants and nighttime venues. Protesters characterized the measure as an infringement on personal freedoms.
Kurdish officials reported incidents of abuse and desecration of the Kurdish flag in northern Syria during Newroz celebrations.
A Syrian visual artist has published an illustrated book titled "In the School of Dictatorship" that documents experiences of Syrians, particularly children, during years of authoritarian rule and conflict. The work combines investigative journalism, visual narrative, and personal testimony to preserve accounts that may otherwise be lost.
Ahmad al-Shara, also known as Abu Muhammad al-Golani, has taken power by force in Syria. His trajectory raises questions and scrutiny, with observers noting his transformation from a jihadist fighter to a pragmatic state actor. Analysis of his rise examines power struggles and relationships that shaped the Syrian civil war.
Syrian authorities released 600 detainees held by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Syrian government. The release followed a meeting between Syrian officials and SDF leadership aimed at arranging the release of additional detainees and coordinating the integration of SDF forces into Syrian state institutions.
Syrians commemorated March 18 as the 15th anniversary of the uprising against the Assad system. The revolution called for freedom, an end to oppression, and regime change.
A national investigation committee looking into events that occurred in Sweida in July has revealed that 23 elements from the General Security and Ministry of Defense have been arrested and are facing trial on charges of committing violations.
A jury in Los Angeles found a former Syrian government official guilty of charges related to his role directing prisons under the regime of Bashar al-Assad. The U.S. Department of Justice announced the conviction.
A prisoner swap between Damascus and Suwayda has opened new negotiations after months of deadlock. However, internal divisions and questions over representation remain obstacles to resolving the dispute.
Jawhar Ben Mbarek, a long-time democratic activist, is facing trial in what critics characterize as part of a broader pattern of criminalizing political and civil society activity. The case raises concerns about judicial independence and the targeting of activists by the Tunisian authorities.
Amnesty International reported that judges in Tunisia who have spoken against President Kais Saied and his government's attacks on judicial independence continue to face retaliation and harassment. Judge Anas Hmedi of the Monastir Court of Appeal is among those facing persecution for exercising freedom of expression and defending the rule of law.
Civil society activists engaged in resistance activities have been detained in Tunisia, according to reporting by Al-Araby Al-Jadeed.
A parliamentary proposal has been put forward to reform Tunisia's prison law. The excerpt does not provide additional details about the specific reforms proposed or their expected impact.
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.
Civil society organizations in Tunisia are experiencing marginalization and tightening constraints on their operations, according to reporting from Al-Araby Al-Jadeed.
Defense lawyers and human rights organizations have called for the rejection of charges against anti-racism activist Saadia Mosbah during her court proceedings. The groups have opposed the case brought against her.
An ambush killed members of Houthi-aligned forces in Aden, prompting a security escalation. Arrests have been made and weapon smuggling has been seized in Hadramawt. Government efforts to unify security agencies in Aden are ongoing.
The United Nations has condemned the detention of 73 staff members by Houthi forces, some held for up to five years. Yemeni forces have also seized an Iranian shipment allegedly bound for the Houthis containing weapons and dual-use materials.
Dangerous fireworks have become widely available in Sanaa. Accusations have been leveled at Houthi authorities for facilitating their entry and failing to enforce restrictions, despite medical warnings about risks to children and the absence of regulatory oversight.
Houthi authorities and fees have prevented Yemenis from shopping for Eid celebrations and restricted them from visiting recreational sites or engaging in basic holiday observances, according to reporting.
The Houthis have closed religious centers in Sana'a and Ibb, reflecting increasing restrictions on religious education. The closures raise concerns about threats to religious pluralism and growing social tensions in Yemen.
A report addresses human rights issues in Lebanon.
Lebanese citizens face difficulties meeting their needs during holiday celebrations due to economic hardship. The situation is exacerbated by continued increases in the black market dollar exchange rate and stagnant wages, making holiday expenses increasingly unaffordable.
Lebanon's military court has moved to implement a government decision banning the military and security activities of Hezbollah. The court opened legal cases as part of practical enforcement of the ban.
Lebanon handed over more than 130 Syrian detainees to Damascus on Tuesday, according to a judicial source cited by AFP. The transfer was conducted in implementation of an agreement reached between the two countries in February.
Egyptian authorities ordered the detention of engineer and activist Tamer Shirin Shawky for four days pending investigation. He faces accusations of publishing false news and insulting a public official on Facebook, according to his lawyer.
Official documents have surfaced that provide details about the death of activist Alaa Abdel Fattah. The documents offer new information regarding the circumstances of his death.
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.
Egyptian authorities released five individuals who were detained in connection with activities supporting Palestine during the Israeli offensive on Gaza. Dozens of other detainees remain in custody on similar charges related to Palestinian solidarity actions.
Human rights organizations in Libya are calling for the release of activist Al-Mehdi Abdel-Ati, who was arrested by internal security forces. The groups are urging the attorney general to quickly investigate the circumstances of his detention.
Ali Mahmoud Abdel-Azim disappeared in Libya over two years ago, leaving his family searching without answers. His case is one of hundreds involving young people who set out seeking migration opportunities but instead face abduction and violations.
The family of Libyan activist and lawyer Al-Mahdi Abu Al-Qasim Abdullah and several human rights workers have called on authorities in western Libya to reveal his whereabouts. The family expressed concerns about his safety and potential mistreatment in detention.
Libyan politicians and monitors say the spread of false information reflects the expansion of conflict beyond traditional political and military spheres. The phenomenon is being used as a tool in ongoing rivalries.
A Moroccan court sentenced a 23-year-old activist and member of an Islamic justice organization to eight months in prison on charges of insulting state institutions. According to his defense, the conviction relates to songs and writings in which he criticized corruption and normalization with Israel.
Moroccan security forces, in a coordinated operation with Spanish counterparts, have dismantled a terrorist cell aligned with ISIS.
Human rights sources in Algeria reported the release of around 50 prisoners detained for their political opinions on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr, following a presidential pardon.
Algerian police sealed the Algiers office of SOS Disappeared on 16 March 2026, a human rights organization that advocates for accountability for thousands of people forcibly disappeared during Algeria's 1990s conflict. Amnesty International's Deputy Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa characterized the closure as a blow to efforts for truth, justice, and reparations in the country.
Bahrain's prosecutor general has requested death sentences against defendants accused of espionage, reportedly for sharing images and videos of missile strikes or wreckage. The case appears connected to regional military tensions.
Bahraini authorities have arrested dozens of people for exercising their right to peaceful expression, with some cases seeking the death penalty, according to Human Rights Watch. The arrests are occurring amid broader regional conflict involving the US, Israel, and Iran.
Iraqi sources have warned that practices by state militias threaten to return Iraq to a state of Arab and international isolation, undoing efforts made in recent years to move beyond such a status.
Kuwaiti authorities announced the breakup of a terrorist cell comprising 20 individuals allegedly connected to Hezbollah. The cell was reported to have planned attacks on state symbols and received foreign military training.
Iran's chief judiciary official announced that final verdicts have been carried out against civilians arrested during protests earlier this year.
Iranian state media reported that the Ministry of Intelligence arrested 97 people accused of belonging to the Israeli military. This is part of a broader security operation that has resulted in hundreds of arrests since the beginning of the war, with authorities alleging suspicions of ties to Israel and the United States. In a separate incident, 41 people were arrested on charges of sending video clips to foreign opposition media outlets.
Iranian authorities have detained ten foreign nationals among dozens of people arrested on suspicion of cooperating with Israel and the United States, according to Iranian media reports.