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UAE - Arrest and detention of human rights defender Ahmed Abdulkhaleq Ahmed

2012-05-27T17:33:00.001-07:00

The Gulf Centre for Human Rights (GCHR) has received information that human rights defender, AhmedAbdulkhaleq Ahmed, has been arrested and detained. Ahmed Abdulkhaleq Ahmed belongs to the Bedoon (Stateless) community and is one of the “UAE 5” who was arrested in 2011 for "publicly insulting" the United Arab Emirates president and other top officials. The five were found guilty in November 2011, following a grossly unfair trial. They were pardoned and released a day after their conviction having spent eight months in prison. He has reportedly been quiet in his human rights activities in recent times and deleted his twitter account.

On 22 May 2012, the Immigration Department of Ajman asked the human rights defender’s father to present himself at the Department in order to complete some paperwork. When he arrived at the Department he was questioned as to who was at home. When he replied that his wife and his son were there the authorities asked him to ask them to come to the Department. He was also accused by a police officer of being in violation of immigration law despite telling the police officer that he and his family had done everything which they had been asked to do by the authorities including registering as Bedoon and obtaining a Bedoon card.

When Ahmed Abdulkhaleq Ahmed and his mother arrived at the Department, the authorities took Ahmed Abdulkaleq Ahmed to a different location. When his father asked where he was being taken the authorities said that they had some procedural matters to finish and that he would then be sent back once these matters had been completed. They told his father not to worry and gave him the key of the car and asked him and his wife to leave.

There has been no contact since then with the authorities and it is believed that Ahmed Abdulkhaleq Ahmed has been arrested and is being detained by the State Security in an undisclosed location. There are concerns that he may be transferred to Abu Dhabi to the State Security or that he has been sent to Al Sadar jail for deportation.

The arrest comes in the context of a crackdown against human rights defenders in the UAE and just days after the human rights defender and his family received passports of Qomoros Islands following a directive by the Government that all the Bedoon had to obtain a nationality from Qomoros or elsewhere. There was an agreement in place between UAE and Qomoros for Economic Citizenship and as a result the majority of the stateless citizens obtained passports of Qomoros Islands.

The GCHR expresses concern over the arrest and on-going detention of Ahmed Abdulkhaleq Ahmed, which it believes, is directly related to his human rights activities in the past. Concern is specifically expressed concerning his physical and psychological security and integrity particularly as his whereabouts remain unknown.

Hamdeen Sabahi: We will restore security and youth will have the largest share in the project of the Renaissance

2012-05-19T16:44:00.000-07:00

Solution Hamdeen Sabahi a guest this evening on a program of "Egypt shall elect the President" to provide Media Magdy executioner and the media for Mays Railway, has been through the loop put several questions to the presidential candidate and that he answered them at length the desire to give a voice and point of view of the all clear.

Sabahi began his talk by stressing that the results of a vote of Egyptians abroad excellent contribution and we thank him for all of his voice, pointing out that the results of the vote abroad give good impressions of the Egyptians inside.

Done my best with my campaign volunteers and faithful God has made up

The Sabahi he has made the maximum effort with his campaign volunteers were offset by God super-fidelity, although the material side of poverty, and added that the election period does not begin to serve as presidential elections, which inevitably will be remedied in the next election.

With regard to his campaign slogan Sabahi said that he had submitted a slogan for the candidate, "one of us," while the community provided a slogan for a "justice, love, and are the heart of Islam and Christianity, we will build the heart of a renaissance." He said he wants to be poor if the support was President of Egypt and in the belief that the slogan, "One of Us" has arrived to the public either the rest of the logos was a program I took him less time.

He pointed to Sabahi he was for some black propaganda against him had been expected from people they know well the fact Hamdeen Sabahi, so saddened, saying that he knew very well that it is impossible to accuse him of such words.

Hamdeen Sabahi apologize to the people of the provinces which had not been able to

And on his visit to the provinces said Sabahi he had visited all the provinces of Egypt Maada Sinai and South Matruh and New Valley directed to them greetings and an apology for the circumstances that prevented him from visiting them and added: "I apologize to my family in the rain and the village of influenza and the village of Menashe Abdul Rahman because I cut off two rounds so brought the program, and my family who Bhtrmanm and I admire in Matruh and New Valley and South Sinai Batdhir you and looked at your issues and I promise before God I disband all your problems. "

As Reassure Sabahi Egyptians that the upcoming elections will be fair as long as he wants voters to be fair, pointing out that there are modern methods could be the detection of any manipulation in the open boxes, as there will be a delegate in each committee as well as having clear guarantees for the integrity of elections.

He added: "I will give voice to God on the first day and I will continue the electoral process from the seat of my campaign is over delegates in each committee, and all the delegates and volunteers I have a room key processes found in Cairo, and our operating rooms in 16 counties."

He expected to be Sabahi Kafr El Sheikh, Dakahlia, Eastern and Western Assiut, Minya and more places where the votes gets, the less will be the provinces of South Sinai and Matrouh to the lack of the campaign as well as he does not have any visits to it. He added: "Haln Records from Tahrir Square, and I appreciate a candidate I would bring the people's demands, and I suspect that I am not part of the former regime, not part of political Islam." He stressed that comes an expression of political moderation as well as the people they see one of them and Ichbhm.

I will accept whatever the result if it was fair

And the formation of the Presidential Council said Sabahi that his council will consist of 7 members plus the president, including Islamic and leftist and liberal, and there will be a young man and a woman and a Coptic for the first time in the history of Egypt's political, while the Prime Minister will be assigned in the perception of a coalition government, saying that Egypt needs a national salvation government to build a renaissance, and not of necessity be of the party Aloglabh will not be confused with the power and money.

The Sabahi that he would accept the outcome no matter what if it was fair, and that did not work would continue his political career where he was always interested in the conditions of the people and trying hard to solve, waste at the same time agreeing to work as deputy for any candidate since he does not see himself in this position but that any candidate crossing the revolution Cisande completely from his position as a citizen.

With regard to the Muslim Brotherhood said Sabahi they are part of the Egyptian national movement and respects their role, but I do not want any abuse against any such power of the Brotherhood does not accept the dominance of any of them.

The private sector, public and cooperative basis of the Renaissance must be the independence of the judiciary and the Al-Azhar

As for the economy, he said Sabahi will depend on the lead role of capitalism in Egypt next to a large public sector free from the forces of corruption, where he saw the renaissance of the country would achieve in the private sector and the cooperative.

He explained that with the independence of Al-Azhar is the voice of true Islam, an institution which reflects the conscience of the Egyptians and capable to offer Islam discourse of the Renaissance not default, asserting that he will always be with the full independence of the bloom and the election of Sheikh Al-Azhar where it should be treated Al-Azhar as a scientific high regard.

The judiciary has confirmed that it would be Sabahi in demanding complete independence of the judiciary that cleanses itself, pointing out that more than two want that they get respect and money are the judge and teacher. He noted as well as to the speed of litigation as the judiciary and the slow implementation of the judiciary will bring democracy.

Sinai and the key to good urban density Sahmiaa

And on the Sinai said it was the key to good in Egypt and reconstruction of existing in the program and Christmiha heavily urban population as this is the best protection strategy for the Sinai, and stressed that the citizen Sinai will be a citizen of the first class and the right Alsinaoan in the ownership of land and houses will be preceded by the right of any Egyptian citizen. He added that the people deserve an apology from the Sinai, who tried to question the patriotism and even though they were in the face of the gun, saying: "You are the people of Sinai Aattiytwa this country and the nation will give you a lot, God willing, and Sinai renaissance and prosperity of the country which is holy ground."

He said he plans to build hundreds of villages in Nubia and her family will return to their land, saying: "144 people of the village of Nuba and adopted them as ambassadors to Egypt in the Nile Basin countries to keep the waters of the Nile."He stressed that the Sinai and the Nubian first-class citizens in Egypt and the country will not be the citizen first and second degree.

We will restore security and youth will have the largest share in the project of the Renaissance

With regard to security Sabahi said that the police serve the people and should be required and that the motto be efficient in the case management role, as well as the need to reconsider in the curriculum of the police, and raise the salaries of its employees. He stressed that security in the country where the will of the President if he wants to achieve security is security means will achieve social justice, ethics and behavior upscale, it must maintain the triangle of social justice, values and power high-end biased to the masses in order to achieve security.

Sabahi added that the youth are the ones who Seachzu share fully in the Renaissance project, which will be done depending on them, will also raise salaries in their favor, as well as the care system of unemployment and health care system, noting that Egypt needs to the utmost ambition of youth.

He expressed confidence in young people of Egypt, which has demonstrated in the revolution of January 25 that he is worth and in the confidence of the people within 6 months from the beginning of the presidency will not stay on the corrupt in the country. He promised to give young people Sabahi jobs a reality in the country to eliminate corruption and will be with the legislation that would give opportunities a reality in the local councils for young people.

As for the April 6 Movement Sabahi said: "April is part of Egypt's youth, who showed his opinion I do not want one that attacks them, we want to rejoice that our youth and our children became their opinion."

Also discussed Sabahi to level, saying he loves the people level and grateful to them, and knew he was being marginalized did not take their right to private and poverty in rural level greater than the poverty in rural sea, saying: "Our program gives priority to the level, and the establishment of banks, non-asthmatic, and solar power project will give us what gave him the oil of the Gulf. " He added that the people of Upper Egypt are the ones who built the pyramids until the first of the High Dam, the time has come to take all of Egypt was built right in it.

Will not be trying for a war with Israel in Egypt Vhrby against poverty, corruption, unemployment, spinsterhood

And Egypt's foreign policy pointed Sabahi to the United States pole heads in the world and will respect their interests with them if they respected the interests of Egypt and will not be subject to the White House, but Israel, a country Shoenh did not never been with the Camp David but he would not seek a war with Israel Vhrabh only will be in Egypt against poverty, corruption, unemployment and spinsterhood.

He added: "I will give to Israel will not be humiliated natural gas to Israel, Egypt's role is its strength and its weight in the nation and the world will not be a follower of Israeli policy."

And art in Egypt, he said Sabahi that there is no society without art, creativity and the ability to say man what's inside in the house of poetry or music or sing or play, stressing that he would not come to Egypt for the moment possible under which to destroy her art or restrict the art of expression as well as that he canceled all the provisions of law which restricts opinion.

The Sabahi that the percentage of successful elections, 51% of the second round and God help him God in the first round and if entered the run-off will be with the candidate, political parties, saying: "I confirm that our faith in our Lord and our confidence in our people enough so we will celebrate Pantsarna in the battle of building a state of freedom, social justice and dignity"

Hollande defeats Sarkozy to win French election

2012-05-06T17:40:00.000-07:00

François Hollande won the French presidential election on Sunday, capturing more than 51 percent of the vote to defeat incumbent Nicolas Sarkozy and become France's new president, according French television.

Sarkozy, who has held the French presidency since 2007, grabbed 48.1 percent, according to the polls.

Hollande, the 57-year-old socialist challenger, narrowly edged Sarkozy, also 57, in a preliminary election two weeks ago, but since he did not win with an absolute majority, France law required a runoff between the top two candidates.

Sunday's victory means France will have its first Socialist president since Francois Mitterrand, the country's president from 1981 to 1995. In voting Sarkozy out of office, French voters expressed their discontent over Europe's debt crisis

French television declared the election for Hollande immediately after the polls closed Sunday. Moments later, Sarkozy told his supporters that he called Holland to congratulate him, and to concede victory.

"I take the responsibility for this loss," Sarkozy said. "I'm ready to become a French person among French people, and more than ever I have the love for my country deeply ingrained in my heart."

Osama bin Laden documents released: trove from Al-Qaida leader’s compound declassified

2012-05-03T08:14:00.000-07:00

A selection from more than 6,000 pages documents seized during the May 1, 2011 raid that killed Osama bin Laden were released on Thursday by West Point's Combating Terrorism Center, giving the public a rare glimpse into the Al-Qaida leader's terror plans and largely solitary life.

A total of 17 documents totaling 175 pages--uncovered from bin Laden's Abbottabad compound by U.S. forces.--were released by the CDC. Both the Arabic originals and versions translated and summarized in English were posted on the center's website shortly before 9 a.m. ET.

As was previously reported, some of the documents show that bin Laden ordered the assassinations of President Barack Obama and U.S. Gen. David Petraeus, but did not have the resources to carry out the killings.

"Obama is the head of infidelity and killing him automatically will make [Vice President Joe] Biden take over the presidency for the remainder of the term, as it is the norm over there," bin Laden wrote in a letter to one of his top lieutenants. "Biden is totally unprepared for that post, which will lead the U.S. into a crisis. As for Petraeus, he is the man of the hour in this last year of the war, and killing him would alter the war's path."

The earliest letter is dated September 2006 and the latest April 2011, the CDC said. The internal communications were authored by several al-Qaida leaders, including bin Laden, Atiyya Abd al-Rahman, Abu Yahya al-Libi and Adam Gadahn, the terror group's American spokesman.

Given that the electronic documents were "saved on thumb drives, memory cards or the hard drive of Bin Laden's computer," the CDC noted, it's unclear whether any of these letters reached their intended destinations.

In another letter, bin Laden vows to avenge the war in Afghanistan, while assuring one of his deputies that America does not have the financial resources to continue it.

"They struck us and we will strike them back," he wrote, according to the CDC's translation. "This year has been the worst year for them in Afghanistan since they invaded it. The number of their dead has never been this high according to their own reports. Their financial crisis continues. Britain has lowered is defense budget and America is reducing the budget of the Pentagon. Anyone who knows the world and knows politics, knows that it is impossible for them to continue with the war."

In another, bin Laden compares two of Al-Qaida's enemies: Arab leaders and America, concluding that the U.S. should remain its most important target:

Greenpeace Blue Shield Guards headed to Tripoli

2012-04-26T02:31:00.002-07:00


Last Sunday April 22 - 2012, Greenpeace Blue Shield Guards headed to Tripoli - North Lebanon to celebrate Earth Day. The Guards along with other supporters and activists carried a real Blue Shield and marched from the coast of Tripoli to the solid waste dump "Jabal El-zbeleh" in the city. The Guards carried banners that called for a cleaner industrial sector, and the immediate stop of sewage run-off and the dumping of solid waste in the sea and on the coast of Tripoli

?When do Arabian Gulf Countries cancel the sponsor system “Al Kafeel”

2012-04-19T13:30:00.000-07:00

On April 18, 2012, the Egyptian Organization for Human Rights (EOHR) issue

a detailed report entitled when do Arabian Gulf Countries cancel the sponsor system “Al Kafeel”? The report documents the situation of the Egyptian manpower in different countries in the world in general, and the Arab countries in particular. The report covered the situation of the Egyptian manpower in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which still uses the kafeel system. The system is criticized by many legal and manpower experts in different countries and labor organizations because of having no connection with the international standards of labor and human rights

The report discusses how the Egyptian manpower suffers a lot under Al Kafeel system and how their families suffer inside and outside Egypt too. The enormous population increase in Egypt leaded to looking for working opportunities in the Gulf Countries. The Arabian businessmen hired millions of Egyptians in their companies because of their law salaries, in comparison with others from other countries.

The first section covers the legislative frame of the right of employment including different international conventions that guaranteed the right of labor such as the constitution of the International Labor Organization, founded in 1919, the International Covenant for Civil and Political Rights, article 6 and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, article 23 in addition to many other international covenants in connection with the legal basis for recruitment of migrants, covenant no. 97, year 1949, and recruitment discrimination, covenant no. 111, year 1958.

The second section covers the situation of the Egyptian laborers abroad in general and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in particular. This section discusses the problems of Al Kafeel system including the corruption of many sponsors, Kafeels. Many of the sponsors keep the Egyptian laborers’ money in their banking accounts for a long time and that naturally deters them from leaving the kingdom. The report also discussed accepting non-suitable jobs, immediate deportation, changing contracting terms of the laborers after arriving in the recruiting country and high cost of work permissions.

The third section tackles model cases of Egyptian laborers came under human rights violations in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia, observed and documented in years 2010 and 2011. Many human rights and political activists, who struggled to cancel the sponsorship system, were sent to prisons, while the Egyptian authorities have been doing little efforts towards saving the rights of the Egyptian citizens abroad. In this regard EOHR tried to provide some recommendations for facing these kinds of serious human rights’ violations, as follows:

- Placing a national strategy for enhancement of the situation of Egyptian laborers and migrants abroad, in cooperation with the Egyptian embassies abroad

- Immediate investigation of the torture incidents

- Calling the Arab countries for reconsidering their labor legislations

- Calling the Arabian Gulf Countries for canceling Kafeel system

- The new Egyptian constitution should mention the right of Egyptians abroad for political participation and voting

- Starting negotiations with the authorities in the Arabian Gulf Countries to allow sending fact finding missions of local and international civil society organizations to follow up the situation of laborers

- Reorganizing the standards of recruiting Egyptian laborers abroad and having agreements signed with the Arabian Gulf Countries

- Reactivation of the role played by the Egyptian labor offices abroad in order to protect the Egyptian citizens’ rights

- Unifying the rules of the companies working on recruiting Egyptians abroad

- Construction of a comprehensive system for taking care of Egyptians abroad

- Establishing of the Egyptian migration fund

- Providing the Egyptian citizens abroad with legal awareness related to their rights and duties and the necessity of registration with the Egyptian consulates abroad

- Establishing a new governmental authority, affiliated to the Ministry of Manpower, to handle the Egyptians’ complaints against sponsors in order to be banned from recruiting Egyptian citizens in the future

- The listed violating sponsors should be banned from recruiting Egyptian manpower for 5 years.

7 citizens including two Egyptians charged of incitement against the rulers

2012-04-12T12:26:00.001-07:00

Saudi Court of Criminal announced on Wednesday, a judge may be appealed against Yusuf Al-Ahmed the academic preacher and faculty member in Jurisprudence Department of “Imam Muhammad bin Saud University in Riyadh of five years in prison and travel bans plus a fine of $ 100 thousand Dollars.

Yusuf was arrested last July after posting a video on “YouTube”, criticizing the policy of a Saudi Arabia detective system, which is spreading terror among people, and sent a letter to the king of Saudi Arabia and his interior minister holding them the responsible of the thousands of detainees in prisons without trials, and warning them of the injustice and its effects, and demanding that the Saudi king would devote some time to these issues as the time he devoted to attend a sports match. That was what annoyed authorities to arrest Yusuf on charges of violating public order, and dissemination of what raises sedition and incitement to the guardians.

The decision was also taken against six others in the same case, including two Egyptians one of them is sentenced of two years imprisonment and a fine of 10 thousand Riyals, and the other is sentenced of a fine of 3 thousand Riyals. Two other defendants were sentenced of imprisonment for two years and a fine of 10 thousand Riyals each. Two others were delayed for consideration of the judgment on Monday at their stand before the Court. The six of them are facing charges of production of what affect s the public security, storage and publishing it via Internet including calls and supports for the ideology of a terrorist organization outside the Kingdom. The court also decided the deportation of the Egyptians after the end of their sentences to prevent their entry to the Kingdom again.

ANHRI said: “We demand the immediate release of all defendants in that case without conditions, as it is absurd to judge a person for demanding freedom of another person and the Saudi government has to respect the law and the human right of opinion expression even if the rulers don’t like the opinion! ANHRI is also demanding refrain from accusation of incitement against the rulers for whoever tries to criticize the policy of the State, Such charges are nothing but ironic.

An Appeal to the UAE: Release seven reformers

2012-04-09T12:33:00.001-07:00

Cairo on April 9, 2012

ANHRI denounces UAE authorities arresting six activists of reformers deprived of their nationality by the government order titled ”the seven citizens” for refusing to sign a pledge to search for another nationality to them.

An official officer of Immigration and Nationality Service of Emirates called on Monday morning for six activists to ask them to amend their status within two weeks and to sign a pledge to search for another nationality for them claiming their presence in the country is now illegal after the withdraw of their nationalities four months ago. The six activists insisted on not signing especially that there is no official decision stating stripping off their citizenship and as a result of this officials decided to arrest them immediately upon verbal command.
Reformists are detained now in Al Shahama prison in Abu Dhabi were accused by treason as agents for foreign bodies for their signatures on a reform petition was proposed to the ruler of UAE demanding legislative reforms which was not accepted by the government who punished them by penalty of deprivation of nationality last December. Now forcing them to choose between migration and selection of a nationality other than where they were born or the prison.
These six citizens are:
Ali Hammadi, Mohamed Abdel-Razzaq al-Siddiq, Shaheen Al Hosni, Hussein Al-Jabri, Ibrahim Marzouki and Ahmed Ghaith Al Suwaidi.
They have filed a lawsuit objecting withdrawing their nationality, but judiciary did not consider it yet.
ANHRI said: “It’s a shame to expel people – mandatory – from their homeland, and pressure them to either immigration or prison therefore ANHRI asked and continue to call upon the government and foreign affairs of UAE to re-consider the status of these activists and restore their right to identity. And the UAE authorities must release these activists immediately and listen to the wise voices demanding reform within the state. ”

Iraqi journalist killed by an explosive device in Tikrit

2012-04-05T13:58:00.001-07:00

ANHRI deeply regrets the killing of the Iraqi journalist Kamran Salahuddin last Mond night by an explosive device planted in his car becoming the second journalist to be physically liquidated this year in Iraq.

Unknown persons on Monday April 2 at the center of the city of Tikrit assassinated 34 years old Kamran Salahuddin, Broadcaster of Saladin television channel and correspondent Al Shark newspaper.

The press died immediately following the explosion of an explosive device planted in his car by anonymous who are not until now detected.

It is worth noting that Kamran is not the first journalist to be killed in Iraq, where Hadi al-Mahdi the journalist also was killed last October by gunmen for criticizing the policies of the permanent Iraqi government and the call to protest against it on his personal page on Facebook.

On the other hand the elements of the Iraqi army on Wednesday stopped a French press at “Le Bon” and another Iraqi journalist when crossing the checkpoint Arab Jabour, south of the capital Baghdad, and detained them in humiliation for more than three hours under the pretext of security measures, despite the presence of all approvals required for their crossing which proves the detention was no more than an intended abuse.

ANHRI said: “We are deeply sorry for what journalists face in Iraq of arrest and persecution and assassination.”

“Freedom of opinion and expression should never threaten lives and the Iraqi government should work to disclose the culprits who are behind the assassinations carried out against journalists and hold them accountable immediately assuring the protection of them and ensuring their safety profile, and launching freedom of opinion and expression within Iraq, without interference from the government, whether by threat of arrest or any abuse” Added ANHRI.

condemns 3 years prison sentence against Kefaya activists

2012-04-03T21:24:00.001-07:00

After a series of acquittals in cases of killing demonstrators, second sentence in a demonstration case

in less than a week

ANHRI condemns the judgment of Al Azbakeya Misdemeanors Court imprisoning Kefaya

activists Tarek Medhat Ibrahim al Sunni and Mahmood Morshedi for 3 years. They both were detained since 28 February 2012 for their solidarity with group of former judges in a sit-in in front of the High Court demanding independence and purge of judiciary and condemning what happened in the so-called “foreign funding” case.

The activists were chanting slogans against the Egyptian Public Prosecutor before the security forces detained them then the general prosecution accused them officially of occupation of the High Court building, disabling and insulting public officers and exposing power against the officials, lawyers and citizens in addition to possession of knives!

After the prosecutor decided to jail them up referring them to Al Azbakeya Misdemeanor Court for case number 1848 of 2012 the court held its first meeting on 18 March, 2012 then postponed it to 25 March then decided today for hearing the rule.

ANHRI was extremely annoyed by the suspicion of complicity of the Public Prosecution that was obviously biased against the defendants because of chanting slogans hostile to the General Prosecutor, which was clear when a 40 minutes defense was provided asking for possible capital punishment against activists in a rare incident in cases of misdemeanors.

ANHRI said: “After a series of acquittals in cases accusing police officers by killing demonstrators, the Egyptian Courts had issued two judgments of rigorous imprisonment against activists in cases of demonstrations in less than a week. Beside this harsh sentence of imprisonment against Kefaya activists for demonstrating demanding independence of judiciary, the Misdemeanors Court of Rod El Farag last Thursday ruled another imprisonment against 8 activists in a fabricated case by the security services during the reign of Habib Al Adli before the outbreak of the Egyptian revolution. That case was also of a demonstration to denounce the terrorist bombing was subjected to the Church of the Saints, which is a sharp decline of the right to freedom of peaceful demonstration after the success of January 25 revolution concerning this right”.

ANHRI condemns the attack against Al Jazeera Journalist

2012-03-27T16:09:00.001-07:00

Cairo 27 March 2012

ANHRI condemns the physical assault against Al Jazeera channel office director in Tunisia Lutfi Haggi who was attacked on 24 March while covering the activities of the meeting of a group of parties in Almenestar sports hall.

Lutfi who received an official invitation to the meeting of more than 50 parties representing different streams to cover its activities was shocked when he was kicked out of the meeting by some of the participants claiming he has different political approach. Not only that but he was severely beaten outside the hall.

ANHRI said: “The attack against any press while performing his job is unfortunate and sure is a clear violation against freedom of the press and the violation against a citizen who has different opinions is another violation against freedom of expression.

ANHRI added: “The violations against freedom of the press and media in Tunisia are still going on despite the end of the era of the tyrant “Ben Ali” with other forms of tyranny.

Based on this, ANHRI calls upon the Tunisian authorities to hold accountable all those involved in the attack on the press, and keep a commitment to be dedicated to the principle of respecting the law and the protection of freedom of opinion and expression

تونس : الشبكة العربية تدين الاعتداء على صحفي “الجزيرة”

القاهرة فى 27 مارس 2012

أدانت الشبكة العربية لمعلومات حقوق الانسان اليوم, الاعتداء البدنى الذى تعرض له مدير مكتب قناة “الجزيرة” فى توس لطفى حجى يوم السبت الماضى الموافق 24 مارس 2012 أثناء اداء دوره المهنى فى تغطية فعاليات إجتماع مجموعة من الاحزاب فى قاعة “المنيستير” للألعاب الرياضية.

وكان ”لطفى ” مدير مكتب قناة “الجزيرة” قد توجه الى الاجتماع بناء على دعوة رسمية لتغطية فعاليات الاجتماع الذى يضم اكثر من 50 حزب يمثلون تيارات مختلفة, الا انه فوجىء بمن يطردونه من الاجتماع بحجة انه ينتمى لتيار سياسى مختلف عنهم, ولم يتوقف الامر عند ذلك بل تعرض للضرب المبرح خارج القاعة.

وقالت الشبكة العربية لمعلومات حقوق الانسان ” ان الاعتداء على الصحفى أثناء اداء دوره المهنى أمر مؤسف وإنتهاك صريح لحرية الصحافة , والاعتداء عليه كمواطن لميوله السياسية إنتهاك أخر لحرية التعبير”

وأضافت الشبكة العربية ” ان الانتهاكات التى طالت حرية الصحافة والاعلام فى تونس مازالت مستمرة رغم إنتهاء عصر “بن على” المستبد وان كان أخذ الاستبداد أشكال أخرى “

وعلى هذا تطالب الشبكة العربية لمعلومات حقوق الانسان ” السلطات التونسية بضرورة محاسبة كل المتورطتين فى الاعتداء على الصحفى, تكرسيا لمبدأ سيادة القانون وحماية لحرية الراى والتعبير “

Jew Abdullah bin Saba

2012-03-25T13:46:00.000-07:00

في بلاد الشيعة - بلاد الفرس - شمال شرق إيران

مقبرة منعزلة جبلية بعيدة, إسمها "خالد نبي" أصبحت مركز سياحي جذاب:

حجارة المقابر كالعضو الذكري و الأنثوي يعلوها مصلى صغير في أعلى التلة

يعلم عبدالله بن سبأ, اليهودي, أن الفرس يعبدون الأعضاء الجنسية, لهذا إستهدفهم بإسم الإسلام, كما فعل بولس اليهودي بإسم المسيحية

أعمال الرسل 24: 5 و 14 - 18

In Persia- land of Shiite sects – in northeastern Iran

Far isolated cemetery, on a mountain, called Khalid Nabi, sumouted by a small place to pray, that is becoming :abig tourist attraction The gravestones shaped like male and female genitals organs

“Jew Abdullah bin Saba’” knew Persians worshipped sex organs…, preached a new sect, Shiite, in the name of Islam, as the jew Paulpreachead new sect, Christianity, in name of Messiah.

Acts 24:5 & 14 - 18

خالد نبي

مقبرة معزولة بعيدة عالية في الجبال, بقيت من 1400 سنة, من القرن السادس, عدد الشواهد هو لحوالي 600 شخص. ... الشواهد هي رموز أعضاء ذكورية و أنثوية, هي من عبادة الجنس التي مارسها الفرس, الهندوس, اليونان و الرومان, جذورها لم تزل موجودة بإيران و أطرافها.

Khalid Nabi

Scientists say the far isolated cemetery is of 1,400 years old, of 6^thcentury, and number of headstones, of the graves of at least 600 people. ... The tombstones are representations of male and female genitals. It is from the phallic worship practiced in Persia, India & Greco-Roman cult; it roots still in the country of Iran & it periphrics.

Architect Marwan Yafi

Detention of poet ongoing, website blocked

2012-03-17T07:35:00.002-07:00

ANHRI denounces the Saudi authorities’ defiance of law and lack of respect for the values and principals of human rights, manifested in the ongoing detention of Habib Ali al-Maatiq, poet and photographer, since 22 February 2012 without stating reasons or details, in addition to the blocking of al-Fajr Cultural Network’s website (http://fajrweb.net)on no legal basis.

The detention of al-Maatiq is a continuation of the detention campaign organized by the Saudi police in the Eastern Province. Thus far, no reasons for his detention have been made public. This incident also coincides with the blocking of al-Fajr Cultural Network website.

Al-Maatiq has received numerous poetry and photography awards within and outside Saudi Arabia. He had been detained nine years ago for three years because of his reformist political opinions. Today, he is detained once again under the silence of the Saudi mass media which is controlled by the Saudi government. Since his detention, no news have been reported about him except on some independent or international websites.

“It is clear that repression and detention in Saudi Arabia have become a systematic approach against any one suspected to oppose the despotic performance of the Saudi government which derives its persistence from the flagrant collision of the international community. The latter has become accustomed to turning a blind eye on the blatant violations of the Saudi government against its critics, especially opinion makers and the Shiite minority. The list of prisoners of conscience is getting longer every day and they find support only from few independent media outlets and many Saudi and Arab pro-democracy activists, a fact that outrightly exposes the international community’s silence that reeks of oil and prioritization of interests at the expense of the rights and freedoms of the Saudi citizens,

Gulf Business Magazine: Top 100 World Most Influential Arabs for 2012

2012-03-08T13:55:00.000-08:00

Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Egypt, Tunisia,

the most influential.. Bouazizi, Al-Waled Bin Talal, Ahmed Bin Saeed and Hamad Bin Jassim in the front

Charles El-Achi, Abdalla Alnajjar and Farouk El-Baz the most prominent scientists.. Waleed Bin Ibrahim and Ahmed Bin Jassim more importantly in the Arab media

The known "Gulf Business" Magazin recently declared the list of Top 100 World’s Most Influential Arabs for 2012, these figures cover various sectors: finance, real estate, science and technology, culture and society, and trade. "Gulf Business", in spite of the radical changes caused by the revolutions of Arab spring in the region, the magazine chose the young Tunisian Mohamed Bouazizi, who burned himself, and seen as a symbol of the revolution of Tunisia, and the beginning of a spark revolutions of the spring Arab countries to occupy the first place, followed by prince Al-Waleed Bin Talal Bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud chairman of Kingdom Holding Company, Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum Chairman of Emirates Airline sheikh Hamad Bin Jassim Bib Jabr Al-Thani chairman of Qatar Investment Authority, the Yemenite Tawakul Karman Nobel ppeace prize winner, Mohamed Ali Alabbar chairman of Emaar, Khalid Al Falih CEO of Aramco, Mohammed El Erian CEO of PIMCO, Hassan Abduall Al Thawadi secretary general of Qatar 2022 supreme committee, Carlos Ghosn CEO of Renault Nissan. They occupied the top 10 places.

New interest in sectors of science and technology, media and the media

“Gulf Business” expressed, this year, a keen interest in science and technology sector, having been neglected compared to other sectors of finance, real estate, trade and investment, especially as the field of science and technology is one of the strategic bases of any development in Arab societies, especially those that suffer from high rates of unemployment, and the urgent need to pay the rates of economic growth and create jobs and increase wages, within the changes of the Arab Spring in the region. A list of top Arab personalities most influential in the field of science and technology, Dr. Charles Al-Achi (Lebanese origin U.S. nationality) is a specialist in the field of space technology the first category in the order of science and technology, No. 17 in the list of top 100, and Dr. Abdalla Alnajjar (Emirati) president of the Arab Science and Technology Foundation (ASTF), second most influential Arab figures in science and technology, and No. 43 in the list of top 100. He work supports exceptional research activities conducted by scientists from the Arab region by attracting investments from around the world. Followed by Dr. Farouk El-Baz (an American of Egyptian origin) Director of Center for Remote Sensing at Boston University ranked 55, and came after him, Dr. Samia Al-Amoudi (Saudi Arabia) active in the field of cancer and was ranked 79. The fifth character is Sir Magdi Yacoub (British of Egyptian origin) known heart surgeon who held the position 97 in the list of top 100, and notes the absence of Dr. Ahmed Zewail of the list.

The media sector received the attention in this list, which was neglected in the past, and became plays a pivotal role in the general Arab issues, especially the Arab revolutions. The influential persons in this sector are: Sheikh Waleed Bin Ibrahim Al-Ibrahim (Saudi) chairman of MBC Group ranked 66 and sheikh Ahmed Bin Jassim Al-Thani (Qatari) director general of Al-Jazeera ranked 40, the Egyptian journalist Ayman Mohyeddin ranked 48, the Emirati Sultan Sooud Al Qassimi current affairs commentator occupied the 86 and the editor in chief of the daily Newspaper Al Quds Al Arabi Abdel Bari Atwan ranked 100 (Palestinian resident in the UK).

Influential sectors and countries

An analysis of existing data for Arab nationals, that is most influential in terms of sectors and geographical distribution in the Arab Region. We find that the sectors were arranged: Finance in the first place the number (26) characters, in the second place industry (16) personalities, culture and society (14), energy (9), real estate (8), transport (7), Science and Technology (5), Media (5), telecommunications (5), trade (3), politics and law (2), and varied (1). For the nationalities of the most influential figures, came in first place Saudi Arabia with (26) figures, Unite Arab of Emirates (25) Persons, Kuwait (11), Qatar (11) Personal, Egypt (8) including two in America and one in Britain, Bahrain (5) including one in the UK and two in the UAE, United Kingdom (5), Jordan (3) including one in the UAE and another in Bahrain, the United States (3), Lebanon (2), and one person each from Libya, France, Austria, Australia, Oman and Greece.

Form the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), we can mentions: prince Al-Waleed Bin Talal Bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud chairman of Kingdom Holding Company (2), Khalid Al-Falih CEO of Aramco (7), Ali Bin Ibrahim Al-Naimi minister of petroleum and mineral resources (11), Dr. Fahad Al-Mubarak governor of SAMA (14), Bakr Bin Laden chairman of Bin Laden Group (18), Mohamed Bin Issa Al-Jabr chariman of MBI International (19), Lubna Olayan CEO of Olayan Financing Company (20), sheikh Sulaiman Bin Abdul Aziz Al-Rajhi chairman of Al-Rajhi Bank (25), Abdullah Bahamdan CEO of NCB (28), Sheikh Waleed Bin Ibrahim Al-Ibrahim chairman of MBC Group (36), sheikh Saleh Kamel chairman of Dallah Al-Baraka (37), Mohammed Abdul Latif Jameel president of ALJ (38), Mohammad Al-Amoudi chairman of Midroc (47), Khalid Al-Mudaifer CEO of Maaden (52), Amr Al-Dabbagh SAGIA governor and chairman (54), Dr. Abdul Rahman Al-Zamil chairman of Al-Zamil Holding company (57), Jawad Ahemd Bukhamseen founder and chairman of Bukhamseen Group (60), Saud Bin Majed Al-Daweesh CEO STC Group (63), Princess Ameerah A-Taweel Bin Saud (65), Abdul Rahman Fadley CEO of Almarai (67), and Tariqu Abdulla Al-Qahtani chairman of Aldel Hadi Abdullah Al Qahtani Group (71).

Came from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) the following influential figures: Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum Chairman of Emirates Airline who occupied the 3^rd place, Mohamed Ali Alabbar chairman of Emaar properties ranked 6, Hamad Al-Ka’abi UAE's permanent representative to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) (16), Khaldoon Khalifa Al-Mubarak CEO of Mubadala (22), Abdulla Nasser Al Suwaidi CEO of ADNOC (31), Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair CEO of Mashreq Bank (32), Sheikha Lubna Al Qassimi UAE minister of foreign trade (34), Dr Abdalla Alnajjar president of the Arab Science and Technology Foundation (ASTF) ranked 43, Khalaf Al Habtoor chairman of Al Habtoor Group (45), Fatima Al Jaber COO Al Jaber Group (49), Sultan Nasser Al Suwaidi UAE central bank governor (50), Khadem Al Qubaisi chairman of Abbar Investments (58), Ala’a Eraiqat CEO of Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (64), Dr. Sultan Al Jaber CEO of Masdar City (72), Salam Hareb CEO of Economic zones world and JAFZA (80), Mohammad Omran chairman of Etisalat (84), Sultan Sooud Al Qassimi current affairs commentator (86), Majid Al Futtaim president of MAF (89), Badr Jafar executive director of Crescent Petroleum (94), Saeed Fadhel Al Mazrooei CEO of Emal (96) in addition to Abdulla Al Futtaim (98).

From Qatar, there are 9 influential personalities who are: sheik Hamad Bin Jassim Jaber Al Thani CEO of Qatar Investment Authority (4), Hassan Abdullah Al Thawadi CEO of Qatar 2022 Supreme Committee (9), Khalid Bin Khalifa Al Thani CEO of Qatargas (12), Akbar Al Baker CEO of Qatar Airways (230, Shiekha Moza Bint Nasser chairperson Qatar Foundation (26), sheikh Ahmed Bin Jassim Al Thani director general of Al Jazeera TV (40), sheikh Hanadi Bint Nasser Bin Khalid Al Thani businesswoman (56), Nasser Marafih CEO of Q Tel Group (62) and sheikh Abdullah Bin Nasser Bin Abdullah Al Ahmed Al Thani owner of Malaga FC club in Spanish league (69), Omar Hamad Al Mana chairman of Almana group (69), Huassin Ebrahim Al Fardan chairman Alfardan Group (90).

From Kuwait, there are 9 influential figures that are: Sheikh Salem Abdul Aziz Sabah governor of Central Bank of Kuwait (21), Mohammed Alshaya chairman MH Alshaya (24), Ibrahim Dabdoub (Palestinian resident in Kuwait) CEO of NBK (30), Hussam Fawzi Al-Kharafi CEO of Kharafi Group (39), Mohammed Al-Ghanim chairman of Al-Ghanim Industries (53), Bader M. Al-Sa’ad CEO of Kuwait Investment Authority (61), Marwan Marzouk Boodai CEO of Boodai Group (69), Nabeel Bin Salamah CEO of Zain (82), Dr. Naif Al Mutawa creator of the 99 and clinical psychologist (89), Maha Khalid Al Ghunaim chairman of global investment house (92).

From Bahrain, we mentions: Talal Al Zain chairman of Mumtalakat (42), Adel Ali (Bahrian resident in the UAE) chairman of Air Arabia (70), Nemir Kirdar chariman of Investcorp (76) Bahraini resident in the UK, Mishal Kanoo Chairman of the Kanoo Group (87), and Samir Majali chairman of Gulf Air (91) (jordanian resident in Bahrain).

The influential Arabs figures that are residents in the occidental countries: architect Zaha Hadid (Iraqi origin British nationality) ranked 33, fashion designer Elis Saab (Lebanese origin resident in France) ranked 35, Abdalla Salem El-Badri OPEC secretary general (Libyan resident in Austria) ranked 51.

The list included a number of famous names from Egypt, among them: Wael Ghoneim the leaders of a revolution of January 25

ranked 13, journalist Ayman Mohiuddin (48), the famous singer Amr Diab (59), Amr Khaled preacher (73) and Eng. Naguib Sawiris ex-chairman of Mobinil ranked 77. In addition to the other characters, including: Abdel Hamid Shoman (Jordan) president of the Arab Bank ranked 41, and Lebanese fashion designer Zuhair Murad ranked 66, rapper Tunisian Hamada Ben Amor (27), and human rights activist lawyer Fathi Terbil Libyan nationality ranked 29.

Kuwait: Kuwaiti Writer on Trial

2012-03-04T13:45:00.001-08:00

ANHRI condemns the referral of Mohamed al-Melify to the Criminal Court on charges of “spreading false news that would divide the

society”, “offending the Shiite Twelver doctrine”, and “libeling the MP Ahmed Lari”.

n 12 February 2012, the public prosecution issued a decision to summon al-Melify. On 20 February, it decided to detain him pending investigation for 12 days in the Central Prison. The court fixed 12 March 2012 for the first hearing of the case. On 3 March 2012, al-Melify released a communiqué from his cell in the Central Prison, fiercely condemning the Kuwaiti authorities, and especially the parliament for its silence over his case.

On a different note, the Criminal Court has fixed 14 March 2012 to hear the case of Nasser Abel, blogger, on charges of “offending the identity of the Emir of Kuwait” on Twitter. The court also refused to release another Internet activist detained on charges of “offending a judge and the reputation of the judiciary” on Twitter as well. The verdict of this case is due on 6 March 2012.

“This trial is a blatant violation of freedom of opinion and expression as enshrined in the Kuwaiti constitution and international conventions ratified by Kuwait,” said ANHRI.

ANHRI calls on the Kuwaiti authorities to reconsider the trial of Mohamed al-Melify and to immediately release him

Malaysian and Egyptian Organizations Condemn the Deportation of Saudi Journalist

2012-02-29T14:47:00.000-08:00

The Center for Independent Journalism (CIJ) and the Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (ANHRI) denounce in the strongest terms the Malaysian and Saudi authorities’ blatant disregard for due process and international norms in the secret rendition of Saudi journalist Hamza Kashgari. Kashgari, wanted by the Saudi authorities for tweets which allegedly insulted Islam and Prophet Muhammad, was deported by the Malaysian authorities on 12 February 2012.

Kashgari fled Saudi Arabia when his life and well being were threatened despite his apology and removal of his aforementioned tweets. Detained at an undisclosed location since his arrest on 9 February at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport, Kashgari was denied access to legal counsel, as well as the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR). He was deported hastily, reportedly in a private plane supplied by the Saudi authority in the morning of 12 Feb, while awaiting a court injunction against his deportation. His lawyers managed to obtain an injunction order a few hours following his deportation.

Blasphemy is a crime punishable by death in Saudi Arabia, and sending Kashgari back amidst public calls for his execution for “insulting Islam and Prophet Muhammad” is nothing short of a death sentence.

“Only in Saudi Arabia could a blogger get executed because of his tweets,” the organizations said. “The international community should play its role in the protection of human rights and freedom of expression.”

As civil society organisations from Malaysia and Egypt, CIJ and ANHRI are alarmed that Malaysia, a two-term member of the Human Rights Council (HRC), violated international norms against forced deportation (non-refoulement) when it sent Kashgari back to Saudi Arabia, a fellow member of the HRC. The collusion between these two countries in the deportation of Kashgari is a blight on their human rights record and their membership in the HRC.

The undersigned organizations urge the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, and the UN Special Rapporteur on the Promotion and Protection of the Right to Freedom of Opinion and Expression:

(a) to investigate if Kashgari’s deportation is in accordance with the relevant international norms and standards set forth in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights or in the relevant international legal instruments accepted by the States concerned;

(b) to seek clarification from the Malaysian and Saudi Governments on the arrest, detention, denial of due process, and deportation of Kashgari;

(c) to assist Malaysia and Saudi Arabia, both members of the Human Rights Council, to implement international human rights standards on the ground to prevent similar cases in the future;

(d) to investigate claims from human rights organisations which said charges against Kashgari were politically motivated, given his public activities in solidarity with protesters in Syria, and aimed at silencing political dissent and curbing online activism in Saudi Arabia.

Based on this, the undersigned organizations urge these UN human rights bodies to help protect Kashgari’s right to free expression and hold the Malaysian and Saudi Governments accountable for their actions.

The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information

The Centre for Independent Journalism Malaysia

Media professionals Calling for the Emancipation of Maspero Investigated

2012-02-21T15:41:00.000-08:00

The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information and the Association for Freedom of Thought and Expression (AFTE) are deeply disturbed over the persecution faced by the media professionals who call for the emancipation and the restructure of the Egyptian Radio and Television Union (Maspero) to eliminate ongoing corruption in control since the era of the ousted dictator Hosni Mubarak. They also call for the change of the editorial policies which have turned Maspero into an apparatus in the hands of the authorities, expressing a single viewpoint. In addition to that, millions of pounds from the Egyptian people’s capital are squandered because of the lack of a standardized and fair statute for the wages, and also the lack of supervision by an independent council on the administrative affairs within the Union.

On 20 February, the legal affairs of Maspero’s presiding office summoned three directors of al-Qahira channel; Abdel-Latif Abou-Hmila, Ali Hasanein Abou-Hmila, and Khaled al-Ashry, and the program editor Sayed Said Gom’a, known as Essam Said, for investigation over the protest of 13 February which was organized by a number of Maspero’s media professionals within its premises. The protest demanded the reform of the media, administrative, and financial policies within the various sectors of the Egyptian TV. The protest first began outside “General” Ahmed Anis’ office, the Minister of Information, yet received no response. The protesters then decided to escalate their protest to pressure the Minister into meeting them and hearing their demands, so they went up to the second floor where the live broadcast center is. The military soldiers in charge of securing the building cordoned them to separate the protest from the broadcast center. The officials told them that the Minister had left the building, prompting the protesters to head to the 27th floor where several studios are, among of which Studio 27 which live broadcasts the TV show “Studio 27″. They called on the head of the Radio and Television Union to host representatives of them on air in the show and receive a call by the Minister so they could present their demands. After contacting him, the Minister of Information refused. In fear of the emergence of the protesters’ voices during live broadcast, the administration of the TV was prompted to not broadcast the episode on air and broadcast a recorded episode of the same show instead.

It is worth noting that Ehab al-Mergawy, a director of Nile News channel, encountered a similar incidence. He was investigated on 19 February and was suspended from work for tow weeks because of a banner he had held behind the presenter of al-Mash’had show during live broadcasting. Al-Mergawy had “Freedom for Nile News” written on the banner.

These incidents are part of a movement calling for the reform of state-owned media, which started during the Egyptian revolution because of the policies pursued by the official media that made it a major accomplice in the ousted regime’s crimes. Maspero’s complicity was created through a barrage of lies and fabricated news presented to the public opinion. Hence, the protesters in Tahrir Square were prompted to show solidarity with media professionals’ demands related to the purge of the media to turn it into media that seeks public service, not the service of the authorities.

Grave malpractice and moral errors have continued even after the ouster of Mubarak. For example, Maspero presented a biased coverage that incited the public opinion against the Coptic protesters during the Maspero sit-in. During the Ministerial Cabinet events, Maspero also presented an inciting and falsified coverage that adopted the authorities’ viewpoint. In response, staff within Maspero and the media professionals working in its various sectors are currently engaged in a struggle aiming at the change of policies from within through protests and sit-ins. The most famous initiative is the Movement of Nile News Media Professionals, who have escalated their demands calling for the independence of the channel’s editorial policy. During the first anniversary of the revolution, they organized a sit-in in front of the Minister’s office to pressure for the broadcast of a film called “My Name Is Tahrir Square”, which they succeeded in broadcasting it on the Egyptian TV.

ANHRI and AFTE stress on the necessity of the emancipation of the media system owned by the Egyptian state from the control of any power or political authority. Such emancipation will turn the media into a pattern of public service and enable it to develop, entrench freedom of opinion and expression, contribute to the protection of the democratic framework currently being formed in the Egyptian society. Most of the media experts and those concerned about the Egyptian media agree on these principles, which makes us all responsible for supporting the movement calling for the media’s emancipation, led by honorable media professionals within the Radio and Television Union.

Thus, the two signatory organizations announce their full solidarity with all Maspero’s media professionals who are currently under all forms of intimidation and administrative persecution. In support of the full right to exercise all peaceful forms of expression and protesting within a workplace, ANHRI and AFTE denounce making a scarecrow out of disruption of work, breach of job obligations, squandering of public capital, and storming live broadcast studios. These scarecrows are used to seize and distort the right to protest and freedom of expression. Therefore, the two organizations call on the civil society, media experts, and the People’s Assembly to come together and pressure for a legislation emancipating state-owned media. This legislation should restructure the media so it brings social justice for the staffers of the media institutions and conforms to the standards of professionalism and sober media performance. An independent board of trustees composed of media and societal cadres should supervise the steps to meet the society’s needs for a public service to ensure the impartiality and professionalism of the service provided.

$425 package includes 60 minutes in heaven aboard private plane

2012-02-19T16:57:00.002-08:00

A private Ohio airline is serving up sex on an airplane, luring customers who yearn to join the “Mile High Club.”

The “romantic” $425 package includes 60 minutes in heaven aboard a private plane, champagne, chocolate and a “very discreet pilot,” according to the company’s website.

The Cincinnati-based Flamingo Air says it’s the only one in the country that allows customers to do the dirty deed.

قررت شركة طيران في مدينة سينسيناتي في ولاية اوهايو ان تضيف خدمة جديدة الى قائمة الخدمات التي تقدمها على متن الطائرة، اذ تسمح لركابها بممارسة الجنس خلال الرحلات الجوية.
وبحسب موقع نيويورك دايلي نيوز، فان هذه الطائرة تقدم: 60 دقيقة في “الجنة” على متن طائرة خاصة، فضلا عن الشامبانيا والشوكولا وطيار “كتوم الى حد كبير”، والعرض كله بقيمة 425$.
وقد اكدت شركة الطيران هذه، انها الوحيدة التي تقدم مثل هذه الخدمات، والهدف منها هو حث الزبائن على الانضمام الى نادي الميل العالي لممارسة الجنس على متن الطائرات في الأجواء.
يذكر انه في الماضي كانت هذه الرفاهية متوفرة للأثرياء وعلى متن طائرات خاصة، اما الان فباتت متاحة للجميع، اذ يحصل الثنائي على اسرة مناسبة وأغطية نظيفة ولاحترام خصوصية الزبائن يتم انزال الستائر وايقاف عمل سماعات الصوت، فضلا عن استخدام آلة توقيت خاصة لإبقاء الزبائن على علم بالوقت المتاح لهم.

ANHRI condemns detention of Egyptian labor activist, foreign journalist and student

2012-02-14T13:40:00.000-08:00

ANHRI condemns the security services for their detention of Kamal al-Fayoumi, labor activist and member of the Revolutionary Socialists movement, in the city of Mahalla on 11 February 2012 because of his call to participate in a general strike demanding both the accomplishment of the Egyptians revolution’s goals and power handover from the Military Council to a civilian authority. A number of parties, movements, and political powers shared the same call to protest the inaction of the Military Council in the implementation of the Egyptian revolution’s goals, and its use of the same policies of Mubarak’s regime as in the restriction of public freedoms.

Prior to al-Fayoumi’s detention, yet on the same day, the security services detained an Australian journalist, an American student studying in the American University in Cairo, and their interpretor while in the city of Mahalla. They were all brought to investigation before Mahalla prosecution on charges of “inciting civil disobedience”. The case file and the police report were withdrawn from the prosecution during its investigations on 12 February, and the case is now being investigated by an anonymous sovereign body.

It is worth noting that al-Fayoumi is one of the prominent labor leaders who was detained on 6 April 2008 due to his activity during the famous 6 April strikes of Mahlla city. He remained under detention for approximately 75 days in Borg al-Arab prison. He was released after the mentioned events had subsided.

“The interim Egyptian authorities administering the transitional phase still target the supporters of the revolution and restrict freedoms the same way Mubarak’s regime did. The authorities neglect our ongoing calls to stop the setback of the goals and gains of the Egyptian revolution, and have no respect to freedom of expression without which a democratic transition cannot be” said ANHRI.

“Strike is a peaceful and legitimate means of protest. It is strange that an activist is detained for inciting peaceful protest in defense of a revolution in which over 2000 protester sacrificed their lives for democracy, public freedoms, and economic rights. Therefore, as we are expressing our surprise over the infringement on the authority of the prosecution and the withdrawal of the case file from it, we call on the Egyptian authorities to release Kamal al-fayoumi, the Australian journalist, the American student, and their interpretor immediately. We also call on them to cease their ongoing attempts to defame the pro-democracy movements and to besiege freedom of expression” added ANHRI.

Morocco: Le Nouvel Observateur Magazine Confiscated

2012-02-09T14:01:00.000-08:00

ANHRI condemns the Moroccan authorities for their confiscation of the last issue of the French magazine Le Nouvel Observateur due to its publishing of an image adopted from the French-Iranian film Persepolis.

The mentioned issue of the magazine was supposed to be distributed on 2 February 2012 and addressed Persepolis, an animated film about the suffering of an Iranian family following the Iranian revolution in 1979, forcing the family to travel to France. Morocco, however, had not succumbed to Iranian pressures to ban the film in May 2008 and was shown in the Meknes International Festival of Animated Film (FICAM). It was also shown in the Casablanca Film Festival (Casa Cine) in 2007.

This is not the first time Persepolis has been the center of a controversy. The head of the Tunisian satellite TV Nesma is currently being tried for airing the film dubbed into Arabic. His next hearing is expected to be held in April 2012.

“Freedom of opinion and expression is guaranteed by international conventions. The Moroccan authorities have to guarantee this right. Censorship and confiscation policies belong to the past and are no longer valid at this age, especially in the light of the Arab Spring” said ANHRI.

ANHRI condemns the arrest of the rapper Anis Al-Marabty

2012-02-05T15:44:00.000-08:00

The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (ANHRI) condemned today the arrest of the Tunisian rapper Anis Al-Marabty (27 years) known as “Volcanis” for singing a song entitled “Shy Matbadel” [Nothing has Changed]

Anis was arrested at his home in the Tunisian capital last Wednesday Feb. 1 by six plain- clothed policemen, who also confiscated his computer after asking him if he is the author of “Nothing has changed”, then took him away to an unknown place till his family founded him after 24 hours at a security unit at Shousha, facing charged of using drugs!!

In the same time the Ministry of Interior has annulled in its statement posted on its page on the social networking website “Face Book” that Anis was arrested for a song, but for using and dealing in drugs, along with other 10 accused persons, including two girls.

Anis’s song labels most of the political parties as militias, sees Al-Nahda party’s winning of the elections and Monsef Al-Marzouqy taking reign as a repetition of the scenario of Ben Aly’s regime, with all its despotism and freedoms restriction. The song also talks about unemployment, the increasing number of the sit-ins and the raising of prices.

This is the first time after the Tunisian revolution to arrest a rapper, for the famous rapper known as the General was the last to be arrested under Ben Aly’s rule for his anti- regime songs.

ANHRI said “arresting a rapper for an anti- regime song is a defective attitude incompatible with freedom of expression in the country where the Arab spring inaugurated” adding “the Tunisian authorities should release the rapper or submit real and not fabricated evidence to prove he is involved criminally, given that Ben Aly’s regime had been using fabricated criminal charges to gag journalists and dissidents

Bahrain Curbs Freedom of Expression with Trials

2012-02-01T20:30:00.000-08:00

The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (ANHRI) denounced today the Bahraini authorities for restraining freedom of expression and media freedoms. In its session on 30 Jan., the Bahraini Cassation Court held the Military court’s sentence to 18-month imprisonment against the female activist Fadeelah Mubarak, for joining peaceful protests and listening to anti-regime songs. In addition, the lower criminal court is trialing today Waheed Alballoushy, media professional, and tomorrow the female journalist Reem Khalifa.

On 20 March 2011, Ms. Mubarak was arrested at Alrefa’ region, south west of the Bahraini capital AL Manama, while in her car listening to songs calling for change, she was stopped by security men, forced to turn off the recorder, and assaulted by beating. She was submitted to the exceptional national safety court with charge of “listening to revolutionist songs” and “participating in peaceful protests”. On 17 May 2011, the court sentenced her to 4-year imprisonment. Fadeelah challenged the ruling before the Military Court of Appeal which alleviated it to 18- month imprisonment on 8 June 2011. But, after ending the emergency state, Fadeelah’s defense challenged the last ruling before the court of cassation which held the ruling on 30 January 2011.

Waheed Balloushy, media professional and internet activist, was summoned to the public prosecution on 2 Jan. 2012, to be questioned about a complaint submitted by Alasala Alislamia Association (a Salafist organization), in which the association charges Balloushy with insulting an Islamic symbol in his writings that censure the association.

Reem Khalifa, journalist at AlWasat newspaper, was attacked, beaten and insulted by a group of pro-government while leaving Ramad hotel after attending a press conference organized by an Irish delegation on the issue of the Bahraini medical delegation arrested in February 2011. The group of pro-government have cordoned, attacked and insulted Ms. Khalifa who, afterwards, filed a lawsuit charging them with “assault and insult” but, instead of questioning them, Ms. Khalifa was shocked when she was sent to trail with charges of “libel and slander” and “physical assault”, to be turned from an accuser to an accused. The Lower Criminal Court is to examine her case tomorrow 2 February 2011.

Also, Bahrain’s Appeal Court decided today to adjourn the case of the activist Naser Alras for a ruling session set to be on 16 February 2012. Naser is one of the 13 Bahrainis who were arrested last year for participating in the peaceful demonstrations, and was sent to trail with charge of assembling. The 1^stinstance court had sentenced them to periods ranging from 2 and 5 year imprisonment with charges of “participating in illegal assemblies and riots” and “inciting against authorities”. When the group of activists appealed the sentence, the court of appeal acquitted 12 of them, while the trial of Naser, who was sentenced to 5 year imprisonment, continued. In its session held today the court decided to adjourn the case for a ruling session set to be on 16 February 2012.

ANHRI said “since the commencement of the Bahraini uprising in February 2011, the Bahraini government has been curbing freedom of expression and the opposition. Ending the emergency state did not change a thing, for, instead of trialing the dissenters before military courts, the authorities now trail them before criminal courts, just to put more restrains on freedom of expression and gag the dissenters with unfair trails”

ANHRI calls upon the international society, the Arab society and all the freedoms defenders in all over the world to break the fence of silence built around the crimes committed against the Bahraini revolution and take immediate action to exert pressure on the authorities to end these unjust trials against activists, journalists and media professionals

Kim Kardashian: Covers Cosmopolitan Body February2012

2012-01-28T13:30:00.000-08:00

Enjoy the pictures of the American beauty Kim Kardashian on the cover Cosmopolitan Body magazine for the February 2012 issue

Luxor African film festival (LAFF)

2012-01-14T11:33:00.000-08:00

مرحبا بكم فى النشرة الدورية لمهرجان الاقصر للسينما الأفريقية، هنا سوف تجد معلومات وأخبار عن المهرجان وأقسامه والعديد من الأنشطة التى تنفذ على مدار السنة ..

Hello… in the newsletter of the LuxorAfrican film festival (LAFF), here you will find information and news about the festival and its divisions and many of the activities carried out throughout the year

Bienvenue au bulletin du Festival de Louxor du film africain.

Ici vous trouverez les informations et les nouvelles concernant le festival, ses sections et plusieurs activités menées tout au long de l’année.

News Letter 1

تنطلق فعاليات الدورة الأولى من مهرجان الأقصر للسينما الافريقية فى الفترة من 21 الى 28 فبراير القادم , وينظم المهرجان " مؤسسة شباب الفنانين المستقلين " وبدعم من وزارات الثقافة والخارجية والسياحة , وبالتعاون مع محافظة الاقصر ..

وأكد سيد فؤاد مؤسس ورئيس المهرجان بأن الدورة الأولى تضم العديد من الفعاليات حيث تقام مسابقة للأفلام الروائية الطويلة وأخرى للأفلام القصيرة ( تسجيلى ,روائى ,تحريك) و ورشة لشباب السينمائيين فى القارة الأفريقية وملتقى لدارسى السينما ، و ينظم المهرجان مسابقة لدعم إنتاج سيناريو فيلم روائى طويل

Kicks off the first session of the festival of African cinema shorter in the period from 21 to 28 next February, and organizes the festival, "independent Shabab foundation" with the support of the ministries of culture and foreign affairs and tourism, in cooperation with the governorate of Luxor

Sayed fouad founder and president of the festival that the first session includes many events which are held a competition for feature and another for short films (documentary, narrative) and a workshop for young filmmakers in the African continent and a forum for cinema students, and the festival organizes a competition to support the production of the screenplay for a feature film

La première édition du Festival de Louxor du film africain se lancera du 21 au 28 février prochain et est organisée par la « fondation des jeunes artistes indépendants», avec le soutien des Ministères de la Culture, des Affaires étrangères et du Tourisme, en coopération avec le gouvernorat de Louxor...

Le fondateur et président du festival, Sayed Fouad, a affirmé que la première édition comprendra de nombreuses activités dont une compétition pour les films du long métrage et une autre pour le court métrage (documentaire, fiction, animation), ainsi qu’un atelier pour les jeunes cinéastes au continent africain et un forum pour les apprenants du cinéma. Le festival organisera un concours pour soutenir la production du scénario d’un film narratif de long métrage.

يقيم المخرج سمير سيف لقاء خاص مع دارسى السينما ضمن فعاليات "ملتقى دارسى السينما الافريقية " يتضمن عروضا لمشروعات الطلبة وتحليلها , وسوف يقام الملتقى قبيل افتتاح المهرجان بيومان وتستمر فعالياته لمده ثلاثة أيام تنتهى فى حفل الافتتاح بصورة تذكاريه لأصغر دارس سينما مع أكبر ضيوف المهرجان عمرا من فنانى القارة ..

وأكدت عزة الحسينى المدير التنفيذى للمهرجان أنها تلقت طلبات من 9 دول افريقية بالإضافة لمصر لمشاركة طلابها ضمن فعاليات الملتقى وهذه الدول هى " اوغندا , بوركينا فاسو , رواندا , فانا , ليبريا , السودان , تنزانيا , اثيوبيا , كينيا "

· سمير سيف مخرج مصرى من مواليد القاهره عام 1947 تخرج من المعهد العالي للسينما – قسم الإخراج – في يونيو 1969 ..عمل كمساعد مخرج مع شادي عبد السلام وهو ما زال طالباً في الفيلم الروائي القصير ( الفلاح الفصيح ) ، وبعد تخرجه عمل كمساعد مخرج مع يوسف شاهين في النسخة الثالثة والأخيرة لفيلم ( الناس والنيل ) ، ثم كمساعد مخرج مع حسن الأمام ، وفى عام 1972 أخرج أول فيلم روائي قصير بعنوان ( مشوار ) عن قصة ليوسف إدريس ، وفي عام 1975 اخرج أول فلم روائي طويل بعنوان بعنوان ( دائرة الانتقام ) ..

حصل سيف علي جائزة أفضل مخرج سبع مرات من مهرجانات عديدة ..كما حصل علي درجة الدكتوراة ويعمل بالمعهد العالي للسينما أستاذا للإخراج السينمائي والتليفزيوني .. كما يتولي سمير سيف رئاسة لجنة السينما بالمجلس الاعلي للثقافة وتم تكريمه من المهرجان القومى للسينما المصرية ومن مهرجان الاسكندرية على مجمل اعماله

The director Samir Seif hold a private meeting with the cinema students within the activities of "forum learners of African cinema" includes bids for projects of students and analysis, will be held two days before the opening of the festival and will run for three days, ending at the opening ceremony in commemoration of the smaller schools cinema with the largest festival guests a lifetime of artists of the continent..

Azza el Hosseiny the executive director of the festival confirmed that it had received requests from 12 African countries, in addition to Egypt for the participation of students in the activities of the forum and these countries are "Uganda, Burkina Faso, Rwanda Ghana, Liberia, Sudan, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Kenya”

· Samir Seif Egyptian director was born in Cairo in 1947, graduated from the Higher Institute of Cinema - Department of Directing - in June 1969... worked as an assistant director with Shadi Abdel-Salam, which is still a student at the short fiction film (el Flah el Faseh), and after graduation he worked as an assistant director with the Youssef Chahine in the third and last edition (el Nass we el Nile), then as assistant director with Hassan el Emam, and in 1972 directed the first short feature film (Meshwar) for the story of Yusuf Idris, and in 1975 directed the first featured film entitled (Daeret al Entekam)..

· Saif won the Best Director award seven times from Many festivals and earned a Doctorate degree and works at the Higher Institute of Cinema as a professor of film and television directing... Samir Seif also is Chair of the Film Commission in the Supreme Council for Culture and has been honored by The National Festival for Egyptian Cinema Festival of Alexandria for his work on the overall

· Le réalisateur Samir Seif tiendra une réunion privée avec les apprenants du cinémadans le cadre des activités du « forum des apprenants du cinéma africain» comprenant la projection et l’analyse des projets d'étudiants. Le forum se tiendra deux jours avant l'ouverture du festival et dureront trois jours. Il se terminera lors de la cérémonie d'inauguration en prenant une photo souvenir pour le plus jeune étudiant au cinéma avec les plus grands hôtes du festival des artistes du continent..

· De son cote, la directrice exécutive du festival, Mme Azza el-Husseini, a souligné avoir reçu des demandes de 9 pays africains, outre l'Egypte, pour la participation de ses étudiants aux activités du forum. Ces pays sont "l’Ouganda, le Burkina Faso, le Rwanda, le Libéria, le Soudan, la Tanzanie, l’Ethiopie, le Ghana et le Kenya."

· Samir Seif est un réalisateur égyptien et né au Caire en 1947. Il est diplômé de l'Institut Supérieurdu Cinéma –département de la mise en scène- en Juin 1969.. Il a travaillé comme assistant-réalisateur avec Shadi Abdel Salam dans son film du court métrage «le Paysan éloquent»,lorsqu’il était encore

يحضر المخرج الجزائرى لخضر حمينه الحائز على سعفة كان الذهبية عن فيلم " وقائع سنوات الجمر " بانورما طريق الفيلم الأفريقى .. ويعرض الفيلم ضمن 15 عملا سينمائيا تمثل مراحل تطور السينما الافريقية منذ بدايتها حتى الآن

· لخضر حمينه مخرج جزائري و ممثل وكاتب حوار سينمائي ولد 1934عام فى مدينة المسيلة في الجزائر. تابع دراسته في فرنسا, ثم غادرها إلى تونس أثناء الثورة الجزائرية .. أخرج عام 1974 فيلمه الشهير وقائع سنوات الجمر والذى حقق شهرة عالمية كبيرة انتهت بفوزه بسعفه كان الذهبية ليظل حتى الآن العربى الوحيد الذى نال هذه الجائزة

From guests of the African Panorama film the Algerian director “Mohammed Lakhdar-Hamina” the winner of the Palme d'Or for the film "The facts of embers years- Chromium des années de braise”... The film shows within 15 works cinematically represent the evolution of African cinema since its beginning until now

• Mohammed Lakhdar-Hamina Algerian director, actor and film dialogue writer was born in 1934 in the city gas in Algeria. Continued his studies in France, and then left to Tunisiaduring the Algerian revolution.. Out in 1974 and his "The facts of embers years- Chronique des années de braise” which achieved international fame by winning the Palme d'Or remains. So far he is the only Arab who won this awar

Le réalisateuralgérien « Mohammed Lakhdar-Hamina » lauréat du Palme d'or de Cannes pour le film « les vérités desannées de braises » le parcours du film africain. Ce film a été projeté parmi 15 chefs d’œuvre cinématiques qui représentent le développement du cinéma africain depuis son début jusqu’à présent.

Mohamed Lakhdar-Hamina est né en 1934 à la ville M’Sila en Algérie. Il est un acteur, réalisateur et scénariste. Il a fait ses études en France, puis a gagne la Tunisie lors de larévolutionalgérienne. Il a remporté la Palme d'or à Cannes pour son œuvre la plus célèbre : « Chronique des années de braise », un film remarquable sur le plan technique (en couleur, en format panoramique et en son stéréophonique).

المخرج الراحل عثمان سمبين سيكون نجم الندوة الرئيسية لمهرجان الاقصر للسينما الأفريقية ، حيث تتناول الندوة تاريخه وأهم خصائص اعماله وحياته , كما يضم المهرجان ندوة أخرى بعنوان " الشفاهة فى الفيلم الأفريقى ، ويعرض المهرجان الفيلم الأفريقى الأول " سائق الكارو " لسمبين الذى يعد رائد السينما الأفريقية .

*من خلفية فكرية يسارية متمردة على عكس نشأته في أسرة متدينة توقعت له أن يصبح رجل دين كعمه، وُلد المخرج عثمان سمبين في مطلع 1923 في منطقة زيجوينشور من إقليم كاسامانسي النَّهري في شمال السنغال.

وبالرغم من التوترات الدينية والعرقية التي شهدتها منطقته إلا أن سمبين اتسم بفكره الماركسي واعتنق الحداثية والعلمانية وهو ما يتضح في فيلمه الذي قدمه 1977 "تشيدو".

وانصب إهتمام سمبين الفكري طوال سنوات عمره في البحث عن أفريقيا الأولى،

وعلى الرغم من أنه لم يتمكن من إستكمال دراسته في الصغر فلقد استطاع في عام 1962 أن يحصل على بعثة دراسية من الإتحاد السوفيتي سابقاً، لدراسة الإخراج في معهد موسكو السينمائي، ليبدأ رحلته في الإخراج بعدها ويصبح من أوائل المخرجين الذين واجهوا تحديًا كبيرًا من أجل ظهور الأفريقي على الشاشة.

وعلى مدار مشواره الفني قدم سمبين العديد من الأفلام ومنها الفيلم الوثائقي إمبراطورية سونجهي وفيلم بوروم ساريه، كما كان أول أفلامه الروائية الطويلة بنت سوداء والحوالة المالية.

Ousmane Sembène rebel modernist pioneer of African cinema

The Intellectual background of the leftist rebel unlike growing up in a religious family expected him to become a cleric, such as his uncle. The director Sembène was born in early 1923 in the Ziguinchor in Casamance to a Muslim Wolof family.

Despite the ethnic and religious tensions witnessed by his area. Sembène characterized his thought and embraced Marxist modernist and secular which is evident in his 1977 film Ceddo,

The focus of attention Sembène intellectual throughout his years in the search for Africa

Although he was unable to complete his studies at a young age but he was able in 1962 on a scholarship from the former Soviet Union, to study directing at the Moscow Institute Film

To begin his journey in the output then becomes one of the first directors who have faced a great challenge to the emergence of the African on the screen

Over the course of his career Ousmane Sembène made many films, including the empire documentary Borom Sarret, as it was his first feature film black girl and Mandabi (English: The Money Order).

The Cinema Ousmane Sembène will be the main issue of the main (LAFF) seminar, where addressing the seminar date and the most important characteristics of his work and his life, also includes a festival symposium entitled "Alchwehh in the film African", the festival presents the first African film "driver Karo" to Sembène which is a leading African cinema .

Le réalisateurdéfunt OusmaneSembene, sera le star du principal colloque du festival de Louxor du film africain. Ce colloque traitera son histoire et les plus importantescaractéristiques de ses chefs-d’œuvre et sa vie. Le festival comprendra un autre colloque sous le titre « le griot au film africain ». Le festival projettera le premier film africain « lecharretier» (Boromsarret)de Sembeneconsidéré comme le pionnier du cinéma africain.

Ousmane Sembene, le pionnier du cinéma africain

Le réalisateur Ousmane Sembene est né dans la région de Ziguinchor du fleuve Casamance au nord du Sénégalen 1923. Il est issu d’une famille pieuse et a adopté la pensée de gauche rebelle et ce contrairement à ce que sa famille a pensé qu’il sera un homme de religion comme son oncle.

Malgré les tensions ethniques et religieuses dont témoigne sa région,Sembene est caractérisé par sa pensée marxiste et a embrassé la modernisation et la laïcité qui est évidente dans son film"Ceddo"projeté en 1977.

Durant toute sa vie,Sembene a accordé un vif intérêt à la recherche de L'Afrique primitive.

Malgré qu’il n’a pas pu achever ses études, mais il a obtenu un stage scolaire de l’ancienne union soviétique en 1962 pour étudier la mise en scène à L'Institut national de la cinématographie à Moscou, afin de débuter sa carrière au domaine de la mise en scène. Il est devenu un parmi les premiers réalisateurs ayant affronté un grand défis pour la parution de l’Afrique sur l’écran.

Au cours de sa carrière artistique, Sembene a présenté plusieurs films dont le film documentaire « l’Empire Sonhrai » et « BoromSarret » (Le Charretier). Son premier film narratif de long métrage était «La Fille noire » et « le mandat ».

Preliminary report on the observation mission of the Egyptian Coalition for Electoral Observation

2011-12-15T10:51:00.000-08:00

On December 15, 2011, the Egyptian People’s Assembly elections in the second phase in Giza, Menoufia, Sharkia, Ismailia, Bani Suef, Suez, Behaira, Sohag and Aswan Governorates. The second phase includes 2241 independent candidates competing for 60 seats and 1429 candidates for the political parties’ lists. 10922 judges are supervising the Egyptian electoral process.

The Egyptian Coalition for Electoral Observation includes 123 development and human rights’ civil society organizations in 26 governorates countrywide. The coalition has formed an equipped operation room for receiving the statements of the local and international observers on the situation in the polling stations. The operation room, located at the Egyptian organization for Human Rights (EOHR), includes specialized officers from the Andalus Center for Human Rights Studies and EOHR.

The most serious problem witnessed within the first parliamentary elections after the Egyptian revolution was the late opening of the most polling centers. Electoral camping of many religious and independent candidates was witnessed on the second voting day in addition to thuggish acts.

This statement shows the electoral violations until 11 am:

First: late opening:

The coalition observers documented late opening of the polling stations no. 644 and 649 in Sheikh Zayed School and the Tourism School in Sheikh Zayed, constituency 4.

In Ismailia, the polling stations no. 617 and 618 in Fayed Islamic institute and the Secondary School in fayed, did not open until 9 am.

In Suez, the polling stations no. 9 and 9 in Al Ghareb School opened at 8.30. the head of the polling center attended late to the site.

Second: campaigning:

The coalition observers monitored campaigning materials in Mostafa Kamel School, Giza, for Al Nour Political Party. Freedom and Justice Political party was promoted in Al Haram Commercial School in Giza. There were campaigning materials for Al Nour Political party in Al Saf School for Girls in Giza and campaigning materials for Al Imam Ali School in Giza for the independent candidate Ahmed Amr Abdel Ghani in addition to campaigning materials for another independent candidate in Om Al Abtal School in Talbia, Faisal, Giza.

In bani Suef, Freedom and Justice Political Party was promoted in Damas Preparatory School. In Sharkia, Al Nour Political Party was promoted in Al karin and Abdel Aziz Radwan Schools.

Freedom and Justice Political Party was promoted in Fayed School in Ismailia. In Aswan, there were campaigning materials in Abu Al Resh Kebly School for Al Nour Political Party and the Islamic Institute in Kaleh Al Gabal. In Suez, Ashraf Abdel Daiem, the candidate of Freedom and Justice Political Party was promoted in Al Ganaien and some of his supporters were arrested by the military police. The police report no. 31, Damanhor, was filed against campaigning in front of Sami Al beshri and Abdel Moniem Riad Schools, for Misr Al Thawra Political Party.

Third: electoral problems inside the polling stations:

The coalition observers documented non existence of phosphoric ink in the polling stations no. 644 and 649 in Sheikh Zayed School in Giza. The supporters of Freedom and Justice Political Party were promoting their candidates in the polling station no. 73, in Gamal Abdel Naser School in BolK Al dakror, Giza. In Bani Suef, one of the candidates was registered within a list of one of the political parties and as an independent candidate in the same time.

Fourth: group voting:

The observers documented group voting in the polling station no. 648 in Sheikh Zayed School in Giza and polling stations no. 139 and 140 in Shahid Atef Al sadat School in sakiat Mekky.

Fifth: banning civil society representatives:

The civil society organizations’ representatives were banned from entering the polling stations no. 708 and 713 in Hassan Abdo School in Edfo and polling stations no. 726 and 727 at the Islamic Institute in Kaleh Al Gabal, Aswan.

Sixth: attacking supervision judges:

One of the supporters of Al Nour Political Party has insulted the supervision judge in the polling station no. 996 in Al Saf Preparatory School for Girls, Giza. The judge had to end voting in the polling station.

Seventh: group transport

The observers of the Egyptian coalition monitored group transport of voters to meet Rahina School in Badrishen, Giza with the car no. 924 for Al Nour Political Party.

In Behaira, the microbus no. 1753 was transporting voters to Sidi Ghazi School to vote for Freedom and Justice Political Party and the microbus no. 9247 was transporting voters to Ezbet Al Omal School for Al Nour Political Party. The bus no. 7496 was transporting the voters from Manshiat Abu Kir to vote for Al Nour Political Party.

Eighth: electoral fraud:

Al Zakazik School for Girls in Sharkia witnessed electoral fraud. The voter Alia Mohamed Abdel Rahman, no. 583 went to the polling station no. 73 and found out that somebody voted instead of her. When the voter complained against the fraud, a police officer has beaten her.

Ninth: non existence of ballots:

The officials in the polling station no. 178 in Mohamed Karim Primary School in Al Bahr Al Azam, Giza, stated that they had no ballots at 10.15 am.

Tenth: thuggish acts:

A clash took place between the supporters of Al Nour Political Party and the Egyptian Bloc. The military police ended the clash.

Eleventh: absence of supervising judge:

The juridical supervision was absent in the polling stations no. 139 and 140, Atef Al Sadat School in sakiat Mekki, Giza