Prominent human rights defender Dr. Mohammed Al-Qahtani continues to be ill-treated in Al-Ha’ir criminal prison in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia.
Middle East articles on Democracy Chronicles
View news about the struggle for democracy in the troubled Middle East where vast cultural change and persistent political violence cry out for democracy. Also see our World Democracy section and our articles on the ongoing Arab Spring.
Iran Hints at Using Foreign Militias in Domestic Crackdown
An influential Iranian cleric says Iran might bring Shiite militias to the country from other parts of the Middle East to fight threats to the government.
Brutal Crackdown by Hamas Follows Protests in Gaza
Palestinians across Gaza have taken to streets over past week to demonstrate spurred by taxes imposed by Hamas authorities on goods and high living cost.
Iran Urged Again to Free Human Rights Lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh
France ordered Iranian human rights lawyer Nasrin released and warned Tehran that its nuclear accord does not give it a blank cheque on human rights.
Dubai Finds Itself Entangled in Case Against R. Kelly
Dubai finds itself entangled in sex abuse case against American R&B singer R. Kelly after he asked a U.S. judge to allow him to come to sheikhdom to perform
Rare Protests Erupt Against Hamas 12-Year Rule Over Gaza
Hamas is facing biggest demonstrations against its 12-year rule of the Gaza Strip, hundreds of Palestinians taking to the streets in recent days to protest.
Egypt Tightens Restrictions on Media and Social Networks
Egypt’s top media regulator tightens restrictions on social media accounts with over 5,000 followers if they are deemed a threat to national security.
Court Hearing for Saudi Women Activists Draws World Criticism
A court hearing in Saudi Arabia for women activists is drawing some international criticism for perceived flaws in the kingdom’s human rights record.
Detained Saudi Women’s Rights Activists Brought to Court
Women’s rights activists in Saudi Arabia appeared in a closed-door court hearing Wednesday on unknown charges after being detained in a crackdown last year.
Saudi Arabian Women Human Rights Defender Al-Hathloul on Trial
Al-Hathloul was initially held in incommunicado and has been denied access to all legal support. She has also reportedly been subjected to severe torture.