UN human rights experts are urging Saudi Arabia to immediately release a number of women’s human rights defenders
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.
Tehran Merchants Join New Round of Iranian Economic Protests
Merchants in the capital’s Grand Bazaar held a rare protest Monday against the plummeting value of Iran’s currency
Worries Spike Over Reported Arrest of Dervish Iranian’s Lawyer
Iran has arrested a lawyer who defended a religious minority member executed by Iranian authorities on Monday
Leaked Erdogan Video Stokes Turkish Vote-Rigging Fears
The video shows Erdogan telling party officials to secure majorities on ballot box monitoring committees
Iranian World Cup Fans Unfurl Banner in Support of Women
The banner read “#NoBan4Women” and “Support Iranian Women to Attend Stadiums” during the match against Morocco
Rights Lawyer Who Defended Iran Headscarf Protesters Detained
Authorities detained a prominent rights lawyer who had recently defended women protesting the obligatory Islamic headscarf
PM Abadi Expresses Opposition to Repeat of Iraq Election
Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said on Tuesday he opposed any repeat of the May 12 parliamentary election
Egypt Arrests Leave Few Vocal Critics of Dictator el-Sissi
Prominent el-Sissi critics detained in what opposition activists say is an intensifying effort to crush all dissent
Crackdown Hits Egyptian Activists, Bloggers and Journalists
UN human rights office reports prominent bloggers, activists and journalists arbitrarily arrested and subjected to interrogation
Students’ Trial a Focal Point in Turkish Crackdown Criticism
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan labeled the students terrorists for protesting the military operation in Syria