North Africa and Middle East

Trusted news agencies tracing tendencies of democratisation and autocratisation globally

Clean elections16. February

Israeli opposition leader Lapid warns of another election defeat

Judicial constraints on the executive16. February

Trump attacks Israeli President Herzog in row over Netanyahu pardon

Equality before the law and individual liberties16. February

Rallies around the world against Iran protest crackdown

Equality before the law and individual liberties13. February

Iran media: two reformist figures arrested in protests released

Iranian media have reported the release of two senior reformist leaders arrested during mass protests in January. The news came as rights activists said the death toll in the protests had reached at least 7,000 and as talks between Tehran and Washington proceed.

DNA

Freedom of expression and alternative sources of information12. February

Vance says "if Iranians want to overthrow regime, that's up to them"

The current focus of the Trump administration is to ensure that Iran does not have a nuclear weapon, US Vice President JD Vance says, in confirming that regime change is not high on the US agenda. He adds that it is up to Iranians if they want to overthrow the regime.

DNA

Equality before the law and individual liberties09. February

Iran arrests prominent reformist politicians after mass protests

The protests in Iran have subsided again, brutally ended by the rulers in Tehran. Now the government seems to want to nip any roots of new unrest in the bud – and is arresting people who are among the leaders of the reformers in the country.

dpa

Direct popular vote05. February

Iran opposition plans mass protest during Munich Security Conference

Exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi has named February 14 as a global day of action and solidarity with the uprising of the Iranian people. He urged Iranians abroad, especially those in Munich, Los Angeles and Toronto to take to the streets and protest.

DNA

Equality before the law and individual liberties04. February

Iran formally allows women to ride motorcycles

Iranian women have breached another taboo, according to media reports in Tehran. The authorities are now issuing licences to ride a motorcycle after previously refusing to do so. For some time, Iranian women have been flouting the rules on covering their heads.

DNA

Equality before the law and individual liberties29. January

EU agrees to label Iran's Revolutionary Guard as terrorist group

The EU has agreed to designate Iran's Revolutionary Guard a terrorist organization and ban it. The move follows years of wrangling over the organization, which is seen as a state within a state. The guard's role in repressing recent protests was key to the decision.

DNA

Equality before the law and individual liberties29. January

Iran's president admits domestic failing as US masses forces in region

President Pezeshkian has called for the Iranian authorities to acknowledge shortcomings over recent protests in a rare sign of division in the country's leadership. The call comes as the US masses forces in the region and amid warnings of a strike aimed at regime change.

DNA

Clean elections26. January

Iraq majority bloc backs Nouri al-Maliki as next Prime Minister

In Iraq, the decision on the next prime minister is imminent. The bloc that holds a majority in the parliament in Baghdad has now chosen a candidate who has already held the office for several years. However, Nouri Al-Maliki is not without controversy.

AFP English

23. January

UN human rights commissioner Türk calls for end to violence in Iran

People in Iran have been protesting against the regime since the end of December and Iran’s response has been brutal violence. The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights is seriously concerned.

DNA

Equality before the law19. January

Soaring Iran executions seemingly 'tool of state intimidation': UN

According to human rights activists, several thousand people have been killed in the recent protests against the Iranian leadership. Criticism of Iran has also come from the UN, which accuses Tehran of using the death penalty as "a tool of state intimidation".

AFP English

Civil Society Participation16. January

Near-total internet blackout in Iran continues

The internet in Iran has been shut down for more than a week, in what is now one of the longest nationwide internet shutdowns ever, according to experts.

DNA

Civil Society Participation16. January

Trump says 'Board of Peace' formed to oversee Gaza transition

Much of the Gaza Strip lies in ruins with little sign of rebuilding work. In the meantime a board has been set up to coordinate the next steps in revitalising the territory as part of the US peace plan.

DNA

Equality before the law15. January

Iran denies plans to execute protesters - Internet still down

Iran has announced that it does not intend to carry out any executions for the time-being yet since the Internet in the country is still blocked no one outside the country can assess the truth of the claim.

DNA

Equality before the law and individual liberties14. January

Iran chief justice vows fast trials for suspects arrested in protests

Iran's Chief Justice has warned of summary trials for protesters, as Tehran accuses the US of creating a pretext for military intervention. Rights groups say thousands have died at the hands of security forces. Starlink has made dropped its fees, but the internet remains down.

DNA