North Africa and Middle East

Trusted news agencies tracing tendencies of democratisation and autocratisation globally

23. January

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

Equality before the law19. January

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

Civil Society Participation16. January

Near-total internet blackout in Iran continues

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

Freedom of expression and alternative sources of information13. January

UN calls on Iran to stop the violence and restore internet access

Calls for the Iranian government to restore internet access and to halt violent suppression of protests have come from around the world. Credible sources put the death toll above 600, while others speak of thousands. Iran accuses Israel and the US of stirring unrest.

DNA

Freedom of expression12. January

Iran internet shutdown has now lasted over 84 hours

Iran has been cut off from the internet for nearly four days now as protest continue and a brutal crackdown is feared. The number of fatalities is expected to be in the hundreds, but cut off from the outside world it is hard to be sure.

DNA

Freedom of expression09. January

Internet blackout hits Iran as protests spread on 12th day

The internet in Iran is currently severely restricted, little information is leaving the country. However, the protests by the Iranians against the economic conditions continue, and the son of the Shah, who was overthrown in 1979, has called for further demonstrations Friday.

AFP English

Freedom of expression08. January

Protests in Iran sparked by economic woes now nationwide: activists

Protests continue in Iran and have now spread across the entire country. Many questions arise: How big will the wave of protests become, how will leaders of the Islamic Republic respond, and will there be international intervention? It remains unclear when there will be answers.

AFP English

Equality before the law and individual liberties07. January

Thousands of ultra-orthodox protest in Jerusalem against conscription

Protests against conscription by ultra-orthodox Jews have erupted again, this time with a fatality when a man was crushed by a bus. While the army warns of a shortage of troops, the dispute threatens to bring down the Netanyahu government.

DNA

Freedom of expression and alternative sources of information07. January

Pezeshkian urges restraint as renewed protests erupt across Iran

Iranian security forces responded to renewed protests in Tehran's Grand Bazaar with teargas. Reactions to the cost-of-living protests that erupted last month have been more rigorous in the provinces, activists report. But President Pezeshkian has called for restraint.

DNA

Freedom of expression05. January

Israel says ban on Gaza media access should stay

Journalists have not been able to independently enter the Gaza strip since the outbreak of war in October 2023. In a new court document Israel argues this ban should remain in place as it's "necessary for security reasons".

DNA

Freedom of expression02. January

Iran protests continue as unrest spreads and 3 reported killed

Protest against Iran's authoritarian leadership continues amid a worsening economic crisis, costing the lives of at least three people.

DNA

Equality before the law and individual liberties30. December

Yemen declares state of emergency, orders withdrawal of UAE troops

The Saudi-backed government in Sana'a declared a state of emergency, halting cross-border movements and closing ports. It ordered out UAE forces supporting secessionists in the south. The UAE complied within hours. The dispute threatens peace talks with the Iran-backed Houthis.

DNA

Freedom of expression and alternative sources of information30. December

Iranian president urges: Listen to protesters' legitimate demands

Iranian President Pezeshkian, seen as a moderating influence on the country's clerics, has urged the government to listen to "legitimate demands" after cost-of-living protests erupted in Tehran and other cities. The protests are said to be the largest since the 2022 hijab riots.

DNA

Freedom of expression and alternative sources of information29. December

Egyptian pro-democracy activist apologises for past social media posts

Democracy activist Alaa Abd el-Fattah has apologised for several historic tweets in which he appears to call for violence towards Zionists and the police, but said some of the unearthed posts have been "completely twisted out of their meaning''.

DNA