Activism
Inside Out

HuMENA for Human Rights and Civic Engagement is dedicated to advancing the rights and empowerment of communities across the MENA region through strategic activism, advocacy, and collaboration.

Our approach transcends borders, resonating with a diverse array of stakeholders, including civil society, activists, citizens, and democratic governments.

Engaging people IN, FROM, and FOR MENA

HuMENA promotes civic engagement in the MENA region to address inequality and empower marginalized communities. They emphasize engaging the MENA diaspora in change-making and human rights promotion through three pillars: integrating emigration into local policymaking, fostering diaspora involvement through advocacy networks, and supporting collaborations with local civil societies. HuMENA aims to establish institutional systems that incorporate citizens’ voices in decision-making, enhancing government responsiveness. They collaborate with various stakeholders, including local civil society, the diaspora, and international organizations, for the betterment of the MENA region.

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Years of Experience

Statements & Press Releases

Press Releases

Egypt | January 25 Revolution, 15 Years On: A Human Rights Reading of Freedoms and Participation

On the fifteenth anniversary of the January 25, 2011 revolution, this moment is recalled as a point at which broad segments of

Press Releases

Tunisia | Criminalizing Journalism: Zghidi and Bessis Sentenced

During the hearing on 22 January 2026, the court sentenced journalists Mourad Zghidi and Borhane Bessis to three years and six months’

Press Releases

Tunisia | January 14 Revolution: No Legitimacy for Repression in the Name of Public Order.

Fifteen years have passed since the outbreak of the Tunisian revolution against injustice and tyranny, when the Tunisian people decided to break

News

Tunisia | A life-threatening health emergency for lawyer and former administrative judge Ahmed Souab in detention, and the State’s duty to ensure medical care and end the criminalisation of the right to defence and freedom of expression

HuMENA expresses deep concern regarding the serious health developments affecting lawyer and former administrative judge Ahmed Souab inside Mornaguia Prison on 5

Press Releases

Tunisia | HuMENA welcomes the release of Sharifa Riahi and her colleagues, but release is not enough. It is time to end the criminalisation of civil society work linked to protecting migrants and refugees.

HuMENA welcomes the decision to release, with a two-year prison sentence suspended (deferred enforcement), Sharifa Riahi, Mohamed Jaouou, Ayadh Boussalmi, Imen Wardani,

Joint Statements

One year since the arrest of Abdulrahman Yusuf al-Qaradawi: a year of complicity, enforced disappearance, and diplomatic failure

Today, 28 December 2025, marks one year since the arrest of Egyptian–Turkish poet and opposition figure Abdulrahman Yusuf al-Qaradawi in Lebanon. This

Joint Statements

Yemen | Joint Letter Calls for the Immediate and Unconditional Release of Journalist Naseh Shaker

HuMENA joined a joint letter addressed to President Rashad al-Alimi and Vice President Aidarus al-Zoubaidi, calling for the immediate and unconditional release

Press Releases

On Human Rights Day 2025: Civic Space in the Middle East and North Africa under Systematic and Sustained Pressure

Beirut – 10 December 2025 On Human Rights Day 2025, the region faces a reality in which freedom of expression, peaceful protest,

Latest Publications

Reports

Silence by Force: Systematic Houthis Violations Against Human Rights Defenders in Yemen

At a glance: Civic space, arbitrary detention, press freedom | For policymakers, UN mechanisms, donors, and independent media

News

HuMENA Announcing the “Activism in Exile (2019–2024)” Impact Report

We are proud to share HuMENA’s Activism in Exile Impact Report, highlighting five years of achievements, challenges, and

Reports

Bahrain’s Failure to Uphold UPR Commitments: A Deepening Crisis of Compliance

On February 14, 2025, marking the anniversary of Bahrain’s “Day of Rage,” HuMENA for Human Rights and Civic

Reports

The Right to Peaceful Assembly in Jordan: Between Legislative Restrictions and Security Practices

HuMENA for Human Rights and Civic Engagement has released its latest report, titled “The Right to Peaceful Assembly

Reports

Political Satire in Egypt: A Peaceful Protest Against Repression

‘HuMENA for Human Rights and Civic Engagement,’ in collaboration with ‘RedWord for Human Rights and Freedom of Expression,’

Reports

Eyes Everywhere: The State Surveillance of Human Rights Defenders in Jordan

HuMENA for Human Rights and Civic Engagement Releases New Report: “Eyes Everywhere: State Surveillance of Human Rights Defenders

Reports

Under Siege: The Shrinking Space for Peaceful Assembly in Tunisia

HuMENA for Human Rights and Civic Engagement has released a new research paper titled “Under Siege: The Shrinking

Reports

Bahrain’s Death Penalty Cases: Judicial Complicity in Human Rights Violations

Trigger Warning! This report may contain testimonies of torture or triggering information related to torture and execution. If

Reports

Peaceful Assembly Under Fire: Authorities’ Violations of the Right to Protest in Lebanon

HuMENA for Human Rights and Civic Engagement has published a research paper titled “Peaceful Assembly Under Fire: Authorities’

Reports

Statelessness in Bahrain: Its Effect on Identity and Belonging

The report “Statelessness in Bahrain: Its Effect on Identity and Belonging” offers a comprehensive and in-depth exploration of

Blogs

Analysis

How Access Pathways Reshape the Public Sphere in the Diaspora… Unwritten Rules that Redistribute Legitimacy Within Activism in Exile

By Mostafa Fouad

Analysis

The Egyptian Government’s Urban Control Strategies to Prevent Peaceful Protests

By Ibrahim Ezzeldin

Analysis

From the Constitution to the Prison: How Egypt Penalizes Citizens for Protesting

By Shorouk Sallam

Analysis

From Street to Screen: Maps of Struggle in the Age of Algorithms and Digital Repression

By Mostafa Fouad

Analysis

Activism and Identity Politics Under a Sectarian System: The Case of Lebanon

By Nour Halabi

Analysis

At a Crossroads: Civil Society in Post-Assad Syria and the Struggle for Independence

By Maya Al Jarf

Analysis

Syria’s New Order: Rights, Power, and the Battle for Civic Space

By Louay Ghanjati

Analysis

Imagination Vs Repression.. On State Repression in Egypt, Artivism, and the Right to Expression and Assembly.

By Omar Mahdy

Analysis

What Happened to Tal’at? A Feminist Uprising in Palestine and Its Legacy Five Years Later

By Rawan Natsheh

Themes of Work

Empowering Change through Our Diverse Themes

Civic Space Activism

ARTIVISM

Civil Rights Activism

Democracy and Justice Activism

Activism in Exile

Gender and Sexuality Activism

Social Movements

Digital Activism

Partners and Supporters

Empowering Change, Together

HuMENA for Human Rights and Civic Engagement is a non-profit, nonpartisan international human rights organization working in the MENA region, registered and based in Brussels, Belgium, and in Lebanon Beirut, with teams in the MENA region.

Activism Inside Out

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Press Releases

Egypt | January 25 Revolution, 15 Years On: A Human Rights Reading of Freedoms and Participation

Press Releases

Tunisia | Criminalizing Journalism: Zghidi and Bessis Sentenced

Press Releases

Tunisia | January 14 Revolution: No Legitimacy for Repression in the Name of Public Order.

News

Tunisia | A life-threatening health emergency for lawyer and former administrative judge Ahmed Souab in detention, and the State’s duty to ensure medical care and end the criminalisation of the right to defence and freedom of expression

Press Releases

Tunisia | HuMENA welcomes the release of Sharifa Riahi and her colleagues, but release is not enough. It is time to end the criminalisation of civil society work linked to protecting migrants and refugees.

Joint Statements

One year since the arrest of Abdulrahman Yusuf al-Qaradawi: a year of complicity, enforced disappearance, and diplomatic failure

Joint Statements

Yemen | Joint Letter Calls for the Immediate and Unconditional Release of Journalist Naseh Shaker

Press Releases

On Human Rights Day 2025: Civic Space in the Middle East and North Africa under Systematic and Sustained Pressure

Reports

Silence by Force: Systematic Houthis Violations Against Human Rights Defenders in Yemen

News

HuMENA Announcing the “Activism in Exile (2019–2024)” Impact Report

Reports

Bahrain’s Failure to Uphold UPR Commitments: A Deepening Crisis of Compliance

Reports

The Right to Peaceful Assembly in Jordan: Between Legislative Restrictions and Security Practices

Reports

Political Satire in Egypt: A Peaceful Protest Against Repression

Reports

Eyes Everywhere: The State Surveillance of Human Rights Defenders in Jordan

Reports

Under Siege: The Shrinking Space for Peaceful Assembly in Tunisia

Reports

Bahrain’s Death Penalty Cases: Judicial Complicity in Human Rights Violations

Reports

Peaceful Assembly Under Fire: Authorities’ Violations of the Right to Protest in Lebanon

Reports

Statelessness in Bahrain: Its Effect on Identity and Belonging

Analysis

Analysis

Analysis

Analysis

Analysis

Analysis

Analysis

Analysis

Analysis

Themes of Work

Partners and Supporters

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Activism
Inside Out