Statements and Press Releases

Press Releases

Death Sentence over Facebook Posts: A Grave Collapse of Rule of Law and Freedom of Expression in Tunisia

HuMENA for Human Rights and Civic Engagement strongly condemns the ruling issued on 1 October 2025 by the

Joint Statements

Morocco End the crackdown on peaceful protests and uphold the right to demand social justice

We, the undersigned human rights organizations, strongly condemn the escalating crackdown by Moroccan authorities on peaceful protests, including

Joint Statements

38 CSOs Condemn US Sanctions on leading Palestinian Human Rights Organisations

As Israel’s genocide against Palestinians in Gaza escalates, enabled by US military and political support, the US Department

Joint Statements

Egypt | Civil Society Welcomes Decision Not to Sign Egypt’s Draft Criminal Procedure Code into Law

We the undersigned Egyptian and international civil society organizations welcome the decision of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to

Joint Statements

Egypt | Urgent Appeal on the Critical Health Condition of Egyptian Lawyer and Human Rights Defender Hoda Abdel-Moneim

The undersigned human rights organizations are deeply concerned over the severe deterioration in the health of lawyer and

Joint Statements

The Saudi Human Rights Commission: 20 years of whitewashing the Kingdom’s human rights record

On the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Saudi Human Rights Commission (SHRC), the undersigned organisations draw

Joint Statements

Vote Yes to Human Rights, No to Oppression: Civil Society Calls to Reject Egypt’s Candidacy for the UN Human Rights Council (2026–2028)

We, the undersigned civil society organizations, urge all UN member states to refrain from voting for Egypt in

Joint Statements

Egypt’s Diplomatic Missions Weaponized as Transnational Repression Tool

We strongly condemn the unprecedented weaponization of Egyptian diplomatic missions as tools of transnational repression against peaceful protesters

Press Releases

HuMENA Condemns Houthi Arrests of UN Staff in Yemen, Warns of Grave Threat to Humanitarian Work

HuMENA for Human Rights and Civic Engagement strongly condemns the security raids carried out by the Ansar Allah

Joint Statements

Egypt | Egyptian Authorities Should Stop Targeting Minors Over Online Gaming Activity

We, the undersigned organizations, strongly condemn the Egyptian security services’ targeting of minors for their digital activity through

Joint Statements

Call to Withdraw from “Counter-Terrorism” Summit in Israel Amid Genocide in Gaza

We strongly urge all participants to withdraw from the upcoming World Summit on Counter-Terrorism organised by the International Institute

Press Releases

HuMENA: Israel’s Targeting of Journalists in Gaza Is a War Crime and a Crime Against Humanity in the Context of Systematic Genocide and Starvation

HuMENA for Human Rights and Civic Engagement strongly condemns the Israeli airstrike on 10 August 2025 that targeted

Joint Statements

Egypt | Ongoing Harassment of Lina Attalah and Escalating Crackdown on Mada Masr and Independent Journalism in Egypt

The undersigned organizations condemn the ongoing judicial and security harassment of Mada Masr, one of the last operating

Joint Statements

Saudi Arabia | NGOs call for immediate release of Saudi human rights defender Mohammed al-Bejadi, still held two years after his sentence ended

We, the undersigned organisations, express deep concern over the continued arbitrary detention of the Saudi human rights defender Mohammed

Joint Statements

200 Days of Abdulrahman Yusuf’s Enforced Disappearance: Reveal His Whereabouts. Ensure His Safety. Release Him Now.

The undersigned organizations are extremely concerned over the continued enforced disappearance of Turkish-Egyptian poet and political dissident Abdulrahman

Joint Statements

Joint Letter to the Egyptian Ambassador to the U.S. Urging Action on the Ongoing Detention of Galal El-Behairy

On July 31, 2025, +10 human rights organizations wrote to the Egyptian Ambassador to the U.S. Motaz Zahran

Joint Statements

Egypt | Rights Groups Call for End to State Harassment of Human Rights Defender Mohamed Abdel Salam and Association for Freedom of Thought and Expression

The undersigned human rights organizations call on the Egyptian authorities to immediately end all forms of harassment or

Joint Statements

Tunisia | Sentencing of Ramlah Dahmani under Decree 54 Marks Escalation in Repression and Criminalization of Solidarity

The undersigned organizations express their strong condemnation of the in absentia verdict issued on 1 July 2025 against

Joint Statements

Egypt | Rights Groups Call on Egyptian Authorities to Immediately Release Dr. Salah Soltan and All Wrongfully Detained Prisoners Sentenced in Case No. 1766 of 2022

We, the undersigned organizations, are deeply alarmed by the news that Egyptian academic and U.S. lawful permanent resident

Press Releases

Tunisia | HuMENA: Two-Year Sentence for Ramlah Dahmani Reinforces Decree 54’s Use to Punish Solidarity and Expression

HuMENA for Human Rights and Civic Engagement condemns the in absentia verdict issued on 1 July 2025 against

Press Releases

Algeria | HuMENA Condemns the Upheld Sentence Against Boualem Sansal: A Grave Violation of Freedom of Expression and Fair Trial Guarantees

HuMENA for Human Rights and Civic Engagement strongly condemns the July 1, 2025, decision by the Algerian Appeal

Joint Statements

JOINT NGO INPUT AHEAD OF NEGOTIATIONS ON THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING FOR MACRO-FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO EGYPT

We, the undersigned Egyptian, regional and international human rights organisations, are writing to provide input ahead of the

Joint Statements

Solidarity Gathering in Brussels: A Joint Call to Free Detained Human Rights Defenders Across MENA

Brussels, 26 June 2025 Amid escalating, systematic crackdowns on civil society across the Middle East and North Africa

Joint Statements

Lebanon | Seven Years Since the Anti-Torture Law: No Implementation, No Justice

26 June 2025 On the occasion of 26 June, the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture-

Joint Statements

Egypt | Rights organizations call on Egypt to end transnational repression against exiled journalist Basma Mostafa

We, the undersigned organizations, call on the Egyptian government to immediately end its campaign of transnational repression targeting

Press Releases

Tunisia: HuMENA Calls for Immediate Release of Sonia Dahmani Amid Alarming Violations

HuMENA for Human Rights and Civic Engagement expresses its deep concern over the continued detention of lawyer and

Joint Statements

Gaza: HuMENA, RSF, CPJ, and over 130 media outlets call for opening the Strip to foreign journalists and protecting Palestinian reporters

For more than 20 months, Israeli authorities have barred foreign journalists from entering the Gaza Strip. During the

Joint Statements

Egypt | Urgent Call for Independent Investigation into Torture and Death of Mahmoud Mika in Egyptian Custody

We, the undersigned rights organizations, express our alarm over the growing number of detainee deaths in Egyptian prisons,

Press Releases

Yemen | Condemnation of the Houthi Court Ruling Against Journalist Mohammed Dabwan Al-Mayahi: A Flagrant Violation of the Right to Free Expression and an Escalation of Repression Against Journalists in Yemen

HuMENA for Human Rights and Civic Engagement condemns the ruling issued on May 24, 2025, by the Specialized

Joint Statements

Egypt: Urgent action for Alaa Abd el-Fattah and Laila Soueif needed

The Rt Hon Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer KC 10 Downing Street London SW1A 2AB 30 May 2025

Joint Statements

Joint Statement by Humanitarian, Development, and Human Rights Organizations in Lebanon: From South to North: Ongoing Violations Must End — Ceasefire Commitments and IHL Obligations Must Be Respected

As of today, six months have passed since the announcement of a ceasefire that was intended to put

Joint Statements

Jordan | The Blocking of News Websites in Jordan is a Grave Violation of Freedom of Expression and the Right to Access Information

23 May 2025 On 14 May 2025, the Jordanian Media Commission issued an order for ISPs to block

Joint Statements

Egypt | In absentia verdict against politician Hisham Kassem reinforces growing pattern of transnational repression targeting exiled dissidents

The undersigned organizations unequivocally condemn the verdict issued in absentia on 14 May 2025 by the Cairo Economic

Press Releases

Iraq’s Protest Ban Is an Arbitrary Measure That Undermines the Right to Peaceful Assembly

HuMENA for Human Rights and Civic Engagement expresses its deep concern and strong condemnation of the Iraqi Ministry

Joint Statements

Joint Letter: President Trump Has a Unique Opportunity to End the War in Sudan

The Honorable President Donald J. Trump President of the United States 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington, DC 20500

Joint Statements

As Trump visits Saudi Arabia, groups call for the kingdom to end repression of journalists

As global attention turns to U.S. President Donald Trump’s first international visit to Saudi Arabia on May 13,

Joint Statements

Bahrain | Joint Letter on Human Rights Situation to Member and Observer States of the United Nations Human Rights Council

Re: Upcoming 59th Session of the Human Rights Council and Eid al-Adha Ahead of the 59th session of

Joint Statements

Saudi Arabia | NGOs call for immediate release of Nourah Al-Qahtani, in solitary confinement and deteriorating health

We, the undersigned civil society organisations, are extremely concerned that Nourah bint Saeed al-Qahtani has been held in

Joint Statements

Egypt | Rights organizations condemn violations in Badr 3 as multiple prisoners attempt suicide amid surge of restrictions, harassment, and medical neglect

The undersigned organizations are alarmed by the escalating human rights violations inside the Badr Correction and Rehabilitation Complex,

Joint Statements

Egypt | 14 human rights organizations demand justice for the extrajudicial killing of two young persons and the arbitrary arrest of dozens of women in Marsa Matrouh

The undersigned organizations express their solidarity to the people of Marsa Matrouh governorate in Egypt for the extrajudicial

Joint Statements

Lebanon | In Solidarity with Daraj and Megaphone Amid A Coordinated Campaign

In light of the coordinated campaign targeting Lebanese independent media outlets Daraj and Megaphone, we, the undersigned group

News

Politicizing Laws: Legitimizing impunity in time of political division

On the 19 of march 2024, recent legal provisions were amended, the Libyan House of Representatives has rectified

Joint Statements

Bulgaria: Saudi activist at risk of deportation

Bulgarian authorities should suspend any plans to deport Saudi human rights defender Abdulrahman al-Khalidi to Saudi Arabia, and should

Joint Statements

On International Women’s Day, 23 NGOs Urge Bahrain’s King to Grant Bahraini Mothers Equal Nationality Rights

His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa King of Bahrain Royal Court Riffaa Palace Manama, Bahrain March

Joint Statements

Joint Statement: The Blocking of Zawia 3 is a Serious Escalation in Egypt’s Restrictions on Press Freedom

The undersigned human rights organizations and media outlets express our deep concern about the Egyptian authorities’ decision to

Joint Statements

Joint Statement: Urgent Demand to Stop Executions and Investigate Human Rights Abuses in Saudi Arabia

We, the undersigned organizations, are gravely concerned about the imminent execution of dozens of prisoners in Saudi Arabia

Joint Statements

Call on UK to lead international action on Egypt at UN Human Rights Council

A coalition of 25 UK, Egyptian and international organisations have called on British Foreign Secretary David Lammy to

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

Joint Statements

The AIMC must end its role in transnational repression, say NGOs

The undersigned organisations call on the Arab Interior Ministers’ Council (AIMC) to cease its facilitation of arbitrary extraditions

Joint Statements

Kuwaiti government must end campaign of mass citizenship stripping and repeal recent amendments to Nationality Law

Kuwaiti authorities must end the relentless wave of citizenship stripping and review their Nationality Law to ensure compliance

Press Releases

HuMENA Faces Severe Funding Cuts Amid Escalating Attacks on Civic Space in MENA

Civic space in MENA is under continuous attack, and now, due to sudden and severe funding cuts, HuMENA

Joint Statements

Joint Letter to Secretary Rubio Urgently Calls on United States to Help Secure Release of Ahmed Kamel

The Honorable Marco Rubio Secretary of State 2201 C Street, NW Washington, DC 20520 Dear Secretary Rubio, We,

Joint Statements

Human Rights Groups Urge Disclosure of Abdulrahman Al-Qaradawi’s Fate, Demand His Release, and Call for Accountability for the UAE and Lebanon for His Physical and Mental Safety

The undersigned organizations express their deep concern over the disappearance of journalist and poet Abdulrahman Youssef Al-Qaradawi since

News

Call for Contributors: Amplifying Activism and Defending Civic Space in the MENA Region

HuMENA for Human Rights and Civic Engagement invites contributors to share their perspectives and insights on the protection

Joint Statements

Joint Letter Calls for Urgent Congressional Action to Prevent Extradition of Abdel Rahman Youssef Al-Qaradawi

The Honorable John Thune Majority Leader U.S. Senate Washington, DC 20510 The Honorable Mike Johnson Speaker U.S. House

Joint Statements

Call for Urgent Action | Lebanon Must Protect Abdel Rahman Youssef and Refuse His Deportation to the Unknown

We, the undersigned individuals and organizations, express our strong condemnation of the detention of poet Abdel Rahman Youssef

Joint Statements

Egypt | Human Rights Organizations: Right to Return for North Sinai Residents is Fundamental, and Military Trials are invalid

The signatories condemn in the strongest terms the harsh and unjust sentences issued by a military court on

Joint Statements

56 NGOs: The Greek state crime of Pylos will neither be forgotten nor forgiven.

One and a half years have passed since the state crime near Pylos was committed, which led to

News

We’re Looking for a Paid Communications Intern at HuMENA

Location: HuMENA’s Office in Beirut or Remote Duration: 6 months Organization: HuMENA for Human Rights and Civic Engagement

Joint Statements

Egypt: Lift punitive measures against EIPR staff

The Egyptian government must immediately lift the arbitrary travel bans and asset freezes imposed upon three directors of

Joint Statements

#FreeAhmedKamel: Saudi Arabia must NOT extradite peaceful protester to Egypt, where he would face torture

We, the undersigned organisations, urge the authorities of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia not to deport Ahmed Fathi

Joint Statements

Human Rights Organizations and journalists reaffirm the need to defend Press and Media freedom in Egypt

Following a series of consultations with Egyptian media organizations and journalists on the Press and Media freedom situation

News

Egypt | 23 NGOS in a Joint Statement: Grave risks posed by the passing of proposed Foreign Asylum Bill… The bill contravenes international law and the Egyptian constitution

The undersigned human rights organisations express their categorical rejection of the draft law “regulating foreigners’ asylum in Egypt”,

Press Releases

Global Coalition of NGOs Call for Immediate Ceasefire in Lebanon

In light of the recent and alarming escalation of indiscriminate and widespread Israeli attacks across Lebanon, we, the

Statements

Tunisia’s Escalating Suppression of Civic Space and Digital Freedoms

HuMENA for Human Rights and Civic Engagement, and CALAM Association are gravely concerned about Tunisia’s escalating clampdown on

Joint Statements

Egypt | Six Years of Arbitrary Detention… Call for the Immediate Release of Hoda Abdelmonem and Dropping of Fabricated Charges

The “FreeHoda” campaign and the undersigned organisations condemn the continued arbitrary detention of lawyer and human rights defender

Joint Statements

Egypt | The Supreme Council for Media Regulation’s refusal to license “Fakar tany” website is a continuation of the attack on independent journalism in Egypt

31 October 2024 The undersigned organizations condemn the decision issued by the Supreme Council for Media Regulation

Joint Statements

Egypt | The Criminal Procedure Law Project Undermines Justice and Establishes More Trials Without Fair Guarantees

The undersigned organizations reject the current version of the Criminal Procedure Law project and demand its withdrawal and

Joint Statements

More than 110 Organizations Call for US Senate to Block Arms Sales to Israel

HuMENA for Human Rights and Civic Engagement joined +110 organizations in writing to members of the U.S. Senate,

Joint Statements

Joint statement: Crackdown on Civil Society and Human Rights in Tunisia: Arrests and Intimidation in the Wake of the 2024 Presidential Elections.

We, the undersigned rights organizations and groups, are deeply alarmed by the recent arrests and harassment of prominent

Press Releases

Yemen| The Houthis Continue Their Campaign of Arrests and Intimidation Against Journalists and Activists Due to National Celebrations

Since September 20, the Houthi group in Yemen has launched a widespread campaign of arrests targeting writers, journalists,

Joint Statements

Egypt: Forcibly disappeared for 2000 days, student Ahmed Hassan Mustafa’s fate must be disclosed

The undersigned human rights organizations are deeply concerned over the continued disappearance of student Ahmed Hassan Mustafa, for

Press Releases

Justice Denied: Alaa Abdelfatah’s Sentence Ends, But His Freedom Doesn’t Begin

HuMENA for Human Rights and Civic Engagement urgently demands the release of Egyptian-British activist Alaa Abdelfatah, whose unjust imprisonment

Joint Statements

Alaa Abd El-Fattah must be released this month at the end of his prison sentence

A coalition of 59 Egyptian and international civil society organizations stated today that the Egyptian-British writer and activist

Joint Statements

HuMENA and 24 CSOs express deep concern about Ireland’s recent decision to designate Egypt , Morocco and Algeria as safe countries of origin

HuMENA and 24 human rights non-governmental organizations have sent a letter to the Irish government expressing their deep

Joint Statements

The Egyptian authorities must immediately release Mohamed Adel and guarantee his safety, while bearing full responsibility for the deterioration of his health

The undersigned human rights organizations urge the Egyptian authorities to immediately release political activist Mohamed Adel, and to

Joint Statements

Egypt: Release journalists and investigate reports of torture and abuse

HuMENA for Human Rights and Civic Engagement, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), and 32 rights and press

Joint Statements

Joint Statement – Rights Groups Alarmed by Inhumane and Life-Threatening Conditions in Egypt’s Badr Prison

We, the undersigned organizations, are profoundly concerned by the recent and rapid deterioration of conditions inside Egypt’s Badr

Press Releases

HuMENA Condemns the Detention of Cartoonist Ashraf Omar and Calls for His Immediate Release

HuMENA for Human Rights and Civic Engagement strongly condemns the recent detention of renowned Egyptian cartoonist Ashraf Omar.

Joint Statements

29 NGOs Call for Immediate Halt to Unlawful Deportation of Sudanese Refugee by Egyptian Authorities

The undersigned organizations condemn the Egyptian authorities’ arrest and detention of Sudanese refugee and community leader Othman Hussein

Joint Statements

Joint Statement: Lebanon must end practices of refoulement and torture

25 June 2024 On the occasions of World Day for Refugees on June 20th and the International Day

Joint Statements

Sudan: UN Security Council must take urgent action to protect civilians

To Members of the United Nations Security Council, We are a group of 118 feminist, women’s human rights,

Joint Statements

Joint statement: Civil Society Groups Call for End to Crackdown in Tunisia

The undersigned organizations call on the government of Tunisia to end its ongoing crackdown on the rights to

Joint Statements

Egypt: UN experts call on government to stop targeting and retaliating against human rights lawyers

The undersigned organizations support the letter by five UN Special Rapporteurs, published on 19 May 2024, addressing the

Joint Statements

Joint Statement| Italy Must Review its Decision to Classify Egypt as a “Safe Country of Origin”

41 civil society organizations express their deep concern for Italy’s decision to classify the Arab Republic of Egypt

Joint Statements

The Lebanese government must urgently and immediately cease the forced deportation of Syrian refugees and adhere to its international legal obligations

We, the undersigned organizations, are deeply concerned about the recent measures taken by the Lebanese government regarding the

Joint Statements

No tech for genocide: Google must drop Project Nimbus and end its retaliatory actions against workers protesting it

We, HuMENA for Human Rights and Civic Engagement and the undersigned civil society organizations, stand united and resolute

News

Call for Contributions: Understanding the Right to Freedom of Peaceful Assembly in Lebanon and Tunisia

HuMENA for Human Rights and Civic Engagement seeks contributors to write about various topics related to the right

Joint Statements

Joint Statement by Syrian and International Civil Society Organizations and Victims’ Associations in support of investigating Bashar al-Assad for chemical attacks

We are Syrian and international civil society organizations and victims’ associations united in our call for justice and

Joint Statements

Egypt: Immediately and unconditionally release prominent political activist Mohamed Adel

The 80 undersigned human rights organizations reiterate their call on the Egyptian authorities to immediately and unconditionally release

News

Call for Researchers: Lebanon and Tunisia

Position: Researchers Location: Lebanon and Tunisia Duration: Contract-based About the Role: We are seeking dedicated researchers to contribute

News

Consultancy Opportunities: Join HuMENA in Jordan and Bahrain

HuMENA for Human Rights and Civic Engagement seeks dedicated individuals to serve as #consultants for a “two-month” engagement

Press Releases

HuMENA for Human Rights and Civic Engagement Unveils New Themes of Work

Brussels, HuMENA for Human Rights and Civic Engagement is proud to announce the launch of our new work

Joint Statements

Alaa Abd el-Fattah – follow-up letter to the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention

Dear Members of the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, We, the undersigned 27 freedom of expression

Press Releases

Bahrain| Abdulhadi Alkhawaja – 63 Years of Struggle, 13 Years Behind Bars

Today marks Abdulhadi Alkhawaja’s 63rd birthday. He is a Danish-Bahraini human rights defender who has spent 13

Press Releases

Protest and Peaceful Assembly are Right.. HuMENA strongly condemns the broad arrest campaign of protesters in solidarity with Gaza

Brussels, April 4, 2024. Following the peaceful protest organized by a group of activists and citizens in

Joint Statements

“Until when the State can escape its responsibility?”.. Local and international civil society organizations in Tunisia commemorate National Day Against Impunity

“Until when the State can escape its responsibility?” March 31, 2018 marks the sixth anniversary of the drowning

Joint Statements

Joint statement: Egypt must immediately and unconditionally release anti-torture protester Mahmoud Hussein

The Egyptian authorities must immediately and unconditionally release Mahmoud Hussein who is facing 25 years in prison simply

Joint Statements

Joint Statement: Egyptian authorities must end arbitrary detentions and forced deportations of Sudanese refugees and asylum seekers.

The undersigned organizations urge the Egyptian authorities to immediately stop the serious abuses against Sudanese seeking refuge in

Joint Statements

HuMENA and +20 human rights organizations urge the leaders of Belgium, Greece, Italy, and the EU to promote human rights and ensure justice and sustainability in relations with Egypt.

To the Prime Ministers of Belgium, Alexander De Croo, Greece, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, and Italy, Giorgia Meloni, and the