W.N. is a Tunisian researcher and activist focusing on civic space and human rights. They write anonymously due to the current risks in Tunisia.

Shorouk Sallam is a lawyer and researcher in law and criminal justice, holding a Master’s degree in Public Law. She currently serves as Director of the Legal Unit at the Egyptian Front for Rights and Freedoms. Her work focuses on providing legal support in cases related to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly before Egyptian courts, particularly those concerning women and children. She has collaborated with local organizations including the Justice Center and Belady Center, and previously participated in the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP). Her expertise centers on legal support and advocacy in the field of criminal justice in Egypt.

Sarra Zidi is a dedicated political science master’s student with a strong focus on the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Her research interests span a broad spectrum, encompassing human rights challenges in Tunisia, a critical analysis of Egypt’s political system, the intricate dynamics of the EU’s migration policies, and the pressing issue of human rights abuses in Libya. Zidi’s academic pursuits are driven by a commitment to understanding and addressing complex regional issues.

Sarra is a data and research practitioner who’s passionate about data-driven social impact and human rights advocacy. Sarra contributes to that with the ethical use of data technologies and research skills for social justice & humanitarian development, particularly in forced migration and war/conflict contexts. She has knowledge and experience in the MENA & West Africa regions with non-profit, non-governmental, and international organizations. Currently, she’s a Tech & Society fellow with Mozilla Foundation, contributing to the Tunisian Forum for Economic and Social Rights (FTDES) through data digitalization and research consultancies, with a focus on Sub-Saharan migrants and refugees’ rights in Tunisia.

Sarah Sheikh Ali is a Lebanese feminist researcher and human rights defender with 14+ years of experience across the MENA region. She specializes in organizational development, youth empowerment, civic space, peacebuilding, and women’s rights. Currently pursuing a PhD in Political Science at ULB, she focuses on exile, migration, and gender, affiliated with REPI and OMAM. She is Regional Manager of Innovation for Change – MENA, supporting civil society resilience and sustainability. Sarah co-founded HuMENA and has held senior roles in international organizations. She also contributed to Columbia University’s Global Freedom of Expression project, bridging activism, research, and policy.

Co-founder of Kun organization, Intersectional activist, and researcher focused on gender justice and politics in the SWANA region.

Rawan is a development and gender justice expert with over 15 years of experience in international development, humanitarian response, and human rights. She has led programs and advocacy with organizations like Oxfam, Action Against Hunger, and UNESCO, focusing on gender equality, protection, and policy influence. Rawan holds two M.A. degrees in Development Studies and Human Rights, and is currently a Ph.D. candidate researching comparative policy in the MENA region. Her work spans women’s rights, peace and security, and economic justice, combining technical expertise with a strong commitment to advancing social justice and collaborative, rights-based programming.

Omar is an Egyptian performing artist with a background in Economics and Political Science. His work explores themes of identity, oppression, and resilience, often drawing from personal experience. A survivor of political imprisonment and torture, Omar uses art as a form of resistance and storytelling, navigating the intersections of politics and performance.

Nour is a Lebanese researcher based in Brussels, Belgium. Nour holds dual master’s degrees in Political Science and in Journalism and Media. Nour’s work focuses on Middle Eastern politics, with a particular interest in identity politics and sectarianism in Lebanon. Nour is passionate about radical change and media analysis, and his research has explored the impact of political sectarianism on Lebanese media narratives, as well as the intersections of neoliberalism and social inequality in Lebanon.

Nawres Hammedi is a human rights advocate, civil and political society activist in Tunisia, and a researcher in the field of human rights. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Public Law and a Master’s degree in Democratic Governance and Human Rights from the Faculty of Legal, Political, and Social Sciences in Tunis. She has extensive experience working with civil society organizations, having led projects focused on combating disinformation and enhancing digital safety. Nawres has also contributed to training and mentoring youth on issues related to democracy, human rights, and countering hate speech. Deeply committed to strengthening youth civic and political participation, she strives—through both academic and field work—to create a positive and lasting impact in the areas of governance, transparency, and human rights.

Mostafa is a human rights lawyer and nonprofit leader with over a decade of experience defending civic space, promoting digital rights, and supporting civil society across the MENA region. He is the Executive Director of HuMENA for Human Rights and Civic Engagement, where he leads regional programs focused on protecting civic space, online freedoms, and advocacy for exiled communities. His work focuses on repressive legislation, digital repression, and the intersection of technology and human rights. He also serves as a researcher with the Global Campus for Human Rights, focusing on exile, identity, and international law. Mostafa is a Steering Committee member of the Vuka! Coalition, with extensive experience in strategic litigation, legal reform, and international advocacy. He is actively involved in regional and global coalitions that advance rights and democratic engagement.

Mostafa is an Egyptian multidisciplinary journalist and human rights defender interested in freedom of expression and freedom of the press and media. A former fellow at the Tahrir Institute for Middle East Policy, a member of PEN Canada’s Writers in Exile program, and a recipient of the William Southam Journalism Fellowship at the University of Toronto. He spent nearly four years in political prison in Egypt due to his journalistic and human rights work and was forced to live in exile. He has contributed hundreds of articles, reports, and investigations to several Arab, regional, and international periodicals and journalistic and human rights institutions.