Human rights defenders
HuMENA documents the cases of human rights defenders in the Middle East and North Africa who have been targeted for their work. Each entry is a dated case file.
Scope of the archive and inclusion criteria
HuMENA applies the definition set out in the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders: a human rights defender is any person who, individually or with others, acts by peaceful means to promote or protect internationally recognised human rights, their own or those of others. The status derives from the act, not from a person's profession or title.
Each person in this archive meets two conditions, established by reliable sources: a specific act of this kind, and targeting that followed from it. Cases that rest solely on a violation suffered, on family ties to a defender, on party membership, or on prosecution in a politically sensitive case fall outside its scope.
References: UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders (resolution 53/144, 1998); HuMENA Editorial Guide.
Defenders on record, by country
Select a country to show its case files in the list below. The same countries are available in the country filter.
The Record
Filtered cases
At liberty Malcolm Bidali
Released May 2021, arrested May 2021
Arbitrary detention
Latest: Travel ban lifted, 16 August 2021
At liberty Raif Badawi
Released March 2022, arrested March 2008
Arbitrary detention
Latest: Travel ban imposed, 11 March 2022
At liberty Rasha Azab
Released October 2026, arrested April 2024
Arbitrary detention
At liberty Rida Benotmane
Released March 2024, arrested January 2007
Arbitrary detention
Latest: Context, 13 January 2025
Imprisoned (serving sentence) Ahmed Douma
Held since April 2026
Arbitrary detention
Latest: Context, 19 October 2026
At liberty Saad Bouakba
Appeal: sentence reduced, 7 July 2026
Arbitrary detention
Imprisoned (serving sentence) Dr. Nasser bin Ghaith
Held since August 2015
Arbitrary detention
Latest: Final judgment, 4 March 2025
Imprisoned (serving sentence) Mohamed Tadjadit
Held since January 2025
Arbitrary detention
Latest: Statement by UN experts, 28 April 2026