Human Rights in the Middle East and North Africa

HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA REVIEW OF 2019 Amnesty International is a global movement of more than 7 million people who campaign for a world where human rights are enjoyed by all. Our vision is for every person to enjoy all the rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights standards. We are independent of any government, political ideology, economic interest or religion and are funded mainly by our membership and public donations.

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First published in 2020 by Amnesty International Ltd Peter Benenson House, 1 Easton Street, London WC1X 0DW, UK

Index: MDE 01/1357/2020 Original language: English amnesty.org HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA REVIEW OF 2019 CONTENTS

REGIONAL OVERVIEW 5

ALGERIA 12

BAHRAIN 15

EGYPT 18

IRAN 23

IRAQ 27

ISRAEL AND THE OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES 31

JORDAN 35

KUWAIT 38

LEBANON 40

LIBYA 43

MOROCCO/WESTERN SAHARA 47

OMAN 50

PALESTINE (STATE OF) 52

QATAR 55

SAUDI ARABIA 57

SYRIA 61

TUNISIA 65

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES 68

YEMEN 71

HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA 4 REVIEW OF 2019 Amnesty International There were widespread patterns of military powers fuelled violations through violations by security forces in the illicit arms transfers and direct military REGIONAL context of the criminal justice system, support to belligerents. In the context of including torture and other ill-treatment widespread impunity, progress towards and enforced disappearances, most an investigation by the International OVERVIEW notably in Egypt, Iran, Libya, Saudi Criminal Court into the situation in the Arabia and Syria. In general, security Occupied Palestinian Territories was forces enjoyed impunity. The most welcome news. Lebanon and Jordan Mass protests shook the Middle East UKIPKƂECPVKPKVKCVKXGVQUJGFNKIJVQP continued to host over 3 million refugees and North Africa (MENA) in 2019, and seek redress for abuses of security from Syria, but blocked the entry of notably in Algeria, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon forces, albeit past rather than current new arrivals and, in Lebanon’s case, and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. abuses, was undoubtedly Tunisia’s expelled thousands who had entered Authorities used excessive force – Truth and Dignity Commission, which “illegally”. Military offensives and other most outrageously lethal force causing concluded its work in 2019 and made ƂIJVKPIKPVGTPCNN[FKURNCEGFJWPFTGFUQH hundreds of deaths in Iran and Iraq – as recommendations that were relevant to thousands of people in Libya, Syria and well as arbitrary detentions in a bid to governments across the region. Yemen. quash them. Governments across the region heavily restricted freedom of #EVQTUKPVJGTGIKQPoUCTOGFEQPƃKEVU Reforms were announced in several expression and civil society activities, committed war crimes and other serious countries, particularly in the Gulf, to with some particularly clamping down violations of international humanitarian improve protection for migrant workers, on those criticizing the authorities on law, in some cases restricting but they continued to face exploitation social media. Hundreds of human rights humanitarian access that affected health and abuse. Like the two previous years, defenders were targeted. care and other basic services. Other 2019 saw a few welcome developments

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HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA 5 REVIEW OF 2019 Amnesty International at a legislative and institutional level with The impact of Israel’s 52-year-old – over 800, according to Amnesty respect to women’s rights and violence occupation of Palestinian territories +PVGTPCVKQPCNoUNCVGUVƂIWTGUsCPF against women, but the severe repression and its illegal 12-year-old air, thousands of injuries. Israeli military of women’s rights defenders in countries land and sea blockade of the Gaza and security forces killed dozens of like Iran and Saudi Arabia cast a long Strip, which amounted to collective Palestinians during demonstrations in the shadow over them. Authorities across punishment, continued to be the focus Gaza Strip and West Bank, continuing a the region heavily repressed the rights of demonstrations by Palestinians in long-standing pattern. of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender Gaza and the West Bank. Both the and intersex people, arresting scores occupation and the blockade severely Security forces arbitrarily arrested of individuals because of their real or impacted freedom of movement and thousands of protesters across the perceived sexual orientation or gender health services, particularly in Gaza, region, particularly in Algeria, Egypt, identity and subjecting some men to and led to the demolition of hundreds of Iran and Iraq, detaining many and forced anal examinations. homes in the West Bank, including East accusing them of security-related Jerusalem, and the ensuing displacement offences. Governments also sought to of hundreds of Palestinians. The situation disrupt communication networks. In Iran, PROTESTS was exacerbated by Israel’s expansion of authorities implemented a near-total illegal settlements in the West Bank and internet shutdown during protests in Mass protests shook countries across the the US government’s announcement that November in a bid to prevent people from Middle East and North Africa, as well – in contradiction with international law – sharing images and videos of the lethal as many other places across the world, it no longer considered those settlements force used by security forces. In Egypt, in 2019. Those in Algeria, Iraq and as illegal. authorities disrupted online messaging Lebanon, like their equivalents in Sudan, applications to thwart further protests. coalesced into long-running waves of Authorities employed a range of tactics to contestation that challenged the entire repress protests. Amnesty International political system and called for profound recorded credible allegations of institutional reform; those in Iran might unnecessary or excessive use of force, Governments in the MENA region must have done had they not been so violently such as the deployment of rubber respect the right to protest peacefully, rein repressed. The ability of largely peaceful bullets, tear gas, water cannons and in security forces, particularly to stop them protesters to maintain momentum over DCVQPYKGNFKPIQHƂEGTUCICKPUVRGCEGHWN using live ammunition when there is no weeks and months was striking in a demonstrators, by security forces during imminent risk to life and open independent context where many assumed that the demonstrations in 10 countries in 2019. and impartial investigations into killings repression and armed violence that In Iran and Iraq, security forces resorted of protesters. They should also address followed the uprisings in the region a GZVGPUKXGN[VQƂTKPINKXGCOOWPKVKQPCV the rights-based demands of protesters. decade ago – Iran in 2009, Tunisia, protesters, causing hundreds of deaths Egypt, Yemen, Bahrain, Libya, Saudi Arabia and Syria in 2010-2011 – had intimidated populations from taking to the streets in numbers to demand their rights and challenge injustice.

Smaller protests also broke out elsewhere in the region, including Egypt, where they represented a rare challenge to the current president, the Gaza Strip (against the de facto Hamas authorities), Jordan, Morocco and Western Sahara, Oman and Tunisia. In these and the bigger waves of protests in Algeria, Iran, Iraq and Lebanon, many protesters demanded an end to corruption, while demanding better living and working conditions and greater respect of socio-economic rights. Some called for gender equality and an end to gender-based violence; women’s rights groups in Algeria, for instance, called for the repeal of the discriminatory

Family Code. Some were campaigning on (QWT;GOGPKIKTNUCVCECORHQTKPVGTPCNN[FKURCEGFRGQRNGKP5CDT.CJLIQXGTPQTCVG;GOGPKP,WPG6JG[ environmental concerns. CPFVJGKTHCOKNKGUJCFDGGPFKURNCEGFD[ƂIJVKPIKP6CoK\KP #OPGUV[+PVGTPCVKQPCN

HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA 6 REVIEW OF 2019 Amnesty International FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION two Moroccan human rights defenders Facebook, Telegram, Twitter and YouTube had been targeted repeatedly by remained blocked. Authorities across the MENA region surveillance technology developed by heavily restricted freedom of expression. the Israeli company NSO Group since According to Amnesty International’s 2017. It had previously documented the MENA governments must release all ƂIWTGUHQTYJKEJCTGD[PQ targeting of activists from Saudi Arabia prisoners of conscience immediately and means comprehensive, individuals were and the UAE, as well as an Amnesty unconditionally, tolerate peaceful criticism detained as prisoners of conscience International staff member, with malware DQVJQHƃKPGCPFQPNKPGCPFUVQRJCTCUUKPI in 12 countries in the region and 136 HTQOVJGUCOGUQWTEG6JGLWUVKƂECVKQP human rights defenders by judicial and people were arrested solely for their for the production of this technology, other means. Governments worldwide peaceful expression online. Some and the purchase and use of it by should follow the recommendation of the governments particularly clamped down government clients, is that it is used to UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of on those criticizing the authorities ƂIJVETKOGCPFVGTTQTKUOVJGRTQƂNGQH expression to implement a moratorium or challenging state policy on social those targeted belies this claim. Amnesty on the sale and transfer of surveillance media. In Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, International supported legal action to equipment until a proper human rights Iran, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, take the Israeli ministry of defence to regulatory framework is put in place. Morocco and Western Sahara, Saudi court, demanding that it revokes the Arabia and Tunisia, journalists, bloggers export licence of NSO. Facebook and 9JCVU#RRƂNGFCNCYUWKVKPC75HGFGTCN and activists who posted statements or court against it, alleging that, working videos deemed critical of the head of on behalf of Bahrain, the UAE and other CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEMS state or other authorities on social media countries, NSO had targeted 1,400 found themselves targeted for arrest, There were widespread patterns of private devices, whose users included questioning and prosecution. In many violations by security forces in the journalists, human rights activists and cases, they were then detained; in some, context of the criminal justice system. political dissidents in multiple countries, Within the MENA region in 2019, there they were convicted and sentenced to including Bahrain and the UAE. prison terms. were credible allegations of torture or other ill-treatment in state custody in at Widespread targeted phishing attacks least 18 countries, particularly during Human rights defenders were subjected also continued against human rights the interrogation phase and often to to a range of attacks by governments. defenders, including those who had extract “confessions”. In Egypt and Amnesty International recorded 367 taken extra steps to secure their online Iran among other countries, prison human rights defenders being subjected accounts, such as by using more secure authorities also used prolonged solitary to detention and 118 to prosecution in email providers or enabling two-factor EQPƂPGOGPVQTFGPKCNQHOGFKECNECTG 2019; the true numbers are likely to be authentication on their online accounts. to punish prisoners held for politically considerably higher. In Iran alone, at Attackers created websites that imitated motivated reasons; such practices violate least 240 human rights defenders were the log-in prompt of an online service the prohibition of torture and other ill- arbitrarily detained. In Saudi Arabia, with the objective of luring a victim into treatment. There were deaths in state by the end of the year, virtually all the visiting the malicious page and entering custody that were credibly alleged to country’s human rights defenders were their username and passwords, thereby have resulted from torture or other ill- in detention without charge, or were on transmitting these credentials to the treatment in at least seven countries. trial or serving prison terms. In Egypt, attackers. human rights defenders were increasingly There were credible allegations of targeted for arrest and torture or other Meanwhile, a Reuters investigation exposed the UAE’s involvement in enforced disappearance by the state ill-treatment following the 20 September an initiative in which US intelligence in at least eight countries. In Egypt, protests. The Israeli authorities used operatives reportedly helped the UAE hundreds of dissidents were forcibly a range of measures, including raids, keep human rights activists and others disappeared for up to 183 days. In incitement campaigns, movement under surveillance across the globe with Iran, some of those arrested following restrictions and judicial harassment, to no judicial oversight. protests in November were subjected to target human rights defenders, journalists enforced disappearance. In Yemen, Huthi and others who criticized Israel’s Authorities also resorted to censoring forces subjected some of the scores of continuing occupation of the West Bank, the internet. In Egypt, the authorities the critics and opponents it arbitrarily Gaza Strip and Syrian Golan Heights. added the websites of broadcasters detained to enforced disappearance. BBC and Alhurra to the list of 513 In Syria, tens of thousands of people New evidence emerged in 2019 about websites already blocked. The Palestinian remained disappeared and security forces the sophistication of digital attacks authorities in the West Bank blocked continued to hold thousands of detainees against human rights defenders globally, access to 59 websites on security arrested in previous years without trial, including in the MENA region. Amnesty grounds; all of them shared content often in conditions that amounted to International found, for instance, that critical of the authorities. In Iran, enforced disappearance.

HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA 7 REVIEW OF 2019 Amnesty International In countries including Egypt, Iran, attacks. In Egypt, armed groups in Sinai Israel and the Occupied Palestinian conducted sporadic attacks that killed or Many of the Commission’s Territories, Saudi Arabia and Syria, injured people, although at a lesser rate recommendations could be applied to exceptional courts, such as military, than in previous years. However, not only states across the region, including the revolutionary and security courts, were did the measures taken against alleged reform of judicial and security sectors, used extensively, leading to trials that members of such groups often involve the creation of independent bodies to grossly violated fair trial standards. Trials gross human rights violations, authorities oversee the work of security services and before ordinary criminal courts could be used the pretext of security to conduct accountability for crimes perpetrated. just as problematic. Across the region, thinly veiled attacks against civil society. courts convicted defendants on the basis of torture-tainted evidence. In some In general, security forces enjoyed wide- countries, notably Egypt, Iran, Iraq and TCPIKPIKORWPKV[6JGOQUVUKIPKƂECPV Saudi Arabia, the death penalty was ARMED CONFLICT initiative to shed light on abuses of imposed and implemented following such #TOGFEQPƃKEVUEQPVKPWGFVQCHƃKEVVJG security forces, albeit past rather trials. lives of civilians in Iraq, Libya, Syria than current abuses, was undoubtedly CPF;GOGPYJGTGƃWEVWCVKPINGXGNU Tunisia’s Truth and Dignity Commission, Some of the most serious violations were QHXKQNGPEGTGƃGEVGFUJKHVKPICNNKCPEGU carried out in the context of operations which concluded its work in 2019. By on the ground and the interests of CWVJQTKVKGUSWCNKƂGFCUEQWPVGTVGTTQTKUO the end of its mandate, the Commission external military powers. In Gaza and campaigns or security measures. In a few had transferred 173 cases to specialized southern Israel, sporadic bursts of armed countries, governments had legitimate criminal chambers after receiving more JQUVKNKVKGUƃCTGFWRDGVYGGP+UTCGNCPF reasons to take measures to protect than 62,000 complaints from victims. At Palestinian armed groups. civilians from abuses by armed groups. least 78 trials, involving cases of torture, In Iraq, the armed group calling itself extrajudicial executions and enforced 6JGEQPƃKEVUoOWNVKRNGCEVQTUEQOOKVVGF Islamic State (IS) continued to target disappearances, began before these war crimes and other serious violations civilians in assassinations and bomb chambers during the year. of international humanitarian law. Some

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HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA 8 REVIEW OF 2019 Amnesty International actors carried out direct attacks against ƂIJVKPIKVUGNHCIITCXCVGFJWOCPKVCTKCP civilians or civilian infrastructure. In needs. In Libya, the battles in and Given the obstacles ahead, it is crucial their military campaign in areas of around Tripoli interrupted access to that all governments support the north-western Syria controlled by Hay’at health care, electricity and other basic Court and other international justice Tahrir al-Sham, an armed group, Syrian UGTXKEGU+P;GOGPVJGEQPƃKEVEQPVKPWGF mechanisms to pave the way to truth, government forces targeted civilian to have a disproportionate impact on justice and reparations for the victims of homes, bakeries, medical facilities people with disabilities. war crimes and crimes against humanity and rescue operations, killing and committed in the region. Parties to injuring hundreds of civilians, including Military powers inside and outside the QPIQKPICTOGFEQPƃKEVUVJGTGOWUV rescue and medical workers. In Yemen, region played a pernicious role, fuelling abide by international humanitarian law, Huthi forces, which controlled large violations through illicit arms transfers particularly by ending direct attacks parts of the country, targeted civilian and direct military support to belligerents against civilians or civilian infrastructure infrastructure, including airports, in and refusing to investigate their armed and indiscriminate attacks and refraining Saudi Arabia, causing civilian casualties, forces’ own involvement in violations from using explosive weapons with wide- and claimed responsibility for attacks on of international law. In Libya, rival area effects in civilian areas. Military oil processing facilities in the east of the factions increasingly relied on foreign powers must halt arms transfers where country. military backing to change the balance VJGTGKUCUKIPKƂECPVTKUMVJCVVJG[YKNN of power. The GNA’s primary sponsor, be used in violation of international law; Almost all actors carried out 6WTMG[RTQXKFGFKVYKVJCTOQWTGFƂIJVKPI regrettably, such risks are high in all the indiscriminate attacks that killed and vehicles and armed drones and the LNA’s QPIQKPIEQPƃKEVUKPVJGTGIKQP injured civilians in the form of air strikes, primary sponsor, the UAE, provided in the case of those with air power, it with Chinese-manufactured drones and shelling of residential areas with and operated them on its behalf, all in artillery, mortars and rockets. In Syria, ƃCITCPVXKQNCVKQPQHCEQORTGJGPUKXG70 these actors included, in addition to REFUGEES AND INTERNALLY arms embargo in place since 2011. Syrian government forces, Turkey and DISPLACED PEOPLE allied Syrian armed groups during the In Syria, Russia maintained its military offensive launched in October Lebanon, Jordan and Turkey continued direct support of military campaigns in the north-east of the country against to host the majority of the 5 million by government forces that violated a Kurdish-led alliance, in which scores TGHWIGGUHTQO5[TKCYJQJCFƃGFVJG international law, while Turkey backed of civilians were killed. In Libya, many country since the start of the crisis in armed groups that engaged in abductions of the nearly 300 civilians killed as a 2011, illustrating the failure of the and summary killings. In Syria and TGUWNVQHVJGCTOGFEQPƃKEVKP international community to shoulder their Iraq, Iran provided military support were killed in indiscriminate attacks burden-sharing responsibilities. Lebanon, to government forces and militias using inaccurate explosive weapons Jordan and Turkey all blocked the entry responsible for serious violations. The in populated civilian areas. Many fell of new refugees. The dire humanitarian XKEVKOVQƂIJVKPIKPCPFCTQWPF6TKRQNK USA and its coalition allies, meanwhile, conditions there – exacerbated by between the UN-backed Government of continued to shirk their responsibility to the shortage of humanitarian aid, the National Accord (GNA) and the Libyan investigate hundreds of civilian deaths KPCDKNKV[QHTGHWIGGUVQƂPFLQDUCPF National Army (LNA), which launched an during their bombing campaigns to CFOKPKUVTCVKXGCPFƂPCPEKCNQDUVCENGU offensive to take control of the capital defeat IS. to obtain or renew residency permits – and surrounding areas in April. In pushed tens of thousands of refugees Yemen, both Huthi and anti-Huthi forces There was little accountability for war to return to Syria. Lebanon deported shelled residential neighbourhoods, while crimes and other grave violations of thousands of refugees to Syria following bombings by the coalition led by Saudi international law committed during or an announcement in April that it would Arabia and the UAE killed and injured as a result of armed hostilities. The expel refugees who entered “illegally”, hundreds of civilians. announcement by the Prosecutor of in violation of its non-refoulement the International Criminal Court that a obligations. Restriction of humanitarian access preliminary examination into Palestine remained a tactic of some actors, had concluded that war crimes had been The situation for tens of thousands of undermining the economic and social committed in the Occupied Palestinian refugees, asylum-seekers and migrants rights of civilians in areas affected. In Territories and that an investigation in Libya remained bleak, as they were Syria, according to the UN, government should be opened once the Court’s exposed to arbitrary arrest and abduction forces failed to approve around half of VGTTKVQTKCNLWTKUFKEVKQPJCFDGGPEQPƂTOGF by militias and were regularly the victims its requests to carry out humanitarian was therefore a welcome historic step, QHJWOCPVTCHƂEMKPICPFCDWUGUD[ missions to monitor, assess and offering a crucial opportunity to break the criminal groups. Those detained were accompany aid deliveries. Elsewhere the cycle of impunity. kept in inhuman conditions and faced

HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA 9 REVIEW OF 2019 Amnesty International overcrowding as well as shortages of MIGRANT WORKERS WOMEN AND GIRLS food, water and medical treatment. Reforms to improve protection for Like the two previous years, 2019 migrant workers were announced There were new waves of displacement saw a few welcome developments at a in several countries, particularly in through the year. In Syria, the military legislative and institutional level with the Gulf, where they make up a very respect to women’s rights and violence offensives in the north-west and north- high proportion of the workforce. against women. Such changes, while east of the country displaced over half Qatar promised to abolish the kafala limited relative to those needed, owed a million people, swelling the total (sponsorship) system, which ties migrant much to the efforts of the women’s number of internally displaced people to domestic workers to their employers, and rights movement in the region. However, OKNNKQP+P;GOGPTGPGYGFƂIJVKPI took some measures to overcome barriers their achievements were undermined between Huthi and anti-Huthi forces in faced by migrant workers when seeking by the severe repression of women’s the southern governorate of Dhale’ led justice for abuses and to combat systemic abuse during their recruitment. Jordan rights defenders in some countries, to thousands of people being displaced, also announced it would be reviewing particularly Iran and Saudi Arabia, contributing to a total of over 3.5 million. its kafala system. The UAE removed the weak implementation of previous In Iraq, over 1.5 million people remained the job title criteria for sponsorship, reforms, generalized discrimination in internally displaced as a result of the allowing more residents to sponsor family law and practice against women, notably CTOGFEQPƃKEVCICKPUV+5VJGOCLQTKV[KP members to live in the country. in matters of marriage and divorce, camps and informal settlements following inheritance and child custody, and secondary displacement. In Libya, the Nonetheless, migrant workers in Bahrain, inadequate action against sexual and ƂIJVKPIKPCPFCTQWPF6TKRQNKFKURNCEGF Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, other gender-based violence. more than 140,000 people. Saudi Arabia and the UAE continued to face exploitation and abuse as a result of existing kafala systems. Domestic workers Saudi Arabia undertook long-overdue

generally remained excluded altogether from major reforms to the discriminatory Governments in the region must halt the protections provided by labour laws. male guardianship system, easing major direct and constructive refoulement of restrictions on women’s freedom of refugees and asylum-seekers to Syria movement, but women still need the and other countries, while Western and Legal reforms to protect migrants’ rights permission of a male guardian to marry. other states must take on much greater must go further. As a start, authorities +TQPKECNN[ƂXGYQOGPJWOCPTKIJVU burden-sharing responsibility, including in the Gulf and elsewhere must abolish defenders spent the whole of the year through resettlement. kafala systems completely. in detention, partly for calling for these very reforms. Iran enacted a new law

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HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA 10 REVIEW OF 2019 Amnesty International allowing Iranian women married to men A shelter for women at risk of being perceived sexual orientation or gender with foreign nationality to pass on Iranian killed by family members established in identity. In Tunisia, police arrested at least citizenship to their children on condition Jordan in 2018 protected dozens of such 78 men under a Penal Code provision that they passed a security screening. women during the year. “Honour” killings that criminalizes “sodomy”, according to took the lives of over 20 Palestinian a local NGO; at least 70 were convicted However, this small step had to be women and girls in the neighbouring and sentenced to up to a year in prison. In Kuwait, police arrested seven trans people UGVCICKPUVVJGKPVGPUKƂECVKQPQHVJG West Bank and Gaza Strip. Meanwhile, and referred them for investigation. Eight authorities’ crackdown against women’s Oman strengthened the criminalization of LGBTI individuals were arbitrarily arrested rights defenders campaigning against female genital mutilation. or ill-treated by Palestinian security forces discriminatory forced veiling laws in the West Bank, according to a local NGO. and bans on women entering football stadiums. Authorities need to accelerate the The authorities in some countries trend towards greater recognition of subjected some men to forced anal In welcome developments, Jordan women’s rights in law and translate examinations to determine whether had and Tunisia followed up on steps legal commitments to address violence engaged in same-sex sexual relations; taken in 2018 to improve protection against women into action that delivers dozens of such cases were recorded in from violence for women and girls; accountability against perpetrators. Egypt and Tunisia. Such examinations in doing so, they revealed the size of violate the prohibition of torture and the challenge facing them. After the other ill-treatment. Tunisian authorities established a complaints mechanism in 2018, they LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, received tens of thousands of complaints TRANSGENDER AND INTERSEX Authorities must repeal provisions from women who had experienced PEOPLE criminalizing same-sex sexual relations, domestic violence. In neighbouring scrap anal examinations and enact Libya, authorities were either unwilling Authorities across the region heavily legislation prohibiting discrimination on or incapable of tackling gender-based repressed the rights of LGBTI people. the basis of sexual orientation or gender violence at the hands of militias and Security forces arrested scores of identity. armed groups. individuals on the basis of their real or

HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA 11 REVIEW OF 2019 Amnesty International #PGNFGTN[#NIGTKCPYQOCPVCNMUVQCOGODGTQHVJGUGEWTKV[HQTEGUEQTFQPKPIQHHCRTQVGUVCTGCFWTKPICPCPVKGUVCDNKUJOGPVFGOQPUVTCVKQPKPVJGECRKVCN#NIKGTUQP#RTKN  4[CF-TCOFK#(2XKC)GVV[+OCIGU

national territory” and “incitement to custody and guardianship. Same- ALGERIA an unarmed gathering”. Authorities sex sexual relations continued to be prohibited the activities of several criminalized. The right to form trade People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria associations, often in relation to the unions was unduly restricted. Death Head of state: Abdelmadjid Tebboune sentences were handed down; there were (replaced acting president Abdelkader Bensalah in Hirak protests. Security forces tortured &GEGODGTYJQTGRNCEGF#DFGNC\K\$QWVGƃKMCKP#RTKN and otherwise ill-treated activists, no executions. Head of government: Abdelaziz Djerad particularly by beating them. Authorities (replaced acting prime minister Sabri Boukadoum in ordered the closure of nine Christian December, who replaced Noureddine Bedoui in December, churches. Security forces arrested and BACKGROUND YJQTGRNCEGF#JOGF1W[CJKCKP/CTEJ  detained thousands of sub-Saharan In February, the protest movement known migrants, forcibly transferring some to as Hirak (“movement” in Arabic) started, Security forces responded to the mass the far south of Algeria and expelling with millions of Algerians marching in Hirak protest movement by using others to other countries. Women’s overwhelmingly peaceful protests in unnecessary or excessive force to rights groups were active in the Hirak cities across the country, calling for disperse some demonstrations, arbitrarily movement, demanding an end to all the “removal of everyone” linked to arresting hundreds of protesters, forms of gender-based violence and the ruling power. On 2 April, Abdelaziz prosecuting and sentencing dozens to the repeal of the Family Code, which $QWVGƃKMCTGUKIPGFCURTGUKFGPVCHVGT prison terms using Penal Code provisions discriminates against women in matters years in power. In May, police arrested such as “harming the integrity of the of inheritance, marriage, divorce, child FQ\GPUQHJKIJRTQƂNGRQNKVKEKCPUCPF

HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA 12 REVIEW OF 2019 Amnesty International business people on corruption-related Between June and July, prosecutors Human rights defenders and politicians charges; from September onwards, courts charged at least 34 peaceful protesters were also targeted in other contexts. sentenced them to prison terms. with “harming the integrity of the national territory” simply for holding or On 31 March, minority rights activist Despite strong opposition from the ECTT[KPICVCRTQVGUVVJG#OC\KIJƃCI1 In Kamel Eddine Fekhar, a former president protest movement, in July interim October and November, courts sentenced of the section of the Algerian League for President Abdelkader Bensalah named a at least 28 of them to up to 18 months the Defence of Human Rights in the city six-member panel to oversee a national in prison. of Ghardaïa, was arrested with another dialogue and in September announced activist for an online post that criticized presidential elections, which took place In September, at least 24 activists were local judicial authorities. Kamel Eddine charged with “incitement to an unarmed on 12 December. Fekhar immediately began a hunger strike, gathering” and “harming the integrity which led to his death in custody on 28 of the national territory” simply for In November, the European Parliament May. The Ministry of Justice announced peacefully taking part in protests, holding adopted a resolution on freedoms in an investigation into the death, but did up signs or publishing pictures of the Algeria calling on the European External PQVOCMGRWDNKECP[ƂPFKPIU signs or posts online.2 Action Service, the European Commission and member states to support civil society In November, with the start of the A military court sentenced Louisa groups, human rights defenders, journalists presidential election campaign, security Hanoune, head of the Workers Party, and protesters, including by arranging HQTEGUKPVGPUKƂGFVJGKTECORCKIPQH to 15 years in prison in September for prison visits and monitoring trials. arrests. Human rights organizations on “conspiring” against the army after she the ground estimated that at least 300 met two former intelligence chiefs and people were arrested between 17 and VJGDTQVJGTQHHQTOGT2TGUKFGPV$QWVGƃKMC FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION, 24 November alone.3 In December, in late March to discuss the political ASSOCIATION AND ASSEMBLY authorities released at least 13 peaceful situation in the country. protesters. The authorities for the most part allowed The authorities kept many associations, Hirak protests to take place every Friday Authorities prohibited the activities of including Amnesty International Algeria, in the capital, Algiers, in a shift from several associations, often in relation in legal limbo by failing to respond to the de facto ban on protests there since to the Hirak protests. In August, local registration applications submitted in line 2001. However, from late February, authorities in Tichy in northern Algeria with the highly restrictive Associations Law. security forces used excessive or banned a planned “summer university” unnecessary force to disperse a number by Youth Action Rally, an association of peaceful protests in Algiers and other active since 1993 that had been co- TORTURE AND OTHER ILL- cities; they did so with rubber bullets, ordinating activities related to the Hirak protests. Also in August, authorities TREATMENT tear gas, water cannons and batons. On banned a meeting in Algiers planned by 19 April, Ramzi Yettou died in hospital Security forces tortured and otherwise ill- political groups forming part of the “Pact treated activists, particularly by beating after being beaten by police with batons for a democratic alternative” to discuss them and holding them in solitary on his way home from a protest that he the country’s political situation. EQPƂPGOGPV+P,CPWCT[LQWTPCNKUV had attended a week earlier. Security Adlène Mellah told Amnesty International QHƂEKCNUTGIWNCTN[NKOKVGFCEEGUUVQ During the year, at least 10 Algerian that, following arrest, gendarmerie Algiers on Fridays, mainly by setting journalists covering the Hirak protests QHƂEGTUDGCVJKOUWDLGEVGFJKOVQ up special gendarmerie and police were arrested, held for a few hours and waterboarding and forced a cloth doused checkpoints and threatening to seize interrogated about their work, while four in bleach into his mouth. The authorities vehicles and buses that entered the city foreign journalists doing the same were failed to order an investigation into his arrested and subsequently deported. CPFƂPGVJGFTKXGTU torture allegations. Ahmed Benchemsi, Middle East 2QNKEGCPFIGPFCTOGTKGQHƂEGTUQHVGP communications and advocacy director at Human Rights Watch, was arrested In November, detained Hirak activists in plain clothes, arbitrarily arrested on 9 August while observing a protest in %JGOU'FFKPG$TCJKO.CNCOK5QƂCPG hundreds of peaceful protesters, often Algiers, held for 10 hours and deported Babaci and Younes Rejal were beaten in seizing their phones to limit coverage 10 days later. custody, according to credible sources. of the protests. From June onwards, At the end of the year, Karim Tabbou, courts prosecuted over 100 protesters From June onwards, the authorities a leader of the Democratic and Social on charges related to peaceful views regularly disrupted access to independent Union party, was being held in prolonged they expressed about or during the Hirak news websites Tout sur l’Algérie and UQNKVCT[EQPƂPGOGPVHQNNQYKPIJKUCTTGUV protests; dozens were sentenced to prison Algérie Part, apparently to censor their in September after publicly criticizing the terms. reporting on the protests. head of the army.

HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA 13 REVIEW OF 2019 Amnesty International FREEDOM OF RELIGION AND BELIEF forcibly transferred some to the far south years, or in certain cases of six months of Algeria and expelled others to other to three years. An activist in an Algerian Authorities in several regions ordered the countries. According to one international LGBTI group told Amnesty International closure of nine Christian churches, saying organization monitoring the situation that, while these provisions were rarely that they did not comply with a 2006 on the ground in Algeria and in Niger, used, they made LGBTI people feel decree on “non-Muslim cults” and safety almost 11,000 individuals were expelled vulnerable and were used to pressure standards. between January and November. Most of LGBTI victims of crime to withdraw their those expelled were from Niger. complaints. In June, a court in the north-western port city of Mostaganem sentenced a Christian In December, then Minister of Interior man to a suspended prison term and a WOMEN’S RIGHTS Salahedine Dahmoune called protesters ƂPGQHFKPCTU CTQWPF75  opposed to the holding of presidential for holding a Christian prayer meeting Women’s rights and feminist groups were elections “traitors, mercenaries and at his house. In another case, Amar Ait- active in the Hirak movement, demanding homosexuals”, causing outrage. an end to all forms of gender-based 1WCNKYCUƂPGFFKPCTU CTQWPF violence and greater gender equality. They 75 HQTJQNFKPICEJWTEJOGGVKPI called for the repeal of the Family Code, on his land in a village near Akbou, a WORKERS’ RIGHTS which discriminates against women in town in the Kabylia region east of Algiers, matters of inheritance, marriage, divorce, The Labour Code continued to unduly following the forcible closure of the child custody and guardianship, and the restrict the right to form trade unions village’s church in October 2018. effective implementation of laws adopted by limiting trade union federations and in recent years, including the 2015 law confederations to single occupational In October, police raided and closed the amending the Penal Code to criminalize sectors; allowing only Algerian-born largest Protestant church in Algeria, the violence against women. citizens or those who have held Algerian Full Gospel Church in Tizi Ouzou, a city nationality for at least 10 years to form KP-CD[NKC1HƂEGTUGPVGTGFVJGEJWTEJ The Penal Code continued to contain a trade unions; and restricting foreign assaulted worshippers and forced around “forgiveness clause”, which allowed rapists funding for trade unions. The authorities 15 of them to leave. The following day, to escape sentencing if they obtained continued to deny registration to the police sealed two other churches in Tizi a pardon from their victim, and not to independent, cross-sector General Ouzou province. On 17 October, police explicitly recognize marital rape as a crime. Autonomous Confederation for Algerian arrested and later released dozens of 9QTMGTUYJKEJKVƂTUVƂNGFKVUCRRNKECVKQP people who were protesting against the in 2013. crackdown. RIGHTS OF LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, TRANSGENDER AND INTERSEX (LGBTI) PEOPLE DEATH PENALTY MIGRANTS The Penal Code continued to criminalize Courts continued to hand down death Security forces arrested and detained same-sex sexual relations, prescribing sentences. No executions had been thousands of sub-Saharan migrants. They a prison sentence of two months to two carried out since 1993.

1. Amnesty International, #NIGTKCCTTGUVGFHQTECTT[KPIVJG#OC\KIJƃCICUCWVJQTKVKGUETCEMFQYPQPHTGGFQOQHGZRTGUUKQP (Press release, 5 July 2019), https://www. COPGUV[QTIGPNCVGUVPGYUCNIGTKCCTTGUVGFHQTECTT[KPIVJGCOC\KIJƃCICUCWVJQTKVKGUETCEMFQYPQPHTGGFQOQHGZRTGUUKQP 2. Amnesty International, #NIGTKC'PFENCORFQYPQPRTQVGUVUCOKFYCXGQHCTTGUVUVCTIGVKPIFGOQPUVTCVQTU (Press release, 19 September 2019), https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2019/09/algeria-end-clampdown-on-protests-amid-wave-of-arrests-targeting-demonstrators/ 3. Amnesty International, #NIGTKC#WVJQTKVKGUUVGRWRENCORFQYPCJGCFQHVJGRTGUKFGPVKCNGNGEVKQPU (Press release, 5 December 2019), https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2019/12/algeria-authorities-step-up-clampdown-ahead-of-the-presidential-elections/

HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA 14 REVIEW OF 2019 Amnesty International 5WRRQTVGTUQHTGHWIGGHQQVDCNNGT*CMGGOCN#TCKDKYCKVHQTJKUCTTKXCNCVVJGCKTRQTVKP/GNDQWTPGQP(GDTWCT[*GYCUTGVWTPKPIVQ#WUVTCNKCCHVGTCVYQOQPVJQTFGCN VJCVUCYJKOLCKNGFKP6JCKNCPFCPFVJTGCVGPGFYKVJHQTEGFTGVWTPVQJKUPCVKXG$CJTCKP 9KNNKCO9GUV#(2XKC)GVV[+OCIGU

Women were still not treated equally with coalition led by Saudi Arabia and the BAHRAIN men in law or in practice. Executions United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the armed resumed after a lull since January 2017. EQPƃKEVKP;GOGP$CJTCKPTGOCKPGF Kingdom of Bahrain Prison conditions remained poor and in a member of the coalition imposing Head of state: Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa Head of government: Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa many cases amounted to degrading and economic and political sanctions on inhuman treatment. Qatar, along with Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. The authorities escalated their efforts to UVKƃGHTGGFQOQHGZRTGUUKQPVCTIGVKPI BACKGROUND in particular online forums, the last The new parliament (National Assembly) FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION remaining space where Bahrainis could JCFKVUƂTUV[GCTKPQHƂEGHQNNQYKPI The authorities drastically stepped up criticize the government. Use of unfair elections in November 2018 for the mass trials continued both for people threats against Bahrainis who criticized facing terrorism-related charges and lower house that excluded all opposition the system of government or state policy protesters. Denaturalization of citizens candidates. on social media, which after the 2017 (stripping them of their nationality) closure of the independent newspaper continued, though hundreds of people Bahrain continued to deny access to al-Wasat had been the only venue left previously made stateless had their independent human rights monitors, for dissident political speech. On 20 Bahraini nationality restored. Migrant including Amnesty International, Human May, King Hamad announced that he workers’ rights remained limited, leaving Rights Watch and UN human rights bodies. had directed security agencies to stop them open to exploitation and abuse. Bahrain remained a member of the the “misuse of social media” and the

HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA 15 REVIEW OF 2019 Amnesty International Prime Minister directed the Ministry of On 16 January, former opposition MP of 643 individuals, reducing the total Interior to “deal harshly” with online Ali Rashed al-Asheeri was convicted number made stateless to around 350. sites and social media that he described and sentenced to a suspended prison CUpRQKUQPCPFƂNVJ[RWUqURTGCFD[ term for tweeting that Bahrainis should “enemies inside and outside” the not participate in the November 2018 MIGRANT WORKERS country seeking to “spread dissension”. parliamentary elections. Migrant workers continued to be The same day, the Ministry of Interior exploited. Reforms announced in stated it was taking legal action against On 13 March, Ebrahim Sharif, a leader previous years failed to protect low- people with social media accounts in of the non-sectarian political group Wa’d, income migrant workers from abuses. several European countries for “defacing was convicted of insulting Sudanese Thousands of complaints relating to Bahrain’s reputation”. As an example President Omar al-Bashir via a tweet and unpaid wages were brought to the labour of those targeted, the statement named sentenced to a suspended six-month courts. Sayed Yusuf al-Muhafdha, a Bahraini prison sentence. refugee in Germany and past vice- $CJTCKPoUƃGZKXKUCUEJGOGKPVTQFWEGF president of the now outlawed Bahrain On 15 May, lawyer Abdulla AbdulRahman in 2017 to help irregular migrant Center for Human Rights. Hashim was summoned for interrogation workers regularize their status, was CPFDTKGƃ[FGVCKPGFQXGTEQOOGPVUJG expanded temporarily to include workers In the following weeks the Ministry of made on Twitter that were interpreted as who had not received their wages. The Interior, particularly its Cyber Crime critical of authorities. programme allows migrant workers to Directorate, repeatedly threatened self-sponsor their stay in Bahrain and to prosecute anyone who followed, work for different employers in exchange circulated or expressed approval of UNFAIR TRIALS for considerable fees. The fees, which social media accounts spreading Use of mass trials continued both for were already exorbitant for low-income “ƂVPC” (“sedition” or “social discord”). people facing terrorism-related charges workers, were increased in 2019 to Bahrainis began to receive text messages and protesters and were characterized by encourage the recruitment of Bahraini with similar warnings. On 4 June, Twitter major fair trial concerns. nationals. It remained to be seen if this criticized Bahrain’s rhetoric as a potential system would better protect migrant threat to free expression and journalism.1 On 28 January, an appeal court upheld workers.

the convictions and sentences of around On 29 October, Facebook and WhatsApp 200 citizens who had undergone mass A wage-protection system announced in ƂNGFCNCYUWKVKPC75HGFGTCNEQWTV trials on terrorism-related charges in two 2018 was not launched as promised due against Israeli spyware company NSO. The cases known as the “Jaw prison break” to delays in implementation. The system lawsuit alleged that, working on behalf and “Dhu al-Fiqar cell” cases. would require employers to transfer all of Bahrain, the UAE and other countries, salaries to their employees via bank NSO had targeted 1,400 private devices On 27 February, after a mass trial, 167 accounts, allowing the government to whose users “included attorneys, defendants were convicted on charges monitor cases of unpaid wages. Large journalists, human rights activists, related to their participation in a long- EQORCPKGUYGTGVQDGVJGƂTUVVQLQKP political dissidents, [and] diplomats” in term peaceful sit-in around the home in the system, followed by medium to small multiple countries, including individuals al-Duraz of the Shi’a cleric Isa Qasim to businesses and eventually the employers in Bahrain and the UAE. protest against his denaturalization.2 On of domestic workers. 16 April, after another mass trial, 138 On 14 July, Qatar’s state-backed Al people were convicted and denaturalized Jazeera television broadcast an interview on charges relating to their alleged with former Bahrain Defence Force WOMEN’S RIGHTS involvement in a “Bahraini Hizbullah” QHƂEGT;CUGT#FJDKCN,CNCJKOCKPYJKEJ Bahrain continues to deny women cell.3 All convictions in both trials were he accused the Bahraini government of legal equality, maintaining reservations upheld on appeal, though many of the fabricating evidence that protesters had to core articles of the Convention sentences were reduced. Final sentences been armed during the uprising in 2011. on the Elimination of All Forms ranged from three years’ imprisonment to Bahrain responded by announcing that of Discrimination against Women, the death penalty. al-Jalahima had been sentenced to death including Article 2, which commits in his absence on 30 April on charges of states to “eliminating discrimination spying for Qatar. REVOCATION OF NATIONALITY AND against women”. Article 4 of Bahrain’s Nationality Law denies equal Throughout the year, the authorities STATELESSNESS transmission of nationality, so that a continued to summon, interrogate and Courts continued to issue and uphold Bahraini woman married to a foreign prosecute people for statements they had decisions to denaturalize citizens, but national cannot pass her nationality to OCFGQPNKPGCPFQHƃKPG authorities reversed the denaturalization her children. Article 31 of the Domestic-

HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA 16 REVIEW OF 2019 Amnesty International Sector Labour Law of 2012 authorizes DEATH PENALTY beds and hygienic items, punitive use VJG/KPKUVGTQH.CDQWTpVQFGƂPG QHUQNKVCT[EQPƂPGOGPVRQQTUCPKVCVKQP positions in which women’s employment Bahraini courts continued to hand down cases of food poisoning, skin infections, is prohibited”. Ministry of Labour new death sentences and to uphold and medical neglect frequently reported, 4 Decision No. 32 of 2013, one of the existing ones. On 27 July Bahrain carried especially at Jaw, Bahrain’s main prison. law’s implementing regulations, prevents QWVUGXGTCNGZGEWVKQPUHQTVJGƂTUV In many cases, conditions and practices women from working “in positions which time since January 2017. Authorities amounted to cruel, inhuman or degrading expose them to major or continuous refused to give the bodies of the Bahraini treatment and or punishment. physical effort”, as well as a number of men killed to their families for funeral professions. Under Article 353 of the arrangements and prevented most family members from being present at their burial. For most of the year prison authorities Penal Code, “Anyone who commits” rape failed to issue inmate Ahmed Merza or sexual assault “shall not be sentenced Ismaeel medication for his sickle- to any punishment” and will be absolved PRISON CONDITIONS cell anaemia, a disease that causes of any prior conviction “if he contracts a excruciating pain if left untreated, a proper marriage between himself and the Prison conditions remained poor, with violation of the prohibition of torture and wronged woman”. overcrowding, inadequate supply of other ill-treatment and his right to health.

1. Amnesty International, $CJTCKP)GPGTCNUVKƃKPIQHHTGGFQOQHGZRTGUUKQPQPUQEKCNOGFKC (Index: MDE 11/1564/2019), https://www.amnesty.org/download/Documents/MDE1115642019ENGLISH.pdf 2. Amnesty International, 0GYOCUUVTKCNQHRTQVGUVGTUKP$CJTCKP (Index: MDE 11/0002/2019), https://www.amnesty.org/download/Documents/MDE1100022019ENGLISH.pdf 3. Amnesty International, $CJTCKP/CUUVTKCNTGXQMKPIEKVK\GPUJKRQHRGQRNGnCOQEMGT[QHLWUVKEGo (Press release, 16 April 2019), JVVRUYYYCOPGUV[QTIGPNCVGUVPGYUDCJTCKPOCUUVTKCNTGXQMKPIEKVK\GPUJKRQHRGQRNGCOQEMGT[QHLWUVKEG 4. See, for example, Amnesty International, $CJTCKP&GPKCNQHOGFKECNECTGHQTUGTKQWUN[KNNKORTKUQPGFCEVKXKUVnNCVGUVCEVQHETWGNV[o (Press release, 11 September 2019), https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2019/09/bahrain-denial-of-medical-care-for-seriously-ill-imprisoned-activist-latest-act-of-cruelty/

HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA 17 REVIEW OF 2019 Amnesty International .CY[GTCPFJWOCPTKIJVUFGHGPFGT/CJKGPQWTGN/CUT[YJQYCUCTTGUVGFCUUJGNGHVVJG5WRTGOG5VCVG5GEWTKV[2TQUGEWVKQPDWKNFKPIKP)TGCVGT%CKTQ'I[RVQP 5GRVGODGT5JGJCFDGGPTGRTGUGPVKPICFGVCKPGFJWOCPTKIJVUNCY[GT5JGTGOCKPGFKPRTGVTKCNFGVGPVKQPQPWPHQWPFGFpVGTTQTKUOqTGNCVGFEJCTIGUCVVJGGPFQH  #NCC'NMCOJCYK

prosecuting civilians and undermined the Dozens of workers and trade unionists EGYPT independence of the judiciary. Following were arbitrarily arrested and prosecuted the 20 September protests, the Supreme for exercising their right to strike and Arab Republic of Egypt protest. The authorities restricted Head of state: Abdel Fattah al-Sisi State Security Prosecution (SSSP) Head of government: Moustafa Madbouly ordered the detention of thousands Christians’ right to worship by closing at pending investigation in relation to least 25 churches and failing to provide vaguely worded “terrorism”-related approval for thousands of others to be The authorities resorted to a range of charges were investigated. Extensive built or repaired. Refugees, asylum- repressive measures against protesters use of exceptional courts led to grossly seekers and migrants were arbitrarily and perceived dissidents, including unfair trials and, in some cases, death arrested and detained for irregularly enforced disappearance, mass arrests, sentences. Executions continued. Torture entering or leaving Egypt. torture and other ill-treatment, excessive remained rife in formal and informal use of force and severe probation places of detention. Conditions of measures, particularly after protests detention remained dire, prompting mass BACKGROUND against the President on 20 September. Security forces arbitrarily arrested and hunger strikes. Women continued to In April, parliament approved detained at least 20 journalists solely face discrimination in law and practice. constitutional amendments to lengthen for peacefully expressing their opinions. The authorities failed to protect women the presidential term from four to six The authorities continued to severely against high levels of sexual and gender- years, which would allow President Abdel restrict human rights organizations’ based violence. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, Fattah al-Sisi to stay in power until 2030 and political parties’ freedom of transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people if he wins another election. A referendum association. Constitutional amendments in detention were forcibly subjected to approved the amendments. Every three expanded the role of military courts in invasive anal and sex determination tests. months, the authorities extended the

HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA 18 REVIEW OF 2019 Amnesty International state of emergency, in force since arrested at least 4,000 people; it was Political parties faced arbitrary April 2017, thereby circumventing the the largest wave of mass arrests since restrictions on their work, such as constitutional six-month limit. President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi came organizing public events, and increasing to power.1 The authorities carried out arrests of their members. Leading The government ended fuel subsidies sweeping arrests of hundreds of peaceful RQNKVKECNƂIWTGUKPENWFKPI<[CFGN KP,WN[#PQHƂEKCNUVCVKUVKECNUWTXG[ protesters, including children, as well as Elaimy, Hisham Fouad and Hossam concluded that 32.5% of Egyptians were more targeted arbitrary arrests of human Moanis, were arrested to stop them living below the poverty line, a rise of rights lawyers, journalists, political founding a coalition to contest the 2020 nearly 5% since 2015. activists and politicians. At least 3,715 parliamentary elections.3 In September of those arrested were detained pending and October, police arrested several In September, former military contractor investigation in relation to “terrorism”- OGODGTUHTQOƂXGRQNKVKECNRCTVKGU Mohammed Ali released videos accusing related charges – the largest single including Khaled Dawoud, former the President and military of corruption protest-related criminal investigation in Secretary General of the Dostour party, and called for protests. In response, Egypt’s history. Police randomly stopped after the parties called on the authorities hundreds of people protested in Egypt’s to respect the right to assemble. capital, Cairo, its second city, Alexandria, individuals in Cairo and Alexandria, and other cities on 20 September. ordered them to hand over their phones or show them their social media accounts +P#WIWUVVJG2TGUKFGPVTCVKƂGFCPGY Attacks by armed groups in Sinai and, in some cases, arrested them. NGO law that maintained the most continued sporadically, though at a lesser draconian provisions of the 2017 law it rate than in previous years. In April, a replaced, including giving the authorities suicide bombing killed seven people and FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION wide powers to dissolve independent injured 26 in a market in the town of human rights groups and criminalizing Security forces arbitrarily arrested and Sheikh Zuweid. legitimate activities of NGOs.4 detained at least 20 journalists solely for peacefully expressing their opinions. On 13 November, Egypt’s third Universal Periodic Review was held at the UN Among them were Sayed Abdellah, a HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS Human Rights Council with members journalist, and Mohammed Ibrahim, a making 373 recommendations. The politically motivated criminal journalist and founder of the well-known investigation into the activities and blog “Oxygen Egypt”, who were arbitrarily Egypt remained a member of the funding of staff members of human detained from September for posting coalition led by Saudi Arabia and the rights organizations known as Case videos and news about the protests United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the 173 remained active. At least 31 staff against the President. CTOGFEQPƃKEVKP;GOGP'I[RVTGOCKPGF members of civil society organizations a member of the coalition imposing 1P0QXGODGTUGEWTKV[QHƂEGTU continued to be banned from travelling economic and political sanctions on arbitrarily arrested Shady Zalat, editor abroad. Qatar, along with Bahrain, Saudi Arabia of the independent media platform and the UAE. Mada Masr, at his home and held him Following the 20 September protests, for almost two days. The next day, human rights defenders were increasingly UGEWTKV[HQTEGUTCKFGF/CFC/CUToUQHƂEG targeted for arrest, torture and other FREEDOM OF PEACEFUL ASSEMBLY CPFDTKGƃ[FGVCKPGFUVCHH1P ill-treatment, prolonged detention and The authorities responded to peaceful November, journalists Solafa Magdy, criminal investigations. protests in March, September and Hossam El-Sayed and Mohamed Salah October with unlawful use of force, mass were arrested and subsequently detained On 22 September, security forces pending investigations on “terrorism”- arbitrary arrests, disproportionate road arrested Mahienour el-Masry, a human related charges.2 closures and censorship. rights defender and lawyer, as she left the SSSP building in Greater Cairo where The authorities added the websites of In March, after a spontaneous protest she had been representing a detained the broadcasters BBC and Alhurra to broke out following a train derailment that human rights lawyer. The following week, the list of 513 websites already blocked Mohamed el-Baqer, a lawyer and director left at least 27 people dead in downtown in Egypt, including those of news and of the Adalah Center for Rights and Cairo, scores of protesters and bystanders human rights organizations. were arrested. Many of them remained in Freedoms, was arrested and ill-treated pre-trial detention at the end of the year. after he represented a detained activist. FREEDOM OF ASSOCIATION A few days later, plain-clothes police In response to the 20 September kidnapped Esraa Abdelfattah, a human protests, authorities used excessive The authorities continued to severely rights defender and journalist, then force, blocked off roads and closed restrict human rights organizations’ and tortured her at an undisclosed location. metro stations in downtown Cairo, and political parties’ freedom of association. All three human rights defenders

HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA 19 REVIEW OF 2019 Amnesty International remained in pre-trial detention in relation Courts also imposed repressive probation TORTURE AND OTHER ILL- to unfounded “terrorism”-related charges measures on dozens of individuals, TREATMENT at the end of 2019. including prisoners of conscience imprisoned after unfair trials, to punish Torture remained rife in formal and them after their release and hinder them informal places of detention. Only in UNFAIR TRIALS from carrying out political activities, rare cases did the authorities prosecute ordering them to spend up to 12 hours alleged perpetrators of torture. In April, constitutional amendments expanded the role of military courts a day in police stations. At least four Following his rearrest on 29 September, in prosecuting civilians. They also people previously detained arbitrarily blogger Alaa Abdel Fattah was transferred undermined the independence of the were rearrested while in police stations to the notorious Tora maximum security judiciary by granting the President more HWNƂNNKPIVJGKTRTQDCVKQPTGSWKTGOGPVU prison 2 in the south of Greater Cairo, powers to appoint heads of judicial They included Alaa Abd El-Fattah, a YJGTGRTKUQPQHƂEGTUDNKPFHQNFGFJKO bodies, and enshrined impunity for blogger and activist, who was rearrested stripped him of his clothing, beat and members of the armed forces. on 29 September in a Cairo police kicked him repeatedly, and verbally station. The SSSP ordered his detention abused him.7 Following the 20 September protests, pending investigation in relation to the SSSP – a special branch of the “terrorism”-related charges. In August, Hossam Hamad died in al-Aqrab Public Prosecution responsible for prison. Prosecutors failed to investigate investigating national security threats – claims that he had been tortured. ordered the detention of thousands of DEATH PENALTY people, including at least 111 children, pending investigation in relation to Courts including military and terrorism Some action was taken in relation to vaguely worded “terrorism” charges.5 circuits handed down death sentences past cases. In February, a court in Sohag Neither the accused nor their lawyers against men and women after unfair, sentenced three policemen to three years in prison for torturing and killing were allowed to examine the charges, mass trials. The Supreme Military Court Mohamed Saleh, a detainee, in 2016, which were based on reports by the of Appeals and the Court of Cassation as well as a doctor to one year in prison National Security Agency (NSA). Lawyers upheld death sentences, and executions for covering up the crime. In October, were often prevented from adequately were carried out.6 In February, for prosecution authorities indicted 10 representing their clients; some were example, 15 men convicted in three abducted or arrested. Such measures RQNKEGQHƂEGTUHQTVJGVQTVWTGCPF different trials related to the murder severely undermined due process. In at killing of street vendor Magdy Maken QHQHƂEKCNUYGTGGZGEWVGF6JGKTVTKCNU NGCUVƂXGECUGUVJG5552D[RCUUGFEQWTV in Ameriya police station in Cairo. In were marred by allegations of enforced decisions to release suspects by issuing November, the Court of Cassation upheld disappearance and torture, as well as the new detention orders on similar charges. a three-year prison sentence against six use of forced confessions. policemen for torturing a detainee to Extensive use of exceptional courts, death in 2016. In December, the Cairo including terrorism circuits, military Criminal Court sentenced nine policemen courts and state security courts, led ENFORCED DISAPPEARANCES to three years in prison for torturing and to grossly unfair trials. Although the Hundreds of dissidents were forcibly killing Hussein Farghali in Wayli police authorities reduced the number of disappeared for up to 183 days. station in Cairo in 2016. terrorism circuits from nine to four, According to the Egyptian Commission the circuits convicted and sentenced for Rights and Freedoms, at least 710 dozens of defendants in cases that DETENTION CONDITIONS were marred by allegations of enforced people were subjected to enforced disappearance and torture, often without disappearance during 2019. Among Overcrowded and unhygienic cells, properly establishing individual criminal them was Ibrahim Ezz el-Din, a housing lack of ventilation, prolonged solitary responsibility. The courts continued rights researcher at the Commission, EQPƂPGOGPVCPFFGPKCNQHHCOKN[XKUKVU to extend the detention of suspects at who was arrested on 11 June. He contributed to inhumane conditions of detention across the country. Perceived the behest of the SSSP, in some cases reappeared outside the SSSP building on government critics suffered prolonged HQTQXGTVJGVYQ[GCTNKOKVURGEKƂGFD[ 26 November. The NSA alleged that he law. In October, a terrorism circuit court UQNKVCT[EQPƂPGOGPVCPFFGPKCNQH had been arrested only a day before his sentenced six defendants to death, eight adequate medical care that amounted reappearance. Ibrahim Ezz el-Din said to life imprisonment and 12, including to torture. Among them was Aisha al- two child offenders, to 10 years in prison. security forces had tortured him. The Shater, who had been held in solitary The defendants had been subjected to SSSP did not open an investigation into EQPƂPGOGPVUKPEGUJGYCUCTTGUVGF enforced disappearance and said they his enforced disappearance or torture in November 2018, following which had been tortured. allegations. she was tortured with beatings and

HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA 20 REVIEW OF 2019 Amnesty International electric shocks, sources told Amnesty sentenced Mohamed al-Ghiety, a TV FREEDOM OF RELIGION AND BELIEF International. She was critically ill at presenter who had publicly expressed the end of the year.8 In July, around homophobic views, to one year’s The authorities continued to restrict in 130 detainees in al-Aqrab prison staged KORTKUQPOGPVCPFCƂPGHQTKPVGTXKGYKPI law and practice the right of Christians a hunger strike over their detention a gay man on TV; the sentence served to worship. Christians’ right to build conditions, including the denial of family to intimidate people from publicly and repair churches remained restricted visits for years.9 Dozens of detainees died discussing LGBTI issues. under a 2016 law requiring approval in places of detention, some reportedly from state bodies, including security as a result of their detention conditions. In February, Malak al-Kashef, a agencies. According to the Egyptian transgender woman and human rights Initiative for Personal Rights, such bodies In June, former President Mohamed Morsi defender, was arbitrarily detained in granted full legal registration to less than died during a court hearing following relation to a protest. She was detained 200 churches, out of a total of 5,540 [GCTUQHFGVGPVKQPKPUQNKVCT[EQPƂPGOGPV for four months in the all-male Mazra’at that had made applications, while only and inadequate medical care. The UN Tora prison and subjected to a forced 1,412 churches received preliminary Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, anal examination at a government conditional approvals. Security forces summary or arbitrary executions found hospital, where she also suffered other closed at least 25 churches on the that the prison regime in Egypt may have forms of sexual assault by medical grounds of their illegal status or on the directly led to his death. staff.10 pretext of avoiding sectarian tensions. In April, security forces closed Naga CN)JCƂTEJWTEJKP5QJCICPFRTQJKDKVGF WOMEN’S RIGHTS WORKERS’ RIGHTS collective worship in it. Women continued to face discrimination In August, parliament amended the 2017 On 23 November, Coptic Christian in law and practice. Trade Unions Law, which undermines activist Ramy Kamel was arbitrarily the right to strike and form independent arrested days before his participation in The authorities failed to prevent, trade unions. The amendments reduced a session of the UN Forum on Minority adequately investigate or punish the minimum number of members Issues in Geneva, Switzerland. He was perpetrators of violence against women, required to form a trade union and detained on “terrorism”-related charges which remained widespread. They removed the punishment of imprisonment for speaking out about the rights of also continued to violate survivors’ for breaching the provisions of the law, religious minorities in Egypt and for EQPƂFGPVKCNKV[FWTKPIVJGUVCIGUQH KPENWFKPIHCNUKƂECVKQPQHVJGHQWPFKPI his previous engagement with the UN reporting and litigation. In some cases, documents. However, the Ministry of Special Rapporteur on adequate housing police forced survivors reporting violence /CPRQYGTCPFKVUCHƂNKCVGFFKTGEVQTCVGU during her visit to Egypt in 2018. to stay overnight at a police station continued to refuse to formally recognize or refused to register their complaint. new independent trade unions by Several cases were reported of police obstructing or delaying bureaucratic MIGRANTS, REFUGEES AND requiring women who submitted procedures, thereby restricting the right ASYLUM-SEEKERS complaints about sexual violence to of workers to organize freely, gain legal undergo virginity tests. In a rare case of recognition for their unions, carry out The authorities continued to arbitrarily sexual violence being investigated, police their legitimate activities and elect their arrest and detain migrants, refugees detained three men suspected of raping a executive bodies. and asylum-seekers. Between July and 17-year-old woman in Farshout, a town in September, security forces detained at southern Egypt. Security forces arbitrarily detained at least 23 Syrians, including 13 children, least 41 workers and trade unionists, in police station in the southern city some of whom were prosecuted, solely of Edfu for irregularly crossing the RIGHTS OF LESBIAN, GAY, for exercising their right to strike and Sudanese-Egyptian border; all remained BISEXUAL, TRANSGENDER AND protest peacefully. In September, the detained at the end of the year. police detained six workers in Ismailia’s INTERSEX PEOPLE investment zone who were calling for The authorities continued to arrest and UCNCT[KPETGCUGUCPFKORTQXGFDGPGƂVU prosecute LGBTI individuals on the In October, police detained 17 employees basis of their real or perceived sexual of the state-owned Eastern Tobacco orientation or gender identity, often Company for protesting for a pay rise, subjecting them to forced anal and sex ƂZGFVGTOEQPVTCEVUHQTVGORQTCT[ determination tests, a practice that workers and other improvements to their amounts to torture. In January a court conditions.

HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA 21 REVIEW OF 2019 Amnesty International 1. Amnesty International, 'I[RV.CTIGUVYCXGQHOCUUCTTGUVUUKPEG2TGUKFGPV#DFGN(CVVCJCN5KUKECOGVQRQYGT (Press release, 2 October 2019), https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2019/10/egypt-largest-wave-of-mass-arrests-since-president-abdel-fattah-al-sisi-came-to-power/ 2. Amnesty International, 'I[RV6JTGGLQWTPCNKUVUCTDKVTCTKN[FGVCKPGFs5QNCHC/CIF[*QUUCOGN5C[GFCPF/QJCOGF5CNCJ (Index: MDE 12/1602/2019), https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/mde12/1602/2019/en/ 3. Amnesty International, 'I[RV6JTGGRQNKVKEKCPUCTDKVTCTKN[FGVCKPGFs<[CFGN'NCKO[*QUUCO/QCPKUCPF*KUJCO(QWCF +PFGZ/&'  JVVRUYYYCOPGUV[QTIGPFQEWOGPVUOFGGP 4. Amnesty International, 'I[RV#OGPFOGPVUVQTGRTGUUKXG0)1NCYNKVVNGOQTGVJCPVQMGPpEQUOGVKEqEJCPIGU (Press release, 16 July 2019), JVVRUYYYCOPGUV[QTIGPNCVGUVPGYUGI[RVCOGPFOGPVUVQTGRTGUUKXGPIQNCYNKVVNGOQTGVJCPVQMGPEQUOGVKEEJCPIGU 5. Amnesty International, Egypt: Permanent state of exception ¬– abuses by the Supreme State Security Prosecution (Index: MDE 12/1399/2019), https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/mde12/1399/2019/en/ 6. Amnesty International, Egypt: Execution of nine men after an unfair trial a monumental disgrace (Press release, 20 February 2019), https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2019/02/egypt-execution-of-nine-men-after-an-unfair-trial-a-monumental-disgrace/ 7. Amnesty International, Egypt: Torture of activist Alaa Abdel Fattah illustrates use of extreme brutality to crush dissent (Press release, 10 October 2019), https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2019/10/egypt-torture-of-activist-alaa-abdel-fattah-illustrates-use-of-extreme-brutality-to-crush-dissent/  Amnesty International, Egypt: Aisha el-Shater critically ill amid torture and denial of medical treatment in prison (Press release, 21 November 2019), https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2019/11/egypt-aisha-el-shater-critically-ill-amid-torture-and-denial-of-medical-treatment-in-prison/ 9. #OPGUV[+PVGTPCVKQPCN'I[RV/CUUJWPIGTUVTKMGCVCN#STCDRTKUQPQXGTFGPKCNQHHCOKN[XKUKVUCPFFKTGEQPFKVKQPU 2TGUUTGNGCUG,WN[  JVVRUYYYCOPGUV[QTIGPNCVGUVPGYUGI[RVOCUUJWPIGTUVTKMGCVCNCSTCDRTKUQPQXGTFGPKCNQHHCOKN[XKUKVUCPFFKTGEQPFKVKQPU 10. #OPGUV[+PVGTPCVKQPCN'I[RV(QTEKDN[FKUCRRGCTGFVTCPUIGPFGTYQOCPCVTKUMQHUGZWCNXKQNGPEGCPFVQTVWTG 2TGUUTGNGCUG/CTEJCPFWRFCVGF/CTEJ  JVVRUYYYCOPGUV[QTIGPNCVGUVPGYUGI[RVHQTEKDN[FKUCRRGCTGFVTCPUIGPFGTYQOCPCVTKUMQHUGZWCNXKQNGPEGCPFVQTVWTG

HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA 22 REVIEW OF 2019 Amnesty International +TCPKCPUGEWTKV[HQTEGUƂTKPIVGCTICUVQFKURGTUGCRTQVGUVKPVJGEKV[QH$WUJGJT$WUJGJTRTQXKPEGUQWVJYGUV+TCPQP0QXGODGT8GTKƂGFXKFGQHQQVCIGHTQOVJKU RTQVGUVUJQYGFVJCVUGEWTKV[HQTEGUWUGFGZEGUUKXGHQTEGCICKPUVRGCEGHWNRTQVGUVGTU 2TKXCVG

they were committed with impunity. Iran provided military support to IRAN Cruel, inhuman and degrading judicial government forces and militias in the punishments were carried out. Scores CTOGFEQPƃKEVUKP5[TKCCPF+TCS Islamic Republic of Iran of people were executed, sometimes Head of state: Sayed Ali Khamenei (Supreme Leader) in public; several were under the age Iran remained closed to independent Head of government: Hassan Rouhani (President) of 18 at the time of the crime. There human rights observers. Amnesty were systematic violations of fair trial International and multiple UN human rights. The authorities committed the rights bodies, including the UN Special The authorities heavily suppressed ongoing crime against humanity of Rapporteur on the situation of human the rights to freedom of expression, enforced disappearance by systematically rights in Iran, whose mandate was renewed association and assembly. Security forces concealing the fate and whereabouts in March by the UN Human Rights used lethal force unlawfully to crush of several thousand political dissidents Council, were unable to visit the country. protests, killing hundreds, and arbitrarily extrajudicially executed in secret in the detaining thousands of protesters. The 1980s. authorities arbitrarily detained over 200 FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION, human rights defenders and imposed ASSOCIATION AND ASSEMBLY UGPVGPEGUQHKORTKUQPOGPVCPFƃQIIKPI BACKGROUND against many of them. A new law allowed The authorities heavily suppressed Iranian women married to men with (NCUJƃQQFUKP/CTEJCPF#RTKNCHHGEVGF the rights to freedom of expression, foreign nationality to pass on Iranian millions of people and left at least 77 association and assembly. citizenship to their children, but women people dead and thousands displaced, continued to face discrimination and the CEEQTFKPIVQQHƂEKCNU6JGCWVJQTKVKGUYGTG Security forces used unnecessary or CWVJQTKVKGUKPVGPUKƂGFVJGKTETCEMFQYP ETKVKEK\GFHQTHCKNKPIVQCNNQECVGUWHƂEKGPV excessive force to disperse protests against women’s rights defenders resources for relief and reconstruction. and arbitrarily detained peaceful campaigning against forced veiling laws. demonstrators. Ethnic and religious minorities faced Sanctions imposed by the USA continued entrenched discrimination. Torture to negatively impact Iran’s economy, In November, security forces crushed and other ill-treatment, including with detrimental consequences for the nationwide protests, killing over 300 through the denial of medical care, enjoyment of economic, social and people, including children, according to remained widespread and systematic; cultural rights. credible sources; many died from gunshot

HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA 23 REVIEW OF 2019 Amnesty International wounds to vital organs. Thousands of Human rights lawyers 'UOCKN$CMJUJKoUVQƂXG[GCTUKPRTKUQP protesters were arbitrarily detained. Many and 74 lashes. were subjected to enforced disappearance, Authorities cracked down on human torture or other ill-treatment including rights lawyers, prosecuting some in The government continued to ban VJTQWIJDGKPIRWPEJGFMKEMGFƃQIIGF relation to their peaceful human rights independent trade unions. and beaten. Authorities implemented a work, including their defence of clients near-total internet shutdown during the facing spurious national security protests to prevent people from sharing charges. In March, Nasrin Sotoudeh was Environmental activists images and videos of the lethal force used sentenced to 33 years and six months in by security forces.1 prison and 148 lashes. She is required Dozens of environmental activists were to serve 12 years of this sentence in arrested. Eight conservationists were Hundreds of others were arbitrarily CFFKVKQPVQƂXG[GCTUHTQOCUGRCTCVG sentenced to between four and 10 years detained in relation to the peaceful case.2 In June, lawyer Amirsalar Davoudi in prison in relation to their conservation activities, including carrying out research exercise of their rights, generally on was sentenced to 29 years and three into Iran’s endangered wildlife. They spurious national security charges. At months in prison, of which he will serve were convicted of charges including “co- least 240 were human rights defenders, 15, and 111 lashes. operating with hostile states against the including lawyers, labour rights activists, Islamic Republic”. environmental activists, minority rights activists, women’s rights activists, anti- Workers and labour rights death penalty campaigners and those activists Media workers seeking truth, justice and reparation for the mass extrajudicial executions and Thousands of workers staged peaceful A number of journalists were prosecuted enforced disappearances of the 1980s. demonstrations and strikes throughout CPFTGEGKXGFRTKUQPCPFQTƃQIIKPI Several family members of human rights the year in protest at unpaid wages and sentences in relation to their work. defenders were subjected to interrogation pensions, poor working conditions and In June, journalist Masoud Kazemi and other forms of harassment. Media living standards, the privatization of public was sentenced to four years and six workers and political dissidents were also sector companies leading to sub-standard months in prison and a two-year ban on among those arbitrarily detained. conditions of employment, and other working in journalism, in connection with grievances. Authorities arrested scores of social media posts in which he alleged government corruption. Independent civil society and human protesting workers on national security rights groups remained banned. related charges and sentenced over two In May, journalist Marzieh Amiri was Censorship of all forms of media and FQ\GPVQRTKUQPVGTOUCPFƃQIIKPI arrested while covering the International jamming of foreign satellite television Workers’ Day protest. In August, she channels continued. On International Workers’ Day, security was sentenced on charges including forces used unnecessary force to disperse Authorities raided private mixed-gender “spreading propaganda against the a peaceful demonstration in Tehran, parties, arresting and prosecuting scores system” to 10 years and six months in beating and arbitrarily arresting dozens of men and women for violating “public RTKUQPCPFNCUJGUTGFWEGFVQƂXG of workers. They included labour rights decency”. Their sentences included years’ imprisonment on appeal. activists Atefeh Rangiz and Neda Naji, ƃQIIKPI YJQYGTGUGPVGPEGFTGURGEVKXGN[VQƂXG In October, the Revolutionary Guards [GCTUCPFƂXGCPFCJCNH[GCTUKPRTKUQP Facebook, Telegram, Twitter and YouTube announced they had arrested Rouhollah for participating in the protest. remained blocked. Authorities summoned Zam, editor of AmadNews, a popular for questioning some Instagram users channel on a messaging application with large followings, including models, In September, jailed labour rights that authorities accused of inciting the musicians and dancers, and, in some activists Sepideh Gholian and Esmail protests of December 2017 and January cases, detained them and took over their Bakhshi were sentenced to, respectively, 2018. Iran’s state television broadcast accounts. 18 years and 13 and a half years in his “confession” in a propaganda video prison and 74 lashes in relation to their days following his arrest. In April, the prosecutor general of Iran participation in peaceful protests over announced that publication of “fake unpaid wages at Haft Tappeh sugar PGYUqTGNCVGFVQVJGƃQQFUYCUCPCVKQPCN cane company in Khuzestan province Political dissidents security issue. Subsequently, Iran’s and to public statements in which they cyberpolice announced the arrest of 24 said they were tortured in detention. Authorities detained at least 16 people social media users in Khuzestan province State television broadcast their forced who signed open letters in July demanding for “spreading distorted news and “confessions” months before their trial.3 fundamental changes to the country’s rumours” and “disturbing public opinion” In December, Sepideh Gholian’s sentence political system; some were charged with KPTGNCVKQPVQVJGƃQQFU YCUTGFWEGFVQƂXG[GCTUKPRTKUQPCPF “insulting the Supreme Leader”.

HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA 24 REVIEW OF 2019 Amnesty International Political dissidents Mehdi Karroubi, Mir would be impounded if they did so again. FREEDOM OF RELIGION AND BELIEF Hossein Mousavi and Zahra Rahnavard Authorities continued to impose a remained under house arrest without discriminatory ban on women entering Freedom of religion and belief was charge or trial. football stadiums for domestic games systematically violated in law and CPFCTTGUVVJQUGYJQFGƂGFKVEJCTIKPI practice. The authorities continued them with criminal offences. In October, to impose on people of all faiths and WOMEN’S RIGHTS they allowed 3,500 women to watch atheists codes of public conduct rooted a World Cup qualifying match in the in a strict interpretation of Shi’a Islam. In May, the parliament approved a bill national stadium. This followed the death amending the civil code to allow Iranian Only Shi’a Muslims were allowed to of Sahar Khodayari, who set herself on women married to men with foreign hold key political positions. The right ƂTGQWVUKFGCEQWTVYJGTGUJGYCUDGKPI nationality to pass on Iranian citizenship to change or renounce religious beliefs tried on charges related to her attempt to to their children. The new law came into continued to be violated. Those who enter a stadium.4 HQTEGCHVGTVJG)WCTFKCP%QWPEKNTCVKƂGF professed atheism remained at risk of it in October. However, while the children arbitrary detention, torture and the death of Iranian men are automatically granted penalty for “apostasy”. Iranian nationality, the new law requires DISCRIMINATION AGAINST ETHNIC women to apply for citizenship for their MINORITIES Widespread and systematic attacks children and their children to undergo Ethnic minorities, including Ahwazi continued against the persecuted Baha’i security screening by the ministry of Arabs, Azerbaijani Turks, Baluchis, minority, including arbitrary arrests intelligence before citizenship is granted. Kurds and Turkmen, faced entrenched and imprisonment, forcible closure of DWUKPGUUGUEQPƂUECVKQPQHRTQRGTV[CPF More broadly, women continued to face discrimination, curtailing their access to bans on employment in the public sector. entrenched discrimination in family education, employment and adequate and criminal law, including in relation housing. Economic neglect of minority- Dozens of Baha’i students were denied to marriage, divorce, employment, populated regions exacerbated poverty access to universities through expulsion KPJGTKVCPEGCPFRQNKVKECNQHƂEG and marginalization. Persian remained the sole language of instruction in for peacefully practising their faith. Authorities failed to criminalize gender- primary and secondary education. based violence against women and girls, Other religious minorities not recognized including domestic violence and early Members of minorities who spoke out under the Constitution such as Yaresan and forced marriage, which remained against violations of their rights were (Ahl-e Haq) and Erfan-e Halgheh were widespread. The judiciary watered down subjected to arbitrary detention, torture persecuted for practising their faith and a long-standing bill aimed at protecting and other ill-treatment, unfair trials and faced systematic discrimination. women against violence that it was imprisonment. Intelligence and security reviewing and sent it to the government’s bodies frequently accused minority Dozens of Gonabadi Dervishes remained bills committee for its review in rights activists of supporting “separatist imprisoned on charges including September. currents” threatening Iran’s territorial “gathering and colluding to commit integrity. crimes against national security” in 6JGCWVJQTKVKGUKPVGPUKƂGFVJGKT connection with a peaceful protest that crackdown against women’s rights Azerbaijani Turkic minority rights activist was violently quashed in 2018. defenders campaigning against Abbas Lesani was sentenced to 15 years discriminatory forced veiling laws, in prison in October on charges including Dozens of Christians, including converts, UGPVGPEKPIUQOGVQRTKUQPCPFƃQIIKPI “spreading propaganda against the were subjected to harassment, arbitrary for charges including “inciting and system” in relation to his advocacy for facilitating corruption and prostitution” detention and prison sentences for the rights of Azerbaijani Turks. He must through promoting “unveiling”. In July, practising their faith. Raids on house serve 10 years. Yasaman Aryani and Monireh Arabshahi churches continued. were each sentenced to 16 years in Dozens of Ahwazi Arab relief volunteers prison and Mojgan Keshavarz to 23 and a half years in prison. All three must RTQXKFKPICKFVQXKEVKOUQHVJGƃQQFU TORTURE AND OTHER ILL- serve 10 years. In September, authorities in Ahvaz were reported to have been TREATMENT arrested three family members of arbitrarily arrested in relation to their prominent US-based Iranian journalist relief efforts. Torture and other ill-treatment, including and activist Masih Alinejad as retribution RTQNQPIGFUQNKVCT[EQPƂPGOGPVTGOCKPGF for her activism against forced veiling. In Authorities used the November protests widespread and systematic, especially April, police sent text messages to female to target ethnic minority groups and during interrogations. Authorities drivers who had allegedly removed their arbitrarily arrest scores of Ahwazi Arabs, consistently failed to investigate torture hijabs while driving, summoning them to Azerbaijani Turks, Baluchis and Kurds, allegations and hold those responsible to TGEGKXGQHƂEKCNYCTPKPIUVJCVVJGKTECTU including minority rights activists. account.

HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA 25 REVIEW OF 2019 Amnesty International Torture may have caused or contributed DEATH PENALTY to appeal death sentences. In July, the to the death in custody of several people. judiciary announced that, since their Scores of people were executed after In September, Javad Khosravanian’s inception in mid-2018, these courts had unfair trials, some in public. They family was informed he had died in included several individuals who were issued 978 verdicts, including nine death custody following his arrest several days under 18 at the time of the crime. UGPVGPEGUCPFƃQIIKPIUGPVGPEGU earlier in Khorrambid, a county in Fars RTQXKPEG*GYCUTGRQTVGFVQDGƂVCPF The death penalty was maintained for Authorities continued to deny individuals well prior to his arrest. The head of the conduct protected under international facing some charges, including those provincial justice department ordered human rights law including some related to national security, access to an investigation into his death. There consensual same-sex sexual conduct and independent lawyers at the investigation were reports that several people died in sexual extramarital relationships, as well stage. Some individuals were refused custody following their arrests during the as for vaguely worded offences such as November protests. “insulting the Prophet”, “enmity against access to their lawyer even at trial. God” and “spreading corruption on earth”. Prisoners of conscience were deliberately denied adequate medical care, often The Islamic Penal Code continued ONGOING CRIMES AGAINST as punishment. Human rights defender to provide for stoning as a method of HUMANITY Arash Sadeghi continued to be tortured execution. through denial of cancer treatment. In a The authorities committed the ongoing new punitive measure, authorities forced crime against humanity of enforced prisoners of conscience in Tehran’s Evin UNFAIR TRIALS disappearance by systematically prison to pay for medical care received There were systematic violations of fair concealing the fate and whereabouts of outside prison and severely limited family trial rights. visitation rights. several thousand political dissidents who were forcibly disappeared during a wave of Forced “confessions” obtained under Conditions in many prisons and detention torture and other ill-treatment were secret mass extrajudicial executions in Iran facilities remained cruel and inhuman, broadcast on state television and used between July and September 1988. The including overcrowding, limited hot by courts to issue convictions. In August EQPVKPWGFUWHHGTKPIKPƃKEVGFQPXKEVKOUo YCVGTKPCFGSWCVGHQQFKPUWHƂEKGPVDGFU former prisoner Mazyar Ebrahimi said families violated the absolute prohibition poor ventilation and insect infestations. that ministry of intelligence authorities on torture and other ill-treatment. had arrested him and others in 2012 The Islamic Penal Code continued to KPEQPPGEVKQPYKVJVJGMKNNKPIQHUGXGTCN /CP[QHVJGQHƂEKCNUYJQCTGUWURGEVGF provide for corporal judicial punishment Iranian nuclear scientistsand repeatedly COQWPVKPIVQVQTVWTGKPENWFKPIƃQIIKPI tortured them to extract “confessions” of being involved in the enforced blinding and amputation. Scores of that were broadcast on state television. disappearances and mass extrajudicial KPFKXKFWCNUYGTGUGPVGPEGFVQƃQIIKPIHQT Subsequently, member of parliament executions of 1988, including individuals theft and assault as well as for acts that, Mahmoud Sadeghi introduced a bill linked to the “death commissions”, criminalizing VJGHKNOKPICPF under international human rights law, continued to hold positions of power.5 DTQCFECUVKPIQHHQTEGFconfessions, but it should not be criminalized. These acts is unlikely to become law. In November, Alireza Avaei remained Iran’s minister included participating in peaceful protests, state media broadcast the forced of justice; in March; Ebrahim Raisi was engaging in extramarital relationships, “confessions” of protesters arrested appointed as the head of the judiciary; and, attending mixed-gender parties and during the nationwide protests that in July, Mostafa Pour Mohammadi, advisor drinking alcohol. In July, Kurdish singer month. to Iran’s head of the judiciary and a former Peyman Mirzazadeh was subjected to 100 minister of justice, threatened individuals lashes after being convicted on charges Defendants tried before special courts including “drinking alcohol”. In October, FGCNKPIYKVJƂPCPEKCNEQTTWRVKQPYGTG advocating for truth and accountability a prisoner’s hand was amputated for theft denied the right to appeal against prison with prosecution for “terrorism” and in a prison in Sari, Mazandaran province. sentences and were given only 10 days “collusion” with Iran’s enemies.

1. Amnesty International, Iran: 6JQWUCPFUCTDKVTCTKN[FGVCKPGFCPFCVTKUMQHVQTVWTGKPEJKNNKPIRQUVRTQVGUVETCEMFQYP (Press Release, 16 December 2019), JVVRUYYYCOPGUV[QTIGPNCVGUVPGYUKTCPVJQWUCPFUCTDKVTCTKN[FGVCKPGFCPFCVTKUMQHVQTVWTGKPEJKNNKPIRQUVRTQVGUVETCEMFQYP 2. #OPGUV[+PVGTPCVKQPCN+TCP5JQEMKPI[GCTRTKUQPVGTOCPFNCUJGUHQTYQOGPoUTKIJVUFGHGPFGT0CUTKP5QVQWFGJ 2TGUU4GNGCUG/CTEJ  JVVRUYYYCOPGUV[QTIGPNCVGUVPGYUKTCPUJQEMKPI[GCTRTKUQPVGTOCPFNCUJGUHQTYQOGPUTKIJVUFGHGPFGTPCUTKPUQVQWFGJ 3. #OPGUV[+PVGTPCVKQPCN+TCP#DWUGQHLCKNGFCEVKXKUVOWUVUVQR5GRKFGJ)JQNKCPCPF'UOCKN$CMJUJK +PFGZ/&'  https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/mde13/1295/2019/en/ 4. #OPGUV[+PVGTPCVKQPCN+TCP5JQEMKPIFGCVJQHHQQVDCNNHCPYJQUGVJGTUGNHQPƂTGGZRQUGUKORCEVQHEQPVGORVHQTYQOGPoUTKIJVU 2TGUU4GNGCUG5GRVGODGT  JVVRUYYYCOPGUV[QTIGPNCVGUVPGYUKTCPUJQEMKPIFGCVJQHHQQVDCNNHCPYJQUGVJGTUGNHQPƂTGGZRQUGUKORCEVQHEQPVGORVHQTYQOGPUTKIJVU 5. Amnesty International, +TCP5JQEMKPIUVCVGOGPVUD[UGPKQTQHƂEKCNJKIJNKIJVKORWPKV[HQTRTKUQPOCUUCETGU +PFGZ/&'  JVVRUYYYCOPGUV[QTIGPFQEWOGPVUOFGGP

HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA 26 REVIEW OF 2019 Amnesty International #P+TCSKRTQVGUVGTIGUVWTGUWUKPIVJG8UKIPFWTKPICFGOQPUVTCVKQPCICKPUVUVCVGEQTTWRVKQPHCKNKPIRWDNKEUGTXKEGUCPFWPGORNQ[OGPVCV6C[CTCPUSWCTGKPVJG+TCSKECRKVCN $CIJFCFQP1EVQDGT #JOCF#N4WDC[G#(2XKC)GVV[+OCIGU

forms of intimidation by intelligence death sentences, some after unfair IRAQ and security forces. Authorities blocked trials. IS targeted civilians, carrying out access to the internet, apparently to bomb attacks in cities and assassinating Republic of Iraq prevent the circulation of images of community leaders. Head of state: Barham Ahmed Salih abuses by security forces. Approximately Head of government: Adil Abdul Mahdi 1.55 million people remained internally displaced; many faced severe restrictions BACKGROUND From October onwards, security forces, on their freedom of movement. Abrupt Despite the conclusion of the military including factions of the Popular camp closures in Anbar and Ninewa campaign to retake areas from IS in Mobilization Units (PMU), used excessive governorates forced many families into December 2017, central Iraqi and KRG force against protesters involved in secondary displacement. Thousands of forces continued to report small-scale nationwide demonstrations, killing over men and boys remained missing after military operations, including air strikes, 500 and injuring thousands; many being forcibly disappeared by Iraqi in which they targeted IS cells in such of those killed were shot with live security forces, including the PMU, areas, especially in the governorates of ammunition or hit with previously unseen YJKNGƃGGKPI+5JGNFVGTTKVQTKGU6JGTG Anbar, Diyala and Ninewa. While over tear gas canisters. Activists, as well as were widespread reports of torture and 4 million displaced Iraqis had returned lawyers representing protesters, medics other ill-treatment of detainees held by to their areas of origin, the pace of treating injured ones and journalists central Iraqi and KRG forces, particularly reconstruction in places badly hit by covering the protests, were subjected to QHVJQUGUWURGEVGFQHCHƂNKCVKQPYKVJ VJGEQPƃKEVUWEJCUVJGIQXGTPQTCVGU arrest, enforced disappearance and other IS. Iraqi courts continued to pass down of Anbar, Ninewa and Salah al-Din, was

HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA 27 REVIEW OF 2019 Amnesty International slow. Humanitarian funding continued to government buildings and buildings following night, various security forces dwindle; residents in camps for internally CHƂNKCVGFYKVJRQNKVKECNRCTVKGUCPF attacked protesters in Nasiriyah, killing displaced people reported deterioration of factions of the PMU, part of Iraq’s at least 30 protesters and injuring many medical, education and other services. security forces since 2016. At least 12 others. protesters were killed after they were After Turkish military operations in VTCRRGFKPQPGUWEJƂTG2/7HCEVKQPU north-east Syria began on 9 October, killed a number of other protesters Arbitrary arrests and intimidation CTQWPF5[TKCPTGHWIGGUƃGFVQ approaching PMU buildings. In the context of the protests, activists, the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Separately, as well as lawyers representing Turkish air strikes continued in the north of An investigation ordered by the then protesters, medics treating injured ones this region, reportedly targeting members prime minister into the events of 1-7 and journalists covering the protests, of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK). October revealed that 149 protesters faced a campaign of intimidation by and eight members of the security forces intelligence and security forces, including On 1 October, nationwide protests were killed as a result of the use of factions of the PMU, who systematically commenced to demand better GZEGUUKXGHQTEGKPENWFKPIVJGƂTKPIQH targeted anyone speaking out against employment opportunities and public live ammunition. Over 70% of the deaths the conduct of security forces. In many services, as well as an end to government were caused by shots to the head or cases, activists were threatened, beaten corruption. On 24 October, even larger chest. The investigation found that high- and forced to sign pledges to cease protests began across Iraq calling for the ranking commanders of security forces protesting, before being released from fall of the government. On 1 December, did not order the use of excessive force detention. Activists said that security parliament accepted the resignation of but lost control of their forces. A number forces warned them that they had been Prime Minister Adil Abdul Mahdi of these commanders were subsequently added to a list compiled by intelligence who nonetheless continued in a caretaker removed from their positions. services. position. After the second wave of protests began In Baghdad, activists reported that on 24 October, security forces again OGPKPEKXKNKCPENQVJKPIYJQKFGPVKƂGF FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION AND met protesters with excessive force. On themselves as local intelligence agents, ASSEMBLY 25 October in Baghdad, anti-riot forces visited their homes and interrogated them launched previously unseen types of tear about their activities during the protests. gas grenades into crowds in a manner Excessive use of force At no point were the activists presented that witnesses said was intended to kill with an arrest or search warrant.5 Injured Between October and December, security rather than disperse protesters. The protesters were arrested from hospitals forces used excessive force against grenades were 10 times heavier than in Baghdad and Karbala, leading many protesters, killing over 500 and injuring regular tear gas canisters, killing almost others who were injured to avoid seeking thousands. instantly anyone hit by them. Medical medical help. Some people who were volunteers reported that the grenades arrested in Karbala reported that security Between 1 and 7 October, security YGTGƂTGFFKTGEVN[KPVQETQYFUQHRGCEGHWN forces beat and wounded protesters, forces killed scores of protesters and protesters, causing men, women and including children, during interrogation. injured thousands when they dispersed children to faint or suffocate.2 RTQVGUVUD[ƂTKPINKXGCOOWPKVKQPCU well as deploying tear gas and hot water Dozens of protesters and activists from 1P1EVQDGTUGEWTKV[HQTEGUƂTGFNKXG cannons. several governorates, including Baghdad, ammunition and tear gas to disperse Amarah and Karbala, were abducted and crowds of largely peaceful protesters In Baghdad, witnesses said that apparent forcibly disappeared by security forces in the southern city of Karbala. They UPKRGTƂTGEQOKPIHTQODGJKPFUGEWTKV[ in the period between early October and also chased away protesters staging a lines killed protesters. Protesters also December; a few were released days or peaceful sit-in and attempted to run reported that armed men shot at them, weeks later. In addition, unknown armed protesters over with vehicles.3 attempted to run them over with vehicles assailants shot and killed a number of and, in the city’s Za’faraniya district, RTQVGUVGTUCPFCVVCEMGFVJGQHƂEGUQH Security forces continued to use violence UWTTQWPFGFVJGOCPFVJGPƂTGFNKXG a number of local and regional media 1 against protesters throughout November, ammunition at them continuously. outlets in Baghdad that were covering the particularly in the cities of Baghdad, Witnesses also said that security forces protests. EJCUGFRTQVGUVGTUVT[KPIVQƃGGVTCRRGF Basra, Najaf and Nasiriyah.4 During the them and then beat them with metal rods night of 27 November in Najaf, at least CPFTKƃGDWVVU 12 protesters were reported to have been killed in clashes with security forces Curfews and internet shutdown In cities across several southern after protesters stormed and torched The authorities imposed curfews governorates, protesters set light to the Iranian consulate in the city. The repeatedly in October and November

HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA 28 REVIEW OF 2019 Amnesty International and intermittently blocked access to the cases, arrested lawyers who tried to help in IDP camps and in areas of origin to internet across the country, excluding HCOKNKGURGTEGKXGFVQDGCHƂNKCVGFYKVJ+5 which they had returned. Many of the the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. While to obtain civil documents. arrests occurred in areas previously held restricted access to the internet was by IS or considered to have been IS restored subsequently, access to social Internally displaced people in camps strongholds. media platforms remained blocked. Many across Iraq continued to face severe believed that the authorities disabled restrictions on their freedom of The fate of thousands of men and boys internet access during the crackdown to movement when attempting to leave who were arrested and then forcibly prevent the circulation of photographs camps, even for medical reasons. disappeared by central Iraqi security and videos of abuses by security forces. KRG authorities continued to prevent HQTEGUKPENWFKPIVJG2/7YJKNGƃGGKPI displaced Arabs from returning to their IS-held areas between 2014 and 2018 home towns and villages in disputed remained unknown. Their disappearances Kurdistan region of Iraq territories controlled by the KRG. Many left behind many female-headed men and unaccompanied boys living households; these women suffered the On 26 January, protests broke out near in camps in the Kurdistan Region of UVKIOCQHRGTEGKXGFCHƂNKCVKQPYKVJ+5 a Turkish military base in the area of Iraq following their release from KRG Shiladze, Dohuk governorate, after FGVGPVKQPHQTCNNGIGFCHƂNKCVKQPYKVJ In September, the Iraqi High Commission civilian casualties were reported to IS – either without charge or after being for Human Rights called for the parliament have occurred as a result of Turkish convicted and sentenced – did not VQRCUUCFTCHVNCYƂTUVRTGUGPVGFKP air strikes carried out on 24 January. return to their home areas in territories 2015, to incorporate the provisions of Local media and activists reported controlled by the central Iraqi authorities the International Convention for the that a number of protesters stormed due to risks of arrest and harassment by Protection of All Persons from Enforced VJGDCUGCPFUVCTVGFƂTGUCPFVJCVVYQ security forces there. &KUCRRGCTCPEGYJKEJ+TCSTCVKƂGFKP of them were killed. On 27 January, 2010, into national legislation. This the Asayish, the KRG security agency, Iraqi authorities abruptly closed camps remained pending at the end of the year. arrested dozens of protesters, activists, for internally displaced people in Anbar journalists and individuals who may and Ninewa governorates, forcing those have been bystanders. Some were affected to move to nearby consolidated TORTURE AND OTHER ILL- released without charge on the same camps or return to their areas of origin. day, while others were charged. Of TREATMENT This violated their right to voluntary, these, most were released on bail in There were widespread reports of torture FKIPKƂGFCPFUCHGTGVWTP/CP[RGQRNG the subsequent days and weeks. Also and other ill-treatment of detainees were displaced for a second time on 27 January, the Asayish arrested held by central Iraqi and KRG forces, and were hard to reach and track by a journalist and two activists, who, particularly of those suspected of humanitarian agencies after local and according to their relatives, were on their CHƂNKCVKQPYKVJ+5YJQYGTGEQGTEGF security actors refused them entry to way to a gathering in the city of Duhok to provide “confessions” during their areas of origin, perceiving them to in support of the Shiladze protests; they interrogation. Courts continued to allow DGCHƂNKCVGFYKVJ+57 were charged and released on bail at the torture-tainted evidence to be used in beginning of March.6 trials, especially in those of IS suspects. Humanitarian agencies reported that an

increased number of displaced Iraqis The Iraqi High Commission for Human who had returned to their areas of origin Rights reported deteriorating and INTERNALLY DISPLACED PEOPLE were living in poor conditions. Some overcrowded prison conditions across Approximately 1.55 million people families, particularly those perceived to Iraq owing to the rise in the number of remained internally displaced as a DGCHƂNKCVGFYKVJ+5YGTGGXKEVGFHTQO FGVCKPGGUUWURGEVGFQHCHƂNKCVKQPYKVJ+5 TGUWNVQHVJGCTOGFEQPƃKEVCICKPUV+5 their homes by armed men, including the majority in camps and informal NQECNVTKDCNOKNKVKCUYJQVJGPEQPƂUECVGF settlements in Anbar, Ninewa and Salah or destroyed the properties. Women from al-Din governorates following secondary these families were sexually harassed and DEATH PENALTY displacement. intimidated by such actors. Death sentences were handed down for terrorism-related activity, drug-related Displaced families continued to face crimes, murder and kidnapping. obstacles to accessing civil status ENFORCED DISAPPEARANCES Iraqi and foreign nationals held on documentation. This restricted their UWURKEKQPQHCHƂNKCVKQPYKVJ+5YGTG freedom of movement and their access &KURNCEGF+TCSKURGTEGKXGFVQDGCHƂNKCVGF condemned to death following critically to employment and public services, with IS were subjected to enforced ƃCYGFVTKCNUQHVGPJCXKPIJCFPQCEEGUU including education for their children. disappearance following arrest by central to an adequate defence and on the basis 5GEWTKV[QHƂEGTUVJTGCVGPGFCPFKPUQOG Iraqi security forces at checkpoints, of torture-tainted “confessions”.

HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA 29 REVIEW OF 2019 Amnesty International ABUSES BY ARMED GROUPS deter residents from co-operating with those of Yazidi men and boys killed by IS UGEWTKV[HQTEGUCPFVQCNNQY+5ƂIJVGTUVQ in August 2014. The fate of over 3,000 IS continued to target civilians in move unhindered through the area. Yazidi women and girls abducted by the assassinations and bomb attacks. The armed group remained unknown. armed group claimed a bombing in Bodies exhumed from a mass grave the city of Karbala on 20 September in the Sinjar region of Ninewa Over 400 hectares of agricultural land that killed at least 12 civilians and governorate, under the supervision of were set ablaze in central governorates, KPLWTGFƂXGQVJGTU+5CUUCUUKPCVGF the UN Investigative Team to Promote allegedly by IS. Iraqi authorities ordered community leaders in Diyala and Ninewa Accountability for Crimes Committed by an investigation, but no results were governorates in an apparent attempt to &CoGUJ+5+. 70+6#& YGTGKFGPVKƂGFCU made public.

1. #OPGUV[+PVGTPCVKQPCN+TCS&GCFN[UPKRGTCVVCEMUCPFKPVKOKFCVKQPCURTQVGUVGTUHCEGKPVGPUKH[KPIETCEMFQYP 2TGUUTGNGCUG1EVQDGT  JVVRUYYYCOPGUV[QTIGPNCVGUVPGYUKTCSFGCFN[UPKRGTCVVCEMUCPFKPVKOKFCVKQPCURTQVGUVGTUHCEGKPVGPUKH[KPIETCEMFQYP 2. #OPGUV[+PVGTPCVKQPCN+TCPKCPVGCTICUITGPCFGUCOQPIVJQUGECWUKPIITWGUQOGRTQVGUVGTFGCVJUKP+TCS 2TGUUTGNGCUG1EVQDGT  JVVRUYYYCOPGUV[QTIGPNCVGUVPGYUKTCSITWGUQOGUVTKPIQHHCVCNKVKGUCUPGYVGCTICUITGPCFGURKGTEGRTQVGUVGTUUMWNNU 3. #OPGUV[+PVGTPCVKQPCN+TCS*QTTKƂEUEGPGUCUUGEWTKV[HQTEGUTGUQTVVQNGVJCNHQTEGVQFKURGTUG-CTDCNCRTQVGUVU 2TGUUTGNGCUG1EVQDGT  JVVRUYYYCOPGUV[QTIGPNCVGUVPGYUKTCSJQTTKƂEUEGPGUCUUGEWTKV[HQTEGUTGUQTVVQNGVJCNHQTEGVQFKURGTUGMCTDCNCRTQVGUVU 4. #OPGUV[+PVGTPCVKQPCN+TCS4GKPKPUGEWTKV[HQTEGUVQRTGXGPVCDNQQFDCVJ 2TGUUTGNGCUG0QXGODGT  JVVRUYYYCOPGUV[QTIGPNCVGUVPGYUKTCSTGKPKPUGEWTKV[HQTEGUVQRTGXGPVCDNQQFDCVJ 5. #OPGUV[+PVGTPCVKQPCN+TCS5VQRUGEWTKV[HQTEGUHTQOVJTGCVGPKPIHQTEKDN[FKUCRRGCTKPICPFCDWUKPICEVKXKUVU 2TGUUTGNGCUG1EVQDGT  JVVRUYYYCOPGUV[QTIGPNCVGUVPGYUKTCSUVQRUGEWTKV[HQTEGUHTQOVJTGCVGPKPIHQTEKDN[FKUCRRGCTKPICPFCDWUKPICEVKXKUVU 6. #OPGUV[+PVGTPCVKQPCN+TCS(KUVCTQWPFHTGGFQOQHGZRTGUUKQPVKIJVGPU +PFGZ/&'  https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/mde14/9962/2019/en/ 7. #OPGUV[+PVGTPCVKQPCN+TCS5VQRHQTEGFTGVWTPUQHJWPFTGFUQHKPVGTPCNN[FKURNCEGFRGQRNG 2TGUUTGNGCUG#WIWUV  JVVRUYYYCOPGUV[QTIGPNCVGUVPGYUKTCSUVQRHQTEGFTGVWTPUQHJWPFTGFUQHKPVGTPCNN[FKURNCEGFRGQRNG

HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA 30 REVIEW OF 2019 Amnesty International +UTCGNKCWVJQTKVKGUFGOQNKUJC2CNGUVKPKCPDWKNFKPIVJCVYCUWPFGTEQPUVTWEVKQPKPVJG2CNGUVKPKCPXKNNCIGQH5WT$CJGTKPQEEWRKGF'CUV,GTWUCNGOQP,WN[ #JOCF )JCTDCNK#(2XKC)GVV[+OCIGU

and human rights law. Israeli air strikes and Syrian Golan Heights. The authorities ISRAEL AND and shelling in the Gaza Strip killed 28 denied asylum-seekers access to a fair Palestinian civilians who were not directly or prompt refugee status determination THE OCCUPIED participating in hostilities, including 10 process. Conscientious objectors to children. Israel maintained its illegal military service were imprisoned. PALESTINIAN blockade on the Gaza Strip, subjecting TERRITORIES its residents to collective punishment and deepening the humanitarian crisis BACKGROUND State of Israel there. It continued to restrict freedom Head of state: Reuven Rivlin of movement of Palestinians in the OPT Israel held legislative elections on 9 Head of government: Benjamin Netanyahu through checkpoints and roadblocks. April, but no party leader was able to Israeli authorities unlawfully detained in form a governing coalition. As a result, Israel continued to impose Israel thousands of Palestinians from the new elections were triggered and held institutionalized discrimination against OPT, holding hundreds in administrative on 17 September. No government Palestinians living under its rule in detention without charge or trial. Torture was formed and third elections were Israel and the Occupied Palestinian and other ill-treatment of detainees, scheduled for March 2020. On 21 Territories (OPT). Israeli forces killed including children, were committed with November Prime Minister Benjamin 38 Palestinians, including 11 children, impunity. Israel displaced over 900 Netanyahu was indicted on charges of during demonstrations in the Gaza Strip Palestinians in the West Bank as a result bribery, fraud and breach of trust. and West Bank; many were unlawfully of home demolitions. The authorities killed while posing no imminent threat to used a range of measures to target Israel continued to expand illegal life. Israel failed to ensure accountability human rights defenders, journalists and settlements and related infrastructure and redress for victims of such grave others who criticized Israel’s continuing in the occupied West Bank, including in violations of international humanitarian occupation of the West Bank, Gaza Strip East Jerusalem, by legalizing outposts

HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA 31 REVIEW OF 2019 Amnesty International built without Israeli state authorization, of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). Many of 3-6 May and 15 in those of 12- including on private Palestinian land. were unlawfully killed by live ammunition 16 November. Some of the attacks in On 19 November, the US government or other excessive force when posing which civilians were killed or injured announced that it would not consider no imminent threat to life. Many of the appeared to have been indiscriminate or Israeli settlements in the West Bank as unlawful killings appeared to be wilful, disproportionate or to have been carried illegal under international law. On 25 which would constitute war crimes. out without adequate precautions to March, US President Donald Trump had spare civilians. recognized Israel’s sovereignty over the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip continued occupied Golan Heights, contravening weekly “Great March of Return protests” Israeli settler attacks against Palestinians UN Security Council resolutions that that began in March 2018. According to in the West Bank resulted in the killing declared Israel’s annexation illegal. the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights, of two Palestinians and the injuring of by 27 December, 215 Palestinians had 112, according to OCHA. There has On 20 December, the Prosecutor been killed, among them 47 children, been a pattern of Israeli forces failing of the International Criminal Court four paramedics and two journalists. to intervene to stop such attacks and (ICC) announced that the preliminary Some Palestinian protesters engaged in the Israeli judiciary failing to hold examination into the “Situation in perpetrators to account. Palestine” had concluded that war violence, including by throwing stones crimes had been committed in the OPT and Molotov cocktails towards Israeli and that “all the statutory criteria… for soldiers. the opening of an investigation have FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT, RIGHT TO been met.” However, before proceeding On 28 February, the UN Commission of HEALTH Inquiry into violations committed in the with an investigation, the Prosecutor Israel’s illegal air, land and sea context of the protests in Gaza between FGEKFGFVQUGGMEQPƂTOCVKQPHTQOVJG blockade of the Gaza Strip, restricting ICC’s judges that the territory over which March and December 2018 found that the movement of people and goods in the Court may exercise its jurisdiction Israeli forces may have committed war and out of the area, continued to have comprises the West Bank, including East ETKOGUKPENWFKPID[FGNKDGTCVGN[ƂTKPI a devastating impact on the human 1 Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip. at Palestinian civilians. In July, Israeli rights of Gaza’s 2 million inhabitants for media reported that the Israeli military the 12th year in a row. The measures +P/CTEJ2CNGUVKPKCPCTOGFITQWRUƂTGF JCFFGEKFGFVQEJCPIGVJGKTQRGPƂTG amounted to collective punishment. In a rocket from the Gaza Strip into central regulations, which had allowed snipers to January, the World Health Organization Israel, wounding seven civilians. Israel ƂTGCVRTQVGUVGTUoNQYGTNKODUCDQXGVJG warned that the Israeli blockade of retaliated by striking Hamas targets in knee, but only after over a year of it being fuel into Gaza was severely impacting Gaza. Between 3 and 6 May, Israeli aware that they were leading needlessly hospitals and other health services. forces launched hundreds of air strikes to deaths and devastating injuries; Between 26 August and 1 September, and artillery shells on Gaza, killing 25 snipers were briefed, in the future, to following rocket attacks into Israel, the RGQRNG2CNGUVKPKCPCTOGFITQWRUƂTGF shoot below the knee. Israeli authorities halved the fuel supply hundreds of rockets into Israel, killing to Gaza, resulting in a daily maximum of four. Between 12 and 16 November, after On 16 May, the Israeli army closed the four hours of electricity. Israel killed a leading member of the investigation into the killing of Ibrahim Palestinian Islamic Jihad armed group, In June, the Palestinian Centre for KPCPCKTUVTKMGJQUVKNKVKGUƃCTGFWR Abu Thuraya, who used a wheelchair, during the Gaza protests in December Human Rights reported an acute again. Israel launched air strikes killing medicine shortage for patients with 201, without pressing any charges. 33 people, including 15 civilians, while cancer and chronic diseases in Gaza. 2CNGUVKPKCPCTOGFITQWRUƂTGFTQEMGVU Israel continued to arbitrarily deny On 30 October, the army sentenced an into Israel, causing injuries. medical permits to Gaza residents to Israeli soldier who shot dead 15-year- allow them to enter Israel or the West old Palestinian Othman Halas during Israel also launched air strikes against Bank for treatment. In January, Israel a protest in Gaza in July 2018 to Iranian and Hizbullah targets in Syria, GZRCPFGFVJGƂUJKPINKOKVUQHHVJG)C\C Lebanon and Iraq. community service and reduced his rank coast to 12 nautical miles, still below for “endangering a life by deviating from the 20 nautical miles agreed in the orders”. Oslo Accords signed by Israel and the UNLAWFUL KILLINGS Palestine Liberation Organization in the Israeli military and security forces killed Israeli air strikes and shelling in the 1990s. at least 38 Palestinians, including 11 Gaza Strip killed 28 Palestinian civilians children, during demonstrations in the who were not directly participating in In the West Bank, at least 100 Israeli Gaza Strip and West Bank, according hostilities, including 10 children; 13 checkpoints and roadblocks continued VQVJG701HƂEGHQTVJG%QQTFKPCVKQP civilians were killed in the hostilities to heavily restrict the movement of

HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA 32 REVIEW OF 2019 Amnesty International Palestinians, and holders of Palestinian adults in prison. Under international RIGHT TO HOUSING, FORCED KFGPVKƂECVKQPECTFUHCEGFCPQPIQKPIDCT law, detention of children should be a EVICTIONS on using roads built for Israeli settlers. measure of last resort and for the shortest appropriate time. Israel demolished 621 Palestinian residential and livelihood structures in the occupied West Bank, including DETENTION On 22 January, Israeli forces arrested East Jerusalem, displacing 914 people, 14-year-old Suleiman Abu Ghosh from according to OCHA. Israeli authorities Arbitrary arrests and detentions Qalandia refugee camp and held him in said many of the buildings demolished administrative detention for four months. Israeli authorities conducted hundreds of lacked Israeli-issued permits; these are raids throughout the West Bank to arrest virtually impossible for Palestinians to obtain. The law of occupation prohibits Palestinians, usually at their homes at such destruction unless absolutely night. They were detained in prisons in Discrimination necessary for military operations. On 22 Israel, along with thousands of other In September, the Israel Prison Service July, Israeli forces demolished up to 16 Palestinians from the OPT arrested in refused a request to translate prison residential buildings in the West Bank previous years. This violates international TGIWNCVKQPUKPVQ#TCDKEƂNGFD[VJG village of Sur Baher because of their humanitarian law, which prohibits the Association for Civil Rights in Israel. proximity to the fence/wall, which Israel transfer of detainees into the territory of It argued that it was not required to largely built on Palestinian land.3 the Occupying Power. do so by the nation-state law, a law of constitutional nature that makes self- Israel punitively demolished at least 14 Israeli forces arrested Khalida Jarrar, determination a right reserved for Jews Palestinian homes in the West Bank, a former member of the Palestinian and discriminates against Palestinian including East Jerusalem, which left 36 people, including 15 children, homeless, Legislative Council and former board civilians, including by downgrading the according to B’Tselem, an Israeli human member of the Addameer Prisoner status of the Arabic language. Support and Human Rights Association, rights organization. Punitive demolitions constitute collective punishment and are on 31 October. She was charged prohibited under international law. with “holding a position in an illegal TORTURE AND OTHER ILL- association” and remained in detention TREATMENT, DEATHS IN CUSTODY Israeli settler organizations initiated, at the end of the year. with the support of Israeli authorities, Israeli soldiers, police and Israel Security forcible evictions of Palestinians from Israeli authorities used renewable #IGPE[ +5# QHƂEGTUEQPVKPWGFVQ their homes in East Jerusalem. OCHA administrative detention orders to hold torture and otherwise ill-treat Palestinian estimated in January that around 200 Palestinians without charge or trial. detainees, including children, with Palestinian households had eviction Some 4,638 Palestinians from the OPT, impunity. Reported methods included cases pending against them, placing including 458 administrative detainees, beating, slapping, painful shackling, 877 adults and children at risk of were held in Israeli prisons as of 30 sleep deprivation, use of stress displacement. November, according to the Israel Prison positions and threats. Prolonged solitary On 10 July, Israeli authorities forcibly Service. Many families of Palestinian EQPƂPGOGPVUQOGVKOGUHQTOQPVJUYCU evicted the Palestinian Ilham Siyam and detainees in Israel, particularly those in commonly used as a punishment. her family from their home in Silwan, Gaza, were not permitted entry to Israel East Jerusalem, after the Jerusalem to visit their relatives. On 29 September, the Ministry of Justice District Court ruled in favour of the launched an investigation after Samir Israeli settlers’ foundation Elad over the Palestinian civilians, including children, Arbeed was hospitalized with broken ribs ownership of the house, ending a legal from the OPT were prosecuted in military and kidney failure following torture by battle that had lasted nearly 30 years. courts that did not meet international fair Israeli forces during interrogation.2 trial standards. On 28 January, the Israeli authorities Four Palestinians died in custody announced a plan to forcibly transfer allegedly as a result of torture or other ill- 36,000 Palestinian Bedouin citizens living in “unrecognized” villages in the Children in custody treatment by Israeli forces. One of them, Negev/Naqab in Israel to government- Nassar Taqatqa, who was interrogated by Israel held 182 Palestinian children in planned townships; Israel refuses to prison, including two in administrative the ISA, died on 16 July in prison within recognize these villages as legal or detention, as of 30 November. Defence a month of arrest. The Israel Prison provide them with municipal services. In for Children International-Palestine said Service said it was investigating his December, Israeli authorities demolished that children were interrogated without death. The authorities refused to release the Palestinian Bedouin village of al- their parents present and placed with the bodies of three of the prisoners. Araqib for the 169th time.

HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA 33 REVIEW OF 2019 Amnesty International FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION AND Laith Abu Zeyad, from leaving the West GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE Bank for “security reasons”, apparently ASSOCIATION Violence against women persisted as a punitive measure against the in Israel, especially against female The authorities used a range of measures, organization’s human rights work.5 Palestinian citizens of Israel. At least 13 including raids, incitement campaigns, women were killed as a result of gender- movement restrictions and judicial During the night of 21/22 July, Israeli based violence. harassment, to target human rights authorities attempted to forcibly deport defenders, journalists and others who Palestinian photojournalist Mustafa criticized Israel’s continuing occupation al-Kharouf to Jordan, where he has no of the West Bank, Gaza Strip and Syrian REFUGEES, ASYLUM-SEEKERS AND citizenship or residency rights, apparently MIGRANT WORKERS Golan Heights. because he had documented human rights violations by the Israeli authorities Israel continued to deny asylum-seekers In February, the Ministry of Strategic in East Jerusalem. Jordan blocked the access to a fair and prompt refugee Affairs published a report that listed attempt, which would have amounted status determination process, leaving Palestinian human rights workers and many without access to basic services. to a war crime. He was held in arbitrary Boycott Divestment and Sanctions About 30,000 asylum-seekers were detention from 22 January until his (BDS) activists, labelling them as living in Israel. As of 30 June, no asylum conditional release on 24 October. “terrorists in suits”. Among them were claims had been granted, while about The Anti-Boycott Law was used to target Shawan Jabarin, general director of the 15,000 claims remained pending. activists and organizations critical of Palestinian human rights group Al-Haq; Raja Sourani, director of the Palestinian Israel’s policies. In November, the Israeli In September, the Supreme Court Centre for Human Rights; and Salah Supreme Court upheld a deportation rejected a petition to freeze the Hamouri, a French-Palestinian researcher order against Human Rights Watch’s deportation of Israel-born children of migrant workers residing in Israel without with Addameer. On 19 September, Israeli Israel and Palestine director, Omar a legal status. HQTEGUTCKFGFVJGQHƂEGQH#FFCOGGTKP Shakir, which had been initiated under Ramallah and seized equipment.4 the law. On 25 November, he was deported. In June, the state energy Israel continued to deny human rights company Energix used the law to sue CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS bodies entry to the OPT, including the Al-Marsad - Arab Human Rights Centre in At least three Israeli conscientious UN Special Rapporteur on the human Golan Heights after it published a report objectors to military service were rights situation in the OPT. In October, on the company’s large wind energy imprisoned. In August, conscientious Israel prevented Amnesty International’s project on private lands owned by Syrians objector Roman Levin was released after campaigner on Israel and the OPT, in the occupied Golan. FC[UKPUQNKVCT[EQPƂPGOGPV

1. Amnesty International, +UTCGN126(KPFKPIUQH70KPSWKT[KPVQ)C\CMKNNKPIUOWUVRCXGYC[HQTLWUVKEGQXGTYCTETKOGU 2TGUUTGNGCUG(GDTWCT[  JVVRUYYYCOPGUV[QTIGPNCVGUVPGYUKUTCGNQRVƂPFKPIUQHWPKPSWKT[KPVQIC\CMKNNKPIUOWUVRCXGYC[HQTLWUVKEGQXGTYCTETKOGU 2. Amnesty International,+UTCGN126.GICNN[UCPEVKQPGFVQTVWTGQH2CNGUVKPKCPFGVCKPGGNGHVJKOKPETKVKECNEQPFKVKQP (Press release, 30 September 2019, updated 30 October 2019), https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2019/09/israel-opt-legally-sanctioned-torture-of-palestinian-detainee-left-him-in-critical-condition/ 3. Amnesty International, +UTCGNEQPVKPWGURQNKE[QHU[UVGOCVKEHQTEGFFKURNCEGOGPVYKVJYCXGQHJQOGFGOQNKVKQPUKP5WT$CJGT (Press release, 22 July 2019), https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2019/07/israel-continues-policy-of-systematic-forced-displacement-with-wave-of-home-demolitions-in-sur-baher/ 4. Amnesty International, +UTCGNTCORUWRCUUCWNVQPEKXKNUQEKGV[YKVJEJKNNKPITCKFQP2CNGUVKPKCP0)1#FFCOGGT(Press release, 19 September 2019), https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2019/09/israel-ramps-up-assault-on-civil-society-with-chilling-raid-on-palestinian-ngo-addameer/ 5. Amnesty International, +UTCGN126#OPGUV[UVCHHOGODGTHCEGURWPKVKXGVTCXGNDCPHQTJWOCPTKIJVUYQTM (Press release, 31 October 2019), JVVRUYYYCOPGUV[QTIGPNCVGUVPGYUKUTCGNQRVCOPGUV[UVCHHOGODGTHCEGURWPKVKXGVTCXGNDCPHQTJWOCPTKIJVUYQTM

HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA 34 REVIEW OF 2019 Amnesty International #YQOCPTCKUGUC,QTFCPKCPPCVKQPCNƃCICUUJGUVCPFUCOKFUVRWDNKEUEJQQNVGCEJGTUFGOQPUVTCVKPICPFFGOCPFKPIRC[TCKUGUCVVJG2TQHGUUKQPCN#UUQEKCVKQPU%QORNGZKP ,QTFCPoUECRKVCN#OOCPQP1EVQDGT -JCNKN/C\TCCYK#(2XKC)GVV[+OCIGU

15 to 16. Migrant domestic workers argued that the 77 others were already JORDAN were granted permission to return implemented within its legal framework JQOGYKVJQWVRC[KPICƂPGKHVJG[FKF QTYQWNFDGFKHƂEWNVVQKORNGOGPV Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan not have valid permits, but continued because of the challenges of security and Head of state: King Abdullah II bin al-Hussein to be inadequately protected from hosting refugees. In April, Prime Minister Head of government: Omar Al-Razzaz abuse by their employers and agents. Omar Al-Razzaz issued a memorandum Jordan continued to offer sanctuary to to all ministries and governmental The authorities detained over a dozen over 2.8 million refugees, but many associations with instructions to implement the 149 recommendations journalists and activists critical of the Syrian refugees were prevented from accepted. government or the King, as well as entering the country and the number demonstrators demanding their and of professions barred to non-Jordanian Jordan remained a member of the others’ release, and blocked a website nationals was increased. Death sentences coalition led by Saudi Arabia and the of activists abroad. A new government were passed; there were no executions. United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the armed shelter for women at risk of being killed EQPƃKEVKP;GOGP by family members helped dozens of women, but others were administratively BACKGROUND detained under discriminatory charges In March, the UN Human Rights Council FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION AND and unmarried women were forcibly adopted the outcome of Jordan’s separated from their newborn children. Universal Periodic Review at a session ASSEMBLY The minimum age for girls to be married in which Jordan accepted 149 out of In February, parliament’s lower house “in special cases” was raised from 226 recommendations received. Jordan refused to enact a draft cybercrime law

HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA 35 REVIEW OF 2019 Amnesty International presented by the government on the basis by them on the grounds that it would CHILDREN’S RIGHTS VJCVVJGFGƂPKVKQPUYGTGXCIWGCPFVJCV FKUTWRVVTCHƂE9JGPVJQWUCPFUQH In April, the senate passed an some provisions contradicted the penal teachers gathered nonetheless, security amendment to the Personal Status Code EQFGVJGFGƂPKVKQPQHJCVGURGGEJYCU forces used tear gas and, in some cases, raising the minimum age for girls to be overly broad and risked severely curtailing batons to disperse the protesters. The married “in special cases” from 15 to freedom of expression. Between 17 and strike ended with an agreed pay deal. On 16. The “special cases”, which include 31 March, the authorities blocked local 5 October, the Prime Minister publicly situations in which the “marriage is access to alurdunyya.net, a website set apologized to the teachers and expressed necessary” and in “the interest” of both up by Jordanian activists abroad seeking cabinet’s commitment to implementing parties, require court approval and apply to document political developments and the recommendations of an investigation only to girls. The standard minimum age arrests of activists in Jordan. opened by the National Centre for Human of marriage continued to be 18 for both Rights, Jordan’s national human rights boys and girls. The authorities continued to harass institution, into alleged violations. and detain activists and journalists Citizenship laws continued to who criticized the government or King discriminate against children of Abdullah. Between March and June, WOMEN’S RIGHTS Jordanian mothers and non-Jordanian the authorities arrested two journalists Dar Amneh, a shelter for women at risk fathers, who, unlike children of Jordanian and over a dozen activists, most of them of being killed by family members that fathers married to non-Jordanians, were linked to al-Hirak al-Shaabi (Popular was established by Jordan’s Ministry of denied Jordanian citizenship. Movement), a coalition of political Social Development in July 2018, had activists. Some were charged with helped 86 women by the end of October The Family Protection Department and offences such as online slander and 2019. The shelter provides an alternative the Ministry of Social Development undermining the King and brought to to the administrative detention of continued to forcibly remove newborn trial before Jordan’s State Security Court. women at risk in “protective custody”. children from unmarried mothers, without Between September and November, at consideration of the best interests of the However, women were not allowed to least seven activists were arrested over child.2 leave the shelter without the approval of social media posts that showed them a provincial governor. Concerns remained participating in protests or criticizing the about the lack of protective orders issued government. Media reports indicated that or prosecutions initiated in response to MIGRANTS’ RIGHTS dozens of those arrested during the year threats of violence by family members.1 In March, the Ministry of Labour remained detained at the end of it. announced it would be reviewing the Provincial governors continued to use the kafala (sponsorship) system, which In June, the authorities arrested at least Crime Prevention Law to administratively ties migrant domestic workers to their 20 demonstrators demanding the release employers, and addressing violations by of those detained, on the grounds that detain women, often for months and agencies and employers. In September, they had not obtained a permit to hold a for discriminatory reasons, such as for new Ministry of Labour measures came public protest. The demonstrators were being “absent from home” without a into effect, giving migrant workers released a few hours later after they were male guardian’s permission, or for having without valid permits a grace period made to sign pledges that they would sex outside marriage (zina), begging or homelessness. On 14 October, the Prime during which they could return to their refrain from participating in actions that EQWPVT[QHQTKIKPYKVJQWVRC[KPICƂPG /KPKUVGToUQHƂEGTGRQTVGFVJCVYQOGP would “disrupt public security”. and reducing the fee paid by employers had been administratively detained after for the work permit of a migrant domestic being accused of zina in 2019. In May, the authorities had arrested at worker from 600 to 500 Jordanian dinars least 20 other demonstrators who were HTQO75VQ  demanding the release of detainees they Women who became pregnant outside marriage faced arbitrary detention and considered to be “political prisoners” and Migrant domestic workers continued to better living conditions for Jordanians as the forcible removal of their newborn be inadequately protected from abuse a whole. They were accused of “working child. Amnesty International documented by their employers and agents, and to change the structure of the state” cases where Family Protection remained at risk of arbitrary detention by and “foul language”. Some remained in Department police came to the hospital the state. Around 600 women migrant prison at the end of the year, charged soon after an unmarried woman had domestic workers were released from with “blasphemy”. given birth and took the baby. The child CFOKPKUVTCVKXGFGVGPVKQPKPVJGƂTUVJCNH was then handed to the care of the of the year; they had been detained In September, thousands of teachers Ministry of Social Development without for leaving their employer’s residence went on strike for a month over pay. The the mother’s consent or any individual YKVJQWVRGTOKUUKQPQTPQVRC[KPIƂPGUHQT Minister of Interior banned a protest assessment of risk. overstaying their visas.

HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA 36 REVIEW OF 2019 Amnesty International REFUGEES AND ASYLUM-SEEKERS reported that 28,889 Syrian refugees nationals seeking employment. Among had voluntarily returned to Syria during them were long-term Palestinian refugees Jordan continued to host around 2019. Jordan is not a party to the 1951 not holding Jordanian citizenship, most 655,000 Syrian refugees, more than Refugee Convention and continued to of whom were from the Gaza Strip; they 10,000 Palestinian refugees from Syria, apply strict criteria for the entry of new continued to be denied other basic rights over 2 million long-term Palestinian Syrian refugees, preventing many from and services, too. refugees, the vast majority of whom have entering. Jordanian nationality, and more than 87,000 refugees of other nationalities On 14 October, the Ministry of Labour DEATH PENALTY and. Based on Jordanian government raised from 11 to 39 the number of Death sentences continued to be passed; lists, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, professions barred to non-Jordanian no executions took place.

1. Amnesty International, +ORTKUQPGFYQOGPUVQNGPEJKNFTGP2QNKEKPIUGZOCTTKCIGCPFRTGIPCPE[KP,QTFCP +PFGZ/&'  JVVRUYYYCOPGUV[QTIGPFQEWOGPVUOFGGP 2. Amnesty International, +ORTKUQPGFYQOGPUVQNGPEJKNFTGP2QNKEKPIUGZOCTTKCIGCPFRTGIPCPE[KP,QTFCP +PFGZ/&'  JVVRUYYYCOPGUV[QTIGPFQEWOGPVUOFGGP

HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA 37 REVIEW OF 2019 Amnesty International -WYCKVKFGOQPUVTCVQTUVCMGRCTVKPCFGOQPUVTCVKQPCICKPUVEQTTWRVKQPKPVJGECRKVCN-WYCKV%KV[QP0QXGODGT ;CUUGT#N

intersex (LGBTI) people faced arrest. FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION AND KUWAIT Eight Egyptian men were returned to ASSEMBLY Egypt despite risks that they would be State of Kuwait tortured or forcibly disappeared. Courts The authorities detained and prosecuted Head of state: Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah continued to hand down death sentences; government critics and activists under Head of government: Jaber al-Mubarak al-Hamad al-Sabah provisions in the cybercrime law and no executions were reported. Penal Code criminalizing speech deemed as threatening state security or being The authorities detained and prosecuted offensive to the Emir (the head of state), government critics and activists under BACKGROUND critical of neighbouring countries or legal provisions criminalizing speech Kuwait continued to lead mediation blasphemous, as well as for peaceful deemed offensive to the head of state, as efforts to resolve the Gulf crisis that assembly. well as for peaceful assembly. Members erupted in 2017, when Bahrain, Egypt, of the stateless Bidun minority continued In July, the suicide of Ayed Hamad Saudi Arabia and the United Arab to face entrenched discrimination, Moudath, a stateless Bidun man who had Emirates severed relations with Qatar. including the denial of their rights to DGGPWPCDNGVQQDVCKPQHƂEKCNFQEWOGPVU Kuwait remained a member of the access employment and public services. and lost his job, triggered peaceful coalition led by Saudi Arabia and the Migrant workers remained inadequately protests calling for citizenship rights for protected against exploitation and United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the armed the Bidun.1 Fifteen Bidun men, including abuse. A new personal status law for EQPƃKEVKP;GOGP human rights defender Abdulhakeem 5JKoC/WUNKOUEQFKƂGFRTQXKUKQPU al-Fadhli, were arrested and charged discriminating against women in relation In August, Iraq handed over the remains with offences including calling for and to divorce, child custody and inheritance. of 48 Kuwaiti nationals who disappeared participating in protests and put on trial. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and during the 1991 Gulf War. On 22 August, they went on hunger

HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA 38 REVIEW OF 2019 Amnesty International strike in protest at their detention. On 17 address legal cases brought by migrant man from forcing his wife to quit her job 5GRVGODGTƂXGQHVJGOYGTGTGNGCUGFQP workers, including domestic workers, in if she was employed before marriage. bail, but the trial continued. relation to wage theft or other forms of exploitation. Migrant workers continued In July, the cabinet approved a draft In October, a criminal court sentenced, in to be inadequately protected and amendment to the Nationality Law that his absence, blogger and online activist faced abuse facilitated by the kafala would increase the period of marriage Abdullah Saleh to three years in prison (sponsorship) system. needed for a foreign woman married to for insulting the Emir and the judiciary a Kuwaiti man to be granted Kuwaiti on social media. In July, an appeal court Two Filipina domestic workers allegedly nationality from 15 to 18 years. had upheld another three-year prison died at the hands of their employers. In sentence against him, imposed for May, Constancia Dayag was reported to There continued to be no legislation “insulting Saudi Arabia” on his Twitter have been killed by her employer, who criminalizing domestic violence, which account. was charged with murder. In December, disproportionately affects women. Jeanelyn Villavende was reported to have been killed by her employer’s wife, who DISCRIMINATION - BIDUN was arrested along with her husband. In RIGHTS OF LESBIAN, GAY, June, another Filipina domestic worker, BISEXUAL, TRANSGENDER AND In August, a law was passed allowing the Jessielyn Española, was allegedly beaten granting of Kuwaiti citizenship during by her employer’s son after he accused INTERSEX PEOPLE the year to up to 4,000 individuals who her of theft. She was severely injured and In July, an LGBTI group, al-Hurriya, could prove that their ancestors were ƂNGFCEQORNCKPVKPEQWTV+P5GRVGODGT announced it would apply to the Ministry recorded in Kuwait’s population census the Court of Cassation acquitted a of Social Affairs for a permit to be of 1965, served in the army or police, Kuwaiti woman who had been convicted TGEQIPK\GFCUCPQHƂEKCNCUUQEKCVKQP and lived in Kuwait. The annual measure D[CPCRRGCNEQWTVQHKPƃKEVKPIKPLWTKGU UVQQFVQDGPGƂVUQOGQHVJGUVCVGNGUU on a Filipina domestic worker, including At the end of July, police arrested seven Bidun people living in Kuwait, but no with an iron. trans people in the city of Salmiya QHƂEKCNUVCVKUVKEUQPVJGPWODGTQHUWEJ and referred them to the Criminal individuals granted citizenship was In June, at least 95 Sri Lankan migrant Investigation Department. Same- available by the end of the year. workers returned to their home country sex sexual conduct continued to be for reasons that included non-payment of criminalized. Stateless Bidun persons remained wages and other abuses. unable to access a range of public services, including education for their From July the authorities forcibly evicted REFOULEMENT children. In mid-April, at the request of a unaccompanied male migrant workers government body, banks suspended the from residential neighbourhoods, In July, the authorities arrested eight accounts of Bidun individuals who could including by shutting off their water and Egyptian men with alleged links to the not provide the necessary documents to electricity supplies. Muslim Brotherhood who had been renew their IDs. tried and convicted in their absence in Egypt on terrorism-related charges. They On 4 November, the Chairman of Kuwait’s WOMEN’S RIGHTS handed the men over to the Egyptian National Assembly presented a draft authorities, despite serious concerns On 25 August, the Ja’fari Personal Status law that, if enacted, would put severe that they would be at risk of torture and Law came into force, setting out personal pressure on Bidun persons to surrender enforced disappearance, so breaching the status provisions for Shi’a Muslims, their long-standing claims to Kuwaiti absolute prohibition on refoulement. The YJKEJJCFRTGXKQWUN[DGGPWPEQFKƂGF nationality in order to safeguard their men were arrested on arrival in Cairo and Like Kuwait’s pre-existing Personal socioeconomic survival in the short term.2 were forcibly disappeared. Status Law, which applies to Sunni Muslims, it accorded women fewer rights than men in relation to divorce, child MIGRANTS’ RIGHTS custody and inheritance. In a welcome DEATH PENALTY In March, the Kuwait Trade Union contrast to the Personal Status Law for Courts continued to hand down death (GFGTCVKQPTGNCWPEJGFCPQHƂEGVQJGNR Sunni Muslims, the new law prohibits a sentences; no executions were reported.

1. Amnesty International, -WYCKV#WVJQTKVKGUETCEMFQYPQPRTQVGUVGTUFGOCPFKPIEKVK\GPUJKRTKIJVU (Press release, 17 July 2019), JVVRUYYYCOPGUV[QTIGPNCVGUVPGYUMWYCKVCWVJQTKVKGUETCEMFQYPQPRTQVGUVGTUFGOCPFKPIEKVK\GPUJKRTKIJVU 2. Amnesty International, -WYCKV4KUKPIUKIPUQHFGURCKTCOQPI$KFWPJKIJNKIJVETWGNV[QHFTCHVNCY (Index: MDE 17/1362/2019), https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/mde17/1362/2019/en/

HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA 39 REVIEW OF 2019 Amnesty International #.GDCPGUGFGOQPUVTCVQTFKURNC[UVJGYQTFp4GXQNWVKQPqKP#TCDKEQPVJGRCNOQHVJGKTJCPFFWTKPICRTQVGUVCICKPUVFKTGGEQPQOKEEQPFKVKQPUKP

refugees accessing services and aid, declared an economic emergency. LEBANON leading to many living in dire conditions. Government announcements about Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and austerity measures led to protests. On 17 Lebanese Republic intersex (LGBTI) people and organizations October, in response to the government’s Head of state: Michel Aoun Head of government: Hassan Diab (replaced Saad Hariri in continued to be denied their rights. new tax plans, nationwide protests and December) Security forces interrogated peaceful strikes erupted. On 29 October, the activists, journalists and others for government resigned. At the end of the social media posts criticizing political year, the crisis in providing essential In response to nationwide protests or religious authorities. Women migrant services, including waste, electricity and and strikes that broke out shortly after workers continued to suffer discriminatory water, persisted. the government announced new tax practices under the kafala (sponsorship) measures, the security forces used system. Death sentences were passed; no On 19 December, the President excessive force to disperse protesters, executions were carried out. appointed Hassan Diab to serve as prime and failed to protect people’s right minister. He was not able to form a to protest peacefully. Security forces government before the year’s end. continued to use torture and other ill-treatment; dozens reported being BACKGROUND subjected to such treatment. Lebanon A new government was formed in January EXCESSIVE USE OF FORCE hosted 1.5 million Syrian refugees, after nine months of political deadlock. but deported around 2,500 in violation Four of the 30 ministers were women, In October, the army used excessive force of its non-refoulement obligations. It the highest proportion to date. to disperse protesters in the northern imposed barriers that hindered Syrian In September, the Prime Minister towns of Beddawi and Abdeh and the

HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA 40 REVIEW OF 2019 Amnesty International UQWVJGTPEKV[QH5CKFCKPENWFKPID[ƂTKPI REFUGEES AND ASYLUM-SEEKERS refugees, who remained subject to live ammunition, rubber bullets and tear discriminatory laws excluding them from gas bombs, and by beating protesters Lebanon continued to host 1.5 million owning or inheriting property, accessing YKVJTKƃGDWVVU1P1EVQDGTUQNFKGTU Syrian refugees, including 919,578 public education and health services, shot and seriously injured at least two people registered with UNHCR, the and working in at least 36 professions. protesters in Beddawi.1 UN Refugee Agency, and, according to At least 3,000 Palestinian refugees who the government, around 550,000 who FQPQVJQNFQHƂEKCNKFGPVKV[FQEWOGPVU On 17-18 October, riot police used were unregistered. A 2015 government faced further restrictions, denying them excessive force to disperse an decision continued to bar UNHCR from the right to register births, marriages and overwhelmingly peaceful protest in registering newly arrived refugees from deaths. FQYPVQYP$GKTWVVJGECRKVCNVJG[ƂTGF Syria. As of 31 July, there were 31,000 large amounts of tear gas into crowds, Palestinian refugees from Syria registered chased protesters at gunpoint and beat with the UN Relief and Works Agency WOMEN’S RIGHTS them.2 (UNRWA). In June, parliament passed a law exempting children of Lebanese mothers On several occasions in October and In April, the Higher Defence Council, married to non-Lebanese fathers, who November, the security forces failed an inter-ministerial body headed by the hold residency cards but not Lebanese to intervene effectively to protect President, announced that refugees who nationality, from the need to apply for demonstrators in Beirut and the cities of entered Lebanon “illegally” after 24 work permits. However, the President Baalbek, Nabatiyeh and Sour from violent April would be deported, in violation of returned the law to parliament for further attacks by supporters of political parties. Lebanon’s non-refoulement obligations. Between May and August, 2,447 Syrian review. refugees were deported to Syria. In September, the parliament’s TORTURE AND OTHER ILL- Committee on Women and Children TREATMENT In September, President Aoun told the UN General Assembly that a total approved a draft law on sexual Torture and other ill-treatment continued of over 250,000 Syrian refugees had harassment in the workplace, but its to be perpetrated by all the security returned from Lebanon to Syria, either general assembly failed to discuss it. apparatuses.3 Dozens of former detainees spontaneously or in organized groups.4 Lebanese legislation continued to told Amnesty International and other The authorities had been returning Syrian discriminate against women. human rights organizations that, among refugees since July 2018 under an other torture methods, they were beaten agreement with the Syrian government. with hoses, metal chains and other The Lebanese authorities presented these implements; given electric shocks as “voluntary” returns, but their policies RIGHTS OF LESBIAN, GAY, on their genitals; and hung in stress towards Syrian refugees raised questions BISEXUAL, TRANSGENDER AND positions for long periods. about whether in some cases they INTERSEX PEOPLE amounted to “constructive” refoulement, LGBTI organizations and individuals prohibited in international law. In May, Hassan al-Dika died in custody continued to be denied the freedom to allegedly following torture in detention. exercise their rights. Article 534 of the The authorities imposed barriers that His father submitted three complaints, Penal Code, which criminalizes “sexual hindered Syrian refugees accessing but judicial authorities failed to intercourse which contradicts the laws services and aid, leading to many living investigate. The Ministry of Interior of nature”, alongside other laws that in dire conditions. UNHCR said that opened an internal investigation; it criminalize sex work, drug use and about 73% of refugees did not have legal concluded that Hassan al-Dika had died VTCHƂEMKPIYGTGWUGFVQRTQUGEWVG.)$6+ residency and, in June, revealed that the of an illness he had prior to his detention. people. authorities had tightened restrictions on Syrian refugee children under 15 In May, the Ministry of In March, the government appointed seeking regular residency status. In Telecommunications blocked access to VJGƂXGOGODGTUQHVJG0CVKQPCN April, the Higher Defence Council had the Grindr app, which is mainly used by Preventative Mechanism, an independent announced it would start demolishing gay and trans men. body within the National Human Rights “semi-permanent structures” built by Institute mandated to investigate torture Syrian refugees in informal camps after allegations and monitor detention 10 June, and implemented its decision conditions. However, it failed both shortly afterwards in several places. FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION to issue the decrees necessary to Security forces continued to arrest operationalize the mechanism and to Lebanon also continued to host tens and interrogate human rights and allocate a budget to it. of thousands of long-term Palestinian peaceful political activists, journalists

HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA 41 REVIEW OF 2019 Amnesty International and other individuals for social media bloodshed and maintain security and In April, the Minister of Labour formed posts criticizing political or religious stability”. a working group to look into dismantling authorities. The Muhal Observatory for the kafala system. The working group Freedom of Expression said 78 people submitted a plan in May, but none of its were summoned for interrogation in 2019 MIGRANT DOMESTIC WORKERS recommendations had been implemented simply for expressing their views online. by the end of 2019. Women migrant workers continued to suffer discriminatory practices under In July, church leaders called on the the kafala (sponsorship) system, which organizers of a festival to cancel the INTERNATIONAL JUSTICE restricted their rights to freedom appearance of the band Mashrou’ of movement and communication, In September, the Special Tribunal for Leila, saying its songs were “offensive .GDCPQPEQPƂTOGFCPKPFKEVOGPVCICKPUV education and health, including sexual to religious and humanitarian values Salim Jamil Ayyash on charges relating to and reproductive health. Amnesty attacks on politicians Marwan Hamade, and Christian beliefs”. The statement International documented serious human Georges Hawi and Elias El-Murr in triggered a social media storm accusing rights abuses faced by many of the 2004 and 2005. The judge issued both the band of propagating sexual perversion country’s 250,000 migrant domestic an arrest warrant for execution by the and a protest threatened violence against workers, mostly women, at the hands Lebanese authorities and an international the band and its fans. The Ministry of of their employers. Exploitative working arrest warrant. Interior failed to announce that it would conditions included long working hours, protect the band and its fans, while the deprivation of rest days, denial of pay or judiciary failed to investigate those who imposed deductions, deprivation of food DEATH PENALTY incited violence. The festival’s organizers and proper accommodation, verbal and cancelled the band’s appearance, stating physical abuse, and denial of access to Courts continued to hand down death they were forced to do so “to prevent health care.5 sentences; no executions were carried out.

1. Amnesty International, .GDCPQP+PXGUVKICVGGZEGUUKXGWUGQHHQTEGKPENWFKPIWUGQHNKXGCOOWPKVKQPVQFKURGTUGRTQVGUVU (Press release, 1 November 2019), https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2019/11/lebanon-investigate-excessive-use-of-force-including-use-of-live-ammunition-to-disperse-protests/ 2. Amnesty International, Lebanon: #WVJQTKVKGUOWUVKOOGFKCVGN[GPFVJGWUGQHGZEGUUKXGHQTEGCICKPUVRGCEGHWNRTQVGUVGTU (Press release, 19 October 2019), https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2019/10/lebanon-authorities-must-immediately-end-the-use-of-excessive-force-against-peaceful-protesters/ 3. Amnesty International, .GDCPQPKUHCKNKPIVQTVWTGUWTXKXQTUD[FGNC[KPIKORNGOGPVCVKQPQHETWEKCNTGHQTOU (Press release, 26 June 2019), https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2019/06/lebanon-is-failing-torture-survivors-by-delaying-implementation-of-crucial-reforms/ 4. Amnesty International, Lebanon: 9J[CTGTGVWTPUQHTGHWIGGUHTQO.GDCPQPVQ5[TKCRTGOCVWTG! +PFGZ/&'  JVVRUYYYCOPGUV[QTIGPFQEWOGPVUOFGGP 5. Amnesty International, n6JGKTJQOGKUO[RTKUQPo'ZRNQKVCVKQPQHOKITCPVFQOGUVKEYQTMGTUKP.GDCPQP +PFGZ/&'  JVVRUYYYCOPGUV[QTIGPFQEWOGPVUOFGGP

HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA 42 REVIEW OF 2019 Amnesty International #UOQMGRNWOGTKUGUHQNNQYKPICPCKTUVTKMGDGJKPFCVCPMCPFCTOGFRKEMWRVTWEMUDGNQPIKPIVQHQTEGUNQ[CNVQ.KD[CoU)QXGTPOGPVQH0CVKQPCN#EEQTFFWTKPIENCUJGUQP #RTKNKPVJGUWDWTDQH9CFK4CDKGCDQWVMOUQWVJQHVJGECRKVCN6TKRQNK /CJOWF6WTMKC#(2XKC)GVV[+OCIGU

press for the release of a detainee or militias and were regularly the victims of LIBYA captive. Torture and other ill-treatment JWOCPVTCHƂEMKPICPFCDWUGUD[ETKOKPCN were widespread in prisons, detention groups. The authorities continued to State of Libya EGPVTGUCPFWPQHƂEKCNRNCEGUQH unlawfully detain thousands of people Head of state: Fayez Serraj (disputed) detention. Militias, armed groups and in centres where they were subjected security forces suppressed freedom of to exploitation, forced labour, torture expression by harassing, abducting and Militias, armed groups and security and other ill-treatment. People were attacking politicians, journalists, human forces committed serious violations of targeted by security forces, armed groups rights defenders and other activists; one international humanitarian law, including and militias because of their sexual journalist was unlawfully killed and 10 orientation. Courts continued to hand war crimes. Fighting in and around others arbitrarily detained. The Libyan down death sentences; no executions Tripoli between forces and militias loyal authorities failed to protect women from were reported. to the Government of National Accord gender-based violence at the hands of (GNA) and the Libyan National Army militias and armed groups. Intimidation, (LNA) killed scores of civilians, injured threats and violence against lawyers and BACKGROUND hundreds more and displaced tens judges by armed groups and militias of thousands. Militias, armed groups seriously undermined the judicial system. Militias, armed groups and security forces and security forces arbitrarily detained The situation for tens of thousands of CHƂNKCVGFYKVJVJG70DCEMGF)0#NGF VJQWUCPFUQHRGQRNGOQUVKPFGƂPKVGN[ refugees, asylum-seekers and migrants by Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj and without any judicial process. They also remained bleak, as they were exposed based in Tripoli, and the self-proclaimed took some hostage for ransoms or to to arbitrary arrest and abduction by LNA, led by General Khalifa Haftar and

HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA 43 REVIEW OF 2019 Amnesty International CHƂNKCVGFYKVJVJGKPVGTKOIQXGTPOGPVKP Air strikes, artillery barrages and shelling thousands of people. Many had been the east of Libya, continued to operate by the LNA and GNA struck civilian held since 2011, and most were detained outside the rule of law. homes and other civilian infrastructure, KPFGƂPKVGN[YKVJQWVLWFKEKCNQXGTUKIJVQT including schools and businesses in the means to challenge the legality of In January, the LNA, supported by local and around Tripoli, and Tripoli’s Mitiga their detention. Hundreds of detainees armed groups, launched an operation to airport. On 2 July, an attack by the in Mitiga prison in Tripoli’s eastern seize the city of Sabha and other areas of LNA on an migrant detention centre outskirts, run by the Special Deterrent southern Libya from the GNA and local in Tajoura, on the eastern outskirts Forces (Radaa forces), a militia group factions, thereby asserting the LNA’s of Tripoli, killed and injured dozens CHƂNKCVGFVQVJG)0#CPFQPKVURC[TQNN territorial control in south-west Libya. In of migrants and refugees. Amnesty YGTGJGNFKPFGƂPKVGN[YKVJQWVLWFKEKCN April, the LNA launched an offensive to International also documented several process. They were kept in overcrowded EGNNUYKVJKPUWHƂEKGPVHQQFCPFYCVGTCPF take control of the capital, Tripoli, and CVVCEMUD[VJG.0#QPƂGNFJQURKVCNUCPF denied access to medical services. UWTTQWPFKPICTGCUYJKEJNGFVQƂIJVKPI ambulances. One of the most devastating CVVCEMUYCUQP,WN[YJGPƂXGOGFKEU between the LNA and GNA and their and rescuers were killed and eight were CNNKGFOKNKVKCU6JKUEQPƃKEVYCUQPIQKPI injured in a missile strike on a temporary at the end of 2019, with neither side TORTURE AND OTHER ILL- ƂGNFJQURKVCNPGCT6TKRQNKKPVGTPCVKQPCN OCMKPIUKIPKƂECPVVGTTKVQTKCNICKPU6JG TREATMENT CKTRQTVUQWVJQHVJGEKV[6JGƂIJVKPI armed group calling itself Islamic State in and around Tripoli displaced more Torture and other ill-treatment by maintained a presence in the far south of than 140,000 people, aggravated militias, armed groups and security Libya. The group continued to carry out humanitarian needs and interrupted forces were widespread in prisons, sporadic attacks and was targeted by US FGVGPVKQPEGPVTGUCPFWPQHƂEKCNRNCEGU access to health care, electricity and air strikes. of detention. Amnesty International other basic services. documented cases in which detainees were subjected to mock executions, The political process remained stalled. The LNA operation in the south in early DGCVKPIUCPFƃQIIKPIUCPFRTQNQPIGF The LNA’s April offensive began 2019 led to the death and injury of UQNKVCT[EQPƂPGOGPV&GVCKPGGUYGTG days before a UN-facilitated national scores of civilians. Intermittent clashes in also raped, including by having objects conference was due to start. The the southern town of Murzuq continued. forcibly inserted into their anuses, and international community failed to come On 4 August, an air strike on a town suffered other sexual violence. VQCWPKƂGFRQUKVKQPQP.KD[CCPFKPUVGCF hall meeting in the residential district fuelled both sides’ willingness and ability of Qalaa in Murzuq killed at least 43 to sustain hostilities. The LNA was RGQRNG6JG.0#EQPƂTOGFNCWPEJKPIC supported by the United Arab Emirates strike on Murzuq on that date but denied HOSTAGE-TAKING (UAE), Saudi Arabia, Egypt, France targeting civilians. The attack sparked Militias, armed groups and security and Russia; the GNA was supported by JGCX[WTDCPƂIJVKPIDGVYGGPVJG6GDW forces, operating independently or under Turkey, Qatar and Italy. and Alahali communities, the looting the orders of the LNA or GNA, continued of homes and businesses, and mass to abduct people for the purpose of displacement. taking them hostage. Abductions were ARMED CONFLICT often carried out for ransoms or to press In violation of a comprehensive UN for the release of a detainee or captive. In the context of armed hostilities, arms embargo in place since 2011, Victims were generally targeted on the militias, armed groups and security third countries supported the LNA basis of their regional origin, perceived forces continued to commit with impunity and GNA through illicit arms transfers serious violations of international and direct military support. The GNA’s political opinions, profession or perceived humanitarian law, including possible primary sponsor, Turkey, provided it with wealth. For instance, in October, six war crimes, and gross human rights -KTRKCTOQWTGFƂIJVKPIXGJKENGUCPF medical workers were abducted and held violations. According to the UN Support Bayraktar TB2 armed drones. The LNA’s captive for 12 days by a local armed Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) and the UN primary sponsor, the UAE, provided it group from the north-western city of High Commissioner for Human Rights, at with Chinese-manufactured Wing Loong Zintan to pressure the GNA to release a least 284 civilians were killed and 363 drones and operated them on its behalf. Zintan resident detained by the Radaa KPLWTGFCUCTGUWNVQHVJGCTOGFEQPƃKEV forces. in 2019. The majority of these deaths and injuries were the result of violations ARBITRARY ARRESTS AND of international humanitarian law by the LNA and GNA, including indiscriminate DETENTIONS FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION attacks using inaccurate explosive Militias, armed groups and security Security forces, armed groups and weapons in populated civilian areas.1 forces continued to arbitrarily detain militias suppressed freedom of expression

HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA 44 REVIEW OF 2019 Amnesty International by harassing, abducting and attacking In October, gunmen raided two to arbitrary arrest and abduction by politicians, human rights defenders and cafés in Tripoli to intimidate women militias and were regularly the victims QVJGTCEVKXKUVUHQTEKPIOCP[VQƃGGVJG unaccompanied by a male family QHJWOCPVTCHƂEMKPICPFCDWUGUD[ country. The targeting of journalists was member. The armed men asked to see criminal groups. They were also exposed a particularly worrying trend in 2019, EWUVQOGTUoOCTTKCIGEGTVKƂECVGUVQQM to increased dangers due to the ongoing with UNSMIL documenting one unlawful male customers who were with female hostilities. killing and more than 10 arbitrary friends out of the café for questioning arrests and detentions of journalists. and told women they should be The authorities continued to unlawfully For instance, the al-Kaniat Brigade, an accompanied by their husbands or male detain thousands of people in centres run CTOGFITQWRCHƂNKCVGFYKVJVJG.0# relatives. The raids sparked a wave of by the General Directorate for Combating held Mohamed al-Qaraj and Mohamed al- criticism on social media against the Illegal Migration (DCIM), where they Shibani, journalists for Libya Alahrar TV, Radaa forces, though a spokesperson were subjected to exploitation and forced for 22 days near Tripoli in May. for the Radaa forces denied they were labour. They were also tortured and responsible. otherwise ill-treated, including by being Journalists, bloggers, media workers raped, often to extract money from their and others active on social media across families in exchange for release. Libya were also targeted for questioning by security forces, militias and armed JUSTICE SYSTEM AND IMPUNITY Those detained were kept in inhuman groups as a way of intimidating them The judicial system continued to operate conditions and faced overcrowding as and silencing dissent. According to at very limited capacity. Judges across well as shortages of food, water and the Libyan Center for Freedom of the the divided country acted formally under medical treatment. According to the Press, the true number of journalists a single authority, the Supreme Judicial 1HƂEGQHVJG70*KIJ%QOOKUUKQPGT and bloggers targeted for intimidation Council. However, prosecutors and for Human Rights, at least 22 or abuse will never be known as many judges were generally unable to provide detained migrants and refugees died refuse to speak publicly about such recourse for victims of crimes, including of tuberculosis and other illnesses incidents, fearing reprisals against human rights violations, owing to armed contracted while in detention at a facility themselves or their families. groups’ and militias’ consistent use of in Zintan between September 2018 intimidation, threats and violence against On 6 May, the LNA issued a statement and July 2019. Refugees and migrants lawyers and judges. threatening with “punishment by the continued to be held in detention centres .KD[CPNCYqCNNLQWTPCNKUVUOGFKCƂIWTGU near active combat zones. This put At the international level, the activists and political analysts who them at risk of death and injury during International Criminal Court continued publicly opposed its offensive on Tripoli, indiscriminate or targeted attacks, such to have jurisdiction over war crimes and saying that such people were guilty of as the 2 July attack on Tajoura migrant crimes against humanity committed “inciting hate and crime against the detention centre. since 2011, under a referral made by army forces” and “supporting terrorism”. On 17 July, gunmen abducted the UN Security Council. However, the arrest warrants for Saif Al-Islam In 2019, at least 9,798 migrants parliamentarian Siham Sergiwa in a were evacuated through “assisted night-time raid on her home in Benghazi )CFFCƂ/CJOQWF#N9GTHCNNKCPF Al-Tuhamy Mohamed Khaled remained voluntary returns”, and 2,427 refugees after she criticized the LNA’s offensive to were evacuated through resettlement capture Tripoli in a TV interview earlier unenforced and their whereabouts programmes or on humanitarian grounds. that day. Family members had received remained unknown. At the 42nd session However, the centres were regularly no news on her whereabouts by the end of the UN Human Rights Council repopulated, as Libya’s maritime of the year. in September, the UN Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights and authorities, in particular the Libyan the Special Representative of the UN Coast Guard, intercepted at least 9,225 WOMEN’S RIGHTS Secretary-General emphasized the need refugees and migrants crossing the for accountability in Libya and called central Mediterranean and returned most The Libyan authorities failed to protect for the establishment of an international of them to Libyan detention centres. women, including journalists, bloggers, investigative mechanism to document Threats against NGOs conducting search human rights defenders and other violations and abuses. and rescue operations and the use of activists, from gender-based violence violence against refugees and migrants at the hands of militias and armed continued during such operations groups or to ensure that they were able REFUGEES, ASYLUM-SEEKERS AND and at points of disembarkation. For to express themselves freely. Women instance, in September, the Libyan who spoke out against corruption or the MIGRANTS authorities shot dead a Sudanese man violent actions of militias, the LNA or the The situation for tens of thousands of during disembarkation when a group GNA were subjected to threats, abduction refugees, asylum-seekers and migrants of refugees and migrants attempted to and gender-based violence. remained bleak, as they were exposed avoid detention. In September, the GNA

HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA 45 REVIEW OF 2019 Amnesty International adopted a code of conduct to restrict The UNHCR described the facility as abducted, detained or otherwise targeted rescue operations by NGOs and others. overcrowded and under resourced, with by security forces, armed groups “deteriorating living conditions”, and, and militias because of their sexual Throughout the year, Italy and other EU in November, the agency called the orientation. member states continued to support situation at the facility “unsustainable”. Libya’s maritime and other authorities, In September, UNHCR set up an including through the donation of emergency transit mechanism in Rwanda DEATH PENALTY speedboats, training of crews and other to evacuate a limited number of refugees assistance. and asylum-seekers. While no executions were reported, courts continued to hand down death sentences. Libya, which is not a party to the 1951 UN Refugee Convention, continued to RIGHTS OF LESBIAN, GAY, refuse to fully recognize UNHCR, the BISEXUAL, TRANSGENDER AND UN Refugee Agency. The Gathering and Departure Facility, established INTERSEX PEOPLE by UNHCR and the DCIM in late Amnesty International received numerous 2018, operated throughout the year. reports of people being blackmailed,

1. Amnesty International, .KD[CoUTGNGPVNGUUOKNKVKCYCT%KXKNKCPUJCTOGFKPVJGDCVVNGHQT6TKRQNK#RTKN#WIWUV (Index: MDE 19/1201/2019), https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/mde19/1201/2019/en/

HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA 46 REVIEW OF 2019 Amnesty International &GOQPUVTCVQTUJQNFWRUKIPUFWTKPICRTQVGUVECNNKPIHQTVJGTGNGCUGQH*CLCT4CKUUQWPKC/QTQEECPLQWTPCNKUVYJQYCUUGPVGPEGFVQQPG[GCTKPLCKNHQTCPpKNNGICNCDQTVKQPq CPFUGZWCNTGNCVKQPUQWVUKFGOCTTKCIGKPVJG/QTQEECPECRKVCN4CDCVQP1EVQDGT 5VTKPIGT#(2XKC)GVV[+OCIGU

to 20 years against 43 people convicted BACKGROUND MOROCCO/ in relation to social justice protests in 2017 in the northern Rif region. Security In October, the National Human Rights Council recommended decriminalizing WESTERN SAHARA forces arrested and detained thousands sexual relations between unmarried of migrants, forcibly transferring some Morocco/Western Sahara adults. That same month, the UN to the south of Morocco and others to Head of state: Mohammed VI Security Council extended the mandate Head of government: Saad-Eddine El Othmani other countries. Women continued to of the UN Mission for the Referendum face discrimination, including sexual and in Western Sahara (MINURSO) for a other gender-based violence, and prison The authorities harassed journalists, year without adding a human rights sentences were issued in relation to bloggers, artists and activists for component. alleged illegal abortions. Police continued expressing their views peacefully, to harass lesbian, gay, bisexual and UGPVGPEKPICVNGCUVƂXGVQRTKUQP In February, Morocco suspended its intersex people (LGBTI) people; same- VGTOUHQTpKPUWNVKPIqRWDNKEQHƂEKCNU membership of the coalition led by Saudi sex sexual relations between consenting and apparently targeting others with Arabia and the United Arab Emirates spyware. They restricted the rights to adults remained a criminal offence. A 7#' KPVJGCTOGFEQPƃKEVKP;GOGP freedom of association and assembly PGYNCYEQPƂTOGF#OC\KIJCUCPQHƂEKCN by preventing some groups critical language, alongside Arabic. Courts of the authorities from operating and handed down death sentences; there FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION using unnecessary or excessive force to were no executions. The Polisario Front, disperse demonstrations in Morocco and which administers camps in Algeria for The authorities continued to harass Western Sahara. Following an unfair trial, refugees from Western Sahara, detained journalists, bloggers, artists and activists a court upheld prison sentences of up at least two critics. for expressing their views peacefully.

HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA 47 REVIEW OF 2019 Amnesty International %QWTVUUGPVGPEGFCVNGCUVƂXGKPFKXKFWCNU TORTURE AND OTHER ILL- Human Rights (AMDH) was banned from to prison terms for “insulting” public TREATMENT holding a previously authorized event QHƂEKCNU6JGEJCTIGUYGTGDCUGFQP after it had to be moved to the premises The authorities failed to investigate of the Democratic Confederation of Penal Code provisions that criminalize allegations of torture and other ill- Labour in Azrou. legitimate speech. treatment adequately, leading to unfair VTKCNU2TQNQPIGFUQNKVCT[EQPƂPGOGPV The authorities used a loophole in the In February, a court in the city of Tétouan of prisoners, which amounts to torture law to prevent 62 local branches of the UGPVGPEGFDNQIIGT5QƂCPCN0IWCFVQ or other-ill-treatment, was recorded in AMDH from operating legally. It refused two years in prison for online posts that several cases. to accept registration renewal documents criticized the authorities. In November, a submitted by 52 of them and failed court in Salé convicted rapper Mohamed In April, Casablanca’s appeal court to provide 10 others with receipts for such documents. Moroccan law allows Mounir (known as Gnawi) for “insulting” upheld prison sentences of up to 20 years against 43 people convicted in an association to operate once it has RWDNKEQHƂEKCNUCPFUGPVGPEGFJKOVQQPG relation to social justice protests in 2017 submitted registration documents to [GCTKPRTKUQPCPFCƂPG1 in the northern Rif region (the Hirak the local administrative authorities and El-Rif protests). They were convicted on received a corresponding receipt, as long In April in Western Sahara, Moroccan the basis of evidence allegedly obtained as the authorities do not formally object authorities arrested Sahrawi activist Ali by torture or other ill-treatment. Prison to its formation. Al Saadouni after he posted online a authorities punished prisoners who On 23 April, police used unnecessary XKFGQUJQYKPICEVKXKUVUTCKUKPIVJGƃCI UVCIGFRTQVGUVUYKVJUQNKVCT[EQPƂPGOGPV and excessive force against a peaceful of the Polisario Front, which calls for the and restricted family visits. protest by teachers in Rabat calling independence of Western Sahara and has for better working conditions. Police 6CQWƂM$QWCEJTKPGHQTOGTGFKVQTQH set up a self-proclaimed government-in- used water cannons and batons to the independent newspaper Akhbar al- GZKNG+P,WN[CEQWTVKP.CC[QWPGƂPGF disperse demonstrators and prevent Yaoum, continued to be held in prolonged citizen journalist Nazha El Khalidi 4,000 them from marching. In October, local UQNKVCT[EQPƂPGOGPVKPVJGRTKUQPQH#KP FKTJCOU 75 HQTNKXGUVTGCOKPI authorities banned for “security reasons” El Borja, as he had been since February demonstrations organized in Al Hoceima on Facebook a protest in 2018 without 2018. In October, an appeal court in to commemorate the death of Mouhcine the correct media accreditation. In Casablanca increased his sentence for (KMTKCƂUJGTOCPMKNNGFKPVJGVQYPKP November, Laayoune court sentenced sexual assault from 12 to 15 years’ 2016 during a police campaign against Sahrawi activist Mahfouda Bamba Lefkir imprisonment. KNNGICNƂUJKPI to six months in prison for “offending” RWDNKEQHƂEKCNUCHVGTUJGpOKUURQMGqVQC Authorities continued to hold 23 On 19 July in Western Sahara, police judge in court. Sahrawi men after they were convicted used excessive force, including rubber in unfair trials in 2013 and 2017 bullets, batons and water cannons, based on verdicts marred by a failure against protesters celebrating Algeria’s Amnesty International found that two to adequately investigate torture XKEVQT[KPVJGƂPCNQHHQQVDCNNoU#HTKEC Moroccan human rights defenders claims. The defendants were convicted Cup of Nations. Sabah Njourni died – Maati Monjib and Abdessadak El of responsibility for the deaths of 11 after she was run over by two Moroccan Bouchattaoui – had been targeted security force members during clashes Auxiliary Forces cars. Authorities opened repeatedly by surveillance technology that erupted when the forces dismantled an investigation, but results had not been developed by the Israeli company NSO a large protest encampment in Gdeim made public by the end of the year. Up Group since 2017.2 Both received Izik, in Western Sahara in 2010. to 80 people were thought to have been injured, but the exact number remained messages containing links that, if unclear as many did not go to hospital clicked, would secretly install Pegasus FREEDOM OF ASSOCIATION AND fearing reprisals.4 software, allowing the sender to gain near-total control of the phone. In ASSEMBLY December, eight civil society activists Authorities restricted the rights to MIGRANTS VCTIGVGFD[VJGUR[YCTGƂNGFCEQORNCKPV freedom of association and assembly on Security forces arrested and detained with the National Control Commission several occasions. thousands of migrants. They forcibly for the Protection of Personal Data. NSO In April, the government dissolved the transferred over 11,000 to the south of Group is known to sell its spyware only legally registered cultural group Racines the country and expelled over 1,000 to to government agencies, raising serious after guests at an online talk hosted by their countries of origin, allegedly without concerns that Moroccan security agencies the group criticized the authorities.3 following due process in many cases. were behind the surveillance. In July, the Moroccan Association for According to the AMDH, the authorities

HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA 48 REVIEW OF 2019 Amnesty International held dozens of sub-Saharan men, women an illegal abortion and premarital sexual bill was withdrawn. However, its status and children in an informal detention TGNCVKQPU*GTƂCPEÅ#OKP4KHCCVYCU remained unclear. centre in Arekmane, close to the city of also sentenced to one year in prison Nador in the Rif region, before forcibly in relation to the same allegations. A In June, after decades of campaigning transferring them to cities in the south of doctor allegedly involved was sentenced by activists, parliament unanimously the country or deporting them to Algeria, to two years in prison and banned from CRRTQXGFCDKNNVJCVEQPƂTOGF#OC\KIJ where they faced further detention, or practising medicine for two years. Two CUCPQHƂEKCNNCPIWCIGCNQPIUKFG#TCDKE expelling them to countries including other medics received suspended prison The language was initially recognized Cameroon, Mali and Senegal. terms. On 17 October, the King pardoned as such in the 2011 constitution, but 5 CNNƂXGQPITQWPFUQHEQORCUUKQP the new law aimed to operationalize VJGNCPIWCIGoUQHƂEKCNUVCVWUKPCNN WOMEN’S RIGHTS priority areas of public life, integrating RIGHTS OF LESBIAN, GAY, Women continued to face discrimination, it into education, legislation, media and including sexual and other gender-based BISEXUAL, TRANSGENDER & communication, as well as artistic and violence. Although Morocco passed INTERSEX PEOPLE cultural activities. According to a 2004 census, 8 million people – a quarter of a law for the prevention of violence Police continued to harass LGBTI people the population – spoke one of the three against women in 2018, mechanisms on account of their sexual orientation or main dialects of Amazigh in Morocco for its implementation remained weak. gender identity. Survivors of homophobic every day. According to a national survey on the and transphobic attacks reported being prevalence of violence against women CHTCKFVQCRRTQCEJVJGRQNKEGVQƂNG carried out between January and March, complaints because of the risk of arrest over half of Moroccan women had been under Article 489 of the Penal Code. DEATH PENALTY affected by violence, but only 6.6% Consensual same-sex sexual relations QHUWTXKXQTUJCFƂNGFEQORNCKPVUYKVJ Courts continued to hand down death between adults remained a criminal sentences; there were no executions. The the authorities for lack of trust in the offence punishable by up to three years last executions were in 1993. authorities’ ability to carry out proper in prison under this article. investigation and hold perpetrators accountable. POLISARIO CAMPS Abortion remained criminalized in all ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL From June onwards, the Polisario Front, circumstances unless the health of RIGHTS which administers camps in Algeria for the pregnant woman was at risk and In April, the government submitted a refugees from Western Sahara, detained her spouse agreed to the procedure, draft bill to parliament to regulate strikes. at least two critics while an investigating restricting women’s autonomous The bill contained severe restrictions decision-making. In all other cases, on the right to strike, as guaranteed by judge explored treason and other charges women seeking or undergoing abortion both the constitution and international against them. and any health professionals involved in law, including measures that would performing abortions risked imprisonment KORQUGETKOKPCNCPFƂPCPEKCNRGPCNVKGU The Polisario Front failed to ensure that and other penalties. On 30 September, on workers for peacefully going on strike. those responsible for committing human journalist Hajar Raissouni was sentenced Following pressure by national and rights abuses in the camps in previous to one year in prison for allegedly having international labour organizations, the decades were brought to account.

1. Amnesty International, /QTQEEQ5GPVGPEKPIQHTCRRGT)PCYKVQQPG[GCTKPRTKUQPCƃCITCPVCUUCWNVQPHTGGFQOQHGZRTGUUKQP (Press release, 25 November 2019). https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2019/11/morocco-rapper-sentenced/ 2. Amnesty International, /QTQEECPJWOCPTKIJVUFGHGPFGTUVCTIGVGFWUKPIOCNKEKQWU051+UTCGNKUR[YCTG (Press release, 10 October 2019), https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2019/10/moroccan-human-rights-defenders-targeted-using-malicious-nso-israeli-spyware/ 3. Amnesty International, /QTQEEQ#DCPFQPCVVGORVUVQFKUUQNXGEWNVWTCNITQWR 2TGUUTGNGCUG,CPWCT[  https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2019/01/morocco-abandon-attempts-to-dissolve-cultural-group/ 4. Amnesty International, /QTQEEQ9GUVGTP5CJCTC+PXGUVKICVGDTWVCNETCEMFQYPQP5CJTCYKRTQVGUVGTU (Press release, 1 August 2019), JVVRUYYYCOPGUV[QTIGPNCVGUVPGYUOQTQEEQYGUVGTPUCJCTCKPXGUVKICVGDTWVCNETCEMFQYPQPUCJTCYKRTQVGUVGTU 5. Amnesty International, /QTQEEQ4GNGCUGQHLQWTPCNKUVLCKNGFCHVGTDGKPICEEWUGFQHJCXKPICPCDQTVKQP (Press release, 17 October 2019), https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2019/10/morocco-release-of-journalist-jailed-after-being-accused-of-having-an-abortion/

HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA 49 REVIEW OF 2019 Amnesty International #P1OCPKYQOCPECUVUJGTDCNNQVCVCRQNNKPIUVCVKQPKPVJG)WNHUVCVGoUPQTVJGCUVGTPVQYPQH+\MKFWTKPI%QPUWNVCVKXG%QWPEKNGNGEVKQPUQP1EVQDGT9JKNGVJG CWVJQTKVKGUKPVTQFWEGFTGHQTOUKPCPFTGEGPV[GCTUVQKORTQXGTGURGEVHQTYQOGPoUTKIJVUYQOGPKP1OCPEQPVKPWGFVQHCEGFKUETKOKPCVKQPKPNCYCPFRTCEVKEG  /QJCOOGF/CJLQWD#(2XKC)GVV[+OCIGU

BACKGROUND Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab OMAN Emirates severed relations with Qatar in Sporadic protests driven by June 2017. Sultanate of Oman unemployment broke out on 1 January Head of state: Qaboos bin Said Al Said prompting the government to establish Head of government: Qaboos bin Said Al Said the National Center for Employment. FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION AND The Center, which will become ASSEMBLY The authorities unduly restricted the functional in January 2020, is meant rights to freedom of expression and to oversee implementation of the The authorities continued to unduly peaceful assembly. Women were government’s policy of “Omanization” restrict the rights to freedom of accorded the same rights as men with of the workforce, which began in 2018 expression and peaceful assembly, respect to freedom of movement and and seeks to replace foreign workers arresting protesters, journalists the freedom to choose their place of with Omani nationals in order to tackle and online activists. In January, residence, but remained inadequately rising unemployment, and provide several protesters were arrested at a protected in matters such as divorce employment advice to job seekers. The demonstration against unemployment and domestic violence. A new decree in front of the Ministry of Manpower criminalized genital mutilation and Ministry of Manpower extended its visa in the capital, Muscat, but were later accorded children further protection. ban on foreign recruitment to senior Migrant workers continued to face management roles. released. Two radio journalists from Hala exploitation and abuse. The death FM were also arrested while covering the penalty remained in force; no executions Oman maintained a neutral stance in demonstration; both were released the were reported. the regional crisis in which Bahrain, same day.

HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA 50 REVIEW OF 2019 Amnesty International The Internal Security Service pursued its to state intimidation in recent years; he on the Elimination of All Forms of campaign against activists critical of the was released on bail. Discrimination against Women, thereby relations between Oman and Israel. In according to men and women the same February, Musab al-Thehli and Haitham The organizers of Muscat’s 24th rights with respect to movement of al-Mashaikhi were detained for three days International Book Fair withdrew around persons and the freedom to choose their and two weeks respectively in relation to 30 books from the government-run event, place of residence. However, women posts they had made online. In January, but did not disclose the reason. continued to face discrimination, in law Bader al-Arimi and Obeid bin Hashl and practice, in relation to matters such al-Hinai were released; they had been as divorce, child custody, inheritance arrested for similar reasons in December CHILDREN’S RIGHTS and passing their nationality on to their 2018. In August, the Ministry of Social children. The law still does not prohibit Development issued an executive decree gender-based violence or marital rape. Amnesty International received reliable clarifying provisions of the Child Law, information that in September 2019 which was passed in 2014. The Child three individuals from the Shuhuh tribe Law criminalizes “traditional practices MIGRANT WORKERS in Musandam province were arbitrarily that are harmful to the health of the detained for speaking out against the Migrant workers continued to face EJKNFq6JGGZGEWVKXGFGETGGURGEKƂGU construction of industrial rock-crushing exploitation and abuse as a result of that these include genital mutilation and facilities in the area, which they the shortcomings of Oman’s labour laws “rituals that cause harm to the child’s believed were detrimental to the local and the restrictive Kafala (sponsorship) body”. The decree limits the employment community’s health. They were released system that ties them to their employers. of children under 15 to agricultural, without charge. The detentions appear The laws prevent migrant workers from administrative and industrial activities, to have been intended to silence dissent ƂUJKPICPFETCHVURTQXKFGFVJCVVJGYQTM changing jobs or leaving the country in the province, in a pattern similar to is run by family members and does not without their employers’ permission. This that seen in previous years. Prisoner of affect the child’s health or education. severely limits their ability to escape conscience Mohammed Abdullah al- However, this could, in some cases, still abusive working conditions and facilitates 5JCJKCPFƂXGQVJGTKPFKXKFWCNUTGOCKPGF amount to child labour that should be exploitation. Domestic workers continued in prison serving life sentences handed eliminated. The decree also sets out to bear the brunt of this system and down following unfair trials of Shuhuh guidelines to regulate the establishment remained excluded from the protection of members in 2018 in which they were and operation of nurseries. the labour laws. convicted on vague charges related to national security. In November, the authorities detained civil society activist DEATH PENALTY Musallam al-Ma’ashani for several days in WOMEN’S RIGHTS relation to a book he was writing on the Oman withdrew its reservation to Section Courts continued to hand down death al-Hakli tribe, which had been subjected 4 of Article 15 of the Convention sentences; no executions were reported.

HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA 51 REVIEW OF 2019 Amnesty International 2CNGUVKPKCPLQWTPCNKUVUNKHVRNCECTFUUWRRQTVKPIHTGGFQOQHGZRTGUUKQPFWTKPICTCNN[KPVJG9GUV$CPMEKV[QH4COCNNCJQP1EVQDGTVQRTQVGUVCEQWTVTWNKPIVQDNQEM CEEGUUVQFQ\GPUQHYGDUKVGU #JOCF)JCTCDNK#(2XKC)GVV[+OCIGU

have been victims of “honour” killings. already dire economic and humanitarian PALESTINE At least eight lesbian, gay, bisexual, crisis for Gaza’s 2 million inhabitants. transgender and intersex (LGBTI) (STATE OF) people were subjected to arbitrary arrest On 29 January, the national consensus and ill-treatment in relation to their government led by Rami Hamdallah Palestine (State of) resigned. The new government, headed Head of state: Mahmoud Abbas sexual orientation or gender identity. Head of government: Mohammad Shtayyeh (replaced Rami Courts in Gaza continued to hand down by Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh, 1 Hamdallah in April) death sentences. The High Judicial was sworn in on 13 April. Mohammad Council, a body established to enhance Shtayyeh is a senior member of the the independence of judges, was Fatah party; his appointment was seen The Palestinian authorities in the dissolved. Punitive measures imposed by Hamas and the Popular Front for the West Bank and the Hamas de facto Liberation of Palestine as a blow to unity by Palestinian authorities in the West administration in the Gaza Strip efforts. On 6 October, President Mahmoud Bank exacerbated the dire humanitarian arbitrarily arrested tens of peaceful Abbas said that he would discuss with all crisis in Gaza. Palestinian armed groups demonstrators and critics. The West Bank factions, including Hamas, plans for new KP)C\CQEECUKQPCNN[ƂTGFKPFKUETKOKPCVG authorities persisted in their crackdown parliamentary elections. rockets into Israel, killing four Israeli on online expression, blocking access civilians. to dozens of websites. Palestinian On 17 February, Israel passed a law to forces in Gaza used excessive force in cut 5% of the funds it transfers to the response to peaceful protests. Torture BACKGROUND Palestinian authorities on the basis of tax and other ill-treatment of detainees were revenues it collects from Palestinians. commonly reported and were committed Gaza remained under an Israeli air, sea #EEQTFKPIVQ+UTCGNKQHƂEKCNUVJG with impunity under both authorities. and land blockade, in force since 2007. deducted sum represented the money Women in the West Bank and Gaza faced Egypt continued to enforce an almost paid by the Palestinian authorities to discrimination and violence; at least total closure of the Rafah border crossing families of Palestinians convicted and 24 women and girls were reported to with Gaza. Such actions deepened the jailed by Israel for “security offences”.

HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA 52 REVIEW OF 2019 Amnesty International In protest, the Palestinian authorities The authorities in the West Bank related to his hunger strike. He was refused to accept the partial tax continued to clamp down on online released from detention on 26 March. remittances for nearly eight months. freedom of expression using the The disagreement forced them to slash draconian Electronic Crimes Law. The the salaries of tens of thousands of civil Ramallah Magistrate’s Court blocked WOMEN’S RIGHTS servants. access to 59 websites after a court decision on 21 October was made at Women and girls continued to face the request of the Palestinian Attorney discrimination in law and practice, and FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION AND General. The websites were blocked were inadequately protected against on the basis that their content would ASSEMBLY sexual and other gender-based violence, “threaten national security” and “disturb including “honour” killings. The Women’s The Fatah-led Palestinian authorities public order” under Article 39 of Centre for Legal Aid and Counselling the Electronic Crimes Law. All of the in the West Bank and the de facto documented at least 24 cases where websites shared content that was critical Hamas administration in the Gaza Strip women and girls were reported to have arbitrarily arrested tens of peaceful of the authorities. Amnesty International been victims of “honour” killings in the demonstrators and critics, including believes that the Electronic Crimes Law West Bank and Gaza in 2019, mainly by journalists, university students and arbitrarily restricts media freedom and male relatives. human rights activists. The West Bank bans online dissent, and has called for it authorities persisted in their crackdown to be repealed. on online expression. On 22 August, Israa Ghrayeb, a make- up artist from Beit Sahour town in the The authorities in the West Bank were EXCESSIVE USE OF FORCE southern occupied West Bank, died after responsible for 150 attacks on media being beaten by members of her family. Palestinian security forces in Gaza freedom, according to the Palestinian used excessive or unnecessary force Israa Ghrayeb’s death sparked protests Centre for Development and Media to disperse peaceful demonstrations. across the West Bank and Gaza, with Freedoms. These included arbitrary Between 14 and 16 March, thousands people demanding greater protection for arrests, ill-treatment during interrogation, of Palestinians demonstrated across women and the repeal of discriminatory EQPƂUECVKQPQHGSWKROGPVRJ[UKECN the Gaza Strip against their dreadful laws. Subsequently, on 12 September, assaults and bans on reporting. The living conditions. Hamas security forces the Palestinian Attorney General Hamas authorities in Gaza were used excessive force against scores of CPPQWPEGFVJCVJKUQHƂEGJCFEQPFWEVGF responsible for 41 such attacks. On 4 non-violent demonstrators, bystanders, June, security forces in the West Bank an investigation which concluded that her journalists and NGO workers, deploying attacked members of Hizb ut-Tahrir, a death was caused by domestic violence sound grenades, batons, pepper spray non-violent Islamist group, in a mosque and that three unnamed individuals had and live ammunition to disperse in Hebron, after the group announced been charged with manslaughter, which protesters. the celebration of a Muslim holiday a KURWPKUJCDNGD[CVNGCUVƂXG[GCTUKP FC[DGHQTGVJGQHƂEKCNCPPQWPEGOGPV prison. Security forces besieged the mosque, assaulted worshippers and arbitrarily TORTURE AND OTHER ILL- TREATMENT Palestinian women’s rights groups arrested about 15 of them, releasing continued to push for a comprehensive them without charge shortly afterwards. Palestinian security forces in the West domestic violence law, a campaign Bank and Gaza routinely used torture launched in 2007. The Palestinian On 10 March, the Hamas authorities in and other ill-treatment with impunity. authorities in the West Bank continued Gaza arbitrarily arrested 13 activists from As of the end of November, the ICHR to review a draft Family Protection Law, the “We Want to Live” movement, which had received 143 such allegations in the a process begun in 2016. Domestic was planning to stage demonstrations West Bank and 156 in the Gaza Strip. violence is still not criminalized in the four days later against the rising cost West Bank or Gaza. of living and deteriorating economic Journalist and activist Amer Balousha, conditions. The arrests happened during a private meeting at a house one of the ‘’We Want to Live’’ organizers, belonging to the activist Jihad Salem alleged he was tortured in custody on RIGHTS OF LESBIAN, GAY, al-Arabeed in the town of Jabalya in 16 March by Hamas security forces. He BISEXUAL, TRANSGENDER AND the northern Gaza Strip. Security forces said he was put in stress positions and INTERSEX PEOPLE stormed into the house without an arrest beaten. He started a hunger strike in the warrant. According to the Independent initial days of his arrest to protest his Even though same-sex relationships Commission for Human Rights (ICHR), detention and prison conditions. He was are not criminalized in the West Bank, the Palestinian national human rights transferred to Kamal Adwan hospital in Palestinian police stated on 17 August institution, the activists were tortured Beit Lahia in northern Gaza on 19 March that they would prevent any organized and otherwise ill-treated in detention. for medical treatment for health concerns activities by alQaws for Sexual and

HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA 53 REVIEW OF 2019 Amnesty International Gender Diversity in Palestinian Society, administration in Gaza took any steps ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL a Palestinian NGO that works on LGBTI to translate the State of Palestine’s RIGHTS issues. The statement outraged human commitments under the Second Optional rights groups, but also sparked a wave Protocol to the International Covenant on The Palestinian authorities in the of messages on social media inciting Civil and Political Rights to abolish the West Bank continued to impose violence against alQaws and members of death penalty. punitive measures against Gazans, the LGBTI community, including death including decreasing electricity and threats. The statement also violated In Gaza, Hamas-administered courts water subsidies, restricting the entry sentenced at least four people to death; provisions of the amended Palestinian of medicine into Gaza, and decreasing Basic Law and international treaties no executions were reported. or holding salaries. These measures TCVKƂGFD[VJG5VCVGQH2CNGUVKPG6JG exacerbated the dire humanitarian Palestinian police quickly rescinded the crisis in Gaza caused by Israel’s 12-year statement. JUSTICE SYSTEM blockade. On 19 July, President Abbas dissolved Meanwhile, alQaws documented at least the West Bank-based High Judicial eight cases of LGBTI individuals who Council, a body established in 2002 to were arbitrarily arrested or ill-treated ABUSES BY ARMED GROUPS by Palestinian security forces in the enhance the independence of judges, Palestinian armed groups in Gaza West Bank in relation to their sexual GPUWTGVJGVTCPURCTGPE[CPFGHƂEKGPE[ orientation or gender identity. of their work, improve court performance QEECUKQPCNN[ƂTGFKPFKUETKOKPCVGTQEMGVU and facilitate case proceedings. into Israel, killing four Israeli civilians. Section 152 of the Penal Code Palestinian authorities in the West Bank While the Hamas authorities prevented applicable in Gaza continued to used a 1954 law to administratively TQEMGVƂTKPIOWEJQHVJGVKOGVJG[ criminalize consensual same-sex sexual detain dozens of people for periods up failed to prosecute those responsible. activity and make it punishable by up to to six months on the order of a regional Most of the Palestinians responsible for 10 years’ imprisonment. governor, many on political grounds, stabbing, shooting and carrying out other according to Palestinian human rights attacks on Israelis in the West Bank and

organizations. Such detentions require no Israel, which killed three Israeli civilians DEATH PENALTY charges and lack due process. The ICHR during the year, were not members of Neither the Palestinian authorities in had documented 195 such detentions as Palestinian armed groups. However, these the West Bank nor the Hamas de facto of the end of November. groups often praised the attacks.

1. Amnesty International, 2CNGUVKPG0GYIQXGTPOGPVOWUVTGXGTUGJWOCPTKIJVUFGENKPG (Press release, 11 March 2019), https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2019/03/palestine-new-government-must-reverse-human-rights-decline/

HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA 54 REVIEW OF 2019 Amnesty International *CPFQWVKOCIGQH.WUCKN5VCFKWOWPFGTEQPUVTWEVKQPTGNGCUGFD[3CVCToU5WRTGOG%QOOKVVGGHQT&GNKXGT[CPF.GICE[YJKEJKUFGNKXGTKPIVJGUVCFKWOUCPF KPHTCUVTWEVWTGHQTVJG(+(#9QTNF%WR/KITCPVUYQTMKPIQPVJGUVCFKWOUCPFKPHTCUVTWEVWTGJCXGDGGPCDWUGFCPFGZRNQKVGFKP3CVCT 5WRTGOG%QOOKVVGGHQT &GNKXGT[CPF.GICE[XKC)GVV[+OCIGU

BACKGROUND under which migrant workers depend on QATAR their employer for almost every aspect Qatar continued to face a diplomatic of their presence in Qatar. Without State of Qatar crisis with Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia providing details, it announced reforms to Head of state: Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani and the United Arab Emirates. The crisis end the exit permit requirements for all Head of government: Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani restricted population movement between workers, except military personnel; allow the countries involved. workers to change their employer without The authorities announced new reforms their sponsor’s permission, following a Several UN Special Procedures visited probationary period; and establish a non- to better protect the rights of migrant Qatar following invitations from the discriminatory minimum wage. workers, but the weak implementation government. of previous reforms meant that The same month the MADLSA released a migrants were generally not protected study with the ILO and Qatar’s Supreme from labour abuse and exploitation Committee for Delivery and Legacy that in practice. Migrant workers seeking MIGRANTS’ RIGHTS found that individuals working outdoors justice in labour disputes over unpaid As part of the country’s three-year were “potentially performing their job wages waited for months for their cases technical co-operation agreement with WPFGTUKIPKƂECPVQEEWRCVKQPCNJGCVUVTGUU to be processed, and hundreds were the International Labour Organisation conditions for at least four months of ultimately forced to return home without (ILO), the authorities announced several the year”. This followed a study by a their wages. Freedom of expression was new reforms to improve protection for group of climatologists and cardiologists, unduly restricted, and women faced migrant workers, who make up 90% of published in July in Cardiology Today, discrimination in law and practice. Qatar’s workforce. However, the weak which concluded that the increase in Several hundred members of the al- implementation of prior reforms meant the number of migrant workers dying of Ghufran clan of the al-Murra tribe, one that, in practice, migrants generally cardiovascular problems was most likely of the largest tribes in Qatar, remained remained unprotected from labour abuse due to severe heat stress, especially stateless. Qatari laws continued to and exploitation. during summertime. The government discriminate against lesbian, gay, subsequently said it had closed down bisexual, transgender and intersex On 16 October, the Ministry of more than 300 work sites for violating (LGBTI) individuals. Courts continued Administrative Development, Labour and regulations on outdoor work between to issue death sentences; no executions Social Affairs (MADLSA) promised to 11.30am and 3pm from mid-June to the were reported. abolish the kafala (sponsorship) system, end of August.

HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA 55 REVIEW OF 2019 Amnesty International The Committees for the Settlement of CPFRCUURQTVEQPƂUECVKQP#NNHGCTGF WOMEN’S RIGHTS Labour Disputes, judge-led mechanisms repercussions if they reported their that were introduced in 2018 to resolve employers to the authorities. Women continued to face discrimination labour disputes within six weeks, in law and practice. Family law overcame some barriers faced by In September, the Independent Expert for discriminates against women, including migrant workers when seeking justice, human rights and international solidarity D[OCMKPIKVOWEJOQTGFKHƂEWNVHQT but generally failed to provide remedies called on Qatar to “expand recently women than men to seek a divorce, and placing women at a severe economic for abuses. Workers continued to wait enacted protection to all foreign workers, disadvantage if they seek a divorce or if months for their cases to be processed. including to migrant domestic workers their husband leaves them. Women also While the government awarded some and others not currently covered”. remained inadequately protected against workers compensation for unpaid wages, In November, the Working Group on violence, including within the family. it generally failed to do so. In three cases Arbitrary Detention urged Qatar to ensure documented by Amnesty International, that workers could leave their employers hundreds of workers waited for several without fear of being arrested and that months for their claims regarding allegations by employers against workers STATELESSNESS unpaid wages and compensation to do not lead to the automatic detention Several hundred members of the al- be processed. Most of them returned of workers during investigations. In Ghufran clan of the al-Murra tribe, one home without their wages, while some December, the Special Rapporteur on of the largest tribes in Qatar, remained continued to wait for them in Qatar.1 contemporary forms of racism, racial stateless. As a result, they are deprived discrimination, xenophobia and related of their rights to work, access health In August, hundreds of migrant intolerance highlighted “the severe care and education, own property and workers went on strike to protest about human rights violations that still persist, move freely, among other things. Some unpaid and delayed wages and poor including on the basis of national stateless members of the al-Ghufran clan working conditions. Subsequently, the origin, and the existence of racial, who spoke out on social media about government said it had arrested the ethnic and national stereotypes and their situation were arbitrarily detained, employers responsible and blamed a discriminatory structures”, and called but later released without charge. pPGICVKXGECUJƃQYqCVVJGEQORCPKGU on the government to do more to end concerned for causing salary delays, discrimination based on race and country which were then resolved. Hundreds of of origin. RIGHTS OF LESBIAN, GAY, other migrant workers continued to face BISEXUAL, TRANSGENDER AND salary delays at the end of the year. INTERSEX PEOPLE FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION The MADLSA took some measures to Qatari laws continued to discriminate combat systemic abuse during the Freedom of expression remained against LGBTI individuals. Article 296(3) recruitment of migrant workers. However, restricted in law and practice. The of the Penal Code, which punishes with enforcement remained weak. Migrant authorities retained broad surveillance imprisonment anyone who “leads or workers reported paying substantial powers over citizens. For instance, Article induces or tempts a male, by any means, recruitment fees, leaving them indebted 19 of Law No. 3 of 2004 on Combating into committing an act of sodomy or and at high risk of labour abuse, Terrorism grants the authorities extensive debauchery”, criminalizes a range of including forced labour. powers to conduct surveillance by same-sex consensual sexual acts. Article any means for 90 days prior to any 296(4) criminalizes anyone who “induces or tempts a male or female, by any Domestic workers, mostly women, judicial review and to seize any forms of means, into committing acts contrary to remained at particular risk of exploitation communication whenever this is useful morals or that are unlawful”. and abuse, despite the domestic workers’ in “uncovering the truth” regarding law passed in 2017. The law failed to “terrorist crimes”. The cybercrime law protect domestic workers adequately as includes similarly broad and vague it fell short of international standards provisions that allow, for example, the DEATH PENALTY and was poorly enforced. A number imprisonment of anyone founding or Courts continued to issue death of domestic workers told Amnesty managing an internet site that spreads sentences. No executions were reported. International about the abuse they faced “incorrect news, with the intention of at the hands of their employers and dire subjecting the safety of the state or working conditions, including excessively its public order or internal or external long working hours, denial of rest days security to danger”.

1. Amnesty International, #NNYQTMPQRC[6JGUVTWIINGQH3CVCToUOKITCPVYQTMGTUHQTLWUVKEG (Index: MDE 22/0793/2019), https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/mde22/0793/2019/en/

HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA 56 REVIEW OF 2019 Amnesty International (TQONGHVVQTKIJV 5CWFK#TCDKCPJWOCPTKIJVUFGHGPFGTU.QWLCKPCN*CVJNQWN /CTKGMG9KLPVLGU#OPGUV[+PVGTPCVKQPCN 5COCT$CFCYK 2TKXCVG CPF0CUUKOCCN5CFC 2TKXCVG 

nationals the right to work and access to to visit the country in 2019. No response SAUDI ARABIA education and health care, but arrested was reported. and deported hundreds of thousands Kingdom of Saudi Arabia of irregular migrant workers, who were Saudi Arabia remained a member of the Head of government: Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud exposed to labour abuses and exploitation coalition imposing economic and political by employers and torture when in state sanctions on Qatar, along with Bahrain, The authorities escalated repression custody. Discrimination against the Shi’a Egypt and the United Arab Emirates of the rights to freedom of expression, minority remained entrenched. (UAE). association and assembly. They harassed, arbitrarily detained and prosecuted Saudi Arabia continued to co-lead dozens of government critics, human BACKGROUND the coalition in neighbouring Yemen, rights defenders, including women’s a coalition that is implicated in war In December, Saudi Arabia assumed the rights activists, members of the Shi’a crimes and other serious violations of presidency of the G20, the next meeting minority and family members of international law (see Yemen entry). In of which is due to be held in its capital, activists. Shi’a activists and religious September, a drone attack for which Riyadh, in November 2020. Before clerics remained on trial before a Yemen’s Huthis claimed responsibility this, the authorities announced several counter-terror court for expressing targeted facilities of the state-owned reforms, including the introduction of dissent. The authorities used the death oil company Aramco in Abqaiq, Eastern tourist visas for citizens of 49 countries. penalty extensively, carrying out scores Province and cut Saudi Arabia’s oil of executions for a range of crimes, production by about half for several Amnesty International continued to including drug offences. Some people, weeks. most of them members of the country’s be denied entry to Saudi Arabia. In Shi’a minority, were executed following January, the organization called on grossly unfair trials. The authorities the authorities to allow it and other FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION, independent monitors access to detained implemented major reforms to the ASSOCIATION AND ASSEMBLY repressive male guardianship system, activists, including women human including allowing women to obtain rights defenders, following allegations The authorities escalated repression passports, travel without the permission of torture, ill-treatment and sexual of the rights to freedom of expression, of a male guardian and become heads of harassment of at least 10 detained association and assembly, including in households; however, women continued activists.1 Amnesty International received their crackdown on online expression. to face systematic discrimination in law no response. The UN Special Rapporteur They harassed, arbitrarily detained and and practice in other areas and remained on the human rights of migrants and the prosecuted government critics, human inadequately protected against sexual Special Rapporteur on the situation of rights defenders, members of the Shi’a and other violence. The authorities human rights defenders sent reminders to minority and family members of activists. granted hundreds of thousands of foreign the Saudi Arabian authorities for requests In April, the authorities arbitrarily

HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA 57 REVIEW OF 2019 Amnesty International arrested 14 individuals for their peaceful charge, or were on trial or serving prison JCFDGGPEQPXKEVGFƂXGYGTGUGPVGPEGF support of the women’s rights movement terms. to death and three to prison terms. The and women human rights defenders. authorities permitted the attendance of Among them were Salah al-Haidar, the After more than a year in detention, 11 diplomats throughout the trial, which son of Aziza al-Yousef, who remained women activists, including human rights began in January, but closed the trial to on trial for her women’s rights work; defenders Loujain al-Hathloul, Iman al- journalists and the broader public, failed Abdullah al-Duhailan, a journalist, Nafjan, Aziza al-Yousef, were brought to to provide information on the proceedings novelist and advocate for Palestinian trial before the Criminal Court in Riyadh and thereby prevented independent rights; and Fahad Abalkhail, who in March 2019. Two other women human monitoring.3 supported the Women to Drive Campaign. rights defenders, Samar Badawi and They remained in detention without Nassima al-Sada, were brought to trial Saudi Arabia failed to co-operate charge or trial at the end of the year. three months later, in June.2 The court with an inquiry by the UN Special In November, the authorities arbitrarily sessions were closed and diplomats and Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary detained at least 10 men and women, journalists were banned from attending. or arbitrary executions into the murder. including entrepreneurs, writers and Several women activists faced charges for The inquiry concluded in June that intellectuals, for a week. Activists believe contacting foreign media, other activists Jamal Khashoggi was the victim of a that the majority were released without and international organizations, including deliberate, premeditated extrajudicial charge. Amnesty International. Some were also killing for which Saudi Arabia was charged with “promoting women’s rights” responsible. The Special Rapporteur The authorities continued to try and “calling for the end of the male found “credible evidence, warranting individuals before the Specialized guardianship system”. While eight of further investigation of high-level Saudi Criminal Court (SCC), a counter-terror the 13 women activists were temporarily QHƂEKCNUoKPFKXKFWCNNKCDKNKV[KPENWFKPIVJG court, on charges arising from the TGNGCUGFKPVJGƂXGYQOGPJWOCP Crown Prince’s”. The report also revealed peaceful expression of views, in some rights defenders among them remained abuses committed by the Saudi Arabian cases on capital charges. Religious cleric in detention; all 13 remained on trial at authorities or non-state actors associated Salman al-Awda, who had been arbitrarily the end of the year. with it against other dissidents abroad, detained since September 2017, abduction, enforced disappearance, remained at risk of the death penalty The authorities continued to arbitrarily threats, harassment and electronic after the public prosecution called for his detain human rights defenders for surveillance, as well as psychological execution on charges related to, among prolonged periods without bringing threats targeting the families of detained QVJGTVJKPIUJKUCNNGIGFCHƂNKCVKQPVQVJG them before a judge or charging them. activists.4 Muslim Brotherhood and his calls for Mohammed al-Bajadi, a founding government reforms and regime change member of the Saudi Civil and Political In November, two former employees in Arab countries. Rights Association, remained held of Twitter were charged by US federal without charge or trial since his detention prosecutors with spying for Saudi Arabia The authorities did not permit the in May 2018. by accessing information on dissidents formation of political parties, trade who used Twitter. Among those targeted unions or independent human rights In July, Mohammad al-Otaibi, already was Omar Abdulaziz, a prominent Saudi groups, and continued to prosecute and serving a 14-year prison sentence for his Arabian dissident residing in Canada. imprison those who set up or participated human rights work, was brought before in unlicensed human rights organizations. the SCC for additional charges related All gatherings, including peaceful to his communication with international DEATH PENALTY demonstrations, remained prohibited organizations and attempt to seek under an order issued by the Ministry of political asylum in 2017. He remained Courts continued to impose death Interior in 2011. on trial on the new charges at the end of sentences for a wide range of crimes 2019. and carried out scores of executions; there was an increase in executions Human rights defenders for drug offences and terrorism-related crimes. The authorities generally failed The authorities continued to arrest, Government critics abroad to abide by international standards of prosecute and imprison human rights +P1EVQDGTQPVJGƂTUVCPPKXGTUCT[QH defenders for their peaceful activities and the extrajudicial execution in the Saudi fair trial and safeguards for defendants human rights work under, among other Arabian consulate in Istanbul of Saudi in capital cases. Such cases were often legislation, the counter-terrorism law and Arabian journalist Jamal Khashoggi, the held in secret and their proceedings the cybercrime law, which criminalizes Crown Prince stated that he bore full were summary with no legal assistance online criticism of government policies responsibility for the killing because or representation for defendants, as well and practice as well as commentary on “it happened under my watch”. In as no translation services for foreign current affairs. By the end of the year, December, the Public Prosecution nationals, through the various stages of virtually all Saudi Arabian human rights announced that eight individuals detention and trial. Death sentences were defenders were in detention without suspected of involvement in the murder regularly based on “confessions” that

HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA 58 REVIEW OF 2019 Amnesty International defendants said were extracted under or divorce, as well as to apply for and arrested and over 1 million deported in torture. obtain a family record; and women to a campaign targeting migrants accused act as the head of a household. While of violating residential, border security On 23 April, 37 Saudi Arabian men were the reforms brought the recognition and labour regulations and laws. In 2019 executed. They had been convicted in of women’s rights in these areas into alone, over 2 million foreign workers were various trials before the SCC. Most were line with those of men and also eased arrested and 500,000 were deported. Shi’a Muslims convicted after grossly major restrictions on women’s freedom unfair trials that relied on “confessions” of movement, they did not abolish the The 11 million migrant workers living in tainted by torture allegations. Among guardianship system.6 The reforms did Saudi Arabia continued to be governed the 37 were 11 convicted of spying not allow women to marry without the by the kafala (sponsorship) system, for Iran. At least 15 others were permission of a guardian or to provide which granted employers vast powers convicted of violent offences related to consent for her children to marry. Women over them. They could not leave the their participation in anti-government and girls continued to face systematic country or change employment without demonstrations in the Shi’a-majority discrimination in law and in practice in the permission of their employers, Eastern Province between 2011 and other areas such as marriage, divorce, increasing their vulnerability to labour abuses and exploitation. In many cases, 2012. They were subjected to prolonged inheritance and the ability to pass on migrant workers lost their legal status in pre-trial detention and told the court citizenship to their children. the country after their employers failed that they were tortured or otherwise VQTGPGYVJGKTTGUKFGPEGRGTOKVUQTƂNGF ill-treated during interrogation to make Women and girls remained inadequately complaints that they had absconded. them “confess”. Among them was protected from sexual and other forms of Abdulkareem al-Hawaj, a young Shi’a violence. They continued to need a male According to a report by Human Rights man who was arrested when aged 16.5 guardian’s permission to leave shelters for Watch, Ethiopian migrant workers those who had experienced domestic abuse. detained for labour law violations were Those who remained at risk of execution tortured and otherwise ill-treated in at the end of the year included other In January, the Shura Council approved detention facilities across the country; individuals who were under the age of 18 regulations for early marriage that migrant workers said they had been at the time of their alleged offence. Some prohibit marriage contracts for girls beaten, denied food or water and chained of these death sentences appeared to and boys under the age of 15. The together in overcrowded cells. have been based solely on “confessions” draft regulations also stipulated that that the defendants said were obtained applications for a medical report to According to reports, over 900 through torture or other ill-treatment. assess the maturity of individuals aged Bangladeshi domestic migrant workers under 18 wishing to marry and for the returned home from Saudi Arabia in The authorities routinely failed to warn marriage itself must be heard by a 2019. Over 100 of them had been living families of their relatives’ imminent specialized court. in a shelter in Saudi Arabia after alleging execution or inform them immediately that their employers had subjected them after the executions. Families of the Shi’a to physical, psychological and sexual men executed on 23 April only found out MIGRANTS’ RIGHTS abuse. Others said that they had been that their loved ones had been executed forced to work without pay. In October, the authorities announced when the authorities announced the news that they had granted citizenship to publicly on the same day. The authorities more than 50,000 individuals and also failed to return the bodies of those their families and had issued identity DISCRIMINATION – SHI’A MINORITY executed to their families or inform them documents to more than 800,000 Shi’a Muslims continued to face of the place of burial. people who had moved to Saudi Arabia discrimination because of their faith, “following political, economic and social limiting their right to express religious turmoil in their home countries”. The beliefs and access justice, as well as their WOMEN’S RIGHTS documents would enable the recipients right to work in a number of public sector In August, in a positive and long-overdue to work and access education and health professions and access state services. development, the authorities announced care. Saudi Arabia continue to deny major reforms to the discriminatory asylum-seekers access to a fair refugee A number of Shi’a activists accused male guardianship system. Among other determination process. of supporting or taking part in things, these allowed women aged over demonstrations in Eastern Province 21 to apply for and obtain a passport Meanwhile, the authorities continued or expressing views critical of the and travel without the permission of a their crackdown on irregular migrants. government were prosecuted and male guardian; women aged over 18 to In November, the Ministry of Interior imprisoned or faced the death penalty register the birth of a newborn child, the announced that, in the previous two in ongoing trials. Others were executed death of a relative and their own marriage years, about 4.1 million people had been following unfair trials in previous years.

HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA 59 REVIEW OF 2019 Amnesty International 1. Amnesty International, 5CWFK#TCDKC#EEGUUHQTKPFGRGPFGPVOQPKVQTUWTIGPVN[PGGFGFCOKFOQTGTGRQTVUQHVQTVWTGQHCEVKXKUVU (Press release, 25 January 2019), https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2019/01/saudi-arabia-access-for-independent-monitors-urgently-needed-amid-more-reports-of-torture-of-activists/ 2. Amnesty International, Saudi Arabia: (WTVJGTKPHQTOCVKQP9QOGPCEVKXKUVUQPVTKCN (Index: MDE 23/0057/2019), https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/mde23/0057/2019/en/ 3. Amnesty International, 5CWFK#TCDKC,QKPVQRGPNGVVGTVQUVCVGUOQPKVQTKPIVJG,COCN-JCUJQIIKVTKCN (Index: MDE 23/0157/2019), https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/mde23/0157/2019/en/ 4. Amnesty International, 5CWFK#TCDKC70ƂPFKPIUQP,COCN-JCUJQIIKoUOWTFGTJKIJNKIJVPGGFHQTKPFGRGPFGPVETKOKPCNKPXGUVKICVKQPVQWPEQXGTVTWVJ (Press release, 9 June 2019), JVVRUYYYCOPGUV[QTIGPNCVGUVPGYUUCWFKCTCDKCWPƂPFKPIUQPLCOCNMJCUJQIIKUOWTFGTJKIJNKIJVPGGFHQTKPFGRGPFGPVETKOKPCNKPXGUVKICVKQPVQWPEQXGTVJGVTWVJ 5. Amnesty International, 5CWFK#TCDKCRWVVQFGCVJKPUJQEMKPIGZGEWVKQPURTGG (Press release, 23 April 2019), JVVRUYYYCOPGUV[QTIGPNCVGUVPGYUUCWFKCTCDKCRWVVQFGCVJKPUJQEMKPIGZGEWVKQPURTGG 6. Amnesty International, 5CWFK#TCDKC9QOGPoUTKIJVUTGHQTOUOWUVDGHQNNQYGFD[TGNGCUGQHFGVCKPGFCEVKXKUVU(Press release, 2 August 2019), JVVRUYYYCOPGUV[QTIGPNCVGUVPGYUUCWFKCTCDKCYQOGPUTKIJVUTGHQTOUOWUVDGHQNNQYGFD[TGNGCUGQHFGVCKPGFCEVKXKUVU

HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA 60 REVIEW OF 2019 Amnesty International &KURNCEGFRGQRNGTKFKPICOQVQTE[ENGQPVJGQWVUMKTVUQHVJG5[TKCPVQYPQH6CNN6COTQP1EVQDGTCUVJG[ƃGGCFGCFN[ETQUUDQTFGT6WTMKUJQHHGPUKXGCICKPUV-WTFKUJ CTGCUQHPQTVJGCUVGTP5[TKC5OQMGRNWOGUKPVJGDCEMITQWPFCTGHTQOV[TGUVJCVJCXGDGGPDWTPVVQFGETGCUGXKUKDKNKV[HQT6WTMKUJYCTRNCPGUKPVJGCTGC &GNKN5QWNGKOCP #(2XKC)GVV[+OCIGU

ƂIJVGTUYJQJCFTGEQPEKNGFYKVJVJG displaced 684,000 and 174,600 SYRIA government and continued to detain people respectively. Tens of thousands tens of thousands of people, including of displaced people continued to live in Syrian Arab Republic peaceful activists, humanitarian workers, makeshift camps, schools and mosques Head of state: Bashar al-Assad lawyers and journalists, subjecting many that did not provide an adequate Head of government: Imad Khamis to enforced disappearance and torture or standard of living. other ill-treatment, and causing deaths in detention. Armed groups working 2CTVKGUVQVJGCTOGFEQPƃKEVKP5[TKC with the support of Turkey continued BACKGROUND continued to commit with impunity to subject civilians in Afrin to a wide serious violations of international 6JGCTOGFEQPƃKEVEQPVKPWGFVJTQWIJQWV TCPIGQHCDWUGUKPENWFKPIEQPƂUECVKQP humanitarian law, including war 2019. In February, Syrian government and looting of property, and arbitrary crimes, and gross human rights abuses. and allied Russian forces launched a detention. They and Turkey were likely Government and allied forces carried military offensive on Idlib governorate, responsible for indiscriminate attacks held by the armed opposition group out indiscriminate attacks and direct during hostilities in north-east Syria. Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, to capture the attacks on civilians and civilian objects In the same region, the Autonomous strategic Damascus-Aleppo highway, using aerial and artillery bombing, Administration carried out several known as M5. In August, talks brokered killing and injuring hundreds of people arbitrary detentions. The US-led by Russia and Turkey resulted in a in Idlib and Hama in north-west Syria. coalition failed to investigate the many EGCUGƂTGCITGGOGPVKP+FNKD1P Government forces continued restricting civilian deaths caused by its 2017 September, Russia and China vetoed a access to humanitarian and medical bombing campaign on Raqqa against the UN Security Council resolution calling aid to civilians living in government- armed group calling itself the Islamic HQTCEGCUGƂTGKP+FNKDDGECWUGKVFKF controlled areas. Security forces State (IS). Military offensives in north- not include an exemption for attacks on arbitrarily arrested civilians and former west and north-east Syria internally Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham.

HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA 61 REVIEW OF 2019 Amnesty International On 9 October, Turkey and the Syrian and abductions in Syria as well as the (OCHA). For example, Syrian government National Army (SNA), a coalition of situation in Idlib. forces dropped four munitions in an armed opposition groups, launched a The Independent International aerial attack on 9 March that struck military offensive on territory in north- Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab al-Hayat hospital, a blood bank, an eastern Syria that was controlled by Republic (UN Commission of Inquiry), ambulance response unit and a facility the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a established by the UN Human Rights of the Syrian Civil Defence, also known Kurdish-led alliance of armed groups, Council in 2011, continued to monitor as the White Helmets – all located capturing the cities of Tel Abyad and and report on violations of international within 100m of each other – as well as Ras al-Ain on the border with Turkey. NCYEQOOKVVGFD[RCTVKGUVQVJGEQPƃKEV residential neighbourhoods, killing at Concurrently, the USA withdrew its although it remained barred by the least two civilians and injuring a medical military forces from north-east Syria, government from entering Syria. worker. while leaving those stationed at the al-Tanf base in Homs governorate. In In March, the Organisation for the On 1 August, the UN Secretary-General an attempt to stop Turkey and the SNA Prohibition of Chemical Weapons established a board of inquiry to controlling the remaining parts of the EQPƂTOGFVJCVCEJGOKECNYGCRQP investigate “incidents” that destroyed or Syrian side of the north-eastern border, had been used in Douma in Damascus FCOCIGFpHCEKNKVKGUQPVJGFGEQPƃKEVKQP the SDF struck a deal with the Syrian Countryside governorate in April 2018. list and UN-supported facilities” in Idlib. government that allowed the Syrian army to deploy there. SYRIAN GOVERNMENT AND ALLIED Restriction of humanitarian On 17 October, Vice-President Mike FORCES access Pence of the USA, which had been supporting the SDF, and Turkey’s Direct attacks on civilians Government forces continued to restrict 2TGUKFGPV4GEGR6C[[KR'TFQüCPDTQMGTGF access to UN humanitarian aid agencies CJQWTEGCUGƂTGVQCNNQYVJG5&( and civilian objects, and across Syria. According to the UN, ƂIJVGTUVQRWNNDCEMVQMOHTQOVJG indiscriminate attacks government forces did not approve border with Turkey and thereby create Government and allied forces continued around half of their requests to carry a “safe zone”. On 21 October, the day to commit war crimes and other serious out humanitarian missions to monitor, VJGEGCUGƂTGYCUUGVVQGZRKTG2TGUKFGPV violations of international humanitarian assess and accompany aid deliveries, 'TFQüCPCPF4WUUKCP2TGUKFGPV8NCFKOKT law, including indiscriminate attacks and and provide security, logistics and Putin struck an agreement which led direct attacks on civilians and civilian administrative support. to: Turkey ending its military operation, objects. Government forces, with the while retaining control of Tel Abyad support of Russia, repeatedly attacked The government continued to obstruct and Ras al-Ain; the Syrian government Idlib and Hama governorates in north- humanitarian access to Rukban camp and Russia deploying forces near the western Syria and the northern part of near the border with Jordan, despite border with Turkey (which they did on Aleppo governorate, all of which were the dire humanitarian conditions there. 22 October, entering Qamishli, Hassake, controlled by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham. They Government forces only allowed UN and Derbassiye) and overseeing the carried out indiscriminate attacks and humanitarian agencies to accompany withdrawal of the SDF; and Russian direct attacks on civilian homes, schools, their implementing partners on aid and Turkish forces jointly patrolling a bakeries, rescue operations, hospitals deliveries three times during the year. On narrower, 10km strip of land in the “safe and medical facilities, including by 20 December, Russia and China vetoed zone” from 29 October. artillery shelling and air strikes, killing the renewal of a mechanism established and injuring hundreds of civilians, by UN Security Council resolution 2165 Several Israeli air strikes targeted Iranian including rescue and medical workers. of 2014 which had allowed the UN and and Hizbullah forces in Syria. its implementing partners to deliver aid On 26 March, Syrian government forces from neighbouring countries into areas The UN made some progress in its ƂTGFTQEMGVUCVCUEJQQNKP5JGKMJ+FTKUU under the control of the opposition. efforts to broker a peace deal and east of Idlib city, killing a 10-year-old establish a committee to draft a new boy and injuring two other boys aged nine Syrian constitution. On 30 September, and 10. Arbitrary detention and enforced it announced the formation of a disappearances 150-member committee with 50 Between April and September, at least representatives each from the Syrian 51 medical facilities and 59 schools According to local monitors, government government, political opposition and were damaged as a result of hostilities forces arbitrarily detained and, in Syrian civil society. The sponsors of the in Idlib, Hama and northern Aleppo, some cases, forcibly disappeared talks – Iran, Russia and Turkey – aimed CEEQTFKPIVQVJG701HƂEGHQTVJG civilians in areas under the control of to address the issue of detentions Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs the government, especially Daraa and

HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA 62 REVIEW OF 2019 Amnesty International Eastern Ghouta in Damascus Countryside on 10 October. Her brother died from his ambushed civilian and military cars on governorate. Those detained included wounds later that day. the SDF-controlled Latakia-Saraqeb HQTOGTƂIJVGTUYJQJCFTGEQPEKNGFYKVJ international highway, known as M4. the government, family members of Hevrin Khalaf, a Kurdish politician and armed group commanders, humanitarian %QPƂUECVKQPCPFNQQVKPIQH Secretary General of the Future Syria workers and families of activists property political party, was in one of the civilian displaced to north-west Syria. Many were cars. She was dragged out, beaten and subjected to torture or other ill-treatment, Turkey’s military and armed opposition shot dead. According to the medical some dying in detention as a result. groups receiving military support from report, her body showed several injuries, Turkey, including Ferqa 55, al-Jabha including multiple gunshot wounds, Syrian security forces also continued al-Shamiye, Faylaq al-Sham, Sultan fractures to her legs, face and skull, and to hold thousands of detainees Mourad and Ahrar al-Sharqiye, continued detachment of skin from her skull and arrested in previous years without trial, to control Afrin, a predominantly Syrian loss of hair as a result of being dragged often in conditions that amounted Kurdish area in the north of Aleppo by the hair. The armed groups also to enforced disappearance. Tens governorate. Residents continued to summarily killed her bodyguard. During of thousands of people remained be denied access to their property the same ambush, the armed group disappeared, the majority since 2011. and belongings, which have been ECRVWTGFCPFMKNNGFVYQ-WTFKUJƂIJVGTU They included humanitarian workers, appropriated by members of these armed They also abducted two civilian men, lawyers, journalists, peaceful activists, groups and their families. Some of the both of whom work with a local medical government critics and opponents, and appropriated properties were used as organization and were transporting individuals detained in place of relatives military facilities for the different groups. medicine when they were captured. The wanted by the authorities. According to the UN Commission of armed group did not disclose the fate or Families of the disappeared endured Inquiry, some residents paid money whereabouts of the abducted men. emotional and psychological to recover stolen vehicles and other consequences of living in uncertainty, belongings, and olive farmers paid armed groups taxes on their harvests. compounded by the devastating AUTONOMOUS ADMINISTRATION economic impact. Arbitrary detention, torture and Arbitrary detention TURKEY AND ALLIED ARMED other ill-treatment The PYD-led Autonomous Administration continued to control some of the GROUPS Armed groups supported by Turkey were responsible for at least 54 incidents predominantly Kurdish north-east region Indiscriminate attacks of arbitrary detention of civilians for of Syria, including Raqqa and Qamishli. ransom, according to local monitoring It arbitrarily arrested and detained Following the military offensive launched groups, as punishment for asking to eight individuals in Raqqa employed by Turkey and the SNA in north-east reclaim their property or for allegedly by local and international educational Syria against the SDF on 9 October, the DGKPICHƂNKCVGFVQVJG&GOQETCVKE7PKQP and development organizations active hostilities were marked by indiscriminate Party (PYD) or People’s Protection Units in Raqqa since 2017. The Autonomous attacks in residential areas, including (YPG), both Syrian Kurdish groups. Administration subjected the eight attacks on a home, bakery and school. For example, a man living in Afrin was individuals to enforced disappearance. The evidence strongly suggested that detained by al-Jabha al-Shamiye in April All were released without charge after Turkey and allied Syrian armed groups JCXKPIDGGPHCNUGN[CEEWUGFQHCHƂNKCVKQP being held for at least two months carried out the attacks.1 to the previous civil administration led by without access to a lawyer. the PYD. The armed group refused to tell According to the Syrian Observatory his relatives his whereabouts or fate. for Human Rights, 120 civilians were US-LED COALITION killed between 9 and 20 October. For According to the UN Commission of example, a Turkish air strike on a market Inquiry, individuals critical of the armed on 13 October hit a civilian convoy that groups’ conduct or perceived to support Lack of investigations into civilian the former administration in Afrin, included many journalists travelling to deaths including activists, were targeted for Ras al-Ain. According to the Kurdish Red arrest, detention, torture and extortion. Despite mounting pressure, the US-led Crescent, six civilians were killed and coalition continued to deny responsibility 59 injured. In another incident, medics for causing hundreds of civilian deaths rescued an eight-year-old girl who was Summary killings and abduction in Raqqa during the four-month bombing injured when mortars landed near where campaign to defeat IS in 2017. On she was playing with her 11-year-old On 12 October, the Turkey-backed armed 28 February, the coalition accepted brother outside their home in Qamishli opposition group Ahrar al-Sharqiye responsibility for 25 civilian deaths in

HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA 63 REVIEW OF 2019 Amnesty International Raqqa, bringing to 180 the total number renewing residency permits – pushed camps near the Turkish border closed it has acknowledged so far. However, this some refugees to return to a precarious as a result of the military offensive in admission did not lead to any measures future in Syria. north-east Syria, and internally displaced to investigate possible violations of people were transferred to other international humanitarian law or The Syrian Network for Human Rights locations. Al-Hol camp in Deir el-Zour compensate victims, and the coalition reported that, between 2014 and 2019, governorate hosted the largest number continued to block requests to disclose government forces detained around of internally displaced people: around the circumstances in which the fatal 1,916 refugees upon their return to 68,000 individuals, the vast majority strikes took place. Syria, of whom 638 continued to be of them women and children. Because subjected to enforced disappearance at of the dire humanitarian conditions in the end of the year. al-Hol, at least 390 displaced people REFUGEES AND INTERNALLY died of pneumonia, dehydration or DISPLACED PEOPLE During 2019, the military offensives in malnutrition, according to the UN north-west and north-east Syria internally By the end of the year, 6.6 million people Commission of Inquiry. A few European, displaced 400,000 and 174,600 had been displaced within Syria and African and Asian governments people respectively, according to OCHA. more than 5 million people had sought repatriated some of the displaced women Tens of thousands of displaced people refuge outside the country since the start and children who were nationals of their continued to live in makeshift camps, of the crisis in 2011. Lebanon, Jordan countries. schools and mosques that did not and Turkey, the countries hosting most of the refugees, continued to block the provide an adequate standard of living, Between March and September, around entry of new refugees, exposing them to and had limited access to aid, basic 18,787 internally displaced people in further attacks, abuses and persecution services, food, health care, education Rukban left the camp and went to Homs, in Syria. The number of resettlement and livelihood opportunities. Also, 3,122 Hama, Latakia, Damascus, Damascus places and other safe and legal routes RGQRNGƃGFJQUVKNKVKGUKPPQTVJGCUV5[TKC Countryside and other areas of origin. for refugees offered by Western and other seeking refuge in the Kurdistan Region Around 12,000 continued to live in UVCVGUHGNNHCTDGNQYVJGPGGFUKFGPVKƂGF of Iraq. Rukban in dire humanitarian conditions by UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency. with limited access to food and other life- Between January and October 2019, Between January and March, tens of saving necessities, and a lack of access 82,554 Syrian refugees returned to thousands of people, including women to health care and medication. Syria and 412,662 internally displaced and children of nationalities other than people returned to their place of Syrian, were displaced from their homes origin, according to UNHCR and OCHA to camps and informal sites in north-east DEATH PENALTY respectively. The dire humanitarian Syria following the offensive by the US- conditions in neighbouring countries – led coalition and the SDF against IS in The death penalty remained in force for exacerbated by the lack of humanitarian Deir el-Zour. Internally displaced people many offences. The authorities disclosed aid, unemployment, and administrative were dispersed across at least 10 camps little information about death sentences CPFƂPCPEKCNQDUVCENGUVQQDVCKPKPIQT and large informal sites. In October, two passed and no information on executions.

1. Amnesty International, 5[TKC&COPKPIGXKFGPEGQHYCTETKOGUCPFQVJGTXKQNCVKQPUD[6WTMKUJHQTEGUCPFVJGKTCNNKGU 2TGUUTGNGCUG1EVQDGT  JVVRUYYYCOPGUV[QTIGPNCVGUVPGYUU[TKCFCOPKPIGXKFGPEGQHYCTETKOGUCPFQVJGTXKQNCVKQPUD[VWTMKUJHQTEGUCPFVJGKTCNNKGU

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tens of thousands of submissions. Jemli with forming a government, but the TUNISIA Bloggers and social media users were process was still ongoing at the end of prosecuted for the peaceful expression the year. Republic of Tunisia of their views online. Authorities used Head of state: Kaïs Saïed (replaced Mohamed Ennaceur in The Constitutional Court, which had been October, who replaced Béji Caïd Essebsi after his death excessive and occasionally unnecessary in July) force, as well as prosecutions, against due to be set up since 2015, remained Head of government: Youssef Chahed peaceful protesters. Refugees and unestablished as Tunisia’s parliament asylum-seekers were detained for CICKPHCKNGFVQGNGEVVJGƂTUVVJKTFQHKVU irregular entry into Tunisia. Dozens of members. The work of the Truth and Dignity lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and Commission ended with the publication intersex (LGBTI) people were arrested The authorities renewed the nationwide QHKVUƂPCNTGRQTVYJKEJKPENWFGF and imprisoned for consensual same-sex state of emergency eight times; it had recommendations for reforms, and the sexual relations. Death sentences were been in place since November 2015. referral of 173 cases to specialized handed down; there were no executions. Protests continued over the lack criminal chambers. of employment opportunities, poor living conditions and water shortages, At least 78 trials, which concerned grave BACKGROUND particularly in marginalized and human rights violations, began before underdeveloped regions. these chambers during the year. Families President Béji Caïd Essebsi died on of people who died at the hands of the 25 July. Mohamed Ennaceur took over police in recent years continued to await as interim president. On 13 October, TRANSITIONAL JUSTICE justice. There were reports of torture and after presidential elections, Kaïs Saïed other ill-treatment. Steps were taken was elected president. Following In March, the Truth and Dignity to advance a bill to end discrimination parliamentary elections on 6 October, a Commission (Instance Vérité et against women with regard to inheritance PGYRCTNKCOGPVOGVHQTVJGƂTUVVKOGQP &KIPKVÅ+8& RWDNKUJGFKVUƂPCN but stalled. A new complaints mechanism 13 November. On 16 November, Kaïs 2,000-page report on human rights for women victims of violence received Saïed tasked former minister Habib violations committed by Tunisian

HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA 65 REVIEW OF 2019 Amnesty International authorities between 1957 and 2013. the southern suburbs of the capital, Violence against Women, which came Its recommendations included reform Tunis, on 31 March 2018. However, they into effect in 2018 and established of the judicial and security sectors, remained on active duty. Omar Labidi a complaints mechanism for victims the creation of an independent body drowned after police pushed him into a of violence. However, the government to monitor the work of the security river despite his protests that he could failed to establish a national observatory forces, the harmonization of laws with PQVUYKO*GYCUƃGGKPIRQNKEGYJQ to prevent violence against women as the Constitution, measures to establish were chasing football fans involved in required by Article 40 of the law. accountability for crimes committed clashes. The investigation into the killing and other steps to strengthen the rule of 19-year-old Ayman Othmani, whom Women were severely underrepresented of law. The government failed to publish EWUVQOUQHƂEGTUUJQVFGCFFWTKPIC in the presidential and parliamentary VJGTGRQTVKPVJGQHƂEKCNIC\GVVGQT raid on a warehouse in Tunis in October elections, with only two women among present a plan to implement the IVD’s 2018, failed to progress. According to his the 26 presidential candidates and only recommendations, as required by Article family and lawyer who saw the forensic 56 women among the 217 members of 70 of the Transitional Justice Law. report, he was shot in the back and upper parliament elected in October, compared The parliament had yet to establish a leg.1 to 68 women elected in 2014. specialized parliamentary committee to oversee implementation of the Suspicious deaths in custody were recommendations. reported. In June, police arrested FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION AND Abderrazek Selmi in the region of ASSEMBLY By the end of its mandate, the IVD had Kairouan. Around two hours later, the transferred 173 cases to specialized police called an ambulance, but he died Bloggers and social media users were criminal chambers after receiving more on the way to hospital. The General prosecuted on criminal charges under than 62,000 complaints from victims. Prosecution acknowledged that his death the Penal Code and the Communications At least 78 trials, involving cases of was suspicious; the Ministry of Interior Code for the peaceful expression of their torture, extrajudicial executions, enforced later stated that he had died of a heart views online. disappearances, wrongful convictions and attack. The investigation into the death excessive use of force against peaceful was ongoing at the end of the year. In April, the Court of First Instance of protesters, began before these chambers Dozens of detainees reported being Gafsa sentenced Ahmed El-Jedidi in during the year. Among the accused subjected to torture or other ill-treatment his absence to one year’s imprisonment are several former interior ministers, by the police or the National Guard. In for “insulting others through a public UGEWTKV[EJKGHUCPFIQXGTPOGPVQHƂEKCNU many cases, police denied detainees communications network” after criticizing under former President Zine El-Abidine the right to call their lawyer or a family a female parliamentarian in a Facebook Ben Ali and before him Habib Borguiba. member or denied them a medical post. The sentence was overturned on Progress was slow due to repeated examination. appeal in May. postponement of trial sessions and the frequent non-appearance in court of In October, the Court of First Instance of CEEWUGFRQNKEGQHƂEGTURQNKVKEKCPUCPF WOMEN’S RIGHTS Manouba convicted blogger Aymen Ben HQTOGTIQXGTPOGPVQHƂEKCNU6JGNCTIGUV Khassib of “insulting others through the In February and May, a parliamentary trade union for the security forces asked press” for a Facebook post in which he committee ran two sessions with its members not to appear in court, named two members of the municipal representatives of the presidency and the saying that the trials were vindictive. The council responsible for a controversial Ministry of Interior appeared reluctant to Justice Minister to discuss a bill to end project in his neighbourhood. He was implement court subpoenas of indicted discrimination against women with regard ƂPGF6WPKUKCPFKPCTU CTQWPF suspects to the hearings. VQKPJGTKVCPEG#UKIPKƂECPVPWODGT of members of parliament considered 75  the bill to be contrary to Islam. The UNLAWFUL KILLINGS, TORTURE AND parliament failed to resume discussions Authorities used excessive and on the bill during the year. occasionally unnecessary force OTHER ILL-TREATMENT against peaceful protesters as well Families of people who died at the In August, the Minister of Women, as prosecutions to restrict freedom of hands of the police in recent years Family, Children and Seniors announced assembly. Peaceful protesters were continued to await justice. In November, that the Justice Ministry had received prosecuted on charges of “disturbing RQNKEGQHƂEGTUYGTGKPFKEVGFHQT around 40,000 complaints from women freedom of work” or “obstructing freedom involuntary manslaughter and failure to who had experienced domestic violence of movement” in connection with protests assist a person in danger following an FWTKPIVJGƂTUVUGXGPOQPVJUQHVJG over high rates of unemployment and investigation into the death of 19-year- year. The complaints were submitted poor living conditions. In Gafsa alone in old football supporter Omar Labidi in in line with the Law on Eliminating 2019, at least 20 protesters were tried in

HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA 66 REVIEW OF 2019 Amnesty International their absence in various trials before the of Tunis. They also arbitrarily detained the authorities allowed the group to leave Court of First Instance following peaceful her 16-year-old brother. The siblings were the military zone and remain in Tunisia. protests.2 held overnight and interrogated without a lawyer. Both were charged with insulting In June, police and National Guard CPFCUUCWNVKPICRWDNKEQHƂEGTDGHQTG RIGHTS OF LESBIAN, GAY, QHƂEGTUWUGFGZEGUUKXGHQTEGKPENWFKPI being tried and acquitted later the same BISEXUAL, TRANSGENDER AND tear gas, to disperse a peaceful protest month. by asylum-seekers in front of a centre in INTERSEX PEOPLE the town of Medenine run by UNHCR, LGBTI people continued to be the UN Refugee Agency. The police REFUGEES, ASYLUM-SEEKERS AND arrested and prosecuted under laws chased the protesters, beating them MIGRANTS that criminalize consensual same- with batons, and arrested 25 of them. In sex sexual relations, “indecency” July, 18 of the asylum-seekers appeared On several occasions, the National and acts deemed “offensive to public before Medenine Court of First Instance Guard detained refugees and asylum- morals. According to DAMJ, the on charges that included “obstructing seekers for irregular entry into Tunisia. Tunisian Association for Justice and freedom of movement”, “disturbing a Two refugees interviewed in August by Equality, Police arrested at least 78 public road” and “insulting a public Amnesty International in the refugee men under Article 230 of the Penal QHƂEKCNq6JGECUGYCUFKUOKUUGFKP centre in Medenine said that they had Code, which criminalizes “sodomy”, October. been held for 17 days in the detention and conducted anal examinations as and orientation centre in Ben Guerdane part of their investigations to determine In July, police forcibly entered the upon their arrival in Tunisia. They said whether they had engaged in same-sex medical technology institute of Tunis El they were not informed of the reasons for sexual relations. Such examinations Manar University and used unnecessary their detention. violate the prohibition of torture and and excessive force to end a peaceful other ill-treatment. At least 70 men student sit-in. They used batons and On 3 August, the security forces arrested were convicted under the article and ƂTGFVGCTICUCVENQUGTCPIGKPENWFKPI 36 Ivorian migrants – 22 men, 11 sentenced to between four months and a against three visually impaired students. women and three children – on suspicion year in prison. 2QNKEGQHƂEGTUNCVGTEJCTIGFUKZUVWFGPVU YKVJpCUUCWNVKPICRWDNKEQHƂEGTYJKNG of planning an irregular crossing to performing their duty.” Europe by sea. The Ivorians were transferred to a closed military zone near DEATH PENALTY In September, police arbitrarily detained Ras Jdir, a coastal town near the Libyan Courts handed down dozens of death 18-year-old activist Maissa al-Oueslati border, and left there. Three days later, sentences, and there was an increased YJKNGUJGYCUƂNOKPICRTQVGUVGT the Tunisian army gave them some bread use of capital punishment in terrorism- VJTGCVGPKPIVQUGVJKOUGNHQPƂTGKPHTQPV and milk, but left them without access to related cases. No executions have been of a police station in Jbel Jloud, a suburb humanitarian assistance. On 8 August, carried out since 1991.

1. Amnesty International, 6WPKUKC+PXGUVKICVKQPUKPVQFGCFN[RQNKEGCDWUGUOWUVFGNKXGTNQPICYCKVGFLWUVKEG (Press release, 4 April 2019), https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2019/04/tunisia-investigations-into-deadly-police-abuses-must-deliver-long-awaited-justice/ 2. Amnesty International, 6WPKUKC*WPFTGFUQHRGCEGHWNRTQVGUVGTUVTKGFKPVJGKTCDUGPEGKP)CHUC /&'  JVVRUYYYCOPGUV[QTIGPFQEWOGPVUOFGGP

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and in practice. On migrants’ rights, diverted weapons and military equipment UNITED ARAB the authorities removed the job title to militias in Yemen (see Yemen entry). criteria for sponsorship, which allowed EMIRATES more migrant workers to sponsor family The UAE supported the self-proclaimed members to live in the United Arab Libyan National Army (LNA), which United Arab Emirates committed serious violations of Head of state: Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Emirates (UAE). However, migrant workers Head of government: Mohammed bin Rashed Al Maktoum remained tied to employers under the international law in Libya. The UAE also kafala (sponsorship) system, which made provided arms to the LNA and operated them vulnerable to labour abuses and drones on its behalf, in violation of a UN The authorities, particularly the State exploitation. The UAE continued to deny arms embargo (see Libya entry). Security Agency (SSA), subjected nationality to thousands of individuals detainees, including foreign nationals, to The UAE remained a member of the who were born within its borders. While arbitrary arrest and detention, torture and coalition imposing economic and political no executions were reported, courts enforced disappearance. The authorities sanctions on Qatar, along with Bahrain, continued to issue death sentences. also restricted freedom of expression, Egypt and Saudi Arabia. imprisoning government critics and holding them in dire conditions. In a BACKGROUND positive development in women’s rights, ARBITRARY ARRESTS AND almost 200 women stood in the Federal The UAE continued to co-lead the DETENTIONS National Council (FNC) elections in EQCNKVKQPKPVJGCTOGFEQPƃKEVKP;GOGP October, more than double the number a coalition that is implicated in war Amnesty International documented in the last elections; still, women crimes and other serious violations of several cases in which the rights of continued to face discrimination in law international law. The UAE also illicitly detainees were disregarded. In these

HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA 68 REVIEW OF 2019 Amnesty International cases, most often involving the State She was detained at sea by Indian and Council (FNC) elections in October, Security Agency (SSA), detainees UAE security forces in 2018 and forcibly more than double the number in the were arrested without warrants, held returned to the UAE, after which she last elections. This followed a decree by incommunicado for weeks or months and was only seen once in a staged photo President Al Nahyan calling for women tortured or otherwise ill-treated. In some opportunity. to make up half of the FNC. Ultimately, cases, detainees were held in degrading seven women were elected and 13 were conditions. appointed to the 40-member FNC. FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION Alia Abdelnoor Mohamed Abdelnoor, who However, women continued to face The authorities continued to arbitrarily had terminal cancer, died in May while discrimination in law and in practice. detain and prosecute peaceful dissenters, chained to a hospital bed in al-Ain, a city For example, the Personal Status Law GHHGEVKXGN[UVKƃKPIETKVKEKUOQHVJG in Abu Dhabi Emirate. After her arrest by of 2005 states that “a husband’s government. Dozens of prisoners of the SSA in 2015, she was held in solitary rights over his wife” include the wife’s conscience continued to languish in EQPƂPGOGPVCPFHQTEKDN[FKUCRRGCTGF “courteous obedience to him” (Article detention, in dire conditions. for three months. At the time of her 56), and places conditions on a married death, she was serving a 10-year prison woman’s right to work or leave the house Prisoner of conscience and human rights sentence on vague and unsubstantiated (Article 72). Under Article 356 of the activist Ahmed Mansoor remained in “terrorism” charges, based on forced Penal Code, “debasement of honour with detention after being sentenced in 2018 “confessions”. consent” is punishable by one year or to 10 years in prison for comments more in prison. On the basis of this law, posted on social media. He went on Foreign nationals were among those a Swedish-run hospital in Ajman Emirate hunger strike in March for four weeks to arbitrarily detained and ill-treated. On 15 protest against prison conditions and his was forced to report pregnant, unmarried May, three Lebanese men were convicted sentence, and again in September for at women to the police. In some cases these on terrorism-related charges after being least 44 days after he was beaten for his referrals have led to prosecution and detained by the SSA, for long periods protests, according to the Gulf Centre for deportation. incommunicado, and then subjected to Human Rights, citing a local source. an unfair trial. One received a sentence The government failed to adequately of life imprisonment and the others Prisoners of conscience Nasser bin protect women from sexual and domestic received 10-year sentences. The State Ghaith, an academic, and Mohammed al- violence. Under Article 53 of the Penal Security Prosecutor accused them of Roken, a human rights lawyer, remained Code, “a husband’s discipline of his acting on behalf of the Lebanese party incarcerated. wife” is “considered an exercise of and armed group Hizbullah. One of the rights”, language that can be read as defendants, Abdel Rahman Chouman, The authorities released Osama al-Najjar QHƂEKCNUCPEVKQPQHURQWUCNCDWUG told the court he had been tortured to OQTGVJCPVYQ[GCTUCHVGTJGJCFƂPKUJGF make him “confess”. serving his prison sentence. In 2017, the Public Prosecution had requested MIGRANTS’ RIGHTS Lebanese prisoner Ahmad Ali Mekkaoui the extension of his detention on the was placed in incommunicado detention Migrant workers remained tied to pretext that he remained a threat. He in April after new charges were imposed employers under the kafala (sponsorship) was originally imprisoned for tweets on him “for harming the reputation of system, making them vulnerable to labour addressed to the Minister of Interior the UAE” following a television interview abuses and exploitation. In a positive expressing concern about the ill- in which his sister and his Lebanese development, the authorities removed treatment of his father in prison. lawyer spoke about his case. He was the job title criteria for sponsorship, serving a 15-year prison sentence after allowing more residents to sponsor family A Reuters investigation exposed the being convicted on terrorism-related members to live in the UAE. UAE’s involvement in “Project Raven”, charges in 2016 and arrested by the SSA an initiative in which former US in 2014. During his trial, he described The UAE maintained its no-minimum intelligence operatives reportedly helped being tortured, including by being anally wage policy. This had a particularly the UAE keep individuals, including raped with a metal rod. In 2017 the UN negative impact on migrant workers, human rights activists, under surveillance Working Group on Arbitrary Detention who comprised more than 90% of across the globe with no judicial concluded that his detention was the country’s workforce. Unlike UAE oversight. arbitrary. nationals, migrant workers did not receive government allowances for housing, Concerns remained regarding the subsidized health care or other services freedom of movement and wellbeing WOMEN’S RIGHTS and were therefore dependent on their of Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid In a positive development, almost 200 wages in order to access essential Al Maktoum, daughter of Dubai’s ruler. women stood in the Federal National services. Migrants’ wages were typically

HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA 69 REVIEW OF 2019 Amnesty International low relative to the cost of living in the unresolved at the end of 2019. born within its borders and had no other UAE, posing a risk to their right to just Reports continued of migrant workers nationality. This effectively rendered and favourable conditions of work, and DGKPIƂPGFHQTQXGTUVC[KPIVJGKTXKUCUCPF them stateless and deprived them of their right to an adequate standard of other immigration violations. Because a range of state services, such as free living. OKITCPVUYGTGWPCDNGVQRC[UWEJƂPGU education and health care. which were often too high for them to Late or non-payment of wages was CHHQTFOCP[YGTGJGNFKPFGƂPKVGN[KP common, leaving hundreds of low- detention. DEATH PENALTY paid migrant workers stranded in poor While no new executions were reported, living conditions. Mercury MENA, an courts continued to issue new death engineering company, failed to pay STATELESSNESS sentences, primarily against foreign many of its workers for more than two The UAE continued to deny nationality nationals for violent crimes. years. The workers’ situation remained to at least 15,000 individuals who were

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government, continued to bomb BACKGROUND YEMEN civilian infrastructure and carry out 6JGEQPƃKEVKP;GOGPEQPVKPWGFYKVJ indiscriminate attacks, killing and Republic of Yemen new or renewed front lines forming in injuring hundreds of civilians. All parties Head of state: Abd Rabbu Mansour Hadi Aden, Dhale’, Hajjah, Sa’da and Ta’iz, VQVJGEQPƃKEVUWRRTGUUGFHTGGFQOQH Head of government: Maeen Abdulmalik Saeed (replaced governorates stretching from the south to Ahmed Obeid bin Daghr in October) expression, using arbitrary detention, the north of the country. enforced disappearance and torture and other ill-treatment. Those targeted #NNRCTVKGUVQVJGEQPƃKEVKP;GOGP The internationally recognized included journalists, human rights committed serious violations of government of President Abd Rabbu defenders and members of the Baha’i Mansour Hadi, while generally supported international humanitarian law. Huthi community. Children were sexually by the coalition led by Saudi Arabia forces, which controlled large parts of CUUCWNVGFYKVJKORWPKV[6JGEQPƃKEV and the UAE, witnessed challenges to the country, indiscriminately shelled continued to have a disproportionate its authority in southern parts of Yemen residential neighbourhoods in Yemen impact on people with disabilities. from the secessionist, UAE-backed and launched missiles indiscriminately 6JGRTQVTCEVGFEQPƃKEVEQPVKPWGFVQ Southern Transitional Council (STC) into Saudi Arabia. The coalition led exacerbate discrimination against women and its military wing, the Security Belt, by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab and girls. Dozens of death sentences which effectively assumed control of Emirates (UAE), which supported the were handed down and several executions swathes of the governorates of Aden, internationally recognized Yemeni carried out. Abyan and Shabwa in August. Clashes

HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA 71 REVIEW OF 2019 Amnesty International lasting a few days between forces aligned VIOLATIONS OF INTERNATIONAL allies, sometimes in retaliation for to President Hadi and the Security Belt HUMANITARIAN LAW Huthi-launched cross-border attacks. The were triggered when shooting broke out bombings killed and injured hundreds of Huthi and anti-Huthi forces continued to near the presidential palace in Aden on 7 civilians. On 28 June, a precision-guided commit with impunity serious violations munition made in the USA was used in a August. At the time, thousands of people of international humanitarian law. They coalition air strike on a residential home were attending the funerals of soldiers carried out indiscriminate attacks, in the governorate of Ta’iz, killing six killed in a missile strike by the Huthis, shelling residential neighbourhoods in civilians. Among those killed were three the armed group that controls the capital, Aden, Dhale’, Hajjah and Ta’iz. The children.1 On 1 September, an air strike Sana’a, and much of northern Yemen, Huthis launched missiles indiscriminately on a Huthi-controlled detention facility in on a military graduation parade in the into Saudi Arabia. the south-western city of Dhamar killed southern city of Aden. 130 detainees and injured 40 others. In mid-May, the Huthis began a new cross-border campaign, targeting military, In October, the UAE announced that it economic and transport infrastructure, had withdrawn armed forces from Aden. FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION AND including civilian airports, in Saudi ASSOCIATION It stated that they had accomplished Arabia. On several occasions, the their “role in liberating and stabilizing attacks led to civilian casualties. An Huthi forces, the government of Aden”, but would maintain a presence in attack on the car park of Abha airport President Hadi, the coalition led by Saudi UGXGTCNIQXGTPQTCVGUCURCTVQHVJGKTƂIJV in south-western Saudi Arabia on 23 Arabia and the UAE and UAE-backed against “terrorist organizations”. Saudi June resulted in 22 civilian casualties, Yemeni forces continued to resort to Arabia assumed control of all coalition including one death. In September, a arbitrary detention to suppress freedom drone attack on Aramco’s oil processing forces in southern Yemen and military of expression and association. facilities in Abqaiq in Saudi Arabia’s operations in western Yemen. Eastern Province, for which the Huthis In areas they controlled, Huthi forces claimed responsibility, forced their continued to arbitrarily detain critics and The STC and the government of President shutdown for several weeks and cut the opponents as well as journalists, human Hadi signed a political deal brokered by country’s oil production by about half rights defenders and members of the Saudi Arabia on 5 November committing during that period. Baha’i community, subjecting scores them to a 90-day deadline by which all to incommunicado detention, unfair the terms outlined in the agreement had During the battle for Aden in August, trials and enforced disappearance. The to be completed, including the formation EKXKNKCPUYGTGECWIJVKPVJGƂIJVKPI between forces aligned to President Hadi majority of those targeted were members within 30 days of a new cabinet equally and the Security Belt, both of which or supporters of the political party al- representative of the north and south; the employed tactics that appeared to violate Islah. return of the Yemeni government to Aden, the prohibition of indiscriminate attacks. with a view to it resuming its work; and 6JG[KPFKUETKOKPCVGN[ƂTGFGZRNQUKXG The cases of 10 journalists who had the integration of all security and military munitions with wide-area effects, been formally charged in December forces under the ministries of interior and including mortars, into residential areas 2018, more than three years into defence respectively. controlled or contested by opposing their detention, were referred from forces, killing and injuring civilians. the Political Security Organization, an In one attack in August in Dar Saad, a On 16 September, the UN Special internal security and intelligence force, to district of Aden governorate, a three-year- Envoy for Yemen publicly decried the the Sana’a-based, Huthi-run Specialized old boy was injured when a mortar landed lack of progress towards the exchange Criminal Court (SCC), which was in his family home; as a result his arm intended to be used for terrorism-related of prisoners between the Huthis and had to be amputated. cases. The journalists were charged with the Hadi government that had been offences that included spying – a capital agreed in UN-led talks in Sweden in 4GPGYGFƂIJVKPIDGVYGGP*WVJKCPF offence – and helping the coalition led December 2018. Three days later, in an anti-Huthi forces in the southern by Saudi Arabia and the UAE. During unexpected announcement, the head governorate of Dhale’ led to thousands of their detention, the men were subjected of the Sana’a-based Supreme Political people being displaced and scores killed. In an attack in October, a mortar that to periods of enforced disappearance, Council, the executive body set up by the struck a camp for internally displaced intermittent incommunicado detention Huthis, announced that the Huthis were persons in Dhale’ caused civilian and alleged torture and other ill- willing to start “serious negotiations” casualties. treatment, including by being denied with the Hadi government to commence access to medical care. In one incident, the prisoner exchange process. Weekly Coalition aircraft bombed areas controlled on 19 April, a prison warden reportedly prisoner exchanges then began. or contested by Huthi forces and their entered their cell at night, stripped them

HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA 72 REVIEW OF 2019 Amnesty International and beat them severely. From that day, who had been raped and issue medical the disability or led to a disability. they were separated and held in solitary reports. The hospital implemented the Displacement sites lacked appropriate EQPƂPGOGPV instructions in two of the cases, but housing and dedicated latrines. failed to do so in the third, despite In July, the SCC sentenced to death repeated requests by the victim’s family. The weakening of state institutions, CECFGOKEUCPFRQNKVKECNƂIWTGUQP Moreover, the hospital asked for money to economic collapse and widespread trumped-up charges, including espionage produce the report, which the family was lawlessness associated with the ongoing for the coalition led by Saudi Arabia and unable to afford. EQPƃKEVHWTVJGTFKUTWRVGFHWPFKPI the UAE, following an unfair trial.2 Before to enable realization of the rights of trial they had faced, among other things, Activists and relatives of victims said people with disabilities. The mother of a enforced disappearance, excessive that they were aware of additional cases 14-year-old boy with cerebral palsy told pre-trial detention, incommunicado of sexual violence, but had not reported Amnesty International that the disruption detention, alleged torture and other them because of the fear of reprisal by in assistance they used to receive meant ill-treatment, including by being denied local militias. Some affected families had that he had to discontinue physiotherapy, medical care, and lack of access to to relocate in search of safety. No one which led to a regression in his marked legal counsel. Among them was Youssef was held to account for such abuses. physical improvement after these al-Bawab, a linguistics professor and sessions. RQNKVKECNƂIWTGYJQYCUCTDKVTCTKN[ arrested in late 2016 and charged in DISCRIMINATION – PEOPLE WITH April 2019. DISABILITIES WOMEN’S RIGHTS 6JGRTQVTCEVGFEQPƃKEVEQPVKPWGFVQ People with disabilities faced immense exacerbate discrimination against challenges, exacerbated at times by an SEXUAL VIOLENCE AGAINST women and girls and left them with intersection of factors such as gender, less protection from sexual and other CHILDREN age and descent.3 The challenges gender-based violence, including forced 6JGRTQVTCEVGFEQPƃKEVCPFVJG included barriers to equal access to marriage. breakdown of state institutions and quality health services, education protection mechanisms exacerbated the and employment opportunities. Those vulnerability of children, leaving them FKURNCEGFD[VJGEQPƃKEVHCEGFCFFKVKQPCN with less protection against sexual and EJCNNGPIGUKPENWFKPIFKHƂEWNVKGUKP DEATH PENALTY other violence. ƃGGKPIXKQNGPEGCPFCEEGUUKPICKFCPF The death penalty remained in force inadequate living conditions, which for many crimes. Courts handed down In a series of incidents starting in the city undermined their dignity. dozens of death sentences. Several of Ta’iz in mid-2018, three boys were executions were carried out. raped and a fourth survived an attempted Displaced people with disabilities sexual assault. Among them was a described to Amnesty International There was a marked increase of trials boy aged eight. A pattern of impunity, arduous and repeated journeys in before the Sana’a-based SCC of reprisals and other obstacles discouraged pursuit of safety and better livelihood individuals being prosecuted on charges the families from reporting the incidents. opportunities. The vast majority of those carrying the death penalty. The Huthis’ However, the four cases were reported to with limited mobility travelled without prosecution authorities appeared to the Criminal Investigations Department assistive devices such as wheelchairs or have brought the charges as a means to in Ta’iz, which directed one of the city’s crutches, relying on others to carry them. persecute political opponents, journalists, main hospitals to examine the three boys Sometimes the journey exacerbated academics and religious minorities.

1. Amnesty International, ;GOGP75OCFGDQODWUGFKPFGCFN[CKTUVTKMGQPEKXKNKCPU (Press release, 26 September 2019), JVVRUYYYCOPGUV[QTIGPNCVGUVPGYU[GOGPWUOCFGDQODWUGFKPFGCFN[CKTUVTKMGQPEKXKNKCPU 2. Amnesty International,;GOGP*WVJKTWPEQWTVUGPVGPEGURQNKVKECNQRRQUKVKQPƂIWTGUVQFGCVJHQNNQYKPIUJCOVTKCN (Press release, 9 July 2019), JVVRUYYYCOPGUV[QTIGPNCVGUVPGYU[GOGPJWVJKTWPEQWTVUGPVGPEGURQNKVKECNQRRQUKVKQPƂIWTGUVQFGCVJHQNNQYKPIUJCOVTKCN 3. Amnesty International, 'ZENWFGF.KXKPIYKVJFKUCDKNKVKGUKP;GOGPoUCTOGFEQPƃKEV +PFGZ/&'  JVVRUYYYCOPGUV[QTIGPFQEWOGPVU/&'GP

HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA 73 REVIEW OF 2019 Amnesty International HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA 74 REVIEW OF 2019 Amnesty International HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA 75 REVIEW OF 2019 Amnesty International HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA REVIEW OF 2019

This report documents the state of human rights in the Middle East and North Africa during 2019. It is composed of a regional QXGTXKGYCPFEQWPVT[GPVTKGUUWDFKXKFGFD[MG[JWOCP rights themes.

/CUURTQVGUVUUJQQMVJGTGIKQPCPFCWVJQTKVKGUTGURQPFGFYKVJ excessive – sometimes lethal – force and arbitrary detentions. Governments heavily restricted freedom of expression and detained hundreds of human rights defenders. In general, UGEWTKV[HQTEGUGPLQ[GFKORWPKV[HQTXKQNCVKQPUNKMGVQTVWTGCPF enforced disappearances, but a truth commission in Tunisia referred cases of past abuses to trial and made recommendations relevant for governments across the region.

War crimes and other serious violations of international JWOCPKVCTKCPNCYYGTGEQOOKVVGFKPCTOGFEQPƃKEVUHWGNNGFD[ illicit arms transfers. Hundreds of thousands of people were KPVGTPCNN[FKURNCEGFD[OKNKVCT[QHHGPUKXGUCPFQVJGTƂIJVKPI Thousands of refugees from Syria were deported there.

Reforms were announced in several countries to improve RTQVGEVKQPHQTOKITCPVYQTMGTUDWVVJG[EQPVKPWGFVQHCEG GZRNQKVCVKQPCPFCDWUG.KMGVJGVYQRTGXKQWU[GCTUUCYC HGYYGNEQOGFGXGNQROGPVUYKVJTGURGEVVQYQOGPoUTKIJVUCPF violence against women. Authorities across the region arrested scores of individuals because of their real or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity.

Index: MDE 01/1357/2020 Original language: English amnesty.org