There is Good News and Bad News: HRDs in the Middle East

June 25, 2010

While I was in Geneva on 23 June for the launch of the OMCT’s international campaign against torture (by the way go and sign http://www.omct.org), two pieces of news fell on my desk within the space of one hour, so linked and still so contradictory:
1. BAD: The 2010 Laureate, Muhannad Al-Hassani from Syria, has been sentenced to 3 years imprisonment for having reported on legal proceedings before the State Security Court. In doing so, Mr. Al-Hassani has committed no crime and done nothing but defending the rights of others. Only a presidential pardon can rectify this injustice.
2. GOOD: The 2009 Laureate, Emad Baghi, has been released from detention – on bail – after having spent 6 months in very difficult conditions. As the picture shows he lost quite a bit of weight. We must now hope that the Iranian authorities will continue to respect Emad Baghi’s right to freedom of expression.

before and afer

2 Responses to “There is Good News and Bad News: HRDs in the Middle East”

  1. Alexandra Bisia's avatar Alexandra Bisia Says:

    Lets hope that Muhammed Al-Hassani will also be released before long… But indeed, what contradictory news to come to you in one hour!!!

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  2. AKTHAM NAISSEH's avatar AKTHAM NAISSEH Says:

    الاستبداد , مهما كان خيالكم نشيطا وواسعا فانني اعتقد انه من الصعب والصعب جدا ان تتخيلوا مايفعله الاستبداد بنا كل يوم , انه يدمر فدراتنا غلىالابداع والخلق وحتى انه يدمر ارادتنا في الحياة انه يقتل نسيجنا الحي واحدا اثر الاخر في كل لحظة من لحظات حياتنا البائسة
    انصحكم ان لاتجربوه
    اكثم نعيسة

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