Human rights

Prominent Turkish journalist Fatih Altayli is pictured in this undated image.

Turkey sentences journalist over 4 years in jail for threatening Erdogan

Prominent Turkish journalist Fatih Altayli was sentenced to over four years in prison in a trial government critics say aimed at silencing one of Turkey's most influential journalists and intended to intimidate journalists nationwide.

An undated image of Saad Ibrahim Almadi.

Saudi Arabia lifts travel ban on US citizen Saad Almadi

Almadi's release comes during Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's visit to Washington.

Alexi J. Rosenfeld/Getty Images

Fed up with Netanyahu, more Israelis seek European passports

The number of Israelis seeking European passports has increased considerably in a trend that has continued even after Israel and Hamas reached a ceasefire agreement.

A Palestinian man tries to extinguish flames from a burning truck after an Israeli settlers attack in the village of Beit Lid, east of Tulkarm, in the occupied West Bank on Nov. 11, 2025.

Israeli settlers arrested after injuring 4 Palestinians in West Bank rampage: What to know

The UN's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said that October saw the highest monthly number of Israeli settler attacks since it began tracking the incidents in 2006.

Latest News

Iran’s IRGC says it arrested hacker tied to Israeli Mossad: What we know

TEHRAN, IRAN - JUNE 24: A Police officer stands guard as demonstrators wave flags and cheer during a gathering to honor Iran’s military forces, following the announcement of a ceasefire between Israel and Iran, on June 24, 2025 in Tehran, Iran. Iranian authorities announced this morning they would agree to a ceasefire with Israel, whose attacks on Iran's military and nuclear sites on June 13 sparked a daily exchange of missiles between the countries. (Photo by Majid Saeedi/Getty Images)

Aid groups sound alarm on 'atrocities' after RSF captures Sudan's el-Fasher

Sudanese residents gather to receive free meals in Al Fasher, a city besieged by Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) for more than a year, in Darfur region, on August 11, 2025. RSF attacked a famine-hit refugee camp in North Darfur state on August 11, 2025, killing at least 40 civilians and injuring 19 others, rescuers said. Al-Fasher is the last city in the western Darfur region still held by the Sudanese army, at war with the paramilitary group since April 2023. (Photo by AFP) (Photo by STR/AF

Syria arrests ex-general accused of executions at Assad's 'human slaughterhouse'

Maj. Gen. Akram Saloum Abdullah, commander of the military police between 2014 and 2015, is pictured on Oct. 22, 2025.

Israel's West Bank police chief condemns settler's 'cruel' beating of Palestinian woman

TOPSHOT - Palestinians stand near a burning car reportedly set alight by Israeli settlers attempting to disrupt them harvesting olives near the occupied West Bank village of Turmos Ayya near Ramallah on October 19, 2025. (Photo by HAZEM BADER / AFP) (Photo by HAZEM BADER/AFP via Getty Images)

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Iran protests put Turkish government in tight spot

As their Western partners strongly react to the Iranian protests, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his administration remain curiously quiet.

Smoke billows on the horizon in the village of Altrun Kupri, in the Sherawa region, south of Erbil in Iraq's Kurdistan, where a base of the Kurdistan Freedom Party is located, on Sept. 28, 2022.

Tehran strikes Kurdish opponents in Iraq as protests over Mahsa Amini’s death convulse Iran

Iran ramps up its bombing campaign in northern Iraq in what Iraqi Kurds argue is an attempt to divert the world's attention from the killing of Kurdish woman Mahsa Amini.

A woman reacts as she takes part in a protest over the death in custody of Mahsa Amini.

Mounting deaths in Iran protests as internet blackout drags on

As protests entered a 12th day, the government's deadly crackdown under severe internet disruptions appeared to have failed to soothe the boiling anger.

Banner supporting Mahsa Amini.

Turkish celebrities, including jailed Kurdish politician, cut hair for Mahsa Amini

Women activists, celebrities and jailed Kurdish politician Selahattin Demirtas cut their hair in solidarity with Mahsa Amini, the Iranian Kurdish woman who died in detention by Iran’s morality police.

Musicians Haig Papazian, Carl Gerges and Hamed Sinno of Mashrou' Leila pose for a picture , New York, Nov. 1, 2017.

Culture

Lebanese band Mashrou’ Leila quits after years of harassment over sexual orientation

Mashrou’ Leila, whose main singer identifies as queer, announced it was disbanding, after facing accusations, harassment and threats over their songs.

Mabel Matiz

Culture

Queer singer tries to create space for discussion in Turkey

As the government ramps up its anti-LGBTQ stance, Mabel Matiz, one of Turkey’s most popular queer artists, says he will continue to write songs that inspire public conversation on taboos.

A worker sorts out plastic waste collected at a plastic recycling factory in Kartepe, district of Kocaelion, Turkey, May 11, 2022.

Health of Turkey’s plastic waste workers under threat as European imports grow

A report by Human Rights Watch finds Turkish authorities are not enforcing a law to protect vulnerable workers and local residents from toxic fumes.

Protests in Tehran on Sept. 20.

Iranian government confirms three deaths in hijab protest

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, in New York for the UN General Assembly meetings, called Mahsa Amini's family in an attempt to stem the reaction to her death in police custody.

Protesters hold placards and flags during an anti-LGBT rally organized by pro-Islamic organizations in Istanbul on Sept. 18, 2022.

Thousands gather in Istanbul for anti-LGBTQ rally

Organizers say they are rallying for family values, while rights groups protest the rally as a hate crime.

A picture taken on July 26, 2018 shows Egyptian policemen stand guarding a checkpoint on a road leading to the North Sinai provincial capital of El-Arish.

US releases some military aid to Egypt amid human rights concerns

The administration is providing Egypt with $170 million in military assistance that Congress had made contingent on the country improving its rights record.

Egyptian tanks take part in the Arab Shield joint military exercises at Mohamed Naguib military base in El-Hamam near the Mediterranean coast, about 240 kilometres northwest of the capital Cairo on Nov. 15, 2018.

Analysis

Democrats push Biden to restrict Egypt’s military aid over rights abuses

Egypt’s annual military assistance is shaping up to be another test of the administration’s ability to balance human rights considerations with American strategic interests.

Elizabeth Hagedorn

By Elizabeth Hagedorn

In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights

Egyptian journalist Lina Attalah, co-founder and editor-in-chief of the Cairo-based online newspaper Mada Masr, gives an interview with AFP, Cairo, Egypt, Dec. 28, 2020.

Egypt's journalism crackdown continues despite 'national dialogue'

The Egyptian authorities' crackdown on Mada Masr has been criticized by civil society groups.