Syrian court sentences Bashar al-Assad, brother to death for war crimes Ousted President Bashar al-Assad and his younger brother Maher al-Assad were both sentenced to death in absentia for war crimes along with several other defendants. Syria
Iran hangs 2 over alleged Mossad ties as executions mount: What to know Rights groups have warned that Iran may step up executions with the resumption of the war in the region. Iran
'Obliterated entire families': Amnesty calls for investigating Israeli strikes in Lebanon as war crimes Amnesty International has accused Israel of committing war crimes in Lebanon by wiping out entire families and killing children. Lebanon
Iran’s hard-line judicial chief Mohseni Ejei gets second term: What to know The veteran judicial official, who has been sanctioned by the United States and the European Union, has been accused of overseeing widespread human rights violations for decades. His reappointment by Mojtaba Khamenei signals continuity in Iran's hardline judicial policies and crackdown on dissent. Iran
Son of top PLO official released after two years in Egyptian prison Egyptian-Palestinian activist Ramy Shaath, an advocate for the Israel BDS movement, was released after Shaath agreed to renounce his Egyptian citizenship. Palestine
Egyptian rights group suspends operations after 'hostile' targeting of staff The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information said the decision to close its doors came after "many strenuous attempts to continue to operate, despite the difficult conditions.” Egypt
Rights group accuse UAE of 'retaliating' against jailed activist Ahmed Mansoor Human Rights Watch and the Gulf Center for Human Rights said Ahmed Mansoor was moved to a more isolated cell after the publication of a letter he wrote from prison. News Brief
Syrian activists tell stories of displacement over lost decade Displacement and exile have become a common narrative for Syrians since 2011. Syria
Turkish court approves release of two jailed Bogazici students Berke Gok and Perit Ozen were among 14 students arrested in October 2021 for protesting the government-appointed rector at Istanbul’s Bogazici University. Turkey
Ethiopia detaining Tigrayans deported from Saudi Arabia, rights group says Human Rights Watch urged Ethiopia to release the arbitrarily detained Tigrayans and called on Saudi Arabia to stop its deportations. Saudi Arabia
Child rape and security forces’ behavior spark outcry in Iraq Violent crimes perpetrated against Iraqi women and girls has led to outrage and renewed calls for women to have greater representation and decision-making opportunities in the country, as all-male government formation talks continue. Iraq
Egypt sentences blogger Alaa Abdel Fattah to five years in prison Lawyer Mohamed el-Baqer and blogger Mohamed “Oxygen” Ibrahim were also each sentenced to four years in the same case for spreading false news and undermining state security. News Brief
The Takeaway: Did Israeli PM help break deadlock over US weapons sale to UAE? Also: The Gulf and climate; Syrian refugees return from Belarus; Israel expands Golan settlements; Egypt wants assurances on gas pipeline; China-Ethiopia ties unsettle Egypt; Iran threatens sanctions on US; Building Sharjah … all in less than 1,200 words! By Andrew Parasiliti , Elizabeth Hagedorn , Joe Snell
Democratic lawmakers urge sanctions on Israel's NSO Group The congressional letter also called for sanctions on three other foreign surveillance firms. News Brief
European court orders Turkey to pay damages to journalist jailed over coup The European Court of Human Rights ruled that Turkey should pay $18,000 to political commentator and former lawmaker Nazli Ilicak for violating her rights. News Brief
Would-be Syrian refugees flown back from Belarus despite visas Belarus has given Syrians two options: cross the border into Poland or be deported. Syria
