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
White House whips Senate allies to block Armenian genocide resolution The White House has so far succeeded in keeping the Senate from passing a resolution recognizing the Armenian genocide, but the Trump administration is slowly running out of options. Turkey
Iraqi protesters' deaths could lead to international court Fed up with Iraqi authorities' lack of response so far, some activists are considering an international case against former Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi and others for their alleged roles in killing Iraqi demonstrators. Iraq
Riyadh agreement neglects Yemen’s 'manmade' humanitarian crisis Since the Saudi-led coalition intervened against Houthis in Yemen in 2015, both warring sides have deliberately targeted medical facilities, while few if any projects are being carried out to revive the health care system in a country where millions are suffering. Saudi Arabia
Iraqi government responds to protests by digging in After nearly two months of protests in Iraq, the government is using excessive force on demonstrators and not giving in to their demands. Iraq
How bus ban reflects Morocco's broader migration policy The well-known Moroccan bus company CTM denies accusations that it prevents "Africans" from boarding some of its buses. Morocco
Million-dollar lobbying campaign against Kuwait suffers major setback A Kuwaiti court has sentenced a Russian businesswoman to 15 years of hard labor despite pressure from former US officials. Here's who's behind the campaign to release Marsha Lazareva. United Arab Emirates
The administrative detention threatening Israel-Jordan ties As Israel and Jordan mark the 25th anniversary of their peace treaty, the highly complex and sensitive relationship is being strained further by the ongoing administrative detention of Heba al-Labadi. Palestine
Syrian refugees arrested, face deportation from Egypt Syrian refugees, including women and children, are being detained by the Egyptian authorities under difficult conditions with constant threats of deportation, as some critics describe their treatment as a kind of torture. Egypt
Lawyers decry lack of justice for jailed activist Kavala in Turkey A Turkish court refuses to free Osman Kavala, who stands accused, along with 15 others, of organizing mass 2013 demonstrations. Turkey
Rights now: Why Palestinian women do not want to wait for liberation Outraged that Palestinian men are getting away with murder, women of Palestine take to the streets and to cinema halls to push for their rights. Palestine
Ticking time bomb: not a license to torture The terrible damage done to Palestinian Samer Arbid, who is suspected of heading a terror cell, could harm Israel much more than the harm that would have occurred had torture not been used on him. Palestine
One year on, Turkish human rights advocates lament inaction on Khashoggi murder One year after the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul, advocates for human rights and press freedom highlight failures in bringing the perpetrators to justice. Saudi Arabia
