Featured stories about Middle East & North Africa
Stories about Middle East & North Africa
29 May 2020
Global Voices (GV) is seeking a part-time bilingual Arabic/English Regional Editor for its coverage of the Middle East and North Africa
Are you a writer and editor knowledgable and curious about all facets of the Middle East and North Africa?
Desecration of three religious sites in Iran signal the Islamic Republic's continued oppression of minorities
"Pressure on religious minorities has also taken the form of persecution of individuals by accusing them of promoting 'propaganda against the Islamic Republic or 'belonging to hostile groups.
Could COVID-19 help push peace forward in Yemen?
While leaders have stalled on a unified response to ending the violence to deal with the virus, several activist groups in Yemen are pushing forward a ceasefire agenda.
22 May 2020
From counterterrorism to counter-COVID-19, governments use crises to impose continuous states of emergency in the Middle East
Fighting terrorism used to be the umbrella under which states of emergency were justified in the Middle East. Now, COVID-19 serves as a new justification for sweeping powers.
21 May 2020
In Tunisia, women stand on the frontlines of targeted hate speech online
In Tunisia, an uprising toppled leadership and lead to revolution in 2011. Since then, digital space has witnessed heated debates about politics and society — including attacks against women activists and...
20 May 2020
Stranded Nepali migrant workers protest to return home, Nepali government drags its feet
Nepal's government tries to stall repatriating migrant workers stranded abroad.
11 May 2020
COVID-19: Switching online is not an option in conflict-stricken countries in the Middle East
While the internet provides a lifeline in wealthy countries during COVID-19, this is not the case in conflict-stricken countries in the Middle East.
The nightmare in Syria continues amid new coronavirus fears
The gathering of displaced persons in Idlib, Syria, has sparked international concern that this community — living under the harshest conditions — could be deeply affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
5 May 2020
‘While I breathe, I hope’: In conversation with Ali Gharavi of the #Istanbul10
Gharavi, a security consultant, was among ten human rights defenders arrested in Turkey in July 2017 at an information management and well-being workshop.
1 May 2020
COVID-19 in Palestine: Living between hope and fear
A deterioration of the political situation in Palestine could adversely impact the COVID-19 crisis and directly impact local civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.
30 April 2020
A feeling of hopelessness: Interview with a Uyghur refugee in Turkey
The Chinese government policy of racial and religious profiling has forced young Uyghurs to leave China and remain in exile.
28 April 2020
Setbacks for freedom of expression as Tunisia fights COVID-19
Two bloggers have been arrested for accusing local authorities of corruption in relation to aid distribution, while a journalist who criticized the health minister faced insults online.
24 April 2020
COVID-19 in the Middle East: Is this pandemic a health crisis or a war?
War-like rhetoric around COVID-19 has allowed governments in the Middle East and North Africa to execute emergency powers and impose draconian measures that would otherwise be unacceptable.
14 April 2020
Iran fails to contain COVID-19 as internal political clashes prevent a timely and unified response
Iran is one of the countries worst affected by COVID-19, thanks in part to political disagreements and a lack of coordination among government authorities.
Fighting COVID-19 goes hand-in-hand with shuttering newspapers across the Middle East
As part of their measures to counter COVID-19, Jordan, Oman, Morocco, the UAE and Yemen, have all banned print newspapers until further notice.
9 April 2020
Tunisia has a disinformation problem, but (further) criminalizing speech won't solve it
Following outcry from human rights groups and citizens, a controversial bill that sought to criminalize the spread of ‘’fake news’’ online was quickly withdrawn.
8 April 2020
Impact of COVID-19 containment measures on human rights and civil liberties in the Middle East
COVID-19 measures in the MENA region have especially targeted some of the most vulnerable groups such as detained human rights defenders, migrant workers and independent media.
27 March 2020
Algeria's crackdown on dissent persists with detention of journalists
More than a year since the start of Algeria's countrywide protests to demand political and economic reforms, the government continues to resort to repressive tactics to silence critics and journalists.
25 March 2020
Coronavirus and surveillance technology: How far will governments go?
''While surveillance technologies and measures may give the public a sense of security in controlling the spread of the virus, we must remain mindful and vigilant of their continued use...
13 March 2020
Women's march in Istanbul marked by police violence and detentions on March 8
On March 8, International Women’s Day, feminist night marches took place in several cities across Turkey. While the event was held for the 17th time in İstanbul, it ended with...
About our Middle East & North Africa coverage
Afef Abrougui is Advox Editor for the Middle East and North Africa. Email her story ideas related to freedom of expression online.
