UN points to 'genocidal path' in RSF assault on Sudan’s El-Fasher A UN fact-finding mission says the scale and coordination of atrocities in Darfur mark a shift in its assessment of the paramilitary group’s campaign. Sudan
Iran fires TV director over 'Death to Khamenei' blunder: What to know Iranian authorities have stepped up their crackdown on journalists who covered the recent anti-regime protests. Iran
Iran arrests Oscar-nominated writer, civil rights figures in expanding crackdown Iranian authorities arrested three prominent activists over the weekend, including Oscar-nominated screenwriter and journalist Mehdi Mahmoudian as arrests surge across Iran. Iran
European Union adds IRGC to terror list, expands sanctions As the extent of the killing of protests is gradually revealed, the European Union has decided to designate Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization. Iran
Feature ISIS brides face uncertain future as Damascus clashes with Syria’s Kurds By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Analysis Bruised, not broken: Iran’s regime shows no deep structural cracks — yet By A correspondent in Tehran In Tehran, reporting on politics
Council of Europe starts disciplinary process for Turkey over Kavala Rights groups are calling for Osman Kavala's immediate release, while Ankara calls the Council of Europe’s decision to start the lengthy process “malicious” and “politically motivated.” Turkey
FBI admits to obtaining Israeli-made Pegasus spyware The FBI said it bought the controversial spyware tool for “product testing and evaluation only” and never deployed it. Israel
Turkey sinks on corruption index as activists point to public tender system Transparency International says there has been a “significant decline” in Turkey’s tackling of graft over the last decade. Turkey
Iran urged to release rights defender Narges Mohmmadi Narges Mohmmadi was sentenced to eight years in prison following a five-minute trial. Iran
Ex-UN officials, rights experts urge probe of Iran's 1988 mass killings More than 450 people signed an open letter calling for the UN human rights office to investigate the Iranian president's involvement in the1988 massacre, which Ebrahim Raisi denies. Iran
Human Rights Watch staffer hacked with Pegasus spyware A digital forensic analysis determined phones belonging Lama Fakih, HRW’s crisis and conflict director, were hacked between April and August 2021. News Brief
House Democrats press Blinken on military aid to Egypt In a letter to the US secretary of state, lawmakers described Egypt's "pervasive and systemic violations of human rights." Egypt
Turkish court jails journalist over proverb that 'insulted' Erdogan TV media figure Sedef Kabas is the latest among tens of thousands to be investigated over insulting the president during Erdogan's time in office. Turkey
Islamic State prison break reinforces value of US military protection for Syria's Kurds ‘Cubs of Caliphate’ are among 700 boys held in Islamic State prison, as Syrian Kurdish forces keep up the battle to retake control Syria
Democrats urge Biden to overhaul drone strike policy Democratic lawmakers called on Biden to bring US counterterrorism policy in line with international law. News Brief
Human rights in spotlight as Egypt's revolution anniversary nears In the run-up to the anniversary of the January 25 revolution that led to the ouster of President Hosni Mubarak, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi's comments on human rights at a youth forum in Sharm El Sheikh are met with a backlash from activists on social media. Egypt
Calls across political spectrum to probe Israel Police Pegasus spyware misuse Knesset members from across the political spectrum are calling for an official probe over publications that police had used the spyware Pegasus to hack phones of citizens without prior court order. Israel
