'No meaningful protection': Israel’s new Gaza aid rules raise data, security risks The guidelines expand Israeli authority to deny NGO registration in the Palestinian territories and visas for foreign aid workers as Gaza continues to reel from two years of war. Palestine
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
Feature ISIS brides face uncertain future as Damascus clashes with Syria’s Kurds By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Intel: Egypt releases US political prisoner Egypt has released American political prisoner Reem Mohamed Desouky. Originals
Death of Egyptian director whose video mocked Sisi prompts calls for investigation Filmmaker Shady Habash, who was arrested after directing a controversial music video, died at the age of 24 in a Cairo prison. Egypt
Sudan outlaws female genital mutilation Sudan's criminalization of the practice done to a majority of young girls won praise and may reflect some change in attitudes. North Africa
Egypt forcibly disappears two women amid coronavirus crackdown: Rights group Marwa Arafa, 27, and Kholoud Said, 35, disappeared last week at the hands of Egyptian security services, Human Rights Watch said. Egypt
Egypt tightens sanctions for those who refuse to wear protective masks Egypt’s parliament approved a new bill that punishes citizens with imprisonment or a fine if they refuse to bury coronavirus victims or wear protective masks. Egypt
Saudi bid for English Premier League soccer team has support of fans, opposition of human rights advocates The reported effort by the state-run Saudi Public Investment Fund to buy the Newcastle United football club has prompted an opposition campaign by human rights organizations. Culture & Society
Iran unlikely to release women activists during pandemic The coronavirus outbreak is adding to the plight of imprisoned women’s rights defenders in Iran. Iran
How a German court is trying to bring Syrian war criminals to justice Because Syria is not a member of the International Criminal Court in The Hague, victims of torture and abuse by the Syrian government are seeking justice in Germany and other countries. Syria
Saving Palestinian prisoners’ lives requires releasing the elderly and sick As Palestinians commemorate Prisoners' Day on April 17, the biggest demand appears to be how to safeguard prisoners from the threat of the coronavirus pandemic. Palestine
Migrants in detention center go on hunger strike in fear of coronavirus Migrants in a Tunis detention center went on a hunger strike to protest bad conditions that aren't improving amid the coronavirus outbreak despite calls by rights organizations that prisoners be released. Tunisia
Calls for release of prisoners grow in Egypt despite arrest campaign Egyptian security forces launched a campaign of arrests against human rights activists, politicians and left-wing activists who had been calling for the release of prisoners in order to stem the spread of the coronavirus. Egypt
Jordan to launch doorstep food deliveries during round-the-clock lockdown Jordan extends its round-the-clock curfew indefinitely in an effort to combat the novel coronavirus. Jordan
