Syria opens trial of Wassim al-Assad, cousin of ousted president: What we know The trial follows another session in the case against Atef Najib, also a cousin of former President Bashar al-Assad, as Syrian authorities continue prosecuting figures linked to the former regime and its remnants. Syria
Turkey detains 233 ahead of NATO summit, including LGBTQ+ activist Yildiz Tar The operation included alleged militant suspects as well as LGBTQ+ and leftist activists, raising concerns over the scope of the crackdown. Turkey
Culture In Syria, detention of Hassan Akkad raises alarm about free expression under Sharaa Akkad, a British-Syrian filmmaker, was detained Wednesday night after his campaign questioning the whereabouts of funds allegedly pledged for relief, reconstruction and community initiatives across Syria. Syria
Amnesty International accuses Israel of state-led ethnic cleansing in West Bank In a new report, Amnesty International said that the escalating forced displacement and settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank is part of a state-led campaign to control the Palestinian territory. Palestine
Interview As Sudan war drags on, US-Iran conflict compounds humanitarian crisis in Darfur Janti Soeripto President and CEO of Save the Children US
Iran hangs protester despite calls to halt execution Campaigns led by Iranian human rights activists failed to halt the execution of the protester arrested during anti-government rallies in late 2017. Iran
Australian envoy says academic jailed in Iran doing 'well' Ambassador Lyndall Sachs visited with Kylie Moore-Gilbert Sunday following her transfer to a notorious desert prison last month. Iran
Torture on the rise in Erdogan’s Turkey Reports of human rights atrocities in Recep Tayyip Erdogan's Turkey are growing, with victims speaking out on forced disappearances and murder. Turkey
Filmed confessions of Brotherhood members stir controversy Rights lawyers are demanding Egypt’s Ministry of Interior to be held liable after releasing videos of suspects involved in an alleged Muslim Brotherhood plan to undermine the state’s security. Egypt
Yazidi activist Nadia Murad to appear on 'The Daily Show' Murad's appearance on the popular US talk and news satire show could showcase her efforts to combat sexual violence and trafficking to a new and big audience. Iraq
‘I still wake up at night’: Syrian men and transgender rape survivors struggle in Lebanon LGBT survivors of sexual violence told Human Rights Watch that accessing services for their physical and psychological trauma is a challenge in Lebanon. Syria
Saudi Arabia jails Yemeni blogger over video calling for LGBT rights A Saudi court sentenced Mohamad al-Bokari to 10 months in prison over a social media post encouraging gay rights. Saudi Arabia
Intel: US calls on Turkey to release jailed philanthropist Osman Kavala The United States today called on Turkey to release Osman Kavala, a Turkish businessman and philanthropist who has spent 1,000 days in detention despite widespread condemnation from human rights organizations. Originals
Iraqi PM calls for investigation after two protesters killed in Baghdad The prime minister said security forces have 72 hours to finish their investigation into the protester deaths. Iraq
Turkish philanthropist Osman Kavala marks 1000th day in jail Despite the European Court of Human Rights' order for his release, Turkish philanthropist Osman Kavala remains imprisoned in Turkey on what supporters call politically motivated charges. Turkey
German woman kidnapped in Baghdad freed in Iraqi operation German national Hella Mewis, who was abducted outside of her office in Baghdad on Monday evening, was freed in an operation carried out by Iraqi security forces. Iraq
German woman 'kidnapped' in Baghdad Baghdad-based artist Hella Mewis was reportedly abducted while riding her bike Monday evening. Iraq
