Middle East news
Bahareh Hedayat awarded Human Rights Prize
April 2012: The very first Harald Edelstam Defence of Human Rights Award was given to jailed Iranian student activist Bahareh Hedayat in Stockholm.
One Iranian lawyer's fight to save juveniles from execution
The extraordinary story of Mohammad Mostafaei, a lawyer who has saved 20 of the 40 juveniles he has defended from execution in Iran.
IRAN: Mother of Two - "I Will Not Request Pardon"
March 2012: Narges Mohammadi, the deputy director of the Defenders of Human Rights Center said she did not request a pardon, as all activities were based on the laws of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Interview with Asma Darwish - A Voice for Bahrain
March 2012: Interview by Joanne Michele - 'When we first spoke in December, Asma's 16-year old cousin had just been released after two months in prison....
Interview with Elaine Murtagh: The Irish Woman Fighting for Bahraini Rights
March 2012: Amongst the deported foreigners was an Irish national, Elaine Murtagh: "I led a women’s protest to stop the abuse of children in Bahrain... I knew I would be arrested, and I didn't care...."
New Directive On 'Modest' Dress Outrages Iraq's Female Civil Servants
Jan 2012: Iraq's female civil servants up in arms over a new government directive telling them to wear "modest" clothing.
Birthday in Evin Prison - Serving Sentence for Facebook & Online Activities
Jan 2012: "Hanieh’s mother is forced to travel 650 kilometers alone to visit her daughter for just a few minutes from behind a cabin window....
Sanctions and Sabers - The Insidious Cycle of War
Jan 2012: By Maryam Zar - Albert Einstein once famously said "one cannot simultaneously prevent and prepare for war."....
Sindyanna of Galilee: A Solution to the Middle East Conflict
By Irit Hakim: "I joined a group of people to visit a unique centre in Galilee. Led by women striving for social change, it operates within the Arab population of the Galilee region..."
Amir Hekmati & Zahra Bahrami - Iran and the Execution of Dual Nationals
In January 2011, Iran executed Dutch-Iranian woman, Zahra Bahrami. On 9th January 2012, Iran sentenced US-Iranian national, Amir Hekmati, to death.
Iranian 'Mothers' Ask, 'Who Really Endangers National Security?'
Jan 2012: The Mothers of Laleh Park say that women and mothers who have refused to be silent while defending the rights of their children are being repeatedly harassed and threatened...
Iran: Women with 'Inappropriate Clothing'
Jan 2012: According to a report, the head of the Airport Police discussed stricter regulations with respect to women’s dress at Iran’s airports...