Press Releases

Libya: Jamal Al-Hajji, human rights defender, arrested after submitting complaint regarding violations

LBY - News | 18 December 2009
Human rights violations are ubiquitous in Libya and Jamal Al-Hajji, a 54 year old human rights activist, did not shy away from exposing the systematic abuses carried out by the Libyan authorities. During the past few years, Mr Al-Hajji has been the frequent target of harassment by the security services after bringing to light various human rights violations committed by the Libyan authorities. Questioned in November 2009 regarding a complaint he submitted to the Libyan Justice Minister, he was eventually arrested by State Security services on 9 December 2009 and transferred to Jdeida prison in Tripoli, where he remains to date. His family has still not been able to visit him.

Egypt: Ahmed Douma, student blogger, tortured during detention in Damanhour prison

EGY - News | 18 December 2009
Ahmed Saad Douma, a 20-year-old blogger and student at Tanta University, was arrested by State Security Intelligence (SSI -Amn Al-Dowla) at the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt on 4 February 2009. He was charged with "trying to illegally cross the eastern border." On 10 February 2009 he was tried before a military court and sentenced to one year in prison and fined 2000 LE ($US 360). He was tortured during his transfer to the prison and was again subjected to torture on 5 December 2009. Alkarama fears he is still at risk of torture.

Saudi Arabia: Al-Hajiri's case submitted to Special Rapporteur on Health - brain tumor requires urgent operation

KSA - News | 17 December 2009
Arrested on 16 December 2007 by Saudi Intelligence service (Al-Mabahit Al-Aama) at the Al-Khafdji border crossing between Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, Nasser Al-Hajiri, 37, a Kuwaiti national, is currently detained at the Intelligence Services' detention center in Dammam. He suffers from health complications associated with diabetes, arterial hypertension and a serious brain tumor. Since his arrest, Mr Al-Hajiri has neither received any formal charges nor has he been presented before a judicial authority. Alkarama fears that his life is currently at risk due to the lack of medical care in his place of detention.

Syria: Update - Ziad Ramadan is allowed first family visit in two years - reports indicate severe health problems

SYR - News | 16 December 2009
Alkarama has received an important update regarding Ziad Wasef Ramadan, a Syrian arrested in 2005. Following Ziad Ramadan's first family-visit in over two years on 23 August 2009, reports now confirm that Mr Ramadan's health has severely deteriorated after being subjected to continuous solitary confinement since September 2007. Ziad Ramadan's family had previously visited him on 22 September 2007, after he was transferred to the Palestinian Branch of Damascus prison, in September 2007. Up until their most recent visit, all visitation requests had been refused.