Middle East and North AfricaMiddle East and Gulf
Israel and Occupied Palestinian Territories | Lebanon | Syria | Jordan | Iran | Iraq | Kuwait | Qatar | Bahrain | United Arab Emirates | Oman | Saudi Arabia | Yemen
Grave and multiple human rights violations continue with impunity throughout the Middle East and Gulf. Hundreds of civilians have been killed in armed conflicts and political violence across the region.
In Iraq, Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, violence against women is exacerbated by the easy availability of arms and the social disruption of war. Across the region, violence within the home and family is perpetuated by state inaction, inadequate or discriminatory legislation, and social prejudice.
Read more about the countries in this region in our 2013 Annual Report
Protect civilians in Syria
At least 90,000 men, women and children have been killed since the crackdown on peaceful protests first began in Syria.
Over that time what started as a peaceful cry for freedom has descended into a devastating internal armed conflict. The impact of the fighting, as ever, is being most brutally felt by civilians. Both pro and anti government forces have committed violent war crimes. Conditions have become so unbearable that hundreds of thousands of people have fled the country, and many more have been displaced within Syria.
Standing in solidarity and defiance
2011 and 2012 were years without precedent for people in the Middle East and North Africa. Millions have flooded onto the streets to demand change - often in the face of extreme violence and repression from military and security forces. Some, such as those in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya were successful in ending years of repressive rule and introducing democracy, but have found the struggle for human rights continues. Others continue the fight, while in Syria the situation has descended into a violent armed conflict with nearly 100,000 men, women and children killed since the crackdown on peaceful protests began in March 2011. Read more about protests in the Middle East and North Africa |
Further information
News
More news
