Amnesty International has welcomed the release of an Egyptian Bedouin blogger and activist, who was held in detention without trial for almost three years over protests against the demolition of thous

(Paris-Geneva-Copenhagen-London-New York, 17 June 2010). The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, a joint programme of the International Federation of Human Rights (FIDH) and World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), the Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network (EMHRN), Reporters Without Borders (RWB), Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch condemn the Tunisian Parliament's adoption on 15 June of a bill designed to directly criminalise the efforts of Tunisian human rights defenders to promote awareness of the situation in Tunisia.

Amnesty International has urged the Libyan authorities not to forcibly return around 200 Eritreans held in detention amid allegations that several prisoners were beaten by security officials after an escape attempt last week.

The Eritreans, who include refugees and asylum-seekers as well as migrants, are currently held in Sabha's notorious al-Birak detention centre, where beatings and ill-treatment of inmates have been frequently reported.

Human rights are suffering in Libya as it continues to stall on reform, Amnesty International has warned in a new report, despite the country's efforts to play a greater international role.