For the past 10 years, 20 June has been marked to commemorate the World Refugee Day (WRD). Egypt has witnessed celebrations for WRD initiated by grassroots groups or agencies serving refugees. Such celebrations were often artistic in nature, attempting to bridge the gap between refugees and Egyptian nationals. Egypt is considered one of the major centers hosting urban refugees in the global south, including Sudanese, Southern Sudanese, Iraqi, Ethiopians, Eritrean and Palestinian refugees as well as other smaller East African groups. Yet despite the large number of refugees and their presence in the heart of Egypt's major cities, the local population remains largely unaware of the causes for their displacement or their living conditions. Several factors have contributed to the lack of interest in the refugee problem in Egypt.
(Beirut)– Bahraini authorities should immediately end the use of security forces to unlawfully attack peaceful protesters, Human Rights Watch said today. Riot police used teargas and sound bombs to disperse a demonstration on June 22, 2012, called by Al-Wefaq, Bahrain’s largest opposition group.
Libyans can finally commemorate the anniversary of the 1996 Abu Slim prison massacre without fear of repression, Human Rights Watch said Wednesday, urging the authorities to carry out justice.
The discovery of the charred and mutilated bodies of three young medical workers a week after their arrest in Aleppo city is yet further evidence of the Syrian government forces’ appalling disregard for the sanctity of the role of medical workers, Amnesty International said.
