In Tajikistan in 2025, freedom of expression was very limited. The government continued to punish journalists and critics who spoke out against leaders or reported independently. Some journalists were jailed for many years after secret trials, and others were accused of crimes with no clear public evidence. A planned conference for women journalists was cancelled [...]
Human rights groups are calling on the government of Laos to investigate the suspicious death of government critic Sisay Luangmonda. The 32-year-old activist, who often criticized corruption and poor governance online, was reported missing by his family on February 14, 2026. Witnesses said soldiers arrested him near the capital, Vientiane, and took him to Phonthan [...]
In Saudi Arabia, freedom of expression is tightly controlled and often punished by the authorities. The government uses broad laws against terrorism and cybercrime to arrest, detain, and prosecute people for peaceful speech online or in public, including activists, writers, and social media users. Some people have been imprisoned for posting views on women’s rights [...]
Niger's military regime has enacted an ordinance called “general mobilization” and has enormous powers to ensure security. This ordinance was passed on “Dec. 26, 2025," and the government can order the mobilization of citizens, seize their property, restrict communication, and order people to report against activities that demonstrate enmity to the state. This military regime’s [...]
In Morocco, hundreds of young protesters have been arrested and reportedly beaten, causing concern from human rights groups. The protests, led by Generation Z, began in late September and early October, demanding better healthcare and education. Many people were arrested even if they did not take part in the demonstrations. Some were allegedly beaten badly, [...]
In Morocco, more than 2,400 people have been charged after large youth-led protests that turned violent. The protests were initiated by a group called Gen Z 212, which utilized social media to organize demonstrations against inadequate public services and government spending on sports projects rather than addressing social needs. Although organizers asked for peaceful protests, [...]
Laos has accepted 189 out of 257 human rights recommendations during its recent review, including one to ratify the Convention against Enforced Disappearances. However, it still has not taken this step, despite making similar promises in the past. Rights groups are deeply concerned that Laos rejected calls to properly investigate cases like that of Sombath [...]
Saudi Arabia is using a large comedy festival from September 26 to October 9, 2025, to distract people from its serious human rights abuses. The festival, held from September 26 to October 9, includes the anniversary of journalist Jamal Khashoggi’s murder. Saudi Arabia recently executed two journalists for peaceful speech. Many famous comedians are performing, [...]
The right to protest and freedom of speech are highly restricted in Saudi Arabia. The government penalizes those who express dissenting opinions, especially online. An example is the blogger Raif Badawi, who was sentenced to 10 years in prison and 1,000 lashes for establishing an online forum for political discussion. Although he was released in [...]
Saudi Arabia’s criminal justice system is plagued by serious abuses that violate basic human rights. The counterterrorism law gives authorities sweeping powers to arrest and detain people without any judicial checks, making it easy for them to bypass fair trial and due process rights. This law is often used to silence dissent, particularly against religious [...]