Arabic Network for Human Rights Information

The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information is a Cairo, Egypt, based non-governmental organization devoted to promoting freedom of expression across the Middle East and North Africa. [http://www.anhri.net/en/about/ "About Us".] It collects publications, campaigns, reports, and statements from almost 140 Arabic human rights organizations across the region and republishes them in a daily digest on its website. [ [http://www.anhri.net/en/ Arabic Network for Human Rights Information Homepage] ] [ [http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7010032107 "ANRI Creates Arabic Version Of Blogspot To Promote Freedom Of Speech] ," "AHN-All Headline News," February 14, 2008.] The group focuses on supporting free expression, especially via the internet and mass media, and works on behalf of persons detained for expressing their personal views. [ [http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7009971321 "Rights Group Condemn Extension of Egyptian Activists' Detainment] ," "AHN-All Headline News," February 8, 2008.] [ [http://www.menassat.com/?q=en/news-articles/3035-we-need-keep-kareem-our-thoughts "We need to keep Kareem in our thoughts] ," "MENASSAT," Feb. 22, 2008.] [" [http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/February2008/08/c8433.html Saudi Arabia - Government urged to let detained blogger receive visits from lawyer] ," "CNW-Canadian News Group," February 8, 2008.] ["Saudi Arabia - Government urged to let detained blogger receive visits from lawyer," "CNW (Canada) Group," February 8, 2008.] cite news
url=http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7010045219
title=Arab Ministers Propose Satellite Channel Restrictions
publisher=All Headline News
date=February 15, 2008
accessdate=2008-03-06
quote=Rights groups and press freedom advocacy organizations across the region have said the restrictions are based on "empty claims & irrational reasons," a statement from the Arabic Network for Human Rights Information said.] cite news
url=http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/February2008/08/c8433.html
title=Saudi Arabia - Government urged to let detained blogger receive visits from lawyer
publisher=Canadian Newswire
date=February 8 2008
accessdate=2008-03-06
quote=There has been no answer to the letter which Reporters Without Borders and the Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (ANHRI) sent to King Abdallah ben Abdel Aziz Ibn Saud on 10 January asking why Farhan was being held.] cite news
url=http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/90875/
title=ARAB SATELLITE CHARTER MAJOR SETBACK TO PRESS FREEDOM IN REGION, SAY IFEX MEMBERS
page=
pages=
publisher=
author=
date=19 February 2008
accessdate=2008-03-06
quote=A new Arab "charter" for satellite TV will restrict independent news and information for people across the Middle East and North Africa, say the Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies (CIHRS), the Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (ANHRI), ARTICLE 19 and other IFEX members and partners.] It also advocates against censorship in Arab governments. [" [http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7009959665 ANHRI Condemns Kuwait Parliament Over Proposed Censorship Bill] ," "AHN-All Headline News," February 7, 2008] [ [http://www.arabisto.com/p_blogEntry.cfm?blogEntryID=978 "Arab Information Ministers Resolve to Censor Satelite Channels] ," "Arabisto.com, February 14, 2008.]

Its mission is described as follows:

Today, there are countless millions of internet users in the Middle East, but it remains difficult for users to find information about human rights. ANHRI provides a central site where Arabic readers can easily find links to and information about all human rights groups and their work in the region. The Network also focuses on and seeks the expansion of freedom of expression on the internet in the Middle East.

Above all, there are critical areas that are not only taboo intellectually in the Islamic world and culture, but for which there are also no groups in the region today to even work on, such as, the death penalty, and rights of Christian minorities. Our objective is to create a space where these issues and other vital information about human rights can be discussed freely, and where people who share an interest in these areas can create a community. [ [http://www.anhri.net/en/about/ The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information ] ]

The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information is a member of the International Freedom of Expression Exchange. [ [http://server.egypt.com/egypt/egydirectory/detail/5666/the-arabic-network-for-human-rights-information.html "The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information", Egypt.com] ]

In February, 2008, the network opened "Katib Blogs", which makes it possible for those in the Arab world to obtain an Arabic blog that is uncensured to allow for the expression of ideas suppressed by some Arabic governments.cite news
url=http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7010032107
title=ANHRI Creates Arabic Version Of Blogspot To Promote Freedom Of Speech
publisher=All Headline News
author=
date=February 14, 2008
accessdate=2008-03-06
quote=A new opportunity for Arabic bloggers has been developed by the Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (ANHRI) as a means for uncensored content to be published in Arabic. The freedom of speech advocacy organization hopes the Katib blog space will give young Arabs an opportunity to write about their experiences in a mode that has often been cracked down upon by governments in the region.] cite news
url=http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/Story.asp?Article=210825&Sn=BNEW&IssueID=30353
title=Rights societies against the new law
page=
pages=
publisher=Gulf Daily News
author=
date=
accessdate=2008-03-06
quote=]

In March, 2008, a legal service website, "Qadaya" [ [http://qadaya.net Qadaya Home Page] ] , was launched to provide a resource for journalists, researchers, and activists. The website provides information on court verdicts, important judicial cases, constitutions from various nations, and legal acts pertinent to the Arab world. [ [http://www.ijnet.org/Director.aspx?P=Article&ID=307454&LID=1 "Legal service Web site launched for Arab journalists,"] "International Journalists' Network," March 27, 2008]

In April, 2008, a website devoted to providing accurate information on Darfur for Arab journalists and decision-makers was launched, called "Ifhamdarfur". The website provides a twice-weekly newsletter and gathers Arab news reports about the Darfur crisis. [ [http://www.anhri.net/en/reports/2008/pr0413.shtml Press release announcing launch.] ] Fact|date=April 2008

Currently, its website and reports are blocked in Saudi Arabia. [ [http://www.ameinfo.com/151865.html "KSA rights group seeks to unblock websites,"] "AME Info", Dubai, April 1, 2008]

References

External links

* [http://www.anhri.net/en/ Home Website (English)]
* [http://www.anhri.net/ Home Website (Arabic)]
* [http://www.katib.org/en Katib Blogs]
* [http://www.qadaya.net/ www.Qadaya.net]
* [http://ifhamdarfur.net/ Ifhamdarfur website on Darfur]