Private Conversations of Adel and Maher Aired on "Black Box"

Egyptian rights organizations filed a formal request on 31 December 2013 with the Attorney General demanding an immediate investigation into the broadcasting of activists' private telephone conversations by a TV talk show host.

Earlier this week, the host, Abdel Raheem Ali, who presents a programme called 'Black Box' on Al-Kahira Wal Nas TV channel, aired the private telephone conversations of political activists Mohamed Adel and Ahmed Maher. Adel and Maher are symbols of the protest movement that ignited the revolt that toppled President Hosni Mubarak in 2011.

The rights organizations demanded that an investigation be also conducted into the Vodafone company, the operator of the phone service used by the two activists, to determine whether it conspired to record and leak these conversations.

"This is a violation of the sanctity of private life and an illegal act which returns us to the hateful practices of the Mubarak era and his State Security Police. It is also a crime under Egyptian law," stated the organizations.

Under Egyptian law, the violation of privacy including eavesdropping or illegally recording or broadcasting conversation conducted privately without the consent of those concerned is an offence punishable by imprisonment.

'Black Box' TV Host Abdel Raheem Ali announced that he has even more private conversations to broadcast, "which goes to show his disregard for the law and his ability to act as if he had impunity. The Attorney General's office has a major responsibility to ensure its credibility and impartiality regardless of the political affiliations of all parties involved," said the organizations.

Source: Arabic Network for Human Rights

Omani Activists Missing

Arabic Network for Human Rights Information 19 April 2013

The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (ANHRI) holds the Omani government accountable for endangering the lives of human rights defender Saleh Al-Azri and blogger Noah El-Saadi, both of whom had disappeared a few days ago.

Al-Azri, who is quite active on social media networks, is known for his continued demands to reform the health care system in Oman and for his solidarity with those who were accused of insulting the Sultan, for peacefully assembling and for violating the Information Technology Act (IT). He disappeared on 14 April 2013 after being summoned for investigation by the Omani Internal Security Intelligence Department. He was told to appear at the Special Unit's office with his personal documents. Al-Azri has been missing ever since. Certain activists exchanged news on social media networks claiming he had contacted his family from his unknown location.

Blogger and activist El-Saadi disappeared on 16 April 2013 in pretty much the same way as Al-Azri. He was summoned to court then moved to a secret detention centre employed by the country's internal security services. He is one of the participants of the Sahar demonstrations in 2011 where he was detained as part of a campaign of mass arrests conducted by the authorities.

“The arrest of the human rights defender Al-Azri and the blogger El-Saadi and their detention in unknown locations is a serious violation to freedom of expression. It proves that the arbitrary arrest of activists is continuing in the Sultanate,” said ANHRI.

The network calls on the Omani authorities to reveal the activists' locations, release them, and grant their safety. It also demands that authorities publicly provide reasons for the activists' arrest.

Related reading:  World Report 2012: Oman

Justice Dept Launches LGBT Emphasis

The United States Department of Justice has launched a “Special Emphasis Program” to recruit and provide professional development to gay and transgender employees according to an internal memo obtained by PJ Media. The institutionalization of the Special Emphasis Program will ensure an “annual LGBT special observance event in June, outreach and awareness events, and professional development seminars (for LGBT employees).” Apparently the sequester was no obstacle to implementing this program.

See the document here.