Arabic Network for Human Rights Information
Encyclopedia
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
. 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. 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.
It also advocates against censorship
in Arab governments.
Its mission is described as follows:
The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information is a member of the International Freedom of Expression Exchange
.
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.
In March, 2008, a legal service website, Qadaya, 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.
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.
Currently, its website and reports are blocked in Saudi Arabia
.
In Novemer, 2011, ANHRI was awarded with the 2011 Human Dignity Award of the German Roland Berger Foundation.
Middle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
and North Africa
North Africa
North Africa or Northern Africa is the northernmost region of the African continent, linked by the Sahara to Sub-Saharan Africa. Geopolitically, the United Nations definition of Northern Africa includes eight countries or territories; Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, South Sudan, Sudan, Tunisia, and...
. 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. 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.
It also advocates against censorship
Censorship
thumb|[[Book burning]] following the [[1973 Chilean coup d'état|1973 coup]] that installed the [[Military government of Chile |Pinochet regime]] in Chile...
in Arab governments.
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.
The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information is a member of the International Freedom of Expression Exchange
International Freedom of Expression Exchange
The International Freedom of Expression eXchange , founded in 1992, is a global network of around 90 non-governmental organisations that promotes and defends the right to freedom of expression....
.
In February, 2008, the network opened Katib Blogs, which makes it possible for those in the Arab world to obtain an Arabic blog
Blog
A blog is a type of website or part of a website supposed to be updated with new content from time to time. Blogs are usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video. Entries are commonly displayed in...
that is uncensured to allow for the expression of ideas suppressed by some Arabic governments.
In March, 2008, a legal service website, Qadaya, 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
Arab
Arab people, also known as Arabs , are a panethnicity primarily living in the Arab world, which is located in Western Asia and North Africa. They are identified as such on one or more of genealogical, linguistic, or cultural grounds, with tribal affiliations, and intra-tribal relationships playing...
world.
In April, 2008, a website devoted to providing accurate information on Darfur
Darfur
Darfur is a region in western Sudan. An independent sultanate for several hundred years, it was incorporated into Sudan by Anglo-Egyptian forces in 1916. The region is divided into three federal states: West Darfur, South Darfur, and North 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.
Currently, its website and reports are blocked in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia , commonly known in British English as Saudi Arabia and in Arabic as as-Sa‘ūdiyyah , is the largest state in Western Asia by land area, constituting the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula, and the second-largest in the Arab World...
.
In Novemer, 2011, ANHRI was awarded with the 2011 Human Dignity Award of the German Roland Berger Foundation.