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Human Rights Related News Stories – Weekly Roundup

A selection of stories from around the world:

Egypt

Human rights groups fear impact of draft Egypt law restricting their work (theguardian) – 5 April. Muslim Brotherhood Egypt is about to pass a law that will restrict the work of human rights organisations.  Not surprising given the religious puritanism of the Muslim Brotherhood regime.

Egypt court drops case against television satire show (DW.de) – 6 April.  Shows how blasphemy laws encourage frivolous litigation designed to intimidate and demonise individuals.

The Vulnerability of Faith: A Case Study of the Disappearances, Forced Marriages, and Forced Conversions of Coptic Women and Girls in Egypt (UK Copts) – 6 April

Indonesia

The Persecution of Christians in Indonesia (Gates of Vienna) – 4 April.  It must be remembered that Indonesia is regarded by many Western pundits as a moderate regime.  Like Egypt it seems to be afflicted by the sort of religious puritanism that damages freedom and the rights of the individual.  Indonesia is also a member of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) which claims to be in favour or religious tolerance.

Palestinian Territories

Hooded, hanged and left in agony for hours on end: Palestinian security chief tells how he has tormented ‘suspects’ with MI6’s knowledge… and reveals how Britain helps pay for it with £33m foreign aid (MailOnline) – 6 April

United States

Disabled Purple Heart Veteran, Embarassed At Local Business (My Life My Adventures) – 3 April. A US Veteran of the Afghan war appears to have been discriminated against at a skydiving centre because he had a tattoo of the word ‘Kaffir’ in Arabic.  Some Qatari soldiers who were receiving training at the centre were apparently ‘offended’ by his tattoo.  Of course no-one stopped him being called ‘Kaffir’ when he was stationed in Afghanistan.