Group items tagged

Posted March 02, 2016 01:32:49 Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has described the cessation of hostilities in force since Saturday as a "glimmer of hope" while offering rebel forces "full amnesty" if they hand over their weapons. Speaking in an interview with Germany's ARD network, Mr Assad also accused the opposition of violating the agreement intended to halt nearly five years of fighting.

Amnesty International examines the war in Yemen and declares human rights violations on all sides. Despite the possible violations of international law, countries like the USA, France, and the UK continue to supply Saudi Arabia with arms.

Human rights groups have sharply condemned Saudi Arabia in the days since it executed 47 prisoners, including the reported beheading of an influential Shiite cleric. Such brutal executions, which in Saudi Arabia can include beheading, firing squad and even crucifixion, often follow dubious trials and arbitrary charges, according to Geoffrey Mock, the Middle East country specialist for Amnesty International USA.

When King Salman, Saudi Arabia's new monarch, issued a general amnesty for Saudi "public rights" prisoners on January 29, Saudi activists and observers felt the first glimmer of hope in some time that the kingdom's relentless persecution of peaceful dissidents and human rights activists may be nearing its end.

"Armed groups and militias are running amok, launching indiscriminate attacks in civilian areas and committing widespread abuses, including war crimes, with complete impunity"

Women in Egypt face an overwhelming amount of violence; both domestic and state violence. Attacks are usually sexually driven and degrading.