Middle East War: UN’s Türk slams ‘strict restrictions’ on freedom of speech

“Repression of civil space and freedom of expression is getting worse in the Middle Eastexacerbating the existing climate of fear fueled by various conflicts and crises,” UN Human Rights Chair Volker Türk said on Wednesday.

Iran is responsible for the majority of reported arrests, affecting nearly 2,350 people since the conflict began, according to the Türk Office. OHCHR. Those arrested face national security charges,”including terrorism, dissent, alleged espionage and ‘cooperation with the enemy‘”.

New tanker attack

In other developments, maritime monitors reported this a missile hit a tanker early Wednesday in Qatar’s territorial waters. No crew members were injured and there was no environmental impact from the incident, according to Qatari authorities.

Fuel tanks at Kuwait International Airport were also attackedamid ongoing attacks on Gulf countries linked to Iran, and civilian infrastructure was also burned in Bahrain, according to reports.

Meanwhile, Iran’s capital, Tehran, faces similar challenges further reported attacks on Wednesday.

Accelerated trials

Many of those arrested during the January protests in Iran and during the ongoing war faced “shocking conditions”, expedited processing and the risk of execution, the High Commissioner said.

Eight people have reportedly been killed, including three linked to mass protests, amid an internet blackout that entered its fifth week and “widespread interrogations and interrogations.” intimidation of civilians by heavily armed security forces in public spaces.”

“Dozens of other people who have been sentenced – including children – face a similar fate,” Türk warned, before calling for all executions to stop immediately.

Death in custody

In the BahrainOHCHR highlighted the death of activist Mohammed Al-Mousawi in custody on or around March 27, along with “serious allegations of torture.”

The UN Human Rights Chief pointed to other arrests in the Gulf States, “including the arrest of foreign nationals, for recording or sharing content on social media platforms, or alleged expressions of sympathy for enemies. In the case of individuals accused of espionage, Bahrain’s public prosecutor has requested the death penalty.”

In the Qatar and the United Arab EmiratesThe OHCHR said that 313 and 109 people had been detained, respectively, “in connection with filming or information sharing, among other charges.”

Sensitive subject

In the UAE, 35 people have been sent for “expedited trials”, among them people who released video footage showing the impact of Iran’s attacks and interceptions.

Foreign nationals were also among those detainedOHCHR said, citing reports.

In the KuwaitMeanwhile, the UN human rights office highlighted a new decision that imposes prison terms and large fines for circulating reports that seek to “damage the military’s prestige” or erode public trust in the military.

In the Jordanat least four critics have reportedly been arrested since the Middle East war began on February 28, including three members of Jordan’s Communist Party, two of whom remain detained for no apparent reason, OHCHR said.

“We remind all states of their obligations under international human rights law to respect and protect people’s right to freedom of expression. “Everyone has the right to express critical opinions, especially on issues of public concern, without fear of arbitrary arrest or punishment,” said the UN human rights chief.

Occupied West Bank restrictions

In the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Türk noted that Israeli authorities has announced detention of 200 Palestinians from February 28 to March 6including because of his posts on social media, and because he was suspected of “incitement” and “glorifying the enemy”.

Israeli security forces also stepped up raids on Palestinian communities in the occupied West Bank and “further tightened” restrictions on movement, he said.

The High Commissioner also described the situation of a 44-year-old Palestinian school principal in Dura, Hebron physically attacked on March 11 in front of his family and his home damaged by Israeli authoritiesfor posts he reportedly published on social media in support of Iran.

Fear and flight

Rising violence in the Middle East has forced more than 202,400 people to leave Lebanon for Syria. Among them are 3,100 pregnant women, with 350 are expected to give birth within the next month.

They entered a country still devastated by 15 years of war. Having fled without any belongings, these families are now eking out a living in overcrowded and oversized temporary shelters, according to the UN’s reproductive health agency, UNFPA.

These harsh environments lack adequate food, medicine and sanitation, leaving women and girls at serious risk of sexual abuse and exploitation.

UNFPA distributes cleaning equipment and deploys mobile teams, but deep funding cuts have closed a third of its facilities in Syria.

“We cannot ignore it,” warned Enshrah Ahmed, UNFPA Representative in Syria.