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Middle East Democracy Center @mideastdc.org · 23/09/2025

Alaa is FREE! 🕊️ We are relieved that he is out of prison and reunited with his family. It’s time for #Egypt to free all those unjustly detained. #FreeThemAll #AlaaIsFREE mideastdc.org/publication/...

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Middle East Democracy Center @mideastdc.org · 11/09/2025

8⃣ years ago, reformist scholar Salman al-Odah was arrested in #SaudiArabia for supporting greater religious coexistence & criticizing the government. Today, he remains in prison in solitary confinement & faces the death penalty. Enough is Enough. #FreeSalmanAlOdah

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Middle East Democracy Center @mideastdc.org · 09/07/2025

BREAKING: Adel Banaemah is FREE!🕊️ Adel, a writer and university professor, spent nearly 8️⃣ years in prison in #SaudiArabia over his writings and TV interviews. It's time for Saudi authorities to free ALL political prisoners. #FreeThemNOW

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Middle East Democracy Center @mideastdc.org · 08/07/2025

Today, 63 year old Bahraini human rights defender Dr. Abduljalil Al-Singace marks 4️⃣ years on solid food hunger strike. He has spent 14 years unjustly detained in #Bahrain solely for exercising his peaceful freedom of expression. Bahraini authorities should #FreeAlSingace NOW!

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Middle East Democracy Center @mideastdc.org · 30/06/2025

Authoritarianism & repression won't bring prosperity or security to #Tunisia or the MENA region. "Democracy is the solution," says @zaghdoudi.bsky.social. #DemocracyMatters

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Middle East Democracy Center @mideastdc.org · 29/06/2025

DMI Advisory Group member Nareman Shehadeh Zoabi is a Palestinian human rights lawyer at Adala handling cases related to arbitrary detention, prisoners’ rights & more. What keeps her motivated to keep advocating for human rights & democracy? 📽️ Watch more: https//www.youtube...

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Middle East Democracy Center @mideastdc.org · 28/06/2025

The democratic aspirations of the people of the MENA region matter now more than ever. We asked MEDC's #DemocracyMatters Initiative: What does democracy mean to you? @zaghdoudist.bsky.social @alaasayeg.bsky.social @yasminoviech.bsky.social

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Middle East Democracy Center @mideastdc.org · 17/06/2025

Authoritarian regimes in the MENA increasingly use cybercrime & online content laws to restrict freedom of expression. MEDC's @yasminoviech.bsky.social recently sat down with @zaghdoudist.bsky.social to discuss how we can take back the virtual space. 📹 Watch here: mideastdc.org/events/liber...

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Middle East Democracy Center @mideastdc.org · 11/06/2025

📢 Join us on Monday, June 16 at 10AM ET for a timely conversation on #SaudiArabia’s growing regional influence, US-Saudi relations, & the sidelining of human rights. Register here: mideastdc.org/events/from-...

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Middle East Democracy Center @mideastdc.org · 10/06/2025

A writer says they are not afraid of Trump or his policies, but ashamed of the institutions and intellectuals who folded without a fight. #DemocracyMatters mideastdc.org/publication/...

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Middle East Democracy Center @mideastdc.org · 10/06/2025

A human rights lawyer never thought they would again fear that their work, words, or existence could be used against them. #DemocracyMatters mideastdc.org/publication/...

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Middle East Democracy Center @mideastdc.org · 10/06/2025

One advocate who moved to the United States in hope of a safer life doing the work they love finds themselves preparing a "go bag" again. #DemocracyMatters mideastdc.org/publication/...

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Middle East Democracy Center @mideastdc.org · 10/06/2025

What once felt like a distant past is now uncomfortably close again, says a humanitarian aid worker who fled their country after being targeted. #DemocracyMatters mideastdc.org/publication/...

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Middle East Democracy Center @mideastdc.org · 10/06/2025

A political scientist sees disturbing warning signs. #DemocracyMatters mideastdc.org/publication/...

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Middle East Democracy Center @mideastdc.org · 10/06/2025

A researcher who once thought exile would only take away their home says they are now losing both their home and voice. #DemocracyMatters mideastdc.org/publication/...

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Middle East Democracy Center @mideastdc.org · 10/06/2025

A social worker recovering from PTSD finds their old symptoms returning as they witness familiar patterns of repression in the US. #DemocracyMatters mideastdc.org/publication/...

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Middle East Democracy Center @mideastdc.org · 10/06/2025

A lawyer who fled surveillance now feels their old fears have returned. #DemocracyMatters mideastdc.org/publication/...

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Middle East Democracy Center @mideastdc.org · 10/06/2025

The fight for justice and freedom of expression doesn't end at the border—it must continue, even in the United States, says a human rights defender. #DemocracyMatters mideastdc.org/publication/...

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Middle East Democracy Center @mideastdc.org · 10/06/2025

One political commentator was hoping to find “true freedom of expression” when they moved to the United States, but were surprised to find increasingly repressive US policies. #DemocracyMatters mideastdc.org/publication/...

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Middle East Democracy Center @mideastdc.org · 10/06/2025

A pro-democracy activist wonders if democracy & separation of powers are real concepts in the United States. #DemocracyMatters mideastdc.org/publication/...

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Middle East Democracy Center @mideastdc.org · 10/06/2025

For a legal scholar who fled an authoritarian regime in the MENA region, their conversations in the US now revolve around deleting social media to avoid arrest or searches, just like they did back home: mideastdc.org/publication/...

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Middle East Democracy Center @mideastdc.org · 04/06/2025

Ibrahim Metwally sought truth & justice in #Egypt for his forcibly disappeared son. Then Egyptian authorities arrested, tortured, & imprisoned him. After more than 7⃣ years unjustly detained, we demand Egyptian authorities release him NOW. #FreeMetwally mideastdc.org/publication/...

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Middle East Democracy Center @mideastdc.org · 30/05/2025

🚨 BREAKING: Mohammed al-Rabiah is FREE! 🕊️ Al-Rabiah spent over 7 years in prison in #SaudiArabia solely for advocating for women’s rights. We are relieved that he can finally reunite with his loved ones. #Saudi authorities should free all others unjustly detained. #FreeThemNOW

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Middle East Democracy Center @mideastdc.org · 28/05/2025

Today, Abdulrahman al-Sadhan should be surrounded by his loved ones, celebrating his 42nd birthday. Instead, he's alone in a #Saudi prison, held incommunicado, because he posted satirical tweets. Happy birthday, Sadhan. We haven't forgotten you. #FreeSadhanNOW

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Middle East Democracy Center @mideastdc.org · 28/05/2025

Today is Saudi fitness influencer Manahel al-Otaibi's 31st birthday. She's spending it locked up in #SaudiArabia, sentenced to 11 years in jail solely for supporting women's rights. Manahel shouldn't spend another birthday behind bars. It's time for #SaudiArabia to #FreeManahel.

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Middle East Democracy Center @mideastdc.org · 20/05/2025

After four years in prison in #SaudiArabia, Dr. Lina al-Sharif is FREE!🕊️ It's time for #Saudi authorities to free all others unjustly detained. #FreeThemNOW

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Middle East Democracy Center @mideastdc.org · 20/05/2025

🚨Egyptian opposition politician Ahmed Tantawi’s detention is set to expire on May 27. We fear authorities will extend his unjust detention. #Egypt should drop all charges against him & release all political prisoners. Read our joint statement: mideastdc.org/publication/...

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Middle East Democracy Center @mideastdc.org · 19/05/2025

Lina al-Sharif is finally FREE! 🕊️ After 4 years of cruel & unjust imprisonment solely for supporting human rights online, Dr. Lina al-Sharif has been released from prison in #SaudiArabia. Saudi authorities should free all political prisoners NOW. #FreeThemAll

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Middle East Democracy Center @mideastdc.org · 13/05/2025

While President Trump makes deals with dictators in #SaudiArabia, medical doctor Lina al-Sharif is unjustly locked up in a Saudi prison solely for peacefully calling for human rights online. #FreeThemNow #FreeLinaAlsharif

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Middle East Democracy Center @mideastdc.org · 12/05/2025

As President Trump cozies up to dictators again in #SaudiArabia, Manahel al-Otaibi, a 30 year old Saudi fitness trainer, is serving an 11 year prison sentence for advocating women’s rights online. She’s faced torture, enforced disappearance & medical neglect. #FreeThemNow #FreeManahel

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Middle East Democracy Center @mideastdc.org · 02/05/2025

In this week's Gulf Dispatch, we examine a lawsuit over labor abuses tied to the 2022 FIFA World Cup in #Qatar, new reports of systemic torture in #Yemen, the release of more Americans from prison in #Kuwait, & more. Read & subscribe here: mailchi.mp/mideastdc/gu...

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Middle East Democracy Center @mideastdc.org · 02/05/2025

On March 15, 2018, Saudi journalist Turki al-Jasser was forcibly disappeared from his home in Riyadh. His crime? Allegedly running an anonymous X account critical of the government. As the world marks #WorldPressFreedomDay tomorrow, Saudi authorities must #FreeTurkiAlJasser.

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Middle East Democracy Center @mideastdc.org · 19/04/2025

Khayyam Turki, a Tunisian author & founder of a political think tank, was also sentenced to 48 years in prison today, solely for peacefully exercising his right to freedom of expression.

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Middle East Democracy Center @mideastdc.org · 19/04/2025

Said Ferjani, is a former member of parliament, & a beloved husband, father & grandfather. He was sentenced to 13 years in prison in today's sham trial in #Tunisia. In February, he was sentenced to 13 years in prison in another bogus trial. #FreeThemAll

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Middle East Democracy Center @mideastdc.org · 19/04/2025

Abdulhadi al-Khawaja is a father, a son, & pro-democracy activist who has spent 14+ years unjustly detained in #Bahrain for exercising his freedom of expression. #NotANumber Read how he's protesting injustice in prison in this week’s Gulf Dispatch: mailchi.mp/mideastdc/we...

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Middle East Democracy Center @mideastdc.org · 18/04/2025

🗣️ Back by popular demand! Check out MEDC's new & improved newsletter featuring human rights & democracy-related updates from across the Gulf region. Read the first edition of the Gulf Dispatch & subscribe here: mailchi.mp/mideastdc/we...

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Middle East Democracy Center @mideastdc.org · 18/04/2025

The son of #Egypt opposition politician Abdel Moneim Aboul Fotouh was arrested yesterday while renewing his car registration, per his lawyer, Khaled Ali. He faces a 10-year sentence in the same bogus case as his father. After appearing at New Cairo Prosecution today, his whereabouts remain unknown.

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Middle East Democracy Center @mideastdc.org · 10/04/2025

Today is the 14th anniversary of the unjust arrest of Danish-Bahraini human rights defender Abdulhadi al-Khawaja. No one should be abducted, tortured, & unjustly detained for speaking up for human rights. #Bahrain should immediately & unconditionally release him. @maryamalkhawaja.bsky.social

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Middle East Democracy Center @mideastdc.org · 09/04/2025

🚨 NEW: Since late 2024, we've documented the release of 48 people unjustly detained in #SaudiArabia for peacefully exercising their rights. Still, many continue to languish behind bars. #FreeThemAll 🔎 Read our new fact sheet to learn more: mideastdc.org/publication/...

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Middle East Democracy Center @mideastdc.org · 26/03/2025

In July 2021, #Tunisian President Kais Saied seized extensive powers & launched a sweeping crackdown on dissent that continues to this day. Read about Saied's crackdown & how freedom of expression is key to the country's struggle against authoritarianism: mideastdc.org/publication/...

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Middle East Democracy Center @mideastdc.org · 21/03/2025

This month marks 7 years since Abdulrahman al-Sadhan was arrested, tortured & forcibly disappeared in #SaudiArabia over satirical tweets. It's been 7 years since his American family has hugged him. It's time for Saudi authorities to end this nightmare. It's time to #FreeSadhan.

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Middle East Democracy Center @mideastdc.org · 18/03/2025

MEDC's Democracy Matters Initiative recently brought together experts in tech, AI, human rights & democracy from the MENA to discuss how authoritarian regimes utilize tech & AI to propagate anti-democracy narratives. Read our report to learn more: mideastdc.org/publication/...

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Middle East Democracy Center @mideastdc.org · 18/03/2025

14 years ago today, #Bahrain arrested rights defender Abduljalil Al-Singace, dragging him from home at gunpoint in front of his terrified family. He was tortured, convicted in a sham trial, & has been on a liquids-only hunger strike for nearly 4 years. Bahrain must free him now.

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Middle East Democracy Center @mideastdc.org · 13/03/2025

Seif Fateen is an @MIT graduate & father of US citizens who has spent more than 6 years unjustly detained in #Egypt. He's missed birthdays, holidays, graduations & weddings. Today, he missed his own mother's death. Enough is enough. Egypt should immediately #FreeSeifFateen.

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Middle East Democracy Center @mideastdc.org · 11/03/2025

Is AI for democracy or against It? We recently brought together experts in tech, AI, human rights, & democracy from the MENA to discuss how authoritarian regimes utilize tech & AI to propagate anti-democracy narratives. Read the report to learn more: mideastdc.org/publication/...

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Middle East Democracy Center @mideastdc.org · 10/03/2025

🚨 Bulgarian authorities should suspend any plans to deport Saudi human rights defender Abdulrahman al-Khalidi to #SaudiArabia, & should allow his resettlement to a third country. Read our joint statement with @hrw.org & 18 other organizations: mideastdc.org/publication/...

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Middle East Democracy Center @mideastdc.org · 08/03/2025

Laila Soueif is a human rights advocate who has courageously advocated for the freedom of her son in #Egypt, British-Egyptian pro-democracy activist @alaa. For the past 5 months, she has been on hunger strike to demand her son's freedom. Egyptian authorities must #FreeAlaa. #IWD

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Middle East Democracy Center @mideastdc.org · 08/03/2025

Aziza al-Yousef is a Saudi women's rights defender, US lawful permanent resident, & mother of US citizens. In 2018, she was arrested in #SaudiArabia for advocating for women's rights. Despite her release, Aziza remains under travel ban & separated from her US family. #LetHerFly #WomensDay2025

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Middle East Democracy Center @mideastdc.org · 08/03/2025

Chaima Issa is a Tunisian journalist, human rights activist, & the daughter of a former political prisoner. In 2023, she was arrested after meeting foreign diplomats to discuss the political situation in #Tunisia. Although she was released, her legal case is ongoing. #WomensDay

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Middle East Democracy Center @mideastdc.org · 08/03/2025

Hoda Abdelmonem is an Egyptian human rights lawyer & mother who has spent more than 6 years behind bars in #Egypt solely for her human rights work. Egypt should immediately release her. #FreeHoda #InternationalWomensDay

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