Iran

The  National Union of Journalists has called on Iran to desist in its persecution and harassment of journalists and media workers.

Sanctions should urgently be re-evaluated in countries facing the coronavirus pandemic, in light of their potentially debilitating impact on the health sector and human rights, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet said.

Governments across the Middle East and North Africa crushed protests with ruthless force during 2019, said Amnesty International as it published its annual human rights report on the region.

 Oxfam has closed its offices, including in Erbil, asking staff to work from their homes and avoid travel.