Against a backdrop of escalating political and sectarian violence, the human rights situation has seriously deteriorated in the last 12 months. Thousands of people, including possible prisoners of conscience, have been rounded up in mass arrests. Most are members or sympathizers of banned Islamic militant groups, but others have been detained because they are suspected of supporting such groups. The use of arbitrary detention has increased, and political detainees have been held for longer, sometimes for months or even years, despite court orders of release. Police powers have been increased. Incidents of torture continue to be reported, and there have been fair trial concerns. This report also looks at the death penalty, police killings, and abuses by the armed opposition groups.
