(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - Publishing its annual report, the rights group highlights the fight for control over communications technology.
It criticizes Libya, Syria, Bahrain and Yemen for targeting peaceful protesters to stay in power.
The campaign group released its report on human rights around the world following months of mass demonstrations in the Middle East and North Africa.
Long-serving presidents in Tunisia and Egypt have been toppled, but leaders in other states have tried to face down protests with a combination of political concessions and the use of force. Salil Shetty, secretary-general of Amnesty International, paid tribute to youthful protesters who were “standing up and speaking out in the face of bullets, beatings, tear gas and tanks”.
“This bravery--combined with new technology that is helping activists to outflank and expose government suppression of free speech and peaceful protest--is sending a signal to repressive governments that their days are numbered,” he said.
Libya, Syria, Bahrain and Yemen, which have resisted anti-government movements, “have shown a willingness to beat, maim or kill peaceful protesters to stay in power”, Amnesty said in a statement.
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