When a cartoon becomes a crime, authoritarianism reveals its fear of truth.
Ashraf Omar — cartoonist, translator, and political artist — has been imprisoned for his drawings, accused of terrorism for exposing social and political realities. His case is not an exception, but part of Egypt’s systematic assault on freedom of expression, independent journalism, and dissent. We demand his immediate release. The pen is not a crime.
On 20 December, we will march in London to mark the seventh anniversary of the Sudanese uprising and to stand with a people still resisting war, military rule, counter-revolution, and imperialism.
The war in Sudan is being waged by rival militias (SAF & RSF) and sustained by international backers who profit from violence and destruction. Civilians face killing, hunger, and mass displacement — and silence is not an option.
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At a time when Sudan is being torn apart by war, famine, and mass killing and displacement at the hands of both Sudanese militias – the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) – the case of Lawyer Abo Bakr Mansour Mohamed Hamza shows exactly who pays the price for their struggle for power: ordinary people who try to keep their communities alive.
The Tolpuddle Martyrs Festival, held from July 18 to 20, featured a session organised by MENA Solidarity on workers’ organising in Syria and Sudan. Speakers highlighted the challenges facing the Syrian revolution and the counter-revolutionary war in Sudan. The discussion emphasised the importance of international solidarity against imperialist policies and racism, calling for unity to oppose the arms trade and support workers’ movements.
At the 2025 Tolpuddle Martyrs Festival, MENA Solidarity supported Greek dockworkers’ actions against military shipments to Israel, aligning with international worker-led resistance. Dockworkers across countries, including Greece, France, Italy, and Morocco, and others, actively disrupted arms transfers, emphasising their crucial role in opposing war and genocide, while exposing Western governments’ complicity.
Today marks two years since the start of the counter-revolutionary war on April 15, 2023, between Sudan’s two ruling militias – the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), led by Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti).
On February 8, 2025, Sudanese women and allies held a silent march in London, urging the UK government to pressure warring parties in Sudan to halt violence and facilitate humanitarian aid. The protest highlighted the escalating gender-based violence against women since the onset of war in April 2023, calling for a just peace and liberation.
Kuwaiti blogger Salman Al-Khalidi was extradited from Iraq to Kuwait despite his political refugee status, violating international law. His persecution followed his criticism of Saudi leadership, leading to multiple charges and the revocation of his citizenship. His case underscores the severe repression of free speech in Gulf states and the collaboration between regional authorities.
Leeds University PhD student Salma al-Shehab’s prison sentence has been reduced from 27 years to four years, with an additional four years suspended. However, no release date has been announced. Human rights organizations consider this a minor victory given her unjust treatment for peacefully expressing her views. Her case underscores the Saudi regime’s repression of dissent and basic freedoms. Support for her release must continue.
Join the march organised by the Sudanese Women’s Union UK & I in support of the revolution and in resistance to the ongoing war in Sudan and the appalling violence perpetrated against women. Sudanese women, in particular, have borne the brunt of this brutal conflict, their bodies transformed into weapons of war. They have endured unimaginable suffering, including rape, enslavement, and torture. It is crucial that we all stand in solidarity with them and amplify their voices.
MENA Solidarity Network 