Iraq

Iraqi Centre for Transparency and Anti-Corruption
The Iraqi Centre for Transparency and Anti-Corruption was established in 2004 to comb corruption and raise awareness on transparency and accountability. The centre organises awareness raising workshops for civil society groups, governmental bodies and the public. It forms alliances with other NGOs and groups to lobby for legal reforms.

The Iraqi Women Media Centre
The Iraqi Women Media Centre (IWMC) is an NGO based in Arbeel, northern Iraq. It aims to develop the professional skills of Iraqi women journalists and build their capacity to use the media to promote women’s rights.


Yemen

National Organisation for Defending Rights and Freedoms (HOOD)
HOOD is the largest NGO in Yemen working on human rights issues including freedom of expression, judiciary reform and political and civil rights. HOOD also provides legal assistance and raises awareness on various legal issues. HOOD has teams trained on mechanisms for defending human rights in a number of Yemenite governorates.


Regional/ Global

The Media Diversity Institute (MDI)
The MDI is an impartial, charitable organisation that mobilises the media to lessen inter-group conflict, advance human rights (especially minority rights) and promote deeper public understanding of all types of social diversity. Based in London, MDI focuses on regions where news media have played a role in exacerbating ethnic and religious conflicts and violations of human and minority rights. MDI works with media organisations, journalists, journalism educators, NGOs and governments. They help to prevent and resolve conflict, promote tolerance of vulnerable groups, and stimulate balanced and non-partisan journalism. MDI represents the highest standards of professional journalism on issues of diversity.

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Middle East Office
OHCHR Middle East has its offices in Beirut and holds a unique mandate from the international community to promote and protect all human rights in the region. In 2008, the UNOHCR Middle East office is focusing on freedom of expression, association and assembly. These threatened rights are essential to democratic participation. Target issues will include press freedom, political participation and public debate, the freedom of civil society organisations (particularly human rights defenders) to operate freely, and trade and labour union rights. Economic and social rights will also be highlighted, particularly in the context of the Millennium Development Goals. The rights of women will continue to be a priority issue.