The Iranian authorities banned a prominent human rights activist from leaving the country on Friday.

Two Iranian refugees remain in detention in Turkey despite a European Court of Human Rights ruling on Tuesday should be released, according to Amnesty International.

Some seeking safe haven from the fighting between government troops and militants in the Sa'da region, are said to have been denied entry. Others have been forcibly returned to the conflict zone.

Muntadhar al-Zaidi has been released after nine months in prison for throwing his shoes at former US President George W Bush. He has said that he was tortured by Iraqi security services.

Victims of rape and other torture by Iranian security forces are facing renewed risk after documents detailing abuses against them were confiscated this week.

Allegations that election protesters were tortured and raped in detention must be urgently investigated by the Iranian authorities.

Over 100 people are on trial for fomenting protests against the disputed result of Iran's 12 June presidential election. Amnesty International has challenged the Iranian authorities to open up the court to international observers.

A Tunisian national is at risk of torture and other ill-treatment in his home country after being forcibly returned from Italy on Sunday.

A leading Syrian human rights lawyer has been formally charged in relation to his legitimate work in defending the rights of political prisoners in Syria