Human rights18 hrs agoSyria trial seen as first step on long road for Assad's victimsThere were highly charged scenes as former senior regime official, Atef Najib, appeared before a Damascus court.18 hrs ago21 Apr 2026Mass trial for 486 alleged gang members begins in El SalvadorFootage released by the attorney general's office shows large groups of men in prison attending the trial via video link.21 Apr 202613 Apr 2026Iran carried out highest number of executions in decadesOrganisations warn many more people could be executed in the wake of the anti-government protests which swept Iran earlier this year.13 Apr 202610 Apr 2026War in Iran brings fear to the lives of the youngThe BBC has been able to obtain testimony from parents and those trying to help children deal with the distress that comes with war. 10 Apr 202618 Feb 2026I would scream in my sleep: Women from Syria's Alawite minority tell of kidnap and rapeThe BBC hears harrowing accounts of assaults appearing to target the sect of former President Assad.18 Feb 20261 Feb 2026Iranian protester Erfan Soltani released on bail, reports sayReports in January had said he was due to be executed after his arrest in connection with anti-government protests.1 Feb 202623 Jan 2026'I didn't hear from my son for seven months': Inside Yemen's UAE-run secret prisonsThe BBC sees sites on former United Arab Emirates bases in Yemen where detainees say they were abused.23 Jan 202614 Jan 2026Who is Erfan Soltani, Iranian protester who reportedly had execution postponed?Iranian officials say Soltani, 26, has not been sentenced to death.14 Jan 202614 Jan 2026Trump vows 'very strong action' if Iran executes protestersRelatives of 26-year-old Erfan Soltani, who was detained last week, have told BBC Persian he is due to be executed on Wednesday.14 Jan 2026...