The present report of Amnesty International tries to draw attention to and express its support for the courageous defiance of repression by these and many other human rights defenders in the Middle East and North Africa, and to encourage them in their work to protect and promote human rights. Using numerous case examples, the report examines how the rights crucial to human rights defenders that are guaranteed under international human rights treaties, such as the Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers, and in most Constitutions and national laws are denied or restricted by other legislation, including emergency and anti-terrorism legislation.