Prominent Bahraini Political Leader Sentenced to Life in Prison Weeks Before Election

5 November 2018 – Yesterday, on 4 November 2018, leading Bahraini opposition figure Sheikh Ali Salman and two members of the now-dissolved al-Wefaq Society, Sheikh Hassan Ali Juma Sultan and Ali Mahdi Ali Al Aswad, were sentenced to life in prison for espionage, overturning acquittals by a lower court. This decision comes just weeks before[…]

Qatar’s 2022 World Cup Littered with Human Rights Abuses

Last month, the exiled Qatari al-Ghufran tribe attended the 39th session of the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council (HRC) to seek international assistance in regards to their banishment from Qatar. They alleged that Qatar is building the 2022 World Cup stadiums on land taken from the tribe. Towards the end of the Council, the[…]

Dishonesty, Sabotage, and Concerns over the Kafala System Mar Qatar’s Hosting of the World Cup

Football is a cherished international institution followed by millions of fans around the world. Every several years, countries come together and vote to decide the location of the FIFA World Cup tournament. During the 2018 World Cup in Russia, around 900 million viewers are estimated to have watched the final France vs Croatia match. Excitement[…]

Gulf States Remain Areas of Deep Concern on World Day Against Trafficking in Persons

30 July 2018 – Five years ago, the United Nations Member States convened to adopt resolution A/RES/68/192, a resolution that officially designated 30 July as World Day Against Trafficking in Persons as a day to bring both awareness to human trafficking and promote the rights of trafficking victims. As the world recognizes this 30 July,[…]

Oil, Investment, and Human Rights: a Survey of Influential Qatari Ventures in the West

Of all the industries in the modern global economy, few are as visible as real-estate. Iconic structures like the Empire State Building come to symbolize nations, and companies such as Trump Hotels can spread a brand around the world.  These symbols and brands shape people’s perceptions and serve to facilitate cooperation between countries. As such,[…]