Newsletter #105

UK Foreign Office Refuses to Release Bahrain Cable

A legal battle between an activist group and Britain over a decades-old diplomatic cable on Bahrain has exposed a thorny link between the UK’s colonial past and its new military ambitions in a region it once dominated.

The Foreign Office has told a court in London that a censored assessment by a colonial officer of the Gulf Arab island’s ruling Al Khalifa family may harm the UK’s relationship with Bahrain as it seeks to build a naval base there.

Read more…

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Updates from the Ground in Bahrain

  • Several people arrested, including children
  • 60 trials postponed
  • Trials of political opposition figures Sheikh Ali Salman and Fadhel Abbas postponed
  • Security forces continue to use excessive force including tear gas and shotgun pellets against protesters

Click here for the full report.

Bahrain News and Opinion

When Trade Trumps Human Rights

Richard Bruton was criticized for ignoring human rights issues in a trade mission last year. He said his critics needed to “get real”.

Torture Prince Sheikh Nasser Creates Bahrain Endurance 13 Team

Nelson Mandela once said, ‘Sport has the power to change the world.’

Bahrain verdict in opposition chief trial postponed

A Bahraini court will pronounce its verdict in the trial of opposition leader Sheikh Ali Salman on June 16th.

Arabic Sources

Fadhel Abbas Trial Postponed

Please click here for a PDF of this article in English

Policeman Who Killed Protester Given Royal Pardon

Please click here for a PDF of this article in English

Saudi Arabia

ADHRB Publishes New Report on Women’s Rights in Saudi Arabia

Americans for Democracy & Human Rights in Bahrain is pleased to announce the publishing of a new report entitled The Evasion of Equality: A Report on the Implementation of Saudi Arabia’s Recommendations from the Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women and Its Causes.

Read the full report here.

More From ADHRB

Event Summary: The Evasion of Equality

Mapping Saudi State Chapter 2: The MOI (Part 1)

News from Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia’s Rate of Execution Doubles
U.S. Approves Sale of 10 MH-60 Helicopters to Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia ‘seeking to head United Nations Human Rights Council’