Newsletter #112

NGOs Condemn Arrest of Opposition Leader Ebrahim Sharif

On Sunday 12 July, Bahrain’s police arrested Ebrahim Sharif, the former General Secretary of the National Democratic Action Society (Wa’ad). Sharif is one of the “Bahrain 13”, a group of prominent human rights defenders and opposition figures in Bahrain. He was recently released from detention on 19 June after serving over four years in prison on charges related to his freedom of expression.

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More from ADHRB

Ban Tear Gas to Bahrain and Free Nabeel Rajab, says EU Parliament
July Champions for Justice: Bahrain’s Death Row Prisoners
ADHRB Encourages Protection of Human Rights Under Legally Binding Instrument for All Business Entities

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Updates from the Ground in Bahrain

  • 16 arrested including children and woman
  • 42 trials postponed
  • individuals sentenced to a total of 32 years in prison
  • Majeed Milad pre-trial detention extended for 15 more days
  • Ebrahim Sharif re-arrested after serving  out of 5 years in prison
  • 7 individuals were arrested, detained and interrogated for posts on Twitter

Click here for the full report.

Bahrain News and Opinion

Losing Leverage on Bahrain

New York Times op-ed by BIRD’s Sayed Alwadaei criticizes the U.S. decision to release arms to Bahrain.

Royal decree pardons Nabeel Rajab

Bahrain king issued a royal decree on 13 July granting a special pardon to Nabeel Rajab for health reasons.

Resolution On Bahrain

EU Parliament stresses case of “Bahrain 13” and calls for release of Nabeel Rajab and other political prisoners.

Arabic Sources

Please click here for a PDF of this article in English
Abduljalil al-Singace Hunger Strike
Please click here for a PDF of this article in English

Saudi Arabia

Lighting A Candle For Waleed Abu al-Khair

On 6 July 2014, the Saudi Specialized Criminal Court sentenced Waleed Abu al-Khair to 15 years in prison, a 15-year travel ban, and a fine of 200,000 Saudi riyals. To mark the passing of one year since his unjust sentencing, the international human rights community has put forward a series of testimonials that highlight Waleed’s work as an attorney and human rights activist, detail the Saudi government’s efforts to silence him, and prove, as he has written, that “even from prison, you can still light a candle.”

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News from Saudi Arabia