Introduction In a worrying escalation this year, Bahraini security forces — as in previous years — have resorted to the harshest forms of repression against Ashura rituals, carrying out a widespread campaign of summonses, arrests, fabricated charges, and the removal of religious symbols across various regions. Meanwhile, the government’s official narrative presents an idealized image[…]
14
Jul
Jul
This year marks ten years since Saudi Arabia imprisoned Waleed Abu al-Khair, one of the country’s most prominent human rights lawyers, for peacefully speaking out in defense of justice and dignity. He was arrested in 2014 and sentenced to 15 years in prison after an unfair trial before the Specialised Criminal Court, which used anti-terrorism[…]
11
Jul
Jul
The arbitrary imprisonment of Bedoon rights defender Mohammed al-Barghash by Kuwaiti authorities on 11 June 2025 raises serious human rights concerns. This is not the first time al-Barghash has been unjustly targeted for his peaceful activism. His repeated persecution underscores a broader pattern of repression in Kuwait, where authorities persistently violate the right to freedom[…]
09
Jul
Jul
Kuwait, once seen as an exception in the Gulf for its relatively vibrant parliamentary politics, has taken a sharp authoritarian turn. In May 2024, Emir Sheikh Meshaal Al-Ahmad issued a royal decree suspending the elected National Assembly for up to four years. This move effectively dissolved the last remaining forum for public political representation in[…]
04
Jul
Jul
Americans for Democracy & Human Rights in Bahrain (ADHRB) participated in the 59th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC), held from 16 June to 9 July 2025. During this session, ADHRB delivered four oral interventions highlighting human rights violations in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, particularly Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. Under[…]
