Context and Background The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries—Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE)—have long been criticized for employing repressive domestic measures that violate international human rights standards. In the years since the 2011 Arab uprisings, these governments have intensified their crackdown on dissent through the enactment of repressive[…]
19
Jun
Jun
On June 19, 2025, Americans for Democracy & Human Rights in Bahrain (ADHRB) and partner organizations delivered an intervention during the 59th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council. During their intervention under Item 3, ADHRB called for institutional-level accountability and transparency in Bahrain. We draw the Council’s attention to a recent industrial disaster[…]
11
Jun
Jun
This briefing paper examines the widespread and institutionalized exploitation of women migrant domestic workers across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries—Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman. Despite public commitments to reform, the kafala (sponsorship) system remains the primary mechanism governing migrant labor. Under this system, a worker’s immigration status is[…]
21
May
May
21 May 2025 – The Country Coordinator for Bahrain at Amnesty International UK and Americans for Democracy & Human Rights in Bahrain (ADHRB) express grave concern over Bahrain’s continued repression of former political prisoners and human rights defenders, who now face renewed violations post-release, including restrictions on work, housing, travel, and free expression. Following the[…]
21
May
May
Despite the release of several activists and human rights defenders, transitional justice in Bahrain remains unfulfilled. In its newly published report, Americans for Democracy & Human Rights in Bahrain (ADHRB) reveals a systematic policy by Bahraini authorities designed to restrict the freedoms of released individuals and deprive them of their basic rights. The attached report[…]
