Bahrain’s juvenile justice system is often presented by authorities as a model of progress and reform, but in reality, experiences of children behind detention walls tell a very different story. For years, Bahrain has been criticized for the arbitrary arrest, detention, and ill-treatment of minors, especially those involved in peaceful protests. Despite the government’s enforcement[…]
28
Nov
Nov
Although freedom of expression is recognized by law in Kuwait, it is heavily restricted in practice. Kuwait has been struggling with restrictions on free expression for many years; however, since late 2023 and through 2024 serious escalation began under Emir Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah. Kuwait has been a State Party to the International Covenant on Civil[…]
27
Nov
Nov
Saudi human rights defender and political activist Abdulrahman Al-Khalidi, detained in Bulgaria since 2021, faces a forced deportation order to Saudi Arabia, placing him at serious risk of torture, an unfair trial and the death penalty. Al Khalidi’s case reflects a wider campaign of transnational repression by Gulf regimes seeking to silence peaceful dissent and[…]
04
Nov
Nov
In June of 2025, Saudi Arabia announced its decision to abolish the Kafala system. This announcement forms part of the Saudi Vision 2030 Initiative, and claims to replace the previous sponsorship framework with a contractual employment model, better reflecting modern labour standards. If implemented appropriately, this decision would represent a significant development in human rights[…]
17
Oct
Oct
In Bahrain, since the 2011 pro-democracy uprisings, protests have been violently crushed, activists unjustly detained, and voices systematically silenced. Women have borne the brunt of this repression. The European Centre for Democracy and Human Rights, together with Americans for Democracy and Human Rights, launches the Daughters of the Resistance campaign. This initiative honors the women[…]
