UN body finds Saudi Arabia arbitrarily detained Ali al-Nimr, Dawood al-Marhoon, and Abdullah al-Zaher

On 6 February 2017, the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (WGAD) released Opinion No. 61/2016. In the opinion, the WGAD determined that Saudi Arabia’s ongoing treatment of Ali al-Nimr, Dawood Hussein al-Marhoon, and Abdullah Hasan al-Zaher constitutes arbitrary detention and violates a number of international legal principles. Saudi security forces arrested Ali, Dawood,[…]

HRC 34 Oral Interventions: ID w/ SR on Torture and HRDs

On 3 March 2017, Yusuf al-Hoori delivered an oral intervention at the 34th session of the Human Rights Council. He participated in the Item 3 Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on Torture and the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders, delivering an oral intervention addressing the situation of human rights defenders and the systematic[…]

HRC 34 Oral Interventions: ID w/ Special Rapporteur on Housing

On 2 March 2017, Yusuf al-Hoori delivered an oral intervention at the 34th session of the Human Rights Council. He participated in the Item 3 Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on housing, delivering an oral intervention addressing the right to housing as an important human right. Please continue reading for full remarks or click[…]

Bahraini courts postpone the trial of Sheikh Isa Qassim

The Government of Bahrain on Monday, 27 February, postponed the trial of Sheikh Isa Qassim. The courts set the next court date for Sheikh Isa on 14 March 2017. Sheikh Isa Qassim is the spiritual leader of Bahrain’s Shia population. On 20 June 2016, the Government of Bahrain announced the citizenship revocation of Sheikh Isa[…]

Al-Arab TV closes in Qatar following censorship in Bahrain

The Al-Arab News Channel, owned by Saudi prince and philanthropist Al Waleed bin Talal Abudaliziz al Saud, has been permanently shut down before its first broadcast in Doha, a Saudi news site reported. The television channel had previously premiered in Manama, Bahrain in 2015. However, Bahraini authorities forced it to close after its first airing,[…]