The sentencing of Bahraini opposition figure Ebrahim Sharif has once again drawn attention to the tightening restrictions on political expression across the Gulf. Sharif had been arrested in November 2025 by local Bahraini authorities as he returned from the Arab National Conference in Beirut. He was charged with “spreading false news” on social media and[…]
26
Dec
Dec
The Gulf region is notoriously known for its constantly hot, sunny weather and luxurious, modern infrastructure, providing travellers with ideal conditions for year-round beach holidays and outdoor activities. Yet few recognise that delivering such services relies heavily on human labour, with many workers compelled to perform physically demanding tasks in extreme heat for much of[…]
10
Nov
Nov
Over the past decade, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries have been enacting Personal Data Protection Laws (PDPLs) in order to better regulate the collection and processing of their citizens’ personal information. Even though these laws can be considered as an important step forward in safeguarding privacy in increasingly digitalized societies, they also raise important[…]
30
Oct
Oct
In recent years, the Gulf Cooperation Council countries have begun to play an increasingly prominent role in international trade. This change is mainly due to the socio-economic transformation that many of these countries are undergoing. However, this progress often serves to conceal the constant human rights abuses and repression that take place within these countries.[…]
15
Sep
Sep
On 12 September 2025, Americans for Democracy & Human Rights in Bahrain (ADHRB) delivered an intervention during the 60th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council. During the Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on Contemporary Forms of Slavery, ADHRB drew the Council’s attention to the exploitation of migrant workers in GCC countries, which[…]
