Saudi Ambassador Appointment Draws an Even Closer Relationship between Saudi Arabia and the US

In April 2017, Saudi Arabia appointed 28-years-old Prince Khalid bin Salman as its new Ambassador to the United States of America. Prince Khalid is the son of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and the younger brother of the Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman, who himself is only 32-years-old, but who is determined to radically[…]

ADHRB Welcomes the Establishment of an Expert-Led Investigation into Rights Abuses in Yemen

On 29 September 2017, the 36th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council passed by consensus a compromise resolution requesting that High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad al-Hussain establish a Group of Eminent International and Regional Experts to carry out a “comprehensive examination of all alleged violations and abuses of international human rights[…]

At Least 16 More Arrests in Saudi Arabia Amid Succession and Qatar Crisis

Over the past several weeks – since early September – Saudi security forces have arrested at least 16 people perceived to be critical of Mohammed bin Salman, the Crown Prince, and of the government’s policies towards Qatar. The detained individuals include prominent religious figures, writers, journalists, academics, and activists like Abdulaziz al-Shubaily and Issa al-Hamid,[…]

Saudi Arabia Announces Women’s Driving Reforms, Delays Implementation

On Tuesday 26 September 2017, Saudi Arabia announced that it would allow women to drive for the first time in the history of the kingdom. The policy change, which was announced over state television, will reportedly go into effect in June 2018. Americans for Democracy & Human Rights in Bahrain (ADHRB) calls on Saudi Arabia[…]

Saudi Arabia: One Step Forward, Two Steps Back for Online Free Expression

On Monday, 18 September 2017, Snapchat reportedly restricted content from the Qatari media outlet Al Jazeera for its users in Saudi Arabia. According to Snapchat, the move was made to comply with local laws – something the company tries to do in all countries that it operates within. However, Al Jazeera says this is an[…]