How Gulf Countries Are Acquiring Spyware to Suppress Dissent

Introduction The repression of human rights activists and political dissidents is one of the biggest problems in the Gulf states. There are constant reports of arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances, torture in prisons and other incidents targeting these groups. Those who want to fight to assert their rights or criticise regimes that stifle them always find[…]

ADHRB at #HRC60 Condemns Systematic Persecution of Shia Rights in Saudi Arabia

On 2 August 2025, Americans for Democracy & Human Rights in Bahrain (ADHRB) delivered an intervention during the 60th session of the Human Rights Council, under Item 9. ADHRB highlighted the systematic persecution of Shia citizens in Saudi Arabia and called for an end to sectarian discrimination, the release of detainees, freedom of religious practice,[…]

ADHRB at #HRC60 Exposes the Kafala System as Modern Slavery

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[…]

Saudi Arabia’s Legal System Targets Children: Jalal Labbad Executed

On 21 August 2025, a new name was added to Saudi Arabia’s alarming and ever-growing list of executions: Jalal Labbad, a young man put to death for alleged crimes committed as a child. His supposed offense was participating as a teenager in the 2011 and 2012 Al-Qatif protests against the systemic discrimination faced by the[…]

Executed as a Child: The Case of Jalal Labad and Saudi Arabia’s Weaponization of the Death Penalty

By executing minor Jalal Labad on August 21, 2025, Saudi Arabia has once again exposed its systematic use of capital punishment to silence dissent and eliminate perceived opposition. The killing of Jalal, who was only 17 at the time of his arrest, marks a devastating escalation in the Kingdom’s campaign of repression. According to the[…]