Saudi Arabia’s New INTERPOL Office: A Dangerous Expansion of Transnational Repression

On 30 January 2025, Saudi Arabia and the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) announced an agreement to open a regional office in Saudi Arabia to support law enforcement efforts across the Middle East and North Africa. This included plans for the new office to cooperate with regional structures such as the Arab Interiors Ministers’ Council[…]

UN Experts Condemn Bahraini Retaliation Against Released Human Rights Defender Naji Fateel, Including Police Questionings and Denial of Essential Post-Release Support

On 24 April 2025, three United Nations Special Rapporteurs published an allegation letter on their websites, sent to the Government of Bahrain on 17 February 2025, regarding the case of Bahraini human rights defender and blogger Naji Fateel. The letter raised serious concerns about retaliatory actions following Fateel’s release under royal pardon on 8 April[…]

Racing Through Repression: 20 Years of Formula 1 Sportswashing in Bahrain

On April 13, 2025, Bahrain hosted its 20th Formula 1 Grand Prix at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir—an event once again promoted as a celebration of global sport and national pride. But for many human rights advocates, this milestone doesn’t represent progress. Instead, it marks two decades of sportswashing—the use of international events to[…]

Profile in Persecution: Aqeel Muslem AbdulHusain Juma

Aqeel Muslem AbdulHusain Juma, a 16-year-old minor and school student, was arrested by Bahraini authorities on 14 January 2025 after appearing for a summons before the High Criminal Court. He is the younger brother of 17-year-old detained minor Abbas Muslem AbdulHusain Juma, who was arrested on 26 August 2024 and convicted on similar charges in[…]

The Use of Multiple Charges Against Minors and the Illusion of Clemency in Bahrain

Since the beginning of the Israeli aggression on Gaza, many demonstrations have taken to the streets of Bahrain in protest. Minors participating in said demonstrations were not spared from the arbitrary mass arrests of protestors. Despite supposed clemency from the ruling family of Bahrain in the form of an official pardon, many minors are kept[…]