How Fraudulent Recruitment Fuels Systemic Exploitation of Domestic Workers in the Gulf

Domestic workers form the invisible backbone of Gulf households, yet many enter this sector under false pretenses and quickly find themselves trapped in conditions that meet international definitions of forced labor. While fraudulent recruitment is widely reported as a transnational crime, in the Gulf it functions as a systemic entry point into exploitation, especially for[…]

New Work Interruption Service introduced for more “transparent” employer-employee relations

The Saudi Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development has announced the recent implementation of the Work Interruption Service, as part of the national recruitment online platform Musaned. This new project aims to improve the contractual relationship between employers and employees, specifically domestic workers. The objective of this new service is to allow employers to[…]

Criminalizing Opinion and Demands: An Overview of the Four Latest Waves of Repression of Freedoms in Bahrain

This report examines the four most recent waves of repression in Bahrain targeting freedom of opinion, expression, and peaceful assembly. The crackdown is no longer limited to political opposition movements. It now includes socio-economic protests and public opinion movements, such as protests demanding jobs and accountability. ADHRB documented a clear pattern. Authorities prevent gatherings before[…]

La Fabrique: A French x Saudi Creative Collaboration Project

Paris and Riyadh have just launched a new creative hub called La Fabrique. It is a space for “lasting cultural exchange through co-creation.” The project was produced through a cross-cultural partnership between Riyadh Art and L’Institut Français, with the aim of fostering long-term artistic dialogue. La Fabrique claims to be founded in shared creative values[…]

When the cold Expresses Inequality: Human Rights Gaps in Oman’s Winter Responses

This winter’s cold waves in Oman demand the attention of the human rights community. In late December 2025 and January 2026, temperatures in elevated and interior regions fell sharply. Jebel Shames recorded a low of -2 degrees Celsius, the coldest reading of the season. Strong winds and frost compounded the danger, yet the public response[…]