This briefing paper examines the widespread and institutionalized exploitation of women migrant domestic workers across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries—Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman. Despite public commitments to reform, the kafala (sponsorship) system remains the primary mechanism governing migrant labor. Under this system, a worker’s immigration status is[…]
05
Jun
Jun
The number of executions for drug crimes in Saudi Arabia is reaching staggering numbers. Since the beginning of 2025, at least 111 individuals have been sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia, and 68 of these were executed for drug-related crimes. As well as causing concern, these recent developments demonstrate how Saudi Arabia continues to renege[…]
04
Jun
Jun
This month, President Trump announced a deal with Saudi Arabia that would provide the country with advanced artificial intelligence (AI) chips. The deal sees industry leader Nvidia provide Humain, a sovereign wealth fund-owned AI startup, with 18,000 of its new GB300 Blackwell chips. The massive deal makes Saudi Arabia a potential leader in AI data[…]
03
Jun
Jun
Introduction The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia continues to systematically violate the rights of its Shia citizens amid a complete absence of structural reforms to address entrenched sectarian discrimination. Despite the official promotion of “Vision 2030” as a path toward modernization and openness, Shia communities remain subject to restrictive policies that limit their rights in religion,[…]
26
May
May
The use of the death penalty is on the rise in Saudi Arabia. One person was executed every 25 hours in the country with a staggering 345 people executed in 2024. This is in spite of international calls for an end to the practice. Normally, the death penalty is reserved internationally for the “most serious”[…]
