Analysing the UPR of Saudi Arabia: New Recommendations and Foreseeable Developments – Counter Terrorism Legislation (Part Three)

The crackdown on online expression by the Saudi Arabian government has been reported extensively. In 2014, Human Rights Watch (HRW) denounced Saudi prosecutors and judges for using vague expressions of terrorism to try Saudi citizens for peaceful tweets and social media activities. The counter-terrorism legislation was criminalising activity harming the public order, religious values, and[…]

Profile in Persecution: Ammar Ebrahim Ahmed (Dhaif)

Ammar Ebrahim Ahmed (Dhaif), a 17-year-old Bahraini high school student and minor, was arrested by Bahraini authorities from his sister’s home on 13 July 2013 without providing an arrest warrant. During his detention, he was subjected to torture, sexual harassment, denial of access to his lawyer during interrogation, an unfair trial based on confessions obtained[…]

Bahrain’s Struggle: Eroding Freedom of Expression, Peaceful Assembly, and Protest

The Bahraini government’s systematic suppression of freedom of expression, assembly, and peaceful protest is evident through a series of repressive laws and practices. Human Rights Watch (HRW) has highlighted these issues, particularly focusing on the political and civil isolation laws enacted in 2018. Americans for Democracy and Human Rights had covered before the consequences of[…]

Kuwait: Anticipated Developments for Bidoon Activists

On 17 July 2023, Americans for Democracy and Human Rights in Bahrain (ADHRB) launched an international campaign advocating for the rights of the ”Bidoon”. Aiming to secure access to essential services in education, healthcare, employment, and freedom of assembly, ADHRB called for the end of the discriminatory practices of Kuwait’s government. In addition, shortly after[…]

UN WGAD finds the detention of six Bahrainis arbitrary and subjected to torture, coerced confessions, unfair trial, and medical neglect

The United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (WGAD) adopted an opinion on 30 August 2023 during its 97th session concerning six Bahrainis, one of whom was a minor at the time of the arrest. These Bahrainis were arbitrarily arrested and subjected to gruesome human rights violations. Given the severity of the torture inflicted upon[…]