Ebrahim Sharif’s Arrest Exposes Bahrain’s Ongoing Repression of Free Expression

The Bahraini authorities arrested opposition leader and former Waad Society secretary general, Ebrahim Sharif, on 12 November 2025, on charges related to exercising his right of freedom of expression. Sharif remains detained to this day, underscoring the government’s ongoing repression of dissent and its use of silencing critics as a tool of control and intimidation.[…]

Kuwait’s Crackdown on Democracy: Former MPs Sentenced for Dissent

Kuwait, once seen as an exception in the Gulf for its relatively vibrant parliamentary politics, has taken a sharp authoritarian turn. In May 2024, Emir Sheikh Meshaal Al-Ahmad issued a royal decree suspending the elected National Assembly for up to four years. This move effectively dissolved the last remaining forum for public political representation in[…]

Post-Release Restrictions in Saudi Arabia: How Persecutions Continue Even After Serving the Sentence

Between December 2024 and February 2025, Saudi Arabia released about 44 prisoners. Many of these are human rights activists or people arrested in the wake of restrictions on the right to expression in the country. As much as this event may seem a step forward for Saudi Arabia, another aspect must be considered – many[…]

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[…]

Profile in Persecution: Ali Salman Maki Marhoon

Ali Salman Maki Marhoon was a 16-year-old minor and school student when Bahraini authorities arrested him without a warrant on 5 August 2024 after summoning him to the Sitra Police Station. During his detention, he has endured enforced disappearance, torture, denial of legal representation, unfair trials, and deprivation of his right to education and family[…]