US – Gulf Relations: Congressional responsibility in the protection of human rights

The United States Constitution places Congress as a coequal branch of the Federal Government and specifically makes clear its authority to regulate and hold accountable the actions of the President, even in the field of foreign affairs. Federal statutes also lay out the mechanisms by which private arms sales can be made to foreign governments:[…]

Kuwait, the Bidoon and Government Critics: How the Kuwaiti Authority Continues to Practice Torture to Suppress Minorities and Opposition Voices

Stateless individuals, human rights defenders and government critics are routinely subjected to torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment within the country of Kuwait. This is despite Kuwait being party to the United Nations Convention Against Torture (CAT) which stipulates prohibitions on such actions and strictly requires state parties to implement effective legislative, administrative, judicial[…]

Dispatch on Spanish Arm Sales to the Gulf Region

Spain has consistently demonstrated its strong economic interest in the Middle East, especially in regards to its arms sales to the Gulf states. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), Spain was the 7th largest exporter of arms during the period 2015-2019, with Australia, Singapore and Saudi Arabia as its top 3 clients.[…]

During Kuwait’s UPR: End Systematic Human Rights Violations Against the Bidoon

On 17 July 2020, ADHRB has delivered an oral intervention at the United Nation Human Rights Council session 44 during Kuwait UPR. Madam President, We take this opportunity to raise our serious concern over Kuwait’s human rights violations, particularly committed against the Bidoon stateless minority. Being deemed illegal residents, the Bidoon face severe restrictions of[…]

During Spain’s UPR: ADHRB Raises Spain’s Role in Possible War Crimes Committed in Yemen

On 16 July 2020, ADHRB has delivered an oral intervention at the United Nation Human Rights Council session 44 during Spain UPR. Madam President, The Spanish government has not been transparent on its police and security forces reform program which was the demand of many local and international non-government organizations as a direct result of[…]