ADHRB Calls for GCC Labor Reform on International Migrants Day

18 December 2017 – The six states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) – Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Oman – rely heavily on migrant labor and are noted for widespread and systematic migrant rights abuses. These violations largely stem from the GCC-wide use of the kafala system of labor[…]

US State Department Releases 2017 Trafficking in Persons Report on Bahrain

On 27 June 2017, the US Department of State released its 2017 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report, including a country narrative for Bahrain. The report Assigned Bahrain Tier 2 status, indicating the government “does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking,” but is “making significant efforts to do so.” Americans for[…]

HRC35 Item 3 Intervention: Kuwait’s continued use of the kafala system

On Monday 12 June, Yusuf al-Hoori delivered an intervention in behalf of ADHRB during the 35th session of the Human Rights Council under the Item 3 Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on trafficking. In his intervention, al-Hoori raised concerns about Kuwait’s continued use of the kafala system of labor sponsorship. Please continue reading for the[…]

Kuwait’s Escalating Campaign against Its Expat Workers

In recent months, tensions in Kuwait surrounding the country’s demographic composition have been on the rise. Like all Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, a significant percentage of Kuwait’s population is comprised of foreign nationals who have traveled to the country for work opportunities. As Kuwait continues to grapple with economic changes stemming from a decline[…]