Saudi State Ideology and Social Media

Saudi Arabia ranks as among the least free countries in the world, with its political, religious, and social spheres characterized by strict state control. Amidst an oppressive public sphere, many activists have turned to online social media as a way to organize and express themselves. However, the government has moved to exert similar control over[…]

Return of Electronic Witch Hunt in Bahrain Leads to the Arrest of Ali Abdulraheem

14 July 2016 – The Government of Bahrain is targeting public sector employees found in photos and videos of sit-ins with arrest and further punishment. We, the undersigned NGOs, condemn the return of this practice, which violates people’s right to assembly. On 12 July 2016, Ali Abdulraheem, an official at the state Labour Market Regulatory[…]

Women leaders of Bahrain’s cyberactivist movement

Cyberactivists, those who organize, document or participate in political protests and social movements through online communications, played a large role in the Arab Spring uprisings of 2011. The widespread use of social media websites, including Twitter and Facebook, allowed citizens abroad to shed light on the practices of oppressive governments in the Middle East and[…]

UN Special Procedures: Bahrain Continues to Suppress Freedom of Expression

The Special Procedures of the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) released the 14th iteration of their joint communications report on Friday, May 27, 2016. In the latest communications, the Special Procedures cited three cases of violations, singling out Bahrain as among the worst offenders of human rights. The Special Rapporteurs on Expression, Human Rights[…]

Take Action for Hussain Hubail & Press Freedom

This month, ADHRB’s Champion for Justice is freelance photographer Hussain Hubail, who was arbitrarily arrested, tortured and sentenced to 5 years in prison for taking pictures of the pro-democracy protests in Bahrain. His appeal is set for Sunday June 22nd, 2014. Join us on Twitter, Tumblr and Facebook on June 20th by using hashtag #FreeHubail in your posts.[…]