Second Human Rights Defender, Mohamed Khalil al-Shakhoori, Disappeared in Bahrain Within Two Days

Update: On 8 July, Mohamed Khalil al-Shakhoori reappeared in government custody at the Dry Dock Detention Center. His family has only been able to visit him once and the authorities have denied him access to a lawyer. Along with Ebtisam al-Saegh and activist Radhi Saleh al-Qatari, Shakhoori is being held on terror charges. For the[…]

Human Rights Defender Ebtesam al-Saegh Lawlessly Detained for Second Time in as Many Months; Grave Fears of Renewed Torture

At approximately 11:45 p.m. local time in Bahrain, on the night of 3–4 July, long-time human rights defender Ebtesam al-Saegh was detained by state security for the second time in as many months. When Ms. al-Saegh was last detained in the final days of May, the officers torturing her – using physical violence, sexual abuse,[…]

Profiles in Persecution: Najah Ahmed Yusuf

The Government of Bahrain has targeted numerous internationally renowned human rights defenders in reprisal for their work. Many, including Nabeel Rajab and Abdulhadi al-Khawaja, are known around the world, with their cases documented by human rights organizations, governments, and the United Nations. However, the Bahraini government’s attack on peaceful dissent and opposition has cast a[…]

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[…]

Saudi Arabia’s Evolving Oil Politics

In a 27 June 2017 article, Bloomberg described a worrying decrease in investors in Saudi Arabia’s industries. The article argues that falling oil prices coupled with ongoing and potential regional conflicts call for an updated economic model to offset the losses of the Gulf state members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Saudi[…]