State Department mandated to release BICI implementation report in 2017

The US Congress recently reached on deal on the Fiscal Year (FY) 2017 appropriations act. Included is the Senate committee report (linked here), which mandates that the US Department of State will have to submit an updated assessment report on the Bahraini government’s implementation of the recommendations in the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI).[…]

ADHRB Welcomes Rapporteur on Terrorism’s Observations After Saudi Visit

On 4 May 2017, Ben Emmerson, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights while countering terrorism, returned from a five-day visit of Saudi Arabia. Upon the conclusion of his trip, he released his preliminary observations. While he noted that the Saudi government was engaging in some positive steps to[…]

US organizations send letter to Bahrain king ahead of Sheikh Qassim trial

Last month, a group of US-based organizations that work on religious freedom signed a letter to Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, King of Bahrain, to raise concern about the case of Bahrain’s most prominent Shia cleric Ayatollah Sheikh Isa Ahmed Qassim. Americans for Democracy & Human Rights in Bahrain (ADHRB), Center for Inquiry, Shia Rights Watch,[…]

UN Rapporteur on Countering Terrorism Visits Saudi Arabia

On 30 April 2017, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights while countering terrorism, Ben Emmerson, arrived in Saudi Arabia for a five-day visit—he left today, 4 May. During his visit, he sought “to provide assistance in the implementation of the country’s 2014 Penal Law for Terrorism and its[…]

Sheikh Isa Qassim: NGOs call on US, UK, UN and EU for Public Action Before 7 May Trial

Ahead of the trial of Sheikh Isa Qassim on Sunday 7 May 2017, Americans for Democracy & Human Rights in Bahrain (ADHRB) and five other NGOs wrote today to the United States, European Union, United Kingdom, and United Nations calling for urgent public action. The politically motivated trial of Sheikh Isa Qassim constitutes a violation of[…]