ADHRB Briefing on Capitol Hill: “Promoting a Human Rights-centric Approach to US Policies Towards Bahrain”

12 February 2019 – Today, Americans for Democracy & Human Rights in Bahrain (ADHRB) held a Congressional briefing on the current state of human rights in Bahrain, entitled “Promoting a Human Rights-centric Approach to US Policies Towards Bahrain.” Husain Abdulla, ADHRB’s Executive Director, moderated the panel, and was joined by Joe Stork, Chairman of the[…]

Hakeem AlAraibi Released from Thailand after 76 Days of Detention

11 February 2019 – Today, Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that the Government of Bahrain had dropped its calls for Hakeem AlAraibi’s extradition to Bahrain, paving the way for his release. He is now safely in Australia. Hakeem had been detained for 76 days and faced extradition from Thailand to Bahrain, where he would[…]

United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child Releases Concluding Observations for Bahrain’s Review

7 February 2019 – Today, the United Nations (UN) Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC) published its concluding observations on Bahrain’s recent review before the Committee. This was Bahrain’s first review before the CRC since 2011. Americans for Democracy & Human Rights in Bahrain (ADHRB) submitted a shadow report to the Committee with[…]

Profiles in Persecution: Zahra Salman Hasan (“Zahra AlShaikh”)

Zahra Salman Hasan, better known as Zahra AlShaikh, is a 28-year-old mother, human rights defender, and Bahraini citizen who fled her home country after enduring years of threats, harassment, imprisonment, and torture in relation to her activism. In 2012, Bahraini officers from the Special Security Force Command (SSFC) arrested Zahra during a peaceful sit-in and[…]

Oman: Where Criticizing the Government Can Warrant a Seven Year Sentence

Throughout Oman, freedom of speech is nonexistent as the government routinely detains activists, academics, and other critical figures for publicizing any dissent of the government. Free expression is heavily constrained and even criminalized under the law – in 2018, Oman updated its Penal Code, ultimately further increasing restrictions and allowing for more severe punishments for[…]