Women’s Right to Education in the GCC: Progress & Challenges

Context and Background The evolution of women’s access to education in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries – Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates – presents gradual but progressive advancements, reflecting broader societal transformations in the region. In the early 20th century, education for women was traditionally limited, as cultural[…]

Profile in Persecution: Yousif Fadhel AlTooq

Yousif Fadhel AlTooq was a 15-year-old minor and school student when Bahraini authorities arrested him without a warrant on 8 August 2024 after summoning him to the Sitra Police Station. During his detention, he has endured torture, denial of family visits, denial of access to legal counsel, deprivation of his right to education, withholding of[…]

Human Rights For Disabled People In Saudi Arabia

Key Findings Saudi Arabia has made notable progress in establishing a legal framework for the rights of persons with disabilities, driven by a combination of domestic legislation and international commitments. Key milestones include the 1987 Legislation of Disability, the 2000 Disability Code, and the 2023 Saudi Law on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (SLRPD).[…]

Profile in Persecution: Ali Husain Matrook Abdulla

Ali Husain Matrook Abdulla was a 15-year-old minor and school student when Bahraini authorities arrested him on 26 August 2024 in Karranah while spending time with friends. The arrest was carried out without a warrant. During his detention, he endured torture, denial of family visits, denial of access to his lawyer, deprivation of his right[…]

Freedom of Religion for Shia and Other Minorities in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia, governed as an absolute monarchy under a strict interpretation of Sunni Islam, has long faced scrutiny for its religious freedom policies, particularly regarding the treatment of Shia Muslims and other religious minorities. As the birthplace of Islam, the kingdom enforces a legal and social framework that prioritizes Sunni Islam, specifically its Wahhabi doctrine.[…]