Journalist Faisal Hayyat Facing Prison for “Defamatory” Tweets

3 November 2016 – Journalist Faisal Hayyat appeared in court today on charges related to a “defamatory” tweet. His sentencing was postponed to 29 November 2016. We, the undersigned, consider this a violation of his freedom of expression and condemn his prosecution as well as the Bahraini government’s continued criminalization of free speech. Authorities arrested[…]

ADHRB open letter to Prince Charles ahead of Bahrain visit

On 1 November 2016, Americans for Democracy & Human Rights in Bahrain (ADHRB) sent a letter to Prince Charles regarding his upcoming official country visit to Bahrain. The text of the letter is as follows: Your Royal Highness, In November, you will be taking part in an official country visit to the Kingdom of Bahrain[…]

Nabeel Rajab’s Unlawful Detention Continues: Trial Postponed, Investigations Reopened

31 October 2016 – Today, the Bahraini High Criminal Court postponed the trial of prominent human rights defender Nabeel Rajab, President of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR), to 15 December 2016. We, the undersigned NGOs, condemn Bahrain’s arbitrary and baseless detention of Rajab and call for his immediate and unconditional release. The High[…]

Ahead of 31 October trial, NGOs and MEPs issue video messages in solidarity with Nabeel Rajab

On 31 October 2016, a Bahraini court will hold another hearing for the case of human rights defender Nabeel Rajab. After a series of postponed trials, the court may issue a verdict on Rajab’s case, potentially sentencing him to fifteen years in prison. Rajab faces charges that are solely related to his exercise of freedom[…]

Bahrain Moves to Reform Kafala, Exclusions Remain

Last week, the Bahrain government announced a new flexible work permit that would allow migrant workers to act as their own sponsor. The new permit is unprecedented as it’s the first mechanism of its kind in the Gulf designed to dismantle the kafala system of sponsorship-based employment, which tethers migrant workers to their employers and[…]