Armenia refuses to extradite Bahraini activist

The Armenian government refused to extradite Bahraini activist Fadhel Radhi back to Bahrain. Armenian authorities arrested Radhi on January 2, 2016 in the Yerevan airport on an international Interpol warrant requested by Bahrain. Radhi fled Bahrain to avoid a seven-year prison sentence on charges that human rights groups consider to be politically motivated. After his[…]

Oman Passes a Law Forbidding More African Domestic Workers

The Sultanate of Oman will no longer be issuing work visas for domestic workers from the five African countries of Ethiopia, Kenya, Senegal, Cameroon, and Guinea. A senior official from the Royal Oman Police explained that the government implemented the official ban yesterday, on 1 February 2016, but had already been in the process of[…]

Laudatory comments on women’s empowerment fall short of reality

The chairman of Bahrain’s Institute for Political Development (BIPD) expressed Bahrain’s pride in the achievements of the Supreme Council for Women under the leadership of Princess Sabeeka al-Khalifa, the wife of Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. He “affirmed BIPD’s keen interest in women’s participation in all its programs,” and stated that women’s empowerment[…]

Bahrain seeks to increase tourism even as it suppresses dissent

The Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority will soon launch Brand Bahrain-a national project that aims to promote Bahrain as a top global tourist destination. It is an international campaign to promote Bahrain’s heritage, culture, business friendly environment, and artistic image across the globe. As part of the government’s initiative to promote Bahrain internationally, it has[…]