UAE Needs to Reform Its Limits on Free Expression

On 14 May, Human Rights Watch (HRW) called for Emirati authorities to release Nasser bin Ghaith and drop all charges against him. Emirati authorities accused Bin Ghaith of insulting Egypt and violating UAE’s cybercrime and counterterrorism laws.  HRW states that after his arrest in August 2015, Emirati forces subjected Bin Ghaith to torture during his[…]

Amidst Concerns for Migrants, Qatari Construction Continues

Construction on the largest stadium being built for Qatar’s 2022 World Cup is due to begin this year. British architectural firm Foster and Partners designed the stadium, which will hold 80,000 people. Five World Cup stadiums are currently under construction. The situation of migrant laborers who work on these stadiums has recently garnered more media[…]

UAE and Bahrain Agree to Memorandums of Understanding with India

Recently, India has been taking steps to curb human trafficking both internally and externally. It has agreed to sign Memorandums of Understanding (MoU’s) with Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates (UAE); India has also enacted a similar MoU with Bangladesh. These MoU’s represent formal cooperation on preventing and combating human trafficking. Prime Minister of India[…]

Kuwait Contemplates Controversial Proposal

Kuwait may soon undertake new steps to change its population ratio, which is comprised mostly of migrant workers. Currently, Kuwaitis make up just over 30% of the country’s current population. The new law would force migrant workers to leave the country if fired by their employers. Supporters of the proposal claim that unemployed expatriate workers[…]

Despite promises, Zainab al-Khawaja and son remain in detention

On 7 April 2016, Foreign Minister of Bahrain Sheikh Khaled bin Ahmed al-Khalifa said officials would release prominent human rights activist Zainab al-Khawaja and her son from prison. “This is a humanitarian issue, and Zainab al-Khawaja will be released pending her case in court,” said Sheikh Khaled in a press release last month. Since the[…]