Diverting attention from human rights abuses: the Esports World Cup in Saudi Arabia

On July 3, 2024, the Esports World Cup, the largest global event of its kind, will kick off in Saudi Arabia amid in the gaming community. Saudi’s last attempt to become a hub for international esports has, once more, triggered discussions about the ethical implications of hosting major sports -and esports- events in countries with[…]

UN WGAD finds the detention of three young Bahraini brothers arbitrary and subjected to torture, coerced confessions, unfair trials, reprisals, and medical neglect

The United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (WGAD) published yesterday the opinion it adopted on 22 March 2024 during its 99th session concerning three young Bahraini brothers sentenced between 13 years and six months and 14 years in prison. These Bahraini brothers were arbitrarily arrested and subjected to gruesome human rights violations including torture,[…]

Joint-Statement: Ensure HRD Al-Khawaja Adequate Medical Treatment and Right to Access and Respond to Allegations Made by the Government of Bahrain

The signatories call on Bahrain to ensure that human rights defender Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja is allowed adequate medical treatment, as well as the right to access and respond to allegations made by the Government of Bahrain in a response to a UN communication. In a joint communication made public on 4 May 2023, six UN experts[…]

42 organizations: The Khashoggi report makes clear, It’s time to Sanction MBS  

In response to the release of the long-awaited declassification of the U.S. national intelligence report regarding the involvement of Saudi Crown Prince Mohamed Bin Salman (“MBS”) in the murder of U.S. permanent resident and Washington Post columnist, Jamal Khashoggi, 42 organizations said: “President Biden should use his power to impose the full range of sanctions[…]

Loujain AlHathloul Sentenced to 5 Years and 8 Months in Prison for her Activism by the Specialized Criminal Court in Saudi Arabia

28 Dec 2020 – After 958 days in detention, a majority of which was spent in pre-trial detention, Loujain AlHathloul a leading Saudi women’s rights activist was sentenced to 5 years and 8 months in prison in court today by the Specialised Criminal Court (terrorism court). The sentence includes a suspension of 2 years and[…]