Bahrain: Fourth Annual Report of Police Ombudsman Reveals Failure to Fulfill Mandate

On 12 September 2017, the Ombudsman for Bahrain’s Ministry of Interior (MOI) released its fourth annual report for the period of 1 May 2016 to 30 April 2017. As in its previous report, the Ombudsman’s Office re-emphasizes its autonomy from the government and greater security establishment, presenting statistics concerning the complaints of MOI malfeasance that[…]

ADHRB urges US Administration’s implementation of Global Magnitsky Human Rights and Accountability Act

13 September 2017 – Americans for Democracy & Human Rights in Bahrain (ADHRB) joins 22 other rights organizations in signing onto a joint letter to the US Secretaries of State and Treasury to urge them to follow through on implementing the Global Magnitsky Human Rights and Accountability Act. The legislation authorizes the President to impose financial[…]

ADHRB at HRC36 Event Summary – Bahrain: Systematic State Abuse in the Name of Countering Terrorism

On 13 September 2017, Americans for Democracy & Human Rights in Bahrain (ADHRB) and Amnesty International hosted an event at the 36th session of the Human Rights Council that sought to explore the means by which Bahrain’s state security agencies—particularly the National Security Agency—systematically violate human rights in the name of countering terrorism. The panel[…]

Mixed Signals from Nominee for US Ambassador to Bahrain

12 September 2017 – The United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations (SFRC) this morning held a hearing to consider the nomination of Justin Hicks Siberell to be the new Ambassador to Bahrain. While it remains deeply concerning that the Trump Administration, SFRC Chairman Senator Bob Corker (R-TN), and now the nominee to serve as[…]

ADHRB condemns US $3.8b arms sale to Bahrain amid human rights crisis

12 September 2017 – On Friday, 8 September 2017, the United States (US) Department of State notified potential foreign military sales (FMS) to the Government of Bahrain totaling approximately $3.8 billion. The sales include 1) two 35-Meter Fast Patrol Boats at an estimated cost of $60.25 million; 2) 19 F-16V aircraft with support at an[…]