Prominent Bahraini Political Leader Sentenced to Life in Prison Weeks Before Election

5 November 2018 – Yesterday, on 4 November 2018, leading Bahraini opposition figure Sheikh Ali Salman and two members of the now-dissolved al-Wefaq Society, Sheikh Hassan Ali Juma Sultan and Ali Mahdi Ali Al Aswad, were sentenced to life in prison for espionage, overturning acquittals by a lower court. This decision comes just weeks before[…]

ADHRB Condemns Impunity Against Journalists in Bahrain

2 November 2018 – Today, on the fifth United Nations (UN) International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, Americans for Democracy & Human Rights in Bahrain (ADHRB) recognizes Bahraini journalists who have faced, and continue to face, arbitrary arrest, detention, torture, and death at the hands of the Bahraini government because of their[…]

Profiles in Persecution: Abdulwahab Husain Ismaeel

Abdulwahab Husain Ismaeel is a 64-year old Bahraini national from the town of Nuwaidrat. He is one of the “Bahrain Thirteen”- a group of thirteen religious leaders, political opposition leaders, and human rights defenders who led non-violent pro-democracy protests in Bahrain in February 2011. He is currently in Jau Prison where he is serving a[…]

UPDATED: Saudi prosecutor seeks the death penalty for Israa al-Ghomgham, accused of peaceful demonstration

**Updated 30 October 2018 – Reports are saying that Israa al-Ghomgham was not brought to court for her second hearing on 28 October in front of the Specialized Criminal Court (SCC). The hearing has been adjourned until 21 November 2018 and she remains held in the Dammam General Intelligence Prison.  On 21 August, the public prosecutor[…]

US Engagement during IISS Manama Dialogue Failed to Consider Importance of Bahrain Human Rights Concerns to Regional Stability

This past weekend Bahrain hosted the 14th annual International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) Manama Dialogue – a regional summit to discuss policy approaches to issues of security and defense. The event was attended by global officials and other high-level individuals, including United States (US) Secretary of Defense James Mattis, who delivered a plenary speech[…]