New Saudi counter-terrorism law fails to meet international standards

On 1 November 2017, Saudi Arabia established a new counter-terrorism law. This law, consisting of 96 articles (27 of which deal solely with punishments), replaces and expands upon the last counter-terror law passed in December 2013. Instead of using the nearly four years since the last passage of law to improve legislation roundly criticized for[…]

Profiles in Persecution: Ahmed Merza Ismaeel

Ahmed Merza Ismaeel was arrested without a warrant by security forces wearing civilian clothing on 11 September 2013. Since then, he has been subjected to torture, convicted in a collective judgment based on coerced confessions, denied basic necessities such as prison clothing and a blanket, and deprived of necessary medical care by the Jau Prison[…]

ADHRB Welcomes House Resolution Declaring US Involvement in Yemen Unauthorized

14 November 2017 – The United States (US) House of Representatives passed on 13 November 2017 a resolution stating that American military support to the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen is not authorized under legislation passed by Congress to fight al-Qaeda or invade Iraq. The text, introduced by Representatives Ro Khanna (D-CA) and James McGovern (D-MA),[…]

Trump Administration authorizes new arms sales to GCC states despite Congressional threat to block

On 13 and 16 October 2017, the United States Government approved the sale of weapons worth $371.6 million to Kuwait, stating that the sale “will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a friendly country.” These sales come amid the ongoing diplomatic crisis[…]

Profiles in Persecution: Sadeq Sayed Ali Alawi

Sadeq Sayed Ali Alawi was detained on 25 May 2013. Security forces dressed in civilian clothes broke into his house and detained him without presenting a warrant or comparable document. He was taken to the Criminal Investigations Directorate in Adliya, Manama, where he was interrogated and tortured. Interrogators beat him, applied electric shocks, poured ice[…]