Bahrain: Human Rights Crisis Deepened Since Protests Began Six Years Ago Today

14 February 2017 – On the anniversary of the 14 February 2011 protest movement, we, the undersigned, are deeply concerned that Bahrain’s human rights situation has now reached unprecedented lows. Bahrain’s precipitously worsening rights record is damaging not just for Bahrain, but for the stability of the entire region. The 34th Session of the UN[…]

NGOs send letter to HRC Member states to support joint statement on Bahrain

To Permanent Representatives of Member and Observer States of the UN Human Rights Council                                                                                                                             10 February, 2017 Your Excellency, In view of the marked deterioration in the already poor human rights situation in Bahrain, and as the minimum collective action required, we urge your delegation to support a joint statement expressing concern over[…]

NGOs to Bahrain: Do Not Allow Military Courts to Judge Civilians

6 February 2017 – Military courts may soon have permanent power to prosecute civilians as the Government of Bahrain fast-tracks a constitutional amendment which creates a state of “undeclared martial law.” We, the undersigned, call on Bahrain’s legislature not to approve the amendment, and condemn any attempt to try civilians by military judges. On 2[…]

Int’l NGOs send letter to Boris Johnson regarding jailed HRD Nabeel Rajab

Boris Johnson Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs King Charles Street London SW1A 2AH   3 February 2017   Dear Mr Johnson, In light of recent developments in Bahrain, we write to raise our deep concern over the punitive trials of prominent human rights defender Nabeel Rajab, who is being prosecuted in three[…]

Kuwait executes seven in first use of death penalty since 2013

The Government of Kuwait executed seven prisoners by hanging on 25 January 2017. Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah authorized the executions, which took place at the country’s central prison. Kuwait’s hangings come on the heels of recent executions in Bahrain and signal another disappointing move away from death penalty moratoria in the region. Those[…]