Trump to Visit Saudi Despite Ongoing Rights Abuses

On 19 May, President Donald Trump is scheduled to arrive in Saudi Arabia for his first overseas trip as president. During his trip, he will also visit Israel, the Vatican, and take part in a NATO meeting in Brussels and the G7 meeting in Sicily. His trip comes amid news that the US government will[…]

ADHRB Condemns Saudi Military Operation in Awamiyah

On Wednesday 10 May, Saudi security forces launched a raid into the Eastern Province city of Awamiyah. The raid is ongoing and has resulted in security forces shooting and killing at least one individual. While Saudi security forces have run military and security operations in Awamiyah several times since 2011, activists say this raid is[…]

ADHRB Welcomes Rapporteur on Terrorism’s Observations After Saudi Visit

On 4 May 2017, Ben Emmerson, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights while countering terrorism, returned from a five-day visit of Saudi Arabia. Upon the conclusion of his trip, he released his preliminary observations. While he noted that the Saudi government was engaging in some positive steps to[…]

UN Rapporteur on Countering Terrorism Visits Saudi Arabia

On 30 April 2017, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights while countering terrorism, Ben Emmerson, arrived in Saudi Arabia for a five-day visit—he left today, 4 May. During his visit, he sought “to provide assistance in the implementation of the country’s 2014 Penal Law for Terrorism and its[…]

New Saudi Ambassador to US: Opportunity for Reform?

On 22 April 2017, Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz issued a series of royal decrees, the effects of which include changes to domestic policy and a reshuffling of government cabinet positions. As part of this flurry of activity, King Salman appointed one of his sons, Prince Khalid bin Salman, to be Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador[…]