Analyzing the Leaked Penal Code of Saudi Arabia: Persistent Failure to Commit to Human Rights Standards

The draft of Saudi Arabia’s first penal code was leaked in July 2022. The text has been the subject of various allegations, which Saudi Arabia promptly denied. However, Amnesty International, which first denounced the code’s flaws, ensures that several Saudi legal experts have confirmed its authenticity. More recently, Amnesty International shared its analysis of the[…]

Urgent Appeal: Bulgaria Must Halt Deportation of Saudi Human Rights Activist

The story of Abdulrahman al-Khalidi has recently caught the media’s attention, along with campaigns requesting his release. Human Rights Watch (HRW) and Article 19 promptly warned Bulgarian authorities of the risk the activist would face if deported to Saudi Arabia.  This case has already highlighted negligence by Sofia authorities, violating the human rights of the[…]

Analysing the UPR of Saudi Arabia: New Recommendations and Foreseeable Developments – Freedom Of Expression (Part One)

On 22 January 2024, Saudi Arabia received a review of its human rights record in the country’s fourth Universal Periodic Review (UPR). This mechanism is characterised by a peer review by other UN member states suggesting how to improve the respect of human rights in light of the country’s international obligations. The government has received[…]

HRC46 Written Statement: Ongoing Detention of Women’s Rights Defenders in Saudi Arabia

Americans for Democracy & Human Rights in Bahrain (ADHRB) submitted a written statement, to the Human Rights Council during its 46th session concerning Ongoing Detention of Women’s Rights Defenders in Saudi Arabia. Continue reading below for the full text of the statement, or click here for PDF

Dispatch on Spanish Arm Sales to the Gulf Region

Spain has consistently demonstrated its strong economic interest in the Middle East, especially in regards to its arms sales to the Gulf states. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), Spain was the 7th largest exporter of arms during the period 2015-2019, with Australia, Singapore and Saudi Arabia as its top 3 clients.[…]