New UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Raises Concerns about Bahrain and Saudi Arabia at HRC 39

10 September 2018 – Today, at the opening of the 39th Session of the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council (HRC) in Geneva, Michelle Bachelet delivered her first opening statement as the new High Commissioner for Human Rights. Her remarks demonstrated a commitment to continue the previous High Commissioner Zeid Raad Al Hussein’s legacy of a[…]

A Review of Two Years of Bahraini and Saudi Trends in UN Complaints

In the United Nations’ (UN) Human Rights Council (HRC) Joint Communications Report (JCR) that was released on Friday, 31 August, there was only one case mentioning Bahrain, while two cases dealt with Saudi Arabia. This is something of an anomaly, as over the last two years there have been six JCRs covering 21 Bahraini cases[…]

Human Rights Council Membership Standards: Why Bahrain Does Not Deserve a Seat in the Council

In advance of the 39th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, Americans for Democracy & Human Rights in Bahrain (ADHRB) submitted a brief report to the Council raising serious concerns about Bahrain’s bid for membership, due to its flagrant, widespread, and systematic human rights abuses. Continue reading for the text of the written[…]

GCC Cases Raised in the HRC 39 Special Procedures Joint Communications Report

Bahrain Bahrain JUA 29 Mar 2018 BHR 3/2018 Mandates: arbitrary detention, freedom of opinion and expression, human rights defenders, health Alleged victims: 1 Information received concerning the ill-treatment and sentencing of Mr. Nabeel Rajab. “Serious concern is expressed at the sentencing of Mr. Rajab to two and five year prison sentences on the basis of[…]

Rather than Address Shia Discrimination in Bahrain, US Officials Praise its Whitewashing Efforts

27 July 2018 – Yesterday, Bahrain announced the appointment of an Ambassador-at-Large for Peaceful Coexistence and Religious Freedom. This announcement was applauded by several United States (US) officials including State Department Spokesperson Heather Nauert, who also commended Bahrain’s “welcoming environment for religious minorities and their right to worship.” Americans for Democracy & Human Rights in[…]