UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Criticises Increasing Bahrain Rights Repression

13 June 2016 – The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights today warned that repression “will not eliminate people’s grievances” in his opening statement at the 32nd UN Human Rights Council session, in a statement welcomed by the undersigned NGOs. High Commissioner Prince Zeid bin Ra’ad Al-Hussain stated: At least 250 people in Bahrain have[…]

UN Special Procedures: Bahrain Continues to Suppress Freedom of Expression

The Special Procedures of the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) released the 14th iteration of their joint communications report on Friday, May 27, 2016. In the latest communications, the Special Procedures cited three cases of violations, singling out Bahrain as among the worst offenders of human rights. The Special Rapporteurs on Expression, Human Rights[…]

Bahrain: where a tweet can earn you five years in prison

In March 2015, Saudi Arabia led a coalition of 32 states as part of its campaign against Houthi rebels in Yemen. Members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) united under this campaign, including the island kingdom of Bahrain. On 26 March 2015, the same day Bahraini officials announced they would be taking part in the[…]

UN Special Procedures release Joint Communications Report for HRC32

The Special Procedures of the United Nations Human Rights Council released the 14th iteration of their joint communications report on Friday, May 27, 2016, documenting allegations of human rights abuses from around the world. In the most recent edition of the report, the Special Procedures singled out Bahrain and Saudi Arabia as among the worst[…]

In or Out of Prison, Bahraini HRDs Face Hard Times

The situation of human rights defenders and activists in Bahrain is precarious. Today, one of the most prominent of these activists, Zainab al-Khawaja, sits in a prison cell along with her infant son. She is sick with the flu and her family has been denied access to care for her or her child. Zainab al-Khawaja[…]