UAE: UN Experts Raise Serious Concerns over Conditions of Detention

March 19 – On March 17 2020, United Nations (UN) human rights experts urged the United Arab Emirates to conduct an investigation into, and reform prisons where conditions of detention are said to amount to “torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment”. The UN experts are quoted saying: the “UAE has the responsibility[…]

Profiles in Persecution : Ahmed Hasan AlMadhoon

Ahmed Hasan AlMadhoon was a 19 year old bus driver when he was violently arrested, for unknown reasons, on 14 March 2015. Since then, he has been subjected to torture, enforced disappearance and convicted in an unfair trial. Currently, Ahmed is serving a sentence in Jau Prison. On 14 March 2015 while Ahmed was at[…]

Prominent Political and Human Rights Activists Excluded from Bahrain Prison Release

18 March 2020 – Bahrain has released a significant proportion of its prison population amid rising panic over the spread of Coronavirus, but prominent political leaders and human rights defenders have been excluded, the Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy (BIRD) and Americans for Democracy & Human Rights in Bahrain (ADHRB) said today. Last Thursday,[…]

Formula 1 Announce Postponement of Bahrain Grand Prix Due to Coronavirus Risk

13 February 2020 – Today, Formula 1 (F1) announced that the 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix, which was due to take place next Sunday, will be postponed amid concerns over the spread of coronavirus. The announcement follows the cancellation of the Australia Grand Prix early this morning, while the Vietnam Grand Prix, due to begin in[…]

Profiles in Persecution: Abdulla Ali AlSemoom

Abdulla Ali AlSemoon, a former professional footballer who played for the Bahrain National Football team (2007-8) as well as Busaiteen Club, is currently arbitrarily imprisoned in Jau Prison. On 19 April 2014, Abdulla was arrested when a bomb went off in his car. After being transferred to hospital he was later subjected to torture and[…]