Saudi Arabia: When Impunity becomes a Policy of the Kingdom

In June 2017, Mohammed bin Salman (MbS) was appointed as the new heir to the throne of Saudi Arabia. Before his appointment, little was known about MbS on the international stage. Many prominent Americans with Saudi ties were eager to frame him as a progressive modernising reformer. This could be said for certain surface-level reforms,[…]

Profiles in Persecution: Ali Mahmood Husain Mahmood

Ali was a 15-year-old student when he was arrested for the second time on 16 January 2019. He was violently arrested by officers and beaten in front of all his neighbors. He has since been subjected to torture. Today, Ali is 16 years old and is imprisoned in the New Dry Dock Detention Centre. Ali[…]

Profiles in Persecution: Husain Ali Mohamed

Husain is a high school student. When he was 11 years old, he was arrested for a week with no reason provided; at age 13 he was arrested again. Husain was 17 when he was recently arrested twice and subjected to arbitrary detention and torture. During his detention he missed out on his high school[…]

Profiles in Persecution: Haider Jaafar Khair

Haider Jaafar Khair was a high school student when he was arrested at his family’s house. His arrest was warrantless, and, before his trial, Haider was constantly transferred between locations. His lawyer was not present during his interrogation and he was subjected to an unfair trial. He remains in the New Dry Dock Detention Centre.[…]

UAE: Strong Ally of the West with a Turbulent Torture Record

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) government has an extensive history of using torture against those they percieve as a threat; this ‘threat’ most commonly includes human rights defenders, political opposition, religious figures, and journalists. On 19 July 2012, the UAE acceded to the United Nations Convention against Torture (UNCAT), which details obligations that the government[…]