Saudi Government Deports Three Sudanese HRDs, Puts them at Risk of Torture

On 11 July, the Saudi government deported three Sudanese nationals to their home country despite the high risk that Sudanese authorities will gravely mistreat, or even torture, them. The Sudanese National Intelligence Service (NISS) detained the three upon their arrival and is now holding them at their headquarters in Khartoum North. Elgassim Mohammed Seed Ahmed[…]

UAE Implicated in Torture at Yemeni Black Sites

In late June, The Associated Press (AP) and Human Rights Watch (HRW) revealed that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has established a web 18 “black site” prisons in Yemen. Hidden in military bases, air and seaports, and private villas, these secret detention facilities have been host to a variety of human rights abuses, such as[…]

Nabeel Rajab sentenced to 2 years in absentia as unfair trial concludes

10 July 2017 –The Third Circuit Lower Criminal Court today sentenced Nabeel Rajab, President of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights, to two years in prison on charges solely based on his exercise of freedom of expression. The prosecution and trial, which were initiated by the Ministry of Interior’s Cyber Crime Directorate, are based on[…]

Profiles in Persecution: Najah Ahmed Yusuf

The Government of Bahrain has targeted numerous internationally renowned human rights defenders in reprisal for their work. Many, including Nabeel Rajab and Abdulhadi al-Khawaja, are known around the world, with their cases documented by human rights organizations, governments, and the United Nations. However, the Bahraini government’s attack on peaceful dissent and opposition has cast a[…]

Emirati Activist Ahmed Mansoor Spends 100 Days in Prison

This week marks 100 days of blogger and pro-democracy activist Ahmed Mansoor’s arbitrary imprisonment in the United Arab Emirates. Having been awarded the Martin Ennals Award for his exceptional work as a human rights defender, Mansoor is one of the most prominent activists in the Gulf region. On 20 March 2017, Mansoor was accused of[…]