Verdict in Appeal for Bahraini Human Rights Defender Nabeel Rajab set for 5 June

21 May 2018 – On Sunday, 20 May 2018, Bahrain’s High Court of Appeal adjourned until 5 June to issue its ruling on whether to uphold the five-year prison sentence against human rights defender Nabeel Rajab on charges that patently violate his right to free expression. Rajab is currently serving a total of seven years[…]

Leading Human Rights Defender Nabeel Rajab Could Face Another 14 Cases as Appeal Postponed in Bahrain

8 May 2018 – A Bahraini court today adjourned the appeal hearing of imprisoned human rights defender Nabeel Rajab until 20 May 2018. This is the second hearing after Rajab decided to appeal his 21 February 2018 conviction on politically motivated charges of “spreading false rumors in time of war,” “insulting public authorities,” and “insulting a foreign[…]

Oman Continues to Target Writers and Activists

On 2 April 2018, the Appeals Court in Muscat, Oman upheld the three-year sentence of writer and online activist, Abdullah Habib on charges concerning “state public order”. While the Court suspended two-and-a-half years of his sentence, he has been sent to Samail Central Prison to serve the remaining six months of his term. This recent[…]

On World Press Freedom Day, the Gulf Countries Remain Areas of Grave Concern

Today marks the United Nation’s 25th World Press Freedom Day – celebrating the fundamental principles of press freedom and evaluating its status around the world. As Americans for Democracy & Human Rights in Bahrain (ADHRB) participates in the 25th United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) commemoration of the event in Accra, Ghana –[…]

Top Officials Endorse Police Campaign Against Digital Rights in Bahrain

11 April 2018 – Two weeks ago, Bahrain’s Ministry of Interior (MOI) announced it would expand efforts to suppress online criticism and arrested five individuals on charges related to “misuse of social media” or similar allegations. Bahraini state media reports indicate that the number of digital rights arrests has grown to at least 12[1] since[…]