EVENT SUMMARY – #TriedForTweets: Social Media Activism and State Surveillance in the GCC

16 November 2016 – Americans for Democracy & Human Rights in Bahrain (ADHRB) held an event at American University in Washington, DC, on how state surveillance by Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) governments has negatively affected human rights activists and other civil society members’ social media use. ADHRB’s Advocacy Fellow, Mobashra Tazamal, hosted the event. Panelists[…]

NGO Letter of Appeal: Human rights defender Ghada Jamsheer remains in jail despite poor health

Women’s rights defender, writer and blogger Ghada Jamsheer remains in jail in Bahrain serving a combined ten-month sentence for exercising her right to free expression on Twitter. On 7 November 2016, Jamsheer appeared before Judge Mohamed Al-Khalifa of the High Criminal Court of Appeal to request that she be freed to serve out the remainder[…]

Journalist Faisal Hayyat Facing Prison for “Defamatory” Tweets

3 November 2016 – Journalist Faisal Hayyat appeared in court today on charges related to a “defamatory” tweet. His sentencing was postponed to 29 November 2016. We, the undersigned, consider this a violation of his freedom of expression and condemn his prosecution as well as the Bahraini government’s continued criminalization of free speech. Authorities arrested[…]

ADHRB open letter to Prince Charles ahead of Bahrain visit

On 1 November 2016, Americans for Democracy & Human Rights in Bahrain (ADHRB) sent a letter to Prince Charles regarding his upcoming official country visit to Bahrain. The text of the letter is as follows: Your Royal Highness, In November, you will be taking part in an official country visit to the Kingdom of Bahrain[…]

Ahead of 31 October trial, NGOs and MEPs issue video messages in solidarity with Nabeel Rajab

On 31 October 2016, a Bahraini court will hold another hearing for the case of human rights defender Nabeel Rajab. After a series of postponed trials, the court may issue a verdict on Rajab’s case, potentially sentencing him to fifteen years in prison. Rajab faces charges that are solely related to his exercise of freedom[…]