International Coalition of NGOs Call on the United States to Immediately Halt Proposed Arms Sales to the United Arab Emirates

30 November – 29 arms control and human rights organizations have signed a letter opposing the sale of $23 billion worth of missiles, fighter jets and drones to the United Arab Emirates and asking the U.S. Congress to block the deal. “We the undersigned non-governmental organizations write in opposition to the United States government’s plans[…]

Appointment of UAE Ministry of Interior Official to the Presidency of INTERPOL

  19 international human rights organizations sent a letter to the Secretary-General of Interpol, during which they expressed their concern about the nomination of Major General Ahmed Nasser Al-Raisi, Inspector General of the UAE Ministry of Interior, to head the Interpol for the elections that will be held in Abu Dhabi on November 7 and[…]

US – Gulf Relations: Congressional responsibility in the protection of human rights

The United States Constitution places Congress as a coequal branch of the Federal Government and specifically makes clear its authority to regulate and hold accountable the actions of the President, even in the field of foreign affairs. Federal statutes also lay out the mechanisms by which private arms sales can be made to foreign governments:[…]

Kuwait, the Bidoon and Government Critics: How the Kuwaiti Authority Continues to Practice Torture to Suppress Minorities and Opposition Voices

Stateless individuals, human rights defenders and government critics are routinely subjected to torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment within the country of Kuwait. This is despite Kuwait being party to the United Nations Convention Against Torture (CAT) which stipulates prohibitions on such actions and strictly requires state parties to implement effective legislative, administrative, judicial[…]

Dispatch on Spanish Arm Sales to the Gulf Region

Spain has consistently demonstrated its strong economic interest in the Middle East, especially in regards to its arms sales to the Gulf states. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), Spain was the 7th largest exporter of arms during the period 2015-2019, with Australia, Singapore and Saudi Arabia as its top 3 clients.[…]