ADHRB Strongly Condemns UNs Succumbing to Saudi Pressure

6 June 2016 – Americans for Democracy & Human Rights in Bahrain (ADHRB) strongly condemns the United Nations politically motivated decision to remove the Saudi Arabia-led Arab coalition from its list of states and armed groups that violate children’s rights. The General Secretary’s announcement came just 72 hours after the UN made the list public.[…]

Allegations of Torture and Discrimination Raise Tensions in Kuwait

A Kuwaiti court recently convicted 22 Shia citizens and an Iranian national of offenses based on accusations of espionage and the intention to undertake “hostile acts” on behalf of Iran and Hezbollah, reportedly leading to an escalation of sectarian tensions in Kuwait. The charges came after security forces raided several farmhouses along the Iraqi border and[…]

ADHRB: Saudi must release al-Shubaily & ACPRA members

On 29 May 2016 the Specialized Criminal Court (SCC), Saudi Arabia’s terrorism tribunal sentenced Abdulaziz al-Shubaily to eight years in prison. Charges against the human rights activist include “inciting disorder by calling for demonstrations,” “participating in the founding of an unlicensed organization” and committing the crime of “communicating with foreign bodies and providing them with reports that[…]

Bahrain: where a tweet can earn you five years in prison

In March 2015, Saudi Arabia led a coalition of 32 states as part of its campaign against Houthi rebels in Yemen. Members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) united under this campaign, including the island kingdom of Bahrain. On 26 March 2015, the same day Bahraini officials announced they would be taking part in the[…]

NGOs condemn death penalties upheld based on coerced confessions, amid alarming rise of court sentences against political prisoners

We, the undersigned NGOs, strongly condemn the Bahraini government’s use of the death penalty, lengthy imprisonment sentences, and revocation of citizenship, amid ongoing credible allegations of torture, ill-treatment and deprivation of due process. On 31 May 2016, an appeals court in Bahrain upheld the death sentences of three individuals – Sami Mushaima, Abbas Al-Samea, and[…]