Continued Arms Sales to Saudi Arabia and UAE Undermine Congressional Authority

In May 2019, the Trump Administration approved a new shipment of arms to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) valued at $8 billion, as part of an ‘emergency’ sale meant to bolster regional allies and counter regional aggression. By tagging the sales as for an ‘emergency’ the administration is able to avoid Congressional[…]

Austria Set to Close Saudi-funded Interfaith Center for Religious Dialogue in Vienna

The Austrian government is moving to close the Saudi-funded interfaith center, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz International Centre for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue (KAICIID), in Vienna.  On 12 June 2019, Austrian Members of Parliament (MPs) voted on a resolution demanding that the interfaith center be shut down. The measure was part of a larger attempt to[…]

UPDATED: Nicki Minaj Backs Out of Saudi Arabia Performance Amid Pressure from Human Rights Groups

***On 9 July 2019, Nicki Minaj cancelled her performance in Saudi Arabia in support of women and LGBTQ rights.  Despite ongoing and systematic human rights violations in Saudi Arabia, popular foreign musicians continue to perform in the kingdom. While Saudi Arabia’s lifting of the ban on female drivers last year seemed like a step in the[…]

ADHRB Condemns Saudi Arabia’s Use of Death Penalty in Contravention to UPR Recommendations

4On 5 July 2019, during the 41st session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Americans for Democracy & Human Rights in Bahrain (ADHRB) delivered an oral statement during the Item 6 General Debate, drawing the Council’s attention to Saudi Arabia’s failure to comply with 3rd Cycle UPR recommendations. Underlining the government’s continued implementation[…]

ADHRB submitted a written statement to the Human Rights Council about the use of capital punishment in Saudi Arabia

Americans for Democracy and Human Rights in Bahrain (ADHRB) put forth a written statement to the Human Rights Council. The submission raises concerns about the use of capital punishment in Saudi Arabia, in particular against dissidents and peaceful protesters. In view of the increasing imposition of the death penalty over the past several years, the[…]