New Saudi counter-terrorism law fails to meet international standards

On 1 November 2017, Saudi Arabia established a new counter-terrorism law. This law, consisting of 96 articles (27 of which deal solely with punishments), replaces and expands upon the last counter-terror law passed in December 2013. Instead of using the nearly four years since the last passage of law to improve legislation roundly criticized for[…]

ADHRB Welcomes House Resolution Declaring US Involvement in Yemen Unauthorized

14 November 2017 – The United States (US) House of Representatives passed on 13 November 2017 a resolution stating that American military support to the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen is not authorized under legislation passed by Congress to fight al-Qaeda or invade Iraq. The text, introduced by Representatives Ro Khanna (D-CA) and James McGovern (D-MA),[…]

Saudi activists Essam Koshak and Issa al-Nukheifi await results of postponed trials

On 29 and 30 October, Saudi Arabia tried two prominent human rights defenders, Essam Koshak and Issa al-Nukheifi respectively. Al-Nukheifi was initially arrested in 2012 after he appeared on a television program and accused Saudi authorities of corruption and human rights violations. Koshak was detained in January 2017 and accused of “inciting public opinion,” and[…]

Changes in Saudi Arabia Might Not Result in a More Open Society

Following his September announcement that Saudi Arabia’s driving ban on women will be lifted in 2018, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman this week unveiled two new measures that are part of his Vision 2030 for Saudi Arabia: the country will allow women to enter sport stadiums and it will build “NEOM,” a $500 billion mega-city[…]

ADHRB sends letter to US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson ahead of Saudi Visit

On Friday, 20 October 2017, Americans for Democracy & Human Rights in Bahrain (ADHRB) sent a letter to US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson in advance of his travel to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, raising human rights concerns in the kingdom. Sec. Tillerson is scheduled to meet with senior Saudi officials to discuss, “the conflict in[…]