Yemen Devastated by Saudi-Influenced Famine

A recent report released by Human Rights Watch (HRW) states that Saudi Arabia may have committed acts during the ongoing war in Yemen that amount to war crimes. During the conflict between the Saudi-led coalition and Houthi rebels, HRW has documented 87 apparently unlawful attacks by the coalition, killing nearly 1,000 Yemeni civilians. HRW also[…]

Saudi Arabia Grants Citizenship to a Robot, Drawing Attention to Enduring Gender Inequalities

In late October, Saudi Arabia granted a robot, called Sophia, citizenship, making it the first robot in the world to officially become the citizen of a state. However, the decision to grant Sophia the privileges of a Saudi national has engendered sharp criticism concerning the kingdom’s treatment of women, in particular the continued imposition of[…]

UPDATED: ADHRB and ESOHR Condemn Munir Al Adam’s Impending Death Sentence

**Update 23 April 2019 – Today, the Saudi government carried out the executions of 37 men, including Munir Al Adam. His case had drawn the attention of UN bodies, including Special Procedures (SAU 5/2016 and SAU 7/2017), and the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) issued a decision on his case finding Saudi Arabia in violation of its[…]

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),[…]