On February 17, 2020, 8 UN Special Rapporteurs have expressed “grave concern” about the mistreatment of political prisoners Hajer Mansoor, Medina Ali and Nabeel Rajab in Bahraini detention centres, “which may amount to torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.”  In a letter to the Bahraini government, the experts documented a range of abuses conducted by prison staff, including medical negligence, religious discrimination and harassment. Husain Abdulla, Executive Director at Americans for Democracy & Human Rights in Bahrain (ADHRB) commented: “The revelations contained in this letter from 8 UN experts should be an alarm bell to all international governments that claim to defend democracy and human rights, particularly those in Washington and London.  Hajer and Nabeel continue to languish in arbitrary detention, subject to treatment which may amount to torture.”

Read the full statement here.

New and Notable

HRC43 Written Statement: Bahrain’s Death Penalty
Profile in Persecution: Fadhel Abbas Isa

In May 2019, Amnesty International marked Saudi Arabia’s disgraceful “Year of Shame” in remembrance of a year’s passing since the arrest of several prominent women human rights defenders (WHRDs). Amnesty International stated that “a year ago, the authorities started locking up some of Saudi Arabia’s bravest women activists, instead of celebrating hand in hand steps that should have served to advance the rights of women in the country.” Despite reforms that appear to work towards progress and modernization, Saudi authorities have cracked down on WHRDs while utilizing the media to further discredit female activists as traitors to the kingdom; and they have continuously repressed activists and dissidents for peaceful activities.

Read the full report here.