Ethical Dilemmas in Diplomacy: The Biden Administration and Bahrain’s Human Rights
The United States has been increasing its focus on the Middle East since World War II. In order to maintain a consistent U.S. Navy presence in the region, the Middle East Force was established in 1949. This allowed for broader engagement, leading to a significant military partnership.
In 1971, after Bahrain gained independence from the United Kingdom, an enduring relationship was established between the United States and Bahrain. Through a bilateral agreement with the Bahraini government, the U.S. Navy took control of a former British naval base. Initially, it was named Administrative Support Unit Bahrain, but in 1999, it was transformed into a Naval Support Activity. The establishment of the U.S. Embassy in Manama in 1971, the Bahraini Embassy in Washington, D.C. in 1977, and the military presence in Bahrain are just a few examples of the historic milestones that reflect the strong and dynamic partnership between the two countries.
Ali Mahmood Mahmood (AlKahraba’ii) was a 15-year-old Bahraini school student and minor when Bahraini authorities arrested him from his grandfather’s house on 16 January 2019 without presenting an arrest warrant. During detention, he endured torture, enforced disappearance, denial of access to legal counsel, unfair trial based on confessions extracted under torture, and sectarian-based insults. Ali was sentenced to 10 years in prison, of which he served five years before being released on 8 April 2024, under a royal pardon that included 1,584 convicts.
Bahrain pardoned 1584 unjustly jailed prisoners, yet 600 remain behind bars and on death row
The pardon of more than 1500 prisoners on April 8th by Bahraini king Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa has taken activists by surprise.
While officials portray the amnesty as a benevolent gesture aimed at fostering reconciliation and healing societal divisions, it can be more accurately viewed as a calculated manoeuvre to mitigate rising domestic tensions, international pressure, and improve Bahrain’s image on the global stage.
Twin brothers Ahmed and Mahmood Mohamed Habib were 17-year-old minor students when Bahraini authorities arrested them along with some of their friends on 1 July 2015 while they were eating Suhoor during the month of Ramadan. During their detention, they were subjected to enforced disappearance, torture, sexual harassment, sectarian-based insults, and unfair trials based on confessions extracted under torture. Ahmed was sentenced to 40 years in prison, and Mahmood was sentenced to 47 years and six months in prison on politically motivated charges before being released on 8 April 2024, under a royal pardon that included 1584 convicts.
Last week, the EU announced a relaxation of Schengen visa rules for the citizens of Saudi Arabia. No human rights compromises were made in exchange. Since democracy constitutes the best umbrella under which human rights can thrive, the next question follows: What is the current state of democracy in Saudi Arabia?
Saudi Aramco-FIFA Sponsorship Deal : Another Case of Blatant Sportwashing
Aramco, a leading energy and chemicals Saudi public company, has signed a four-year global partnership with the International Association Football Federation (FIFA). The company will become FIFA’s Major Worldwide Partner exclusive in the energy category, with sponsorship rights for multiple events including the highly anticipated FIFA World Cup 26 and FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027.
Persistent UAE´s efforts to maintain critics behind bars: a new mass trial
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has invested deeply into portraying itself as a progressive, tolerant and human rights-compliant state. This strategy, however, as in other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, clashes with a reality in which activists and dissidents are detained and tried for exercising their rights to freedom of expression and association. The recent unfair trial of 84 people on charges related to the activists’ establishment of an independent advocacy group in 2010 -the Justice and Dignity Committee- is the latest example of that.
