ADHRB Newsletter

ADHRB Weekly Newsletter #441
View this email in your browser ([link removed])


** Bahrain
------------------------------------------------------------


** Exposing Hypocrisy: The EU’s Failure to Defend Human Rights in the Case of Abdulhadi al-Khawaja
------------------------------------------------------------

In 2011, Abdulhadi al-Khawaja ([link removed]) , a prominent Bahraini-Danish human rights defender, was arrested for advocating for civil and political freedoms in Bahrain. He was convicted under an emergency royal decree issued in response to widespread protests against the regime that year. The royal decree, entitled “State of National Safety”, enables authorities to prosecute individuals for any ‘crime’ threatening the state of national safety. While the rights for freedom of expression and association are included in the Bahraini constitution, the judges ruled that those provisions “are not applicable in themselves,” and that the emergency decree overrides these laws.


Read the full article here ([link removed])


** Profile in Persecution
------------------------------------------------------------


** Hasan Mushaima
------------------------------------------------------------

Updated: Mr. Hasan Mushaima is a prominent Bahraini opposition figure and political prisoner who has been serving hislife sentence ([link removed]) in Jau Prison since 2011 after being charged with attempting to overthrow the government in light of his role in the pro-democracy demonstrations. During his imprisonment, authorities have been subjecting the 76-year-old to maltreatment and medical negligence. He has been in prolonged solitary confinement since July 2021 at the Kanoo Medical Center as a retaliatory measure. On 16 November 2023, the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (WGAD)adopted ([link removed]) an opinion concerning four elderly Bahraini opposition leaders, including Mr. Hasan Mushaima, concluding their
detention as arbitrary and calling for their immediate and unconditional release, as well as a thorough and independent investigation into the violations of their rights.


Read the full article ([link removed]) here ([link removed])


** Bahrain
------------------------------------------------------------


** Arbitrary Deprivation of Nationality in Bahrain: A Legal and Human Rights Crisis
------------------------------------------------------------

The Bahraini Constitution of 2002 stipulates ([link removed]) that “a person cannot be deprived of its citizenship except in cases of treason” and as provided by law. The acquisition, loss, and withdrawal of citizenship are governed by the Bahraini Citizenship Act of 1963 ([link removed]) , which has been amended several times, most recently in 2019.


Read the full article ([link removed]) here ([link removed])


** Profile in Persecution
------------------------------------------------------------


** Mohamed Hasan Abdulla (AlRamel)
------------------------------------------------------------



Updated: Mohamed Hasan Abdulla (AlRamel) was a 55-year-old carpenter when he was arrested on 3 November 2015 during a raid on his house. During his detention, he was tortured, sexually harassed, and threatened before being convicted of charges based on planted evidence. He is currently serving his life sentence in Jau Prison, isolated in Building 2 with criminal inmates convicted of drug offenses. Furthermore, the Jau Prison administration continues to refuse him life-saving treatment and doctor appointments for his medical condition, despite his numerous hunger strikes, the latest of which has been ongoing since 28 May 2024.


Read the full article ([link removed]) here ([link removed])


** Bahrain
------------------------------------------------------------


** Assessing Bahrain’s Rule of Law and Accountability in Preventing Human Rights Violations
------------------------------------------------------------

Bahrain has faced significant criticism due to its local laws and practices that violate international human rights obligations, specifically regarding the freedom of assembly and expression of opinion. Bahrain has been accused of using arbitrary arrests and unfair trials, as well as torture and medical negligence, as reprisals against opponents and human rights defenders. The Bahraini judiciary has also been criticized for its lack of independence. The UN and international criticisms resulted in a limited response from the Bahraini government, which, in response to the recommendations of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI), established institutions such as the National Institution for Human Rights (NIHR) in 2009 and the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) in 2012 with the aim of protecting human rights and investigating any related violations. However, these institutions have failed to fulfill their role, and their work has been widely criticized. Given Bahrain’s recurrent
violations of international laws and norms, it is imperative to critically evaluate both national and international legal frameworks and their accountability mechanisms.


Read the full article ([link removed]) here ([link removed])


** Profile in Persecution
------------------------------------------------------------


** Jalal Labbad
------------------------------------------------------------

Currently, Jalal Labbad is sentenced to death for crimes committed when he was a juvenile. Jalal is a young man who represents critical issues concerning human rights, legal fairness and the treatment of religious minorities in Saudi Arabia. His case embodies the harsh and unjust application of the death penalty in Saudi Arabia.


Read the full article here ([link removed])



** United Arab Emirates
------------------------------------------------------------


** Human Rights in the UAE: Insights from the Fourth Universal Periodic Review
------------------------------------------------------------

During the fourth Universal Periodic Review (UPR) cycle of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), numerous recommendations were made by states urging human rights reforms across various thematic areas, especially freedom of expression, death penalty, torture, independence of the judiciary and fair trial. In total, 323 recommendations were presented to the State under Review (SuR) by 117 delegations. However, it is noted that the UAE accepted 198 of these recommendations. Americans for Democracy & Human Rights in Bahrain (ADHRB) emphasizes the importance of urging the UAE Government to reconsider its stance on these recommendations. While awaiting further updates and developments on the outcomes of the UPR process, continued pressure and advocacy are necessary to ensure that the UAE fulfills its commitments to human rights reform and addresses the concerns raised by the international community.


Read the full article here ([link removed])



** Saudi Arabia
------------------------------------------------------------


** Advanced arms and technology for a monarchy with an appalling human rights record: the US-Saudi Arabia Security Pact
------------------------------------------------------------

A security guarantee, assistance in developing a nuclear program, and more unrestricted arms sales in exchange for the normalization of Israeli-Saudi relations is what the Biden administration proposes ([link removed]) to Saudi Arabia in a bilateral agreement that is close to being finalized between the two countries. Long gone are Biden’s words in the 2019 Democratic primary elections declaring Saudi Arabia’s state as a “pariah ([link removed]) ” after the murder of Jamal Khashoggi at the hands of Saudi intelligence officials in Turkey. According to the new Biden posture, the kingdom is now worthy of a security guarantee.


Read the full article here ([link removed])



** United Arab Emirates
------------------------------------------------------------


** 50 Years Since the Establishment of the UAE State Security Apparatus: a Look into Years of Repression and Lies.
------------------------------------------------------------

The State Security Apparatus (SSA) was set up by Federal Decree on June 10 1974 with the purpose to “protect the State security ([link removed]) ”. However, the reality is that it has been used as a tool of repression ([link removed]) against dissenting voices, especially since the Arab Spring in 2011.


Read the full article here ([link removed])


** Kuwait
------------------------------------------------------------


** Women’s rights in Kuwait: a road full of obstacles
------------------------------------------------------------

The women’s rights situation in Kuwait is similar to that of other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, where the male guardianship system limits women’s autonomy to make decisions about their lives.

Read the full article here ([link removed])



** Saudi Arabia
------------------------------------------------------------


** Incomprehensible ideas to address climate change: a futuristic ski resort in the middle of the Saudi desert
------------------------------------------------------------

Snow-covered mountains, people skiing, and luxury accommodations are some of the images Saudi Arabia wants to imprint in people’s minds about Trojena, one of four major parts, alongside The Line, Oxagon, and Sindalah, of the Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s brainchild: “NEOM”, a $550 billion “giga-project” that aims to show the world Saudi Arabia’s grand ambitions in matters of sustainability.

Read the full article here ([link removed])



** United Arab Emirates
------------------------------------------------------------


** How the UAE is adding fuel to the fire in the Sudan war
------------------------------------------------------------

The ongoing civil war in Sudan, characterised by relentless violence and humanitarian crises, has been significantly exacerbated by the covert intervention of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Operating under the pretext of humanitarian aid for refugees, the UAE has been secretly supporting one faction in the conflict. This includes providing advanced weaponry and drones, intensifying the violence, and worsening the humanitarian situation.

Read the full article here ([link removed])
[link removed]

============================================================


Are you a victim of a human rights abuse in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, or other GCC states?

Document your case with the Special Procedures of the United Nations through
** ADHRB's UN Complaint Program ([link removed])
.

Copyright © 2017 ADHRB, All rights reserved.
Contact us at: ** [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])

** unsubscribe from this list ([link removed])
| ** update subscription preferences ([link removed])

** Twitter ([link removed])
** Twitter ([link removed])
** Facebook ([link removed])
** Facebook ([link removed])
** Website ([link removed])
** Website ([link removed])
** YouTube ([link removed])
** YouTube ([link removed])

This email was sent to [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])
why did I get this? ([link removed]) unsubscribe from this list ([link removed]) update subscription preferences ([link removed])
Americans for Democracy and Human Rights in Bahrain . 1001 Connecticut Avenue NW . Suite 205 . Washington, DC 20036 . USA

Email Marketing Powered by Mailchimp
[link removed]