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

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Hasan Mushaima

Updated: Mr. Hasan Mushaima is a prominent Bahraini opposition figure and political prisoner who has been serving his life sentence 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 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. 

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

The Bahraini Constitution of 2002 stipulates 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, which has been amended several times, most recently in 2019.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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 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” 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.

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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”. However, the reality is that it has been used as a tool of repression against dissenting voices, especially since the Arab Spring in 2011.

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