ADHRB Weekly Newsletter #362
View this email in your browser ([link removed])
** Bahrain
------------------------------------------------------------
[link removed]
**
------------------------------------------------------------
** The Next US Ambassador and the Formulation of Human Rights in Bahrain
------------------------------------------------------------
The recent departure of the US Ambassador to the Kingdom of Bahrain, Justin Hicks Siberell, has prompted questions in Congress about America’s moral and strategic role in the Middle East. A career diplomat and counterterrorism expert, Ambassador Siberell worked closely with the Bahraini government to ensure regional security from the lens of counterterrorism. However, despite these counterterrorism efforts, Ambassador Siberell did nothing to stop the Bahraini government from arbitrarily incarcerating large numbers of its citizens and violating countless other domestic and international human rights laws; instead he was constantly celebrating new arms deals and national security advancements.
There is no dispute about the fact that the current US policy toward Bahrain lacks any regards to human rights or serious political reforms. In confirming the next ambassador to Bahrain, the US Senate needs assurances that they will prioritize stopping further de-liberalization, protecting civil liberties, and creating real accountability to ensure basic human rights, and as importantly genuine political stability.
Read the full article here. ([link removed])
** Profile in Persecution
------------------------------------------------------------
[link removed]
**
Ahmed Khalil Ahmed
------------------------------------------------------------
Ahmed Khalil Ahmed, a Bahraini General Medicine Graduate, was arbitrarily arrested from his parents in law’s house one night in November 2015, after it had been broken into by masked men in civilian clothes, riot police officers and National Security Agency officers. During his arrest, interrogation and imprisonment, he was subjected to severe methods of torture and ill treatment. Ahmed was one of the 115 (out of 138) Bahraini citizens convicted by the Bahraini Fourth High Criminal Court on 15 May 2018, for their alleged involvement in a terrorist cell, called the “Zulfiqar Brigades”. Americans for Democracy and Human Rights in Bahrain (ADHRB) raised a complaint through the UN Complaint Program concerning the convicted individuals in this particular case. He was sentenced to life in prison and was stripped of his nationality. He now resides in Jau Prison in Bahrain with the rest of his inmates convicted in the same case.
Ahmed was arrested on 3 November 2015 from his parents’ in law’s house in the village of Karbabad at 2 am, where there was no arrest warrant issued nor a reason for the arrest. Masked men dressed in civilian clothes, riot police officers, and National Security Agency officers, jumped over the home’s fence and broke in unannounced. Electronic devices, such as cellphones and personal computers, belonging to Ahmed, his wife and his father in law were confiscated. Following his arrest from his father in law’s house, they took him to his father’s house, broke the gate of the garage, which was repurposed as Ahmed’s office. They destroyed many of his possessions, the house’s kitchenware and even some medical supplies. In addition, they confiscated money from Ahmad’s room, along with his car. Ahmed’s parents were taken and locked into different rooms, while the forces planted evidence in the house to be used against Ahmed later on. Even Ahmed’s younger brother’s toy guns were placed in
Ahmed’s room as weapons. His privacy was gravely violated when the forces took all his personal photos of his and his wife’s engagement, where she was without a veil.
Read the full report here. ([link removed])
** Around the Gulf
------------------------------------------------------------
[link removed]
** WTO Urged To Reject Saudi Arabia’s Nominee For Director General
------------------------------------------------------------
In a letter released today, 19 organizations across the United States and Europe are urging World Trade Organization member states to reject Saudi Arabia’s nominee for the position of WTO Director General.
Saudi Arabia’s nominee Mohammed al-Tuwaijri is a minister-ranked advisor to the Saudi Royal Court and a board member of the government’s controversial sovereign wealth fund. Al-Tuwaijri formerly served as Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Economy during one of the worst government crackdowns against human rights defenders and peaceful dissidents in Saudi Arabia’s recent history.
Read the full article here. ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------
** GCC in the Wire
------------------------------------------------------------
**
------------------------------------------------------------
**
------------------------------------------------------------
** - U.S. imposes Iran-related sanctions on UAE-based companies, individual (Reuters) ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------
The United States on Wednesday imposed sanctions on two UAE-based companies, accusing them of providing support to U.S.-blacklisted Mahan Air.
** - Saudi-Led Coalition Downs Drone, Ballistic Missile Launched by Yemen's Houthis (New York Times) ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------
The Saudi-led coalition on Saturday intercepted and destroyed an explosive-laden drone and a ballistic missile fired by Yemen's Houthis towards Saudi Arabia's southern region, state news agency SPA reported, citing a coalition spokesman.
- Trump Administration Pushes Arms Sale to U.A.E. Despite Israeli Worries (New York Times) ([link removed])
The Trump White House is quietly planning sales of F-35 stealth fighters and advanced drones to the Emiratis as part of a wider plan to realign the Middle East, but Israel and Congress may object.
- UN Funding Crisis Cuts Aid to Yemen as It Slides Near Famine (New York Times) ([link removed])
A senior U.N. official warned Tuesday that war-torn Yemen is sliding toward famine as the coronavirus spreads and its economy implodes — all amid a funding crisis that is forcing the United Nations to make deeper aid cuts, including stopping treatment for 250,000 severely malnourished children.
- Shadows over Qatar’s sporting project as PSG plays CL final (AP) ([link removed])
An Élysée Palace lunch a decade ago deepened the sports business bonds between Qatar and France ahead of the takeover of Paris Saint-Germain. Now the $1 billion-plus invested in the club could finally lead to European football’s biggest prize being collected on Sunday.
- UAE records 435 new COVID-19 infections, one death as cases rise (Reuters) ([link removed])
The United Arab Emirates on Wednesday recorded its highest daily number of COVID-19 infections in over a month, a day after the health minister warned cases may rise.
[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: ** info@adhrb.org (mailto:info@adhrb.org)
** 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 xxxxxx@gmail.com (mailto:xxxxxx@gmail.com)
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]
