On 14 October 2019, five United Nations (UN) Special Procedures offices sent an Allegation Letter to Bahrain concerning the trial of the so-called “Zulfiqar Brigades,” a mass trial of 138 defendants, in which 115 were convicted. The Special Procedures offices sent a previous communication on 5 November 2018, detailing allegations of enforced disappearances, torture to coerce confessions, and unfair trial practices, including in absentia hearings and denial of access to legal counsel. As of the letter’s publication, Bahrain has not sent a reply to the follow-up communication.

Read the full statement here.

New and Notable

Profiles in Persecution: Sadiq Jaafar AlAbd

French MPs Pancher and Hammouche Table Two Written Questions on Bahrain

Four UN Special Procedures offices sent an allegation letter addressed to Saudi Arabia regarding the adverse effects of international military intervention  on human rights in Yemen. The Special Procedures called upon Saudi Arabia to comment on the ongoing human rights violations in Yemen, to clarify what measures are being taken to protect and respect human rights in Yemen, and to punish those who are responsible.

Read the full statement here.