ADHRB Weekly Newsletter #419
View this email in your browser ([link removed])


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

[link removed]


** Bahrain’s Repression of Online Dissent an Egregious Violation of Freedom of Expression
------------------------------------------------------------

In response to increasing citizen protest and activism online, especially during and after the 2011 pro-democracy movement in Bahrain, the Government of Bahrain intensified its efforts to silence peaceful criticism and intimidate activists online. Along with its overly broad and vague anti-terror law, Bahrain cracks down on dissent online through cybercrime legislation, including the Information Technology Crimes Law of 2014, which allows ([link removed]) for the prosecution of free speech online. While Bahrain’s cybercrime laws largely deal with issues like personal data protection, IT crimes, electronic transactions, and online records, the government applies State security, media regulation, and anti-terror laws to target criticism online.

The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority extensively monitors and censors ([link removed]) content on the Internet and requires all internet service providers to use its filtering system. It has also initiated internet shutdowns in response to demonstrations organized on social media and blocked websites at will. The technological tools of the government allow it to track all online activity and quickly identify critics, remove their posts, and pursue punitive measures against them.

Read the full article here ([link removed])


** Saudi Arabia
------------------------------------------------------------
[link removed]


** Repression, Brutality, Impunity: An Overview of Human Rights Defenders in Saudi Arabia
------------------------------------------------------------

For years, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has been increasing its repression of human rights defenders (HRDs). In order to silence dissidents, government authorities arbitrarily interrogate, detain and imprison HRDs under the Anti-Terrorism Law and the Anti-Cybercrime Law for their peaceful activities and human rights work. In a country where the freedom of expression, assembly, and opinion is not tolerated, the Saudi government systematically subjects HRDs to harassment and reprisals, whether they are in Saudi Arabia or abroad. Considered enemies of the State by the regime, by the end of 2020, all Saudi HRDs were ([link removed]) either in detention without charge, on trial, or serving their prison terms.

Read the full article here ([link removed])


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

[link removed]


** Sayed Husain Saeed AlKhabbaz
------------------------------------------------------------

Sayed Husain Saeed AlKhabbaz was a 17-year-old student when Bahraini authorities warrantlessly arrested him while he was in his car with his friends. Since his arrest, Sayed Husain has suffered ill-treatment and political discrimination at the hands of the Bahraini prison authorities. He remains in Jau Prison, completing the last years of his sentence.

On the evening of 22 July 2015, a civil patrol composed of officers in civilian clothing and officers from the Ministry of Interior (MoI), including riot police, security police forces and Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) officers, monitored Sayed Husain as he left his house in Salmabad with three friends. Soon after, they stopped the car in which Sayed Husain was, and asked him specifically about his personal number. They proceeded with reporting and arresting him, failing to present an arrest warrant or give a reason for the arrest.

Read the full article here ([link removed])


** GCC in the Wire
------------------------------------------------------------

- France: Four MPs Express Concern Over Bahrain's ‘human Right Violations’ ([link removed]) (Republic World)

Four French MPs have brought the worsening human rights scenario of Bahrain to the notice of France's Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs, Jean-Yves Le Drian. In recent months, France MPs have increased pressure on the French administration to stand against the ongoing human rights crimes in Bahrain.

- UK lays ground for 2022 Gulf trade talks ([link removed]) (The Independent)

The trade department is hoping to boost food and renewable energy exports to gulf states, but it will face intense human rights scrutiny.

- Saudi takeover of Newcastle leaves human rights to fog on the Tyne ([link removed]) (The Guardian)

The great game of football has always been an expression of the country and times in which it is played, so the takeover of Newcastle United by a Saudi Arabian investment fund radiates the widest of reflections about the state that England is in.

- Saudi Arabia promised to stop executions for crimes committed as a juvenile, but has it? ([link removed]) (The Washington Post)

Saudi Arabia in 2020 seemed to have put behind it a long-criticized tradition of using the death penalty for crimes committed by juveniles, but an execution over the summer has cast doubt on this particular reform. In 2020, the country's own Human Rights Commission appeared to finally announce a ban on the practice, saying that "no one in Saudi Arabia will be executed for a crime committed as a minor, in accordance with the Royal Order of March 2020."

- Former UN rights commissioner Robinson urges UAE to free activist ([link removed]) (Reuters)

Former U.N. human rights commissioner Mary Robinson, visiting Dubai, urged the United Arab Emirates on Wednesday to free a pro-democracy campaigner jailed in 2018 for criticising the government on social media.

- Allegations of human rights abuse, censorship taint Dubai Expo 2020 ([link removed]) (The Sunday Times)

A human rights advocacy group has accused the United Arab Emirates (UAE) of using the opulent Dubai Expo 2020 — in which SA is a participant — to “whitewash” alleged abuses including inhumane treatment of migrant workers and censorship of critics.

- Torture Complaint Filed Against U.A.E. Candidate For Interpol Chief ([link removed]) (Forbes)

The U.A.E.’s candidate to become the next president of international policing body Interpol is facing further opposition, with claims submitted to French prosecutors about his responsibility for the alleged torture of two men in U.A.E. custody in 2018 and 2019.

- NSO ended Pegasus contract with UAE over Dubai leader's hacking ([link removed]) (Reuters)

The Israeli-based NSO Group ended its contract with the United Arab Emirates to use its powerful "Pegasus" state spyware tool because Dubai's ruler was using it to hack the phones of his ex-wife and some close to her, her lawyers told England's High Court.


[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]