Gulf Centre for Human Rights (GCHR)

In a revealing new report, rights organisations examine how systemic torture since Bahrain’s 2011 popular protests has become an intrinsic part of the country’s justice system, and the culture of impunity that persists.

The report features a summary of human rights violations in 12 countries and case updates on 557 human rights defenders across the Gulf and neighbouring countries.

Detained since 23 June 2020, activist Sanaa Seif received an 18-month sentence for protesting the horrid prison conditions prisoners in Egypt face, including her brother, jailed blogger and activist Alaa Abdel Fattah. The Gulf Centre for Human Rights joins the growing number of voices calling for her immediate release.

The recent death of Jordanian journalist Tayseer Al-Najjar from health complications contracted during a prison term in the UAE has raised alarm over the fate of thirteen prisoners of conscience, including two women activists, who remain in Emirati prisons despite serving their sentences.

As part of an ongoing campaign to “combat the spread of false news and rumours” on social media, authorities arrest eight people for their Facebook posts, including prominent Damascus-based TV presenter Hala Al-Jarf.

As prominent human rights defender Abdul-Hadi Al-Khawaja completes his tenth year in prison, over 100 rights organisations call for his immediate release.

The Gulf Centre for Human Rights calls on authorities to hold to account the perpetrators of the attack on Aden International Airport that left at least 25 dead, including Yemeni journalist Adeeb Al-Janani.

A controversial court decision has dissolved Jordan’s Teachers’ Syndicate – the country’s largest independent trade union – and its board members have been imprisoned.