We found 600 results for "Bahrain"
Blog
Russian Forces Attack Medical Facilities Across Ukraine
March 28, 2023
By Brian Dooley Kharkiv Oblast, Ukraine: I’m with Mike Breen of Human Rights First, about ten miles from the Russian border in the northeastern villages…
Blog
As Human Rights Researchers Denied Entry to Bahrain, U.S. Embassy Stays Silent
March 10, 2023
By Brian Dooley It’s fair to say that Bahrain’s ruling family doesn’t do well with negative feedback. Its peaceful critics are in jail, framed for being…
Blog
No Room For Silence in Hong Kong’s Mass Trial
February 6, 2023
By Brian Dooley Hundreds of people queued up this morning for 39 public seats available at the opening day of Hong Kong’s mass trial of…
Blog
Crimean Human Rights Lawyers Appeal for Solidarity in Wake of Attacks
November 22, 2022
By Brian Dooley KYIV: The Crimean Solidarity movement was set up by lawyers, journalists, and relatives of those arrested following the Russian invasion of Crimea…
Statement
Statement before Tom Lantos Commission: “Say Their Names”
November 1, 2022
On November 1, 2022, Human Rights First Senior Advisor Brian Dooley addressed the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission on the issue of Bahrain's 2022 elections.…
Blog
November Offers Ideal Time for Bahrain to Release Jailed Activists
October 6, 2022
By Brian Dooley Big month ahead for Bahrain: November will see elections, scrutiny of the country’s human rights record under the United Nations Universal Periodic…
Topics
MIDDLE EAST
September 19, 2022
The U.S. Government’s Middle East Policies Should Prioritize Human Rights For decades the United States has backed Middle Eastern dictatorships in the name of “stability.”…
Topics
BAHRAIN
September 19, 2022
As a close ally of Bahrain, the United States should back those fighting for their rights. Since the beginning of the democratic uprising in Bahrain…
Blog
A Taste of Normal Life in a Ukrainian City at War
August 11, 2022
KHARKIV — Finding a slice of normalcy during war is a strong instinct for many people. Activists all over the world stress the importance of clinging…
Letter
Joint NGO Letter to Formula 1
March 26, 2022
24 March 2021 Dear Stefano Domenicali, We, the undersigned organisations, are writing to you in your capacity as the new CEO of Formula 1 to…
The Roger N. Baldwin Medal of Liberty Award
March 15, 2022
The Roger N. Baldwin Medal of Liberty Award was established in 1989 and named in honor of the principal founder of the American Civil Liberties…
Blog
Biden Administration Should Move to End a Decade of Pain in Bahrain
November 22, 2021
Exactly ten years ago today I was sitting in a Bahraini royal palace witnessing an extraordinary event. An international lawyer, who had been appointed by…
Letter
Time for Biden to Call for Prisoner Releases in Bahrain as Medical Neglect Continues
June 3, 2021
Abduljalil Al Singace is one of the Bahraini activists tortured in 2011 and given a life sentence in prison for his peaceful dissent against the…
Press
The U.S. Must Deliver on its Commitment to Afghan Allies, Not Send Them to a Third Country
May 27, 2021
WASHINGTON — With the withdrawal of U.S. military forces from Afghanistan proceeding swiftly, the fate of more than 17,000 Afghans who served American forces and…
Blog
Lessons for the Next US Ambassador to Bahrain
May 7, 2021
By Brian Dooley It looks like Steven Bondy is to be the next U.S. Ambassador to Bahrain. President Joe Biden has nominated him for the…
Blog
COVID Outbreak in Prison Sparks New Protests in Bahrain
April 6, 2021
After years of relative quiet, something new is stirring in Bahrain. The kingdom’s security forces seem unsure how to react. Conditions in the country’s main…
Letter
The F1 Grand Prix: A Chance to Spotlight Bahrain’s Abysmal Record on Rights
March 26, 2021
The tiny island kingdom of Bahrain will make global headlines this weekend as it hosts the prestigious Formula 1 Grand Prix auto race. Access to…
Letter
For the Biden Administration, 10 Lessons from 10 Years of U.S. Mideast Policy
January 12, 2021
The Arab Spring uprisings began ten years ago, taking the U.S. government and most of the rest of the world by surprise. The Obama administration’s…
Press
Human Rights First Honors Hong Kong Human Rights Defender Albert Ho with Baldwin Medal of Liberty Award
December 3, 2020
Hong Kong lawyer and advocate has been a leading figure in the pro-democracy movement Washington, D.C. – Human Rights First announced today that it will award…
Press
Human Rights First Welcomes Release of Nabeel Rajab From Prison
June 9, 2020
WASHINGTON – Today’s release from prison of Bahrain human rights defender Nabeel Rajab is a major, welcome move by the government there. “This is a…
Blog
Hong Kong’s Inquiry Into Police Behavior Falls At First Hurdle
May 27, 2020
By Brian Dooley It’s big and it’s biased. The new study by Hong Kong’s Independent Police Complaints Council (IPCC) into police behaviour since the mass…
Press
Human Rights First Calls for Nominations for 29th Annual Roger N. Baldwin Medal of Liberty Award
May 18, 2020
WASHINGTON – Human Rights First today announced that nominations are now open for the 2020 Roger N. Baldwin Medal of Liberty Award. Nominations for the…
Press
Human Right First’s Brian Dooley to Advise UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders
May 12, 2020
WASHINGTON – Human Rights First is proud to announce that Brian Dooley, who works for the organization as a senior advisor on human rights movements…
Blog
Four Reasons Middle East Governments Should Release Prisoners
March 28, 2020
The clamor to release elderly, sick, and political prisoners is growing. Dozens of NGOs and civil society organizations have urged the immediate release of prisoners because of the COVID-19…
Blog
Putin Presses Gulf Advantage with Saudi Visit
October 11, 2019
Saudi Arabia is again showing Washington what a great ally it is by hosting Russian President Vladimir Putin on a visit to Riyadh in the…
Letter
Coalition Letter Opposing Nomination of Marshall Billingslea to Department of State’s Senior Human Rights Position
September 17, 2019
September 17, 2019 Dear Senators: We are a group of non-governmental organizations that advocate for human rights, civil rights, and government accountability. We are writing…
Letter
Coalition Letter in Support of Saudi Arabia Human Rights and Accountability Act of 2019
July 2, 2019
Dear Chairman McGovern and Ranking Member Cole, We, the undersigned organizations dedicated to the promotion and protection of universal human rights, write to voice our…
Press
Human Rights, Media Freedom Groups Call on Congress for Justice for Khashoggi
March 14, 2019
Washington, D.C.—A group of 11 human rights organizations led by Human Rights First today called on the leaders of the House Foreign Affairs Committee to undertake additional action concerning the killing of Jamal Khashoggi, the Saudi…
Letter
Open Letter from Non-Governmental Organizations in Support of a Targeted, Global EU Human Rights Sanctions Regime
December 5, 2018
December 05, 2018 OPEN LETTER FROM NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS IN SUPPORT OF A TARGETED, GLOBAL EU HUMAN RIGHTS SANCTIONS REGIME Dear Ministers of Foreign Affairs,…
Blog
Bahrain Stages Fake Elections For Poodle Parliament
November 23, 2018
By Brian Dooley We know from Roman historian Suetonius that Julius Caesar’s reforms included a political system where half the magistrates were popularly elected and half…
Letter
Bahrain Stages Fake Elections For Poodle Parliament
November 23, 2018
We know from Roman historian Suetonius that Julius Caesar’s reforms included a political system where half the magistrates were popularly elected and half were appointed.…
VFAI Leader Spotlights
Leader Spotlight: Andrea N. Goldstein
October 22, 2018
Our Leader Spotlights offer a glimpse into our diverse leaders: veterans who are continuing to serve their country and community in creative ways. Today, we…
Press
Human Rights First Meets with State and Treasury Departments on Human Rights and Corruption Sanctions
August 1, 2018
Washington, D.C.—Today, Human Rights First and ten other non-governmental organizations (NGOs) met with representatives from the Departments of State and Treasury to discuss sanctions recommendations…
Press
Human Rights First Calls for Nominations for 29th Annual Roger N. Baldwin Medal of Liberty Award
April 4, 2018
Washington, D.C.—Human Rights First today announced that nominations are now open for the 2018 Roger N. Baldwin Medal of Liberty Award. The 2018 award will go to…
VFAI Leader Spotlights
Leader Spotlight: Atsuko Sakurai
March 23, 2018
Veterans for American Ideals is recognizing veteran leaders who are continuing their service by building unity and standing up for American values. Through a series of…
Press
NGOs Identify Human Rights Abusers, Corrupt Actors for Sanctions Under U.S. Bill
September 13, 2017
Washington, D.C.—Human Rights First today called on the Trump Administration to use the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act to levy targeted sanctions against individuals in 15 cases from…
Blog
Aligning American Foreign Policy to Protect Religious Freedom
August 21, 2017
On Tuesday Secretary of State Rex Tillerson delivered a speech to mark the release of the State Department’s annual International Religious Freedom Report. Human Rights First’s Rob Berschinski spoke…
Press
New Report Calls on U.S. to Suspend Military Aid to Egypt over Abuses
August 2, 2017
Washington, D.C.—Human Rights First today released a new report detailing the severe crackdown on peaceful dissent and nongovernmental organizations in Egypt under the Sisi government. In the report the…
Press
State Department Should Call for Release of Bahraini Human Rights Defender Rajab
July 7, 2017
Washington, D.C.—In advance of July 10th’s expected verdict against leading Bahraini human rights defender Nabeel Rajab, Human Rights First today called on the U.S. Department of…
Blog
Washington Week on Human Rights: June 5, 2017
June 5, 2017
By Mary Elizabeth Margolis Top Items Trump Administration Asks the Supreme Court to Reinstate Refugee Ban On Thursday the Department of Justice asked the Supreme Court…
Blog
Three Fallacies in Trump’s Riyadh Speech
May 24, 2017
President Trump’s speech at the Arab Islamic American Summit in Riyadh on May 21 was rich in generalities and open to broad interpretation. For example, the president promised…
Press
Administration Urged to Condemn Attacks on Protesters in Bahrain
May 23, 2017
Washington, D.C. — Human Rights First today called on the Trump Administration to condemn the actions of Bahraini security forces who reportedly attacked peaceful protesters…
Press
Administration Urged to Condemn Attacks on Protesters in Bahrain
May 23, 2017
Washington, D.C. — Human Rights First today called on the Trump Administration to condemn the actions of Bahraini security forces who reportedly attacked peaceful protesters in…
Blog
Trump’s Vainglorious and Counterproductive Summit in Saudi Arabia
May 19, 2017
Donald Trump’s first foreign trip as President of the United States will not take him to the capital cities of Mexico or Canada, the two…
Press
Congress Urged to Check Administration’s Actions, Block Sale of F-16s to Bahrain
March 30, 2017
Washington, D.C.—Human Rights First today condemned the Trump Administration’s decision to move forward with the sale of 19 F-16 fighter jets to Bahrain, despite the…
Blog
Washington Week on Human Rights: March 13, 2017
March 13, 2017
By Mary Elizabeth Margolis TOP ITEMS President’s Budget Request President Trump is expected to submit his budget request to Congress on Thursday. The administration has…
Blog
Six Questions for State’s First Press Briefing Under Tillerson
March 7, 2017
Today the U.S. State Department promises to hold its first daily press briefing under the Trump administration. Roughly thirty working days into the tenure of…
Blog
Trump Prepares Dangerous Sale of F-16s to Bahrain
February 24, 2017
By Brian Dooley This is cross-posted from The Huffington Post. News that the White House will approve the sale of military jets to Bahrain without any human…
Letter
Trump Prepares Dangerous Sale of F-16s to Bahrain
February 24, 2017
News that the White House will approve the sale of military jets to Bahrain without any human rights restrictions is as depressing as it is…
Blog
Middle East Activist Experts Offer Advice on Fighting Trump Policies
February 17, 2017
This blog is cross posted with The Huffington Post Yesterday’s attack by President Trump on the “dishonest media” who he says are “out of control” was just the…
Blog
Washington Week on Human Rights: January 23, 2017
January 23, 2017
By Mary Elizabeth Margolis Top Items New Administration Today is the first full business day of the Trump Administration. The new president has promised to…
VFAI Leader Spotlights
Leader Spotlight: Tony Clapp
January 2, 2017
Veterans for American Ideals is recognizing veteran leaders who are continuing their service by building unity and standing up for American values. Through a series…
Blog
Washington Week on Human Rights: December 19, 2016
December 19, 2016
Statement of Principles As 2016 draws to a close and the next administration readies to take office, Human Rights First and a coalition of 20…
Blog
Disregarding Universal Values in Middle East Policy Will Bring More Instability
November 18, 2016
Early indications suggest that the incoming Trump Administration will shape U.S. policy in the Middle East around closer cooperation with regional authoritarian regimes. This would…
Blog
Bahrain Travel Bans Reveal Insecurity
November 15, 2016
First, Bahraini authorities hit human rights defender Nabeel Rajab with charges for writing an oped in the New York Times, and now they have charged…
Blog
Bahrain Travel Bans Reveal Insecurity
November 15, 2016
This blog is cross posted from The Huffington Post: First, Bahraini authorities hit human rights defender Nabeel Rajab with charges for writing an oped in the New York…
Blog
Washington Week on Human Rights: October 31, 2016
October 31, 2016
Top Items Immigration Detention Human Rights First and 229 partner organizations today called on Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Jeh Johnson to take immediate…
Blog
Washington Week on Human Rights: October 31, 2016
October 31, 2016
Top Items Immigration Detention Human Rights First and 229 partner organizations today called on Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Jeh Johnson to take immediate steps…
Press
Monday Verdicts to Test Bahrain’s Claims of Reform
October 28, 2016
Washington, D.C. – Human Rights First today said that the outcome of two major court verdicts scheduled for Monday in Bahrain will be a vital test…
Blog
October 31 to Test Bahrain’s Reforms
October 24, 2016
This blog is cross posted from The Huffington Post: Monday October 31 will be a vital test for Bahrain. Two scheduled court verdicts will give a…
Letter
Letter to President Obama on Last 100 Days in Office
October 13, 2016
October 13, 2016 The Honorable Barack Obama The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington, D.C. 20500 Dear Mr. President: Right now, in…
Blog
Washington Week on Human Rights: October 11, 2016
October 11, 2016
Top Items United Nations Last week the U.N. Security Council voted to elect former prime minister of Portugal António Guterres as the next Secretary-General of the United…
Press
U.S. Government Urged to Link F-16 Sales to Bahrain to Release of Prominent Human Rights Defender
October 5, 2016
Washington, D.C. – Human Rights First today urged the U.S. government to link the proposed sale of F-16 fighter jets to Bahrain to the acquittal of jailed Bahraini human rights defender…
Blog
Washington Week on Human Rights: October 3, 2016
October 3, 2016
Top Items Refugee Resettlement The Obama Administration has reached its refugee resettlement goal for Fiscal Year (FY) 2016, which ended on Friday. Early reports indicate that…
Blog
Washington Week on Human Rights: September 26, 2016
September 26, 2016
Top Items Global Refugee Crisis On Wednesday, the Senate Judiciary Immigration and National Interest Subcommittee will hold a hearing to examine the administration’s FY2017 refugee…
Blog
Meet Bahrain’s Awful Judges
September 20, 2016
This is a cross-post from the Huffington Post. In a Bahrain court yesterday Judge Ebrahim Al Zayed presided over a brief, few-minute hearing in the…
Press
Human Rights First’s Dooley Testifies on Bahrain before Congressional Committee
September 9, 2016
Washington, D.C.—In testimony today before the U.S. Congress’s Tom Lantos Commission on Human Rights, Human Rights First’s Brian Dooley will urge U.S. policymakers to take action to…
Blog
Washington Week on Human Rights: September 6, 2016
September 6, 2016
Top Items Congress This month in New York City world leaders will attend two major summits designed to address the ongoing global refugee crisis, the…
Press
Human Rights First Urges U.S. Action on Bahrain Following Nabeel Rajab Case Developments
September 6, 2016
Washington, D.C.—Following this weekend’s adjournment in the ongoing case against prominent human rights defender Nabeel Rajab, Human Rights First urged the Bahraini regime to drop…
Blog
Bahrain Moves to Restrict Digital Journalism
August 31, 2016
By Jude Ali The Rio Olympics are the perfect example of the dwindling power of traditional media and the growing demand for digital journalism. While…
Blog
Apple, Shaggy, and Hacks in the Gulf
August 30, 2016
By Brian Dooley This blog is cross-posted from the Huffington Post. Apple iPhone’s major security scare last week drew attention not only to the importance of not clicking on…
Blog
Bahrain’s Truth Will Out
August 26, 2016
By Brian Dooley This blog is a cross post from the Huffington Post. Here we go again—there’s a U.N. Human Rights Council meeting in Geneva in…
Blog
Bahrain Detains Leading Neurosurgeon
August 18, 2016
UPDATE: at 7pm on August 23rd Bahraini authorities released Dr. Alderazi from detention. His next hearing date will be on Monday, August 29th. By Jude Ali…
Blog
Bahrain Targets Clerics in New Wave of Attacks
August 12, 2016
This is a cross-post from The Huffington Post. Bahrain’s Sunni-led government continues to attack the country’s leading Shia clerics. In a new development yesterday, Sheikh Maytham Al Salman…
Blog
Bahrain’s Money Talk
August 10, 2016
By Brian Dooley This is a cross-post from Huffington Post. Money talks in Bahrain. In fact it never really shuts up. The ruling family continues to splurge…
Blog
Washington Week on Human Rights: July 25, 2016
July 25, 2016
Top News Immigration Detention Human Rights First today released a new report detailing the increase in asylum seekers held in U.S. immigration detention facilities and…
Blog
Pentagon Forces Congress to Wait for Late Bahrain Report
July 19, 2016
By Brian Dooley This blog is cross posted from the Huffington Post Remember how a few weeks ago the State Department, almost five months late,…
Blog
Washington Week on Human Rights: July 18, 2016
July 18, 2016
TOP NEWS Guantanamo Bay There are 59 motions on the docket for consideration during the next two weeks as the military commission proceedings for the…
Blog
Bahrain Hits Civil Society Leaders with Travel Bans
July 18, 2016
By Brian Dooley This blog is cross posted from the Huffington Post Several leading figures in Bahrain’s civil society who have briefed the State Department…
Blog
What Today’s Abolition of Bahraini Opposition Group Means for the Kingdom and the United States
July 17, 2016
By Brian Dooley Today a Bahraini court dissolved the country’s largest opposition group. The move is a sledgehammer in the face of Bahrain’s already frail…
Blog
Washington Week on Human Rights: July 11, 2016
July 11, 2016
TOP ITEMS Global Refugee Crisis This week, the House Committee on Appropriations will markup the Fiscal Year 2017 State and Foreign Operations Bill. In its…
Blog
Four Things President Obama Should Do Immediately About Bahrain
July 11, 2016
By Brian Dooley This blog is cross-posted from Huffington Post. Six weeks ago the Bahrain launched a new, surprising, wave of repression, and the kingdom’s…
Press
Bahraini Officials Urged to Drop Charges Against Nabeel Rajab
July 11, 2016
Washington, D.C.—Human Rights First today urged the government of Bahrain to drop all charges against and immediately release prominent human rights defender Nabeel Rajab. The…
Blog
Time for U.S. State Department to Finally Listen on Bahrain
July 6, 2016
By Brian Dooley This blog is cross posted from The Huffington Post Here it comes. A Bahrain court will decide on Monday July 11 whether…
Blog
Washington Week on Human Rights: July 5, 2016
July 5, 2016
TOP ITEMS Bahrain This week President Obama travels to Poland, where he and other world leaders will attend the July 8-9 NATO summit. Human Rights…
Blog
Bahrain Should Release Dissidents Jailed for Free Expression Immediately
June 30, 2016
By Leah Schulz Last week the State Department released its long overdue assessment of Bahrain’s implementation of the recommendations laid out in the 2011 Bahrain Independent Commission…
Blog
Washington Week on Human Rights: June 27, 2016
June 27, 2016
TOP ITEMS Bahrain Wednesday, June 29 marks the one-year anniversary of the State Department’s decision to resume security assistance to Bahrain and remove some holds on arms sales originally imposed following Bahrain’s 2011 crackdown on peaceful protestors calling for reform. The anniversary…
Press
State Department Releases Congressionally-Mandated Report on Bahrain’s Progress on Reform
June 22, 2016
Washington, D.C. – Human Rights First today said that the State Department’s congressionally-mandated report on Bahrain’s progress in implementing the 2011 Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry…
Blog
Abdulhadi Al Khawaja Sentenced Five Years Ago Today
June 22, 2016
By Leah Schulz In Bahrain the past month has been marred with travel bans, attacks on opposition figures, arrests, and exiles. As the country returns…
Blog
Time for Washington to Act as Bahrain Government Provokes Crisis
June 20, 2016
This blog is cross posted from The Huffington Post Exactly what’s behind the Bahraini government’s thinking in provoking a new political crisis is hard to…
Blog
U.S. Government Should Respond Strongly, Immediately to Al Wefaq Suspension
June 15, 2016
Bahrain’s government suspended the main opposition group, Al Wefaq, on Tuesday. Its headquarters are shuttered, its assets are frozen, all activities are halted, and its website is…
Press
Bahraini Opposition Group Al Wefaq Suspended
June 14, 2016
Washington, D.C.—Human Rights First today said that the suspension of Bahrain’s main opposition group Al Wefaq is part of an alarming new crackdown by the…
Press
During Meetings this Week Obama Administration Should Press Saudi Deputy Crown Prince on Human Rights
June 13, 2016
Washington, D.C. – Human Rights First today called on President Obama, Secretary of State John Kerry, and Secretary of Defense Ash Carter to press Saudi Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin…
Blog
Time for Washington to Act as U.S. Ally Bahrain Targets Human Rights Defenders
June 13, 2016
This blog is cross posted from The Huffington Post: Over the last few days the Bahraini government eliminated any remaining doubt about the direction it is…
Blog
Washington Week on Human Rights: June 13, 2016
June 13, 2016
Top News Ukraine Pride After the deadliest mass shooting attack in U.S. history targeted LGBT men and women at Orlando’s Pulse nightclub, claiming 50 lives and…
Press
State Department Urged to Submit Overdue Report on Bahrain’s Progress Toward Reform to Congress
June 7, 2016
Washington, D.C. – Human Rights First today urged the State Department to submit its congressionally-mandated report assessing the extent to which the Bahraini government has implemented…
Blog
Washington Week on Human Rights: June 6, 2016
June 6, 2016
Top Items Human Trafficking This week Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit the United States. In advance of the visit, Human Rights First is urging the State Department to press…
Blog
State Department Counterterrorism Priorities for Bahrain Miss the Mark
June 3, 2016
Sometimes what isn’t said speaks louder than what is, and that’s certainly true of the State Department’s 2015 Country Reports on Terrorism released this week. The section…
Blog
Bahrain’s Selective Separation of Religion from Politics
June 1, 2016
By Leah Schulz Last month Bahrain’s parliament passed a measure prohibiting religious figures from participating in political activities. Under this amendment to the 2005 Political Society Law,…
Blog
Washington Week on Human Rights: May 31, 2016
May 31, 2016
Top Items Guantanamo Yesterday at the U.S. detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, proceedings began in a pre-trial hearing for accused 9/11 terrorist Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and…
Press
United States Urged to Publicly Call for Release of Sheikh Ali Salman in Bahrain
May 27, 2016
Washington, D.C. – Human Rights First today urged the U.S. government to renew its call for the release of Bahraini opposition leader Sheikh Ali Salman before…
Blog
50 Days of a Broken Promise in Bahrain
May 26, 2016
By Brian Dooley This article is cross posted from The Huffington Post: Last month, four days after Bahrain’s Foreign Minister Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al-Khalifa stood next to Secretary John…
Blog
Saudi Arabia’s Record of Torturing Those Who Dare to Critique It
May 24, 2016
The U.N. committee charged with overseeing the implementation of the Convention Against Torture has released its report on Saudi Arabia. Unsurprisingly, it is “extremely concerned” by reports…
Blog
Washington Week on Human Rights: May 23, 2016
May 23, 2016
Top News Guantanamo On Tuesday, the House Oversight and Government Reform National Security Subcommittee will hold a hearing examining the remaining detainees at the U.S. detention…
Blog
Washington Week on Human Rights: May 16, 2016
May 16, 2016
TOP NEWS Guantanamo This week as the military commission proceedings in the case against Abdul Hadi al Iraqi continue at the U.S. detention center at…
Blog
Bahrain’s False Claims On BICI
May 10, 2016
By Brian Dooley This blog is cross-posted from The Huffington Post: Even by Bahrain’s ruling family’s standards, yesterday’s event was bizarre—a ceremony to somehow mark the full…
Press
Bahraini Government Falsely Claims Full Implementation of Human Rights Reforms
May 9, 2016
Washington, D.C.—In response to reports that the Bahraini government publicly announced that is has fully implemented the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI) recommendations, Human…
Press
Bahraini Political Opposition Leader Faces Verdict Tomorrow
May 4, 2016
Washington, D.C. – Human Rights First today urged the U.S. Embassy in Bahrain to send an observer to tomorrow’s scheduled court verdict following the unfair trial…
Press
President Obama Raises Human Rights Concerns in Saudi Arabia
April 21, 2016
Washington, D.C. — Human Rights First today welcomed reports that President Obama raised human rights during meetings with Saudi government leaders yesterday, but urged him to call for the release of jailed…
Blog
U.S. Allies’ Behavior Undermines the Goals of GCC Summit
April 20, 2016
By Leah Schulz Today President Obama arrives in Riyadh where he will meet with King Salman before participating in a summit with leaders of the Gulf…
Blog
President Obama’s Last Chance to Stand up for Human Rights in Saudi Arabia
April 19, 2016
This blog is cross posted from The Huffington Post: On Thursday, President Obama will visit Saudi Arabia to attend a meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council,…
Blog
5 Things Obama Should do in Saudi Arabia
April 18, 2016
This blog is cross posted from The Huffington Post: President Obama arrives in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday this week and attends a summit of Gulf Co-operation…
Blog
Washington Week on Human Rights: April 18, 2016
April 18, 2016
TOP NEWS Obama in Saudi Arabia This week President Obama travels to Saudi Arabia to meet with leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), including…
Press
President Obama Urged to Meet with Civil Society Leaders, Press Saudi Government to Release Jailed Activists During Upcoming Trip
April 18, 2016
Washington, D.C. – Human Rights First today called on President Obama to raise human rights concerns with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) leaders during his trip to…
Press
Nine Guantanamo Detainees Transferred to Saudi Arabia
April 16, 2016
Washington, D.C.—Human Rights First today praised the transfer of 9 Guantanamo Bay detainees to Saudi Arabia, but notes that the pace of the transfers must increase…
Fact Sheet
Human Rights Defenders and Political Prisoners in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain
April 14, 2016
Saudi Arabia Waleed Abu al-Khair: Imprisoned in Saudi Arabia on Politicized Charges Waleed Abu al-Khair is a Saudi attorney and human rights defender and the…
Blog
Finding the Key to Release Zainab Al Khawaja
April 11, 2016
This blog is cross posted from The Huffington Post: Four days is a long time to unlock a door. Last Thursday, standing with visiting Secretary of…
Blog
Washington Week on Human Rights: April 11, 2016
April 11, 2016
Top News Bahrain Ahead of President Obama’s upcoming participation in the Gulf Cooperation Council summit scheduled to take place in Saudi Arabia later this month, Secretary of State John Kerry travelled to Bahrain last…
Blog
Six Things John Kerry Should Do in Bahrain
April 5, 2016
This blog is cross-posted from the Huffington Post: This week secretary of State John Kerry visits one of Washington’s repressive Gulf allies, Bahrain, three weeks before…
Blog
Washington Week on Human Rights: April 4, 2016
April 4, 2016
Top News Guantanamo Today two detainees from the U.S. detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, were transferred to Senegal. The transfers come as the Pentagon continues to advocate for the administration’s plan to close…
Press
Kerry Urged to Raise Human Rights Concerns in Bahrain
April 4, 2016
Washington, D.C. – In advance of Secretary of State John Kerry’s trip to Bahrain this week, Human Rights First today called on Kerry to publicly raise concerns…
Blog
Washington Week on Human Rights: March 21, 2016
March 21, 2016
Top News Torture Last week National Security Advisor Susan Rice announced that the president will begin the declassification of records from Argentina’s “Dirty War” as…
Blog
Bahrain’s Window Dressing Reforms Can’t Hide Botch Job
March 14, 2016
By Brian Dooley This blog is cross-posted from the Huffington Post: Geneva: I learned the hard way about painting ceilings. If you don’t do the hard prep…
Blog
Washington Week on Human Rights: March 14, 2016
March 14, 2016
Top News Targeted Killing Last week, the Obama Administration announced that it will publish civilian and combatant casualty assessments for lethal counterterrorism strikes outside areas of…
Press
Bahraini Human Rights Defender Zainab Al Khawaja Taken by Security Forces
March 14, 2016
Washington, D.C. – Human Rights First is alarmed at reports that prominent Bahraini human rights defender Zainab Al Khawaja and her baby were seized from…
Blog
The U.S. Should Speak Out Against the Sentencing of Ibrahim Sharif
February 29, 2016
By Leah Schulz On Wednesday, February 24, a Bahraini court sentenced opposition leader Ibrahim Sharif to one year in prison on charges of “inciting hatred…
Press
Bahraini Opposition Leader Sentenced to One Year in Jail
February 24, 2016
Washington, D.C. – Following news that Bahraini opposition leader Ibrahim Sharif has been sentenced to one year in jail, Human Rights First today urged the U.S. government…
Blog
Washington Week on Human Rights: February 16, 2016
February 16, 2016
Top News Torture Last week 42 of the nation’s most respected retired generals and admirals released a letter sent to all candidates for president urging them to publicly…
Press
American Journalists Arrested in Bahrain Indicates Continuing Crackdown on Dissent
February 15, 2016
Washington, D.C. – In response to news reports that four American journalists have been arrested in Bahrain, Human Rights First’s Brian Dooley issued the following statement:…
Press
Five Years After Failed Uprisings for Democratic Reform, New Blueprint Recommends United States Change Course in Bahrain
February 11, 2016
Washington, D.C. – To mark the fifth anniversary of the brutal government crackdown on mass protests calling for democratic reform in Bahrain on February 14, Human Rights…
Timeline
Bahrain 2010-2016
February 11, 2016
2010 December 3: Secretary Clinton after meeting with Bahrain Foreign Minister in Manama: “I am impressed by the commitment that the government has to the…
Blueprint
How to Reverse Five Years of Failure on Bahrain
February 11, 2016
On the fifth anniversary of the mass protests in Bahrain that threatened to bring down the country’s autocratic regime, Bahrainis continue to suffer severe repression…
Fact Sheet
Remarks by Brian Dooley: Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission Briefing on Bahrain
February 11, 2016
Thank you to the Lantos Commission for today’s briefing, and to Congressman McGovern for his continued commitment to the struggle for human rights in Bahrain.…
Blog
Washington Week on Human Rights: February 8, 2016
February 8, 2016
Top News President Obama’s Budget Tomorrow President Obama will release his final budget request, which is expected to contain increased funding to address immigration court case backlogs. Human…
Press
Human Rights First Calls for Nominations for 27th Annual Roger N. Baldwin Medal of Liberty Award
January 27, 2016
Washington, D.C. – Human Rights First today announced that nominations are now open for the 2016 Roger N. Baldwin Medal of Liberty Award. The 2016…
Blog
Bahrain’s Fake Human Rights Conference Another PR Disaster
January 22, 2016
By Brian Dooley This blog is cross posted from The Huffington Post: The Bahrain government is hosting a human rights conference tomorrow. Yes, really. It’s a bit like…
Blog
Five Years On, Egypt’s Uprising Flagged at Tahrir
January 20, 2016
By Brian Dooley This blog is cross posted from The Huffington Post: Clinging listlessly to the top of the pole in the middle of Tahrir Square the…
Blog
Bahrain Economy Struggles with Oil Price
January 20, 2016
By Leah Schulz Last week the Bahraini cabinet announced it was raising the country’s price of gasoline for the first time in 33 years. The…
Blog
Washington Week on Human Rights: January 11, 2016
January 11, 2016
Top News Guantanamo Over the weekend, White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough reaffirmed President Obama’s promise to shutter Guantanamo before the end of his final…
Blog
FDR’s “Four Freedoms” 75 Years Ago and Today
January 6, 2016
On January 6, 1941, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt gave his now-famous speech on four freedoms essential to democracy and human rights: Freedom of speech Freedom…
Blog
Washington Week on Human Rights: January 4, 2016
January 5, 2016
Top News Guantanamo A senior U.S. official who spoke on the condition of anonymity confirmed to CNN that 17 detainees cleared for release from the U.S. detention facility…
Blog
Bahrain’s Culture of Impunity
December 21, 2015
By Anita Dhanvanthari A now familiar story in Bahrain: another human rights defender is sentenced to jail on trumped up charges while known torturers and…
Press
Bahrain Urged to Dismiss Case Against Human Rights Defender Mohammed Al-Maskati
December 21, 2015
Washington, D.C. – Human Rights First today urged Bahraini authorities to immediately dismiss the politically-motivated case against prominent human rights defender Mohammed Al-Maskati. A Bahraini court…
Blog
More Sisters Vanish into UAE Police Custody
November 24, 2015
This is a cross-post from The Huffington Post. It’s a familiar story. A hundred years ago British suffragettes Sylvia and Christabel Pankhurt went to jail…
Fact Sheet
Recommendations to the U.S. Government on Bahrain
November 23, 2015
Anniversary of the 2011 Report of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry On the fourth anniversary of the 2011 report by the Bahrain Independent Commission…
Press
U.S. Government Should Push for Bahraini Reforms Four Years After BICI Report
November 22, 2015
Washington, D.C.—Human Rights First today urged the U.S. government to increase pressure on the Bahraini regime to implement all 26 recommendations from the Bahrain Independent…
Blog
U.S. Approach in Bahrain at Odds with Remarks at Manama Dialogue
November 3, 2015
Advancing freedom of expression in the Middle East is an important part of U.S. security strategy in the region. At least that’s what Deputy Secretary…
Blog
Bahraini Sheikh and FIFA Presidential Hopeful Continues to Dodge Allegations over Targeting Athletes
October 28, 2015
FIFA Presidential hopeful Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa of the Bahrain ruling family has failed to adequately answer questions about his part in the…
Blog
President Obama’s Record-Breaking Arms Sales Are Enabling Human Rights Abuses
October 27, 2015
During his address to Congress last month, Pope Francis took aim at the arms trade, and the “shameful and culpable silence” that surrounds it. This…
Blog
FIFA, Man United, and Torture in Bahrain
October 27, 2015
This blog is cross posted from The Huffington Post: The 2011 targeting of footballers and other athletes in Bahrain following the pro-democracy protests there is threatening…
Blog
U.S. Government Should Address Human Rights Concerns at Manama Dialogue
October 23, 2015
Bahrain will host the Manama Dialogue, a high-profile security conference, from October 30 to November 1. A senior delegation of U.S. officials from Congress, the…
Press
Bahraini Court Upholds Conviction with Reduced Sentence for Human Rights Defender Zainab Al Khawaja
October 21, 2015
Washington, D.C. – In response to reports that a Bahraini court has sentenced prominent human rights defender Zainab Al Khawaja to one year in prison, Human Rights…
Press
Bahrain Should Dismiss Cases Against Human Rights Defender Zainab Al Khawaja
October 20, 2015
Washington, D.C. – Human Rights First today urged the Bahraini authorities to immediately dismiss the outstanding cases against prominent human rights defender Zainab Al Khawaja. A…
Blog
Smiles Jar in Guantanamo Court Drama
October 19, 2015
This blog is cross posted from The Huffington Post: They don’t sit together, the five men in the Guantanamo court accused of plotting the September 11,…
Blog
Washington Week on Human Rights: October 13, 2015
October 13, 2015
Top News Guantanamo President Obama will soon decide whether to make good on his promise to veto the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year…
Press
U.S. Embassy in Manama Urged to Send Observers to Ebrahim Sharif Criminal Trial
October 11, 2015
Washington, D.C.—Human Rights First today called on the U.S. Embassy in Manama to send observers to the trial against opposition leader Ebrahim Sharif, and to…
Blog
Washington Week on Human Rights: October 5, 2015
October 5, 2015
Top News Guantanamo This week, the Senate will take up the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2016, legislation that contains provisions that would…
Blog
Litigating Abroad to Demand Accountability for Torture in Bahrain
September 28, 2015
On September 15, Jaafar Al-Hasabi, a Bahraini citizen granted asylum in the United Kingdom, filed a criminal complaint in Switzerland against Bahrain’s attorney general, Ali…
Blog
Washington Week on Human Rights: September 28, 2015
September 28, 2015
Top News Global Refugee Crisis On Thursday, the Senate Judiciary Committee’s Immigration and National Interest Subcommittee will hold a hearing on the Obama Administration’s Fiscal…
Blueprint
The Role of Human Rights in Countering Violent Extremism
September 25, 2015
A COMPILATION OF BLUEPRINTS FOR U.S. GOVERNMENT POLICY Introduction On the sidelines of the annual United Nations General Assembly meeting, the United States is sponsoring…
Blog
Bahrain’s Proposed Blasphemy Law: Another Tool to Silence Regime’s Critics
September 16, 2015
Bahrain is considering a new blasphemy law, which will likely be used to harass and silence the regime’s critics. Cleric Sheikh Maytham Al Salman, head…
Blog
Still Little Press Freedom in Bahrain
September 15, 2015
By Anita Dhanvanthari In early 2011, Bahraini citizens took to the streets in large peaceful protests calling for democracy. Shias and Sunnis came together in…
Blog
Washington Week on Human Rights: September 14, 2015
September 14, 2015
Top News Global Refugee Crisis Last week, the Obama Administration announced that it plans to increase the annual ceiling for refugee admissions to the United…
Letter
Letter to President Obama in Preparation for King Salman Visit
September 2, 2015
September 2, 2015 The Honorable Barack Obama The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington, DC 20500 Dear President Obama: I write to urge that…
Blog
Washington Week on Human Rights: August 31, 2015
August 31, 2015
Top News Saudi Arabia This Friday King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia will make his first visit to the White House since…
Press
More Violence Against Bahrain Police as Political Unrest Rises
August 28, 2015
Washington D.C. – Human Rights First described today’s reports that another policeman has been killed in Bahrain as awful and horribly disturbing news. This evening’s…
Blog
Washington Week on Human Rights: August 24, 2015
August 24, 2015
Top News Family Detention Federal Judge Dolly Gee ruled late on Friday that the Obama Administration must release children from family detention centers “without unnecessary…
Press
Case Against Bahraini Opposition Leader Should be Dismissed
August 23, 2015
Washington, D.C. – Human Rights First today said that the Bahraini authorities should immediately dismiss the case against prominent opposition leader Ibrahim Sharif. The trial…
Blog
Washington Week on Human Rights: August 10, 2015
August 10, 2015
Top News IMMIGRATION DETENTION The U.S. government issued a response Friday to the federal court ruling that orders an end to the Obama Administration’s policy…
Blog
A Generation of Fighting for Human Rights
August 10, 2015
By Brian Dooley This blog is cross posted from The Huffington Post: We’ve all done things we’re not proud of. At discos in the early…
Press
Senate Bill Would Ban Arms Sales to Bahrain Based on Human Rights Conditions
August 7, 2015
Washington, D.C. – Human Rights First today welcomes the bipartisan introduction of legislation to impose a ban on the sale of arms to Bahrain. The…
Press
Bahraini Government Shuts Down Independent Newspaper
August 6, 2015
Washington, D.C. – Following news reports that Bahraini authorities have suspended the operations of independent newspaper Al Wasat, Human Rights First’s Brian Dooley issued the…
Blog
2022 Becomes a Crucial Test of Human Rights and Sport
July 31, 2015
By Brian Dooley This blog is cross posted from The Huffington Post: With Qatar hosting the 2022 World Cup, and now Beijing the Winter Olympics, 2022 is…
Blog
In Cairo, Kerry Should Reinforce Obama’s Remarks in Kenya
July 30, 2015
By Brian Dooley This blog is cross posted from The Huffington Post: President Obama hit many right notes during his trip to Kenya last week – he…
Press
Violence Against Police Officers Signals Rising Instability in Bahrain
July 28, 2015
Washington D.C. – Human Rights first today expressed alarm over reports that two policemen have been killed and others wounded in Bahrain, noting that the…
Blog
Washington Week on Human Rights: July 20, 2015
July 20, 2015
Top News KENYA President Obama will travel to Kenya this week to discuss economic development and entrepreneurism. Human Rights First urges President Obama to also use…
Blog
Bahrain’s Hokey Pokey Dance
July 14, 2015
By Brian Dooley This blog is cross-posted from The Huffington Post: The Bahraini authorities have started to play a bizarrely macabre version of the Hokey Pokey (itself…
Blog
Washington Week on Human Rights: July 13, 2015
July 13, 2015
Top News Extremism in Hungary This week on Capitol Hill, the Hungarian American Institute is lobbying with a delegation that includes Hungarian Member of Parliament Gabor…
Press
Bahraini Opposition Leader Ebrahim Sharif Arrested
July 13, 2015
Washington, D.C.– In response to yesterday’s arrest of Bahraini opposition leader Ebrahim Sharif, Human Rights First’s Brian Dooley issued the following statement: “The arrest Ebrahim…
Press
Bahrain State Media Reports Nabeel Rajab to be Released from Prison
July 13, 2015
Washington, D.C. – Following news reports on Bahrain state media that prominent human rights defender Nabeel Rajab will be released from prison “on health grounds,” Human…
Blog
European Parliament Calls for Nabeel Rajab’s Release
July 9, 2015
By Anita Dhanvanthari Today, the European Parliament (EP) passed an urgent resolution calling for the release of imprisoned human rights defenders in Bahrain. One such…
Blog
Washington Week on Human Rights: July 6, 2015
July 6, 2015
Top News Guantanamo Over the weekend, six former British cabinet ministers joined a group of more than 80 prominent Britons to urge the Obama Administration to…
Press
National Military Strategy Should Include Greater Protection for Human Rights
July 1, 2015
Washington, D.C.—Human Rights First said that the 2015 National Military Strategy, released today, should place a greater emphasis on ensuring that U.S. partners in counterterrorism…
Blog
Allies’ Human Rights Practices Harm Anti-ISIL Effort
July 1, 2015
By Jordan Dannenberg Human rights abuses are fueling the Islamic State of Iraq in the Levant (ISIL). Testifying before the House Armed Services Subcommittee on…
Press
U.S. to Send Weapons to Bahrain
June 29, 2015
Washington, D.C.—Human Rights First today condemned the U.S. State Department’s decision to lift the holds on security assistance to the Bahrain Defense Force and National…
Press
U.S. Government Should Promote Global Counterterrorism Strategy Rooted in Human Rights
June 26, 2015
New York City—Today, in response to terrorist attacks in Kuwait and Tunisia, Human Rights First urged the U.S. government to redouble its efforts to combat…
Press
State Department Country Reports Highlight Need for U.S. Leadership on Human Rights
June 25, 2015
Washington, D.C. – Human Rights First today welcomed the release of the State Department’s 2015 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices, noting that the widespread…
Blog
Washington Week on Human Rights: June 22, 2015
June 23, 2015
Top News Combatting Violent Extremism This week, from June 24-28, Kenya will host a regional conference on countering violent extremism. The gathering will bring together more…
Blog
No Hollywood Ending for Bahraini Opposition Leaders
June 22, 2015
This blog is cross posted from The Huffington Post: Yul Brynner’s 1962 role as a political leader on the run from a middle eastern dictator wasn’t…
Blog
Countering ISIL’s Messaging
June 22, 2015
By Jordan Dannenberg Delegitimizing ISIL’s ideology and messaging is a key pillar of the president’s five-part strategy for “degrading and defeating” it. Last week, PBS’s…
Press
Bahrain Releases Major Political Leader from Prison
June 19, 2015
Washington, D.C. – In response to today’s reports that Ebrahim Sharif, leader of Bahraini liberal secular group Waad, has been released from prison Human Rights First’s…
Press
Conviction of Bahraini Opposition Leader is a Major Setback to Reform
June 16, 2015
Washington, D.C. – Human Rights First said today’s conviction of the leader of Bahrain’s main peaceful opposition group Al Wefaq, Sheikh Ali Salman, on political charges seriously damages any hope for a political…
Blog
Bahrain Medic Recounts Conditions in Jaw Prison
June 10, 2015
This blog is cross posted from The Huffington Post: Finally, after serving his three year sentence in a Bahrain prison, 47 year-old nurse Ebrahim Demastani has…
Blog
Fighting Bahrain’s Sectarian Threat
June 3, 2015
This blog is cross posted from The Huffington Post: Rocked by last week’s bombings of Shia mosques in Saudi Arabia which killed dozens of people, Bahrain’s…
Blog
Washington Week on Human Rights: June 1, 2015
June 2, 2015
Top News Defense Authorization The Senate is poised to consider its FY16 National Defense Authorization Act, a bill that could have significant ramifications for U.S. national…
Blog
Change is Coming, Slowly and Suddenly
May 28, 2015
By Brian Dooley This blog is cross posted from The Huffington Post: A few years ago it seemed almost unimaginable. Ireland’s overwhelming support of legalizing same-sex marriage…
Blog
Two Meetings, Two Policies?
May 21, 2015
This blog is cross posted from The Huffington Post: Today President Obama will meet with Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi at the White House. The…
Blog
Washington Week on Human Rights: May 18, 2015
May 18, 2015
Top News Equality Yesterday was International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO), a time to celebrate advocates around the world who work, often at great risk to themselves,…
Press
President Obama Fails to Address Reform With Gulf Leaders, Widens Trust Gap with Civil Society
May 14, 2015
Washington, D.C. – Human Rights First said that President Obama’s failure to directly raise human rights reform with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) leaders at Camp David…
Press
Bahraini Court Upholds Sentence for Prominent Human Rights Defender Nabeel Rajab
May 14, 2015
Washington, D.C. – Human Rights First said that today’s appeal verdict upholding a six-month jail sentence against leading Bahraini human rights defender Nabeel Rajab reinforces the…
Press
President Obama Urged to Raise Human Rights Concerns During Meetings with Gulf Leaders
May 12, 2015
Washington, D.C. -Human Rights First today urged President Obama to make clear to the leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states that progress on human…
Blog
Washington Week on Human Rights: May 11, 2015
May 11, 2015
Top News Gulf Leaders to the U.S. Gulf state leaders from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and Oman will meet…
Blueprint
How to Counter Terrorism by Supporting Civil Society in the United Arab Emirates
May 11, 2015
INTRODUCTION President Obama recently made a series of commendable declarations supporting civil society and affirming its importance to securing stability and fighting extremism. At the…
Blog
This Week’s DC Meeting of Gulf Leaders: What to Watch
May 11, 2015
By Brian Dooley President Obama has invited leaders of the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states – Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab…
Fact Sheet
How to Build a More Sustainable and Mutually Beneficial Relationship with Saudi Arabia
May 10, 2015
“Too often, we have failed to enforce international norms when it’s inconvenient to do so. And we have not confronted forcefully enough the intolerance, sectarianism,…
Blog
How To Sound Like a Washington Expert on Bahrain
May 6, 2015
By Brian Dooley This blog is cross posted from The Huffington Post: Next week is the big meeting between the Gulf monarchs and President Obama in Washington.…
Event
The Tough Conversation
May 5, 2015
Date: May 12, 2015 – 2:00pm President Obama has promised to have a tough conversation with the GCC leaders meeting at the White House and Camp…
Blog
Washington Week on Human Rights: May 4, 2015
May 4, 2015
Top News Immigration Detention Over the weekend, more than 500 people gathered in Dilley, Texas to protest the Obama Administration’s immigration detention policies that have put…
Blog
Washington Week on Human Rights: April 27, 2015
April 27, 2015
Top News State Department Country Reports Early this week, the U.S. State Department is expected to release its 2014 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices.…
Blog
Washington Week on Human Rights: April 20, 2015
April 20, 2015
Top News Refugee Protection On Tuesday at 10:05 a.m., Secretary of State John Kerry will deliver remarks during the 45th Annual Conference on the Americas,…
Blog
Washington Week on Human Rights: April 13, 2015
April 13, 2015
Top News Equality in Jamaica During his trip to Jamaica last week, President Obama voiced support for the island’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT)…
Blog
Nabeel Rajab’s Detention Extended
April 13, 2015
By Brian Dooley Bahrain human rights defender Nabeel Rajab’s detention was extended another 15 days on Saturday April 11. He was arrested on April 2…
Blog
Impunity Persists in Bahrain Four Years After Four Detainees Were Tortured to Death
April 10, 2015
By Juliette Suarez Washington is considering lifting remaining arms restrictions on Bahrain even as serious human abuses persist. Reports of abuse at the infamous Jaw…
Blog
Formula 1 in Bahrain: Four Things To Know
April 10, 2015
Since the beginning of the 2011 democratic uprising in Bahrain, the kingdom has faced ongoing instability and unrest fueled by protests for reform. As you…
Blog
Washington Week on Human Rights: April 6, 2015
April 6, 2015
Top News President Obama to Jamaica On Thursday, President Obama will travel to Jamaica en route to participate in the Summit of the Americas in Panama.…
Press
Leading Bahrain Activist Nabeel Rajab Reportedly Arrested
April 2, 2015
Washington, DC – Human Rights First said that the reported arrest of prominent Bahraini human rights defender Nabeel Rajab today is another alarming setback to…
Blog
Statelessness is a Human Rights Violation
March 30, 2015
By Erica Qualliotine An estimated 10 million people in the world are stateless. One third are children. When people do not legally exist, they are…
Blog
Bahrain’s Prisons At Their Breaking Point
March 20, 2015
By Brian Dooley This blog is cross posted from The Huffington Post: Something’s wrong at Bahrain’s main jail, Jaw Prison. It’s hard to get full…
Blog
Is Bahrain the New Apartheid State?
March 18, 2015
By Brian Dooley This blog is cross posted from The Huffington Post: Over the last week at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, I’ve…
Blog
Bahrain Medics Still in Prison
March 16, 2015
By Brian Dooley Four years ago today, consultant Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Ali Alekri was arrested by Bahraini soldiers. Dr. Alekri was in the operating room,…
Fact Sheet
How to Build a More Sustainable and Mutually Beneficial Relationship with Saudi Arabia
March 10, 2015
“Too often, we have failed to enforce international norms when it’s inconvenient to do so. And we have not confronted forcefully enough the intolerance, sectarianism,…
Press
United States Should Overhaul Relationship With Saudi Arabia to Support Human Rights
March 10, 2015
Washington, D.C. – Human Rights First today urged the Obama Administration to press the Saudi government to ease its crackdown on civil society, speak out…
Blog
Top 5 Things John Legend Should Know About Bahrain
February 27, 2015
This blog is cross posted from The Hufffington Post: American singer/songwriter John Legend is set to play a gig in Bahrain on Monday, March 2. Bahrain…
Press
Bahraini Human Rights Defender Nabeel Rajab Faces New Threat of Arrest
February 26, 2015
Washington, D.C. – Following reports that leading Bahraini human rights defender Nabeel Rajab has been summoned to report to a police station today, Human Rights First urged the…
Blog
Reports of Torture Haunt Bahrain’s CID
February 23, 2015
This blog is cross posted from The Huffington Post: Last week President Obama got it right about terrorism and its causes. Speaking at a Washington summit…
Press
President Obama Makes Case for Putting Human Rights at the Heart of Countering Extremism
February 19, 2015
Washington, D.C. – Human Rights First welcomed President Obama’s speech today at the White House Summit to Counter Violent Extremism (CVE), in which he affirmed that the fight against violent extremism requires…
Blog
Washington Week on Human Rights: February 17, 2015
February 18, 2015
Top News White House Summit on Countering Violent Extremism… Read More
Blog
Bahrain: Anything But an Island of Stability
February 18, 2015
Last week Rob Sobhani, CEO of Caspian Group Holdings, called Bahrain an “island of stability” in the Washington Times. “Chaos has not affected the Kingdom of…
Press
U.S. Government Should Respond to Threat Against Bahrain’s Opposition
February 17, 2015
Washington, D.C.—Human Rights First today urged the U.S. government to immediately respond to the Bahraini regime’s threats against the country’s main political opposition group, Al…
Blog
Four Years On, U.S. Should Push Bahrain to Reform Security Forces
February 13, 2015
This is a cross-post from The Huffington Post. This post is co-authored with Staci Strobl, associate professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. Four years…
Blog
Why February 14 Matters in Bahrain
February 13, 2015
February 14 this year will be the fourth anniversary of the start of widespread protests in Bahrain for democracy. They were met with a violent…
Press
President Obama Urged to Prioritize Human Rights at White House Summit on Countering Violent Extremism
February 13, 2015
Washington, D.C. – Human Rights First and the Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies today urged President Obama to make clear at the White House’s upcoming…
Blog
Why Bahrain Needs Security Force Reform
February 11, 2015
Part of Bahrain’s political problem is that although the most Bahrainis are Shia, its security forces are made up almost entirely from the minority Sunni…
Press
New Blueprint Recommends Review of the U.S. Relationship with Bahrain
February 11, 2015
Washington, D.C. – Human Rights First today urged the U.S. Government to take a series of steps that could help bring stability and reform to its…
Blueprint
How to Bring Stability to Bahrain
February 11, 2015
Washington needs a new strategy to help bring stability and reform to Bahrain. Although the smallest country in the Middle East, Bahrain exemplifies several of…
Press
Bahraini Court to Issue Appeal Verdict in Case of Human Rights Defender Nabeel Rajab
February 10, 2015
Washington, D.C. – As a Bahraini court is due to decide tomorrow on the appeal in the case of human rights defender Nabeel Rajab, Human Rights…
Transcript
Elisa Massimino Keynote Address on the Case for American Leadership on Human Rights
February 10, 2015
Elisa Massimino Keynote Address American Bar Association Mid-Year Meeting Center for Human Rights Annual Luncheon Houston, Texas February 9, 2015. Thank you so much for…
Blog
Washington Week on Human Rights: February 9, 2015
February 9, 2015
Top News GUANTANAMO This week, the House and Senate Armed Services Committees will both take up the issue of closing the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay…
Press
International Media Shut Out of Bahrain as Anniversary Approaches
February 7, 2015
Washington, DC – Today, a number of prominent journalists have reported on Twitter that they have been denied access to Bahrain in the run-up to…
Press
Administration Should Prioritize National Security Strategy Policies that Respect Human Rights
February 6, 2015
Washington, D.C.—Human Rights First today said that the 2015 U.S. National Security Strategy rightly reinforces the United States’ commitment to policies that promote the protection of…
Blog
Carter Can Take Gitmo Closure across the Finish Line
February 4, 2015
This is a cross-post from the Huffington Post President Obama’s nominee for Secretary of Defense, Ashton Carter, can expect tough questions at his Wednesday confirmation hearing–on…
Blog
U.N. Fears of Torture for American in Bahrain
February 2, 2015
By Carolyn Greco When American Tagi Al-Maidan was arrested in Bahrain in 2012, the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention was among the first…
Blog
Brian Dooley on the Trial of Sheikh Ali Salman
January 28, 2015
By Brian Dooley The trial of Sheikh Ali Salman, leader of Bahrain’s main opposition group Al Wefaq, opened today, Wednesday, January 28 and marks a massive step…
Press
President Obama Should Urge Saudi King to Chart New Course
January 26, 2015
New York City – As President Obama prepares to visit Saudi Arabia following the death of King Abdullah and the installment of King Salman, who ascended…
Blog
The Beginning of the End for Bahrain’s Tolerated Opposition
January 23, 2015
By Brian Dooley This is a cross post from The Huffington Post. The trial of Sheikh Ali Salman, leader of Bahrain’s main opposition group Al Wefaq,…
Blog
Washington Week on Human Rights: January 20, 2015
January 20, 2015
Top News STATE OF THE UNION Tonight at 9 p.m., President Obama will deliver his State of the Union address. He is expected to detail his…
Press
Bahraini Human Rights Defender Nabeel Rajab Sentenced to Six Months in Prison
January 20, 2015
Washington, D.C. – In response to today’s Bahraini court decision sentencing human rights activist Nabeel Rajab to six months in prison on charges of insulting the government…
Press
United States Needs Direct Response to New Wave of Repression in Bahrain
January 18, 2015
Washington, D.C. – Human Rights First today urged the United States to publicly state how it plans to respond to the ongoing crackdown on peaceful dissent in Bahrain, its military ally…
Blog
Matar Matar and Brian Dooley Discuss Bahrain’s Intensive Weeks Ahead
January 16, 2015
By Brian Dooley Ever since the 2011 uprising in Bahrain, the weeks leading up to the mid-February anniversary are particularly tense, with protests spiking around February 14.…
Blog
Brian Dooley on HuffPost Live
January 14, 2015
Human Rights First’s Brian Dooley appeared on HuffPost Live to discuss the political situation in Bahrain. As he wrote in a recent blog post, Bahrain’s foreign minister marched…
Blog
New Year, New Congress: What to Watch on Middle East Policy
January 13, 2015
By Brian Dooley As Congress enters its 114th session, human rights must take the spotlight. Below are five foreign policy priorities that we at Human…
Blog
Hussain Jawad Case Presents Bahrain with Key Test on Speech
January 12, 2015
By Brian Dooley This blog is cross-posted from The Huffington Post: Yesterday, Bahrain’s foreign minister took part in a Paris rally in protest of the recent killings…
Press
New Ambassador to Bahrain Urged to Call for Release of Opposition Leader Ali Salman
January 7, 2015
Washington, D.C. – Human Rights First today urged the new U.S. Ambassador to Bahrain William Roebuck to call for the release of Sheikh Ali Salman, the…
Blog
Washington Week on Human Rights: January 5, 2015
January 5, 2015
Top News TRAFFICKING As 2015 kicked off, Pope Francis issued a call for an end to modern day slavery and urged the international community to double down on…
Press
Bahrain Should Release Opposition Leader Ali Salman
January 2, 2015
Washington, D.C. – Human Rights First today urged the Bahraini authorities to immediately release opposition leader Ali Salman, and commended the U.S government for publicly warning…
Press
U.S. Should Call for Dismissal of Case Against Bahrain Human Rights Defender Mohammed Al Maskati
December 21, 2014
Washington, D.C. – Human Rights First today called on the U.S. government to urge Bahraini authorities to drop the case against prominent human rights defender Mohammed al Maskati. Al Maskati is expecting…
Blog
Seven Helpful Things the New Ambassador To Bahrain Can Do
December 16, 2014
This is cross posted from The Huffington Post: Washington’s new Ambassador to Bahrain, Bill Roebuck, is set to take up his post in the coming…
Press
Additional Prison Sentences Handed Down to Bahraini Human Rights Defender Zainab Al Khawaja
December 9, 2014
Washington, D.C. – In response to today’s news that Bahraini human rights activist Zainab Al Khawaja has been sentenced to 16 months in prison in…
Blog
Washington Week on Human Rights: December 8, 2014
December 8, 2014
Top News CIA Torture Report This week, the Senate intelligence committee is expected to release key sections of its report documenting the CIA’s post-9/11 torture…
Blog
Bahrain Jails Al Khawaja Sisters: What’s Next for Civil Society?
December 8, 2014
Last week, sisters Maryam and Zainab Al Khawaja were issued prison sentences in separate hearings in Bahraini courts. The judgments against these leading human rights…
Press
Bahraini Activist Zainab Al Khawaja Sentenced to Three Years in Jail
December 4, 2014
Washington, D.C. – Human Rights First is calling today’s sentencing of Zainab Al Khawaja further evidence of Bahrain’s retreat from human rights. Al Khawaja, who gave…
Blog
Washington Week on Human Rights: December 1, 2014
December 3, 2014
Top News ISIS Overnight, the United States and members of its coalition to defeat ISIS led an air assault that included as many as 30 airstrikes…
Press
Obama Administration Should Raise Human Rights Concerns at Manama Dialogue
December 2, 2014
Washington, D.C. – Human Rights First today urged the U.S. delegation to the Manama Dialogue to publicly raise concern over heightened sectarianism and ongoing human rights abuses in…
Issue Brief
At Manama Dialogue, Building an Effective Global Coalition to Counter ISIL Should Not Include Uncritical Support for Non-inclusive and Repressive Regimes
December 2, 2014
From December 5-7, 2014 a senior delegation from the United States will participate in the tenth annual Manama Security Dialogue. The Manama Dialogue is a…
Press
Bahraini Human Rights Activist Maryam Al Khawaja Sentenced in Absentia to One Year in Prison
December 1, 2014
Washington, D.C. – Human Rights First said that today’s Bahraini court sentencing of prominent human rights defender Maryam Al Khawaja is a powerful warning to those who…
Press
Human Rights Concerns Threaten Bahrain’s Stability After Parliamentary Elections
November 22, 2014
Washington, D.C. – In response to today’s parliamentary elections in Bahrain, Human Rights First’s Brian Dooley issued the following statement: “Today’s results won’t change very much…
Press
Human Rights Concerns Threaten Bahrain’s Stability After Parliamentary Elections
November 22, 2014
Washington, D.C. – In response to today’s parliamentary elections in Bahrain, Human Rights First’s Brian Dooley issued the following statement: “Today’s results won’t change very much…
Press
Bahrain Needs Inclusive Government to Fight Sectarianism
November 21, 2014
Washington, D.C. – On the eve of parliamentary elections in Bahrain, Human Rights First highlighted the kingdom’s need for real democratic reforms that support an inclusive government. Saturday’s parliamentary…
Blog
Criminalization of Dissent in the Gulf
November 20, 2014
By Carolyn Greco Last week in Washington DC, Human Rights First hosted six leading NGOs to discuss the increased criminalization of peaceful dissent in the…
Blog
Seven Things to Watch For in Bahrain’s Upcoming Elections
November 18, 2014
By Brian Dooley This blog is cross-posted from The Huffington Post. On Saturday, U.S. ally Bahrain will have its first parliamentary elections since the 2011 mass demonstrations…
Blog
Washington Week on Human Rights: November 17, 2014
November 17, 2014
Top News Immigration During a Saturday panel at the Reagan Presidential Library, Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson confirmed that President Obama is expected to issue…
Blog
Washington Week on Human Rights: November 10, 2014
November 12, 2014
Top News TORTURE This week, the United States will appear before the United Nations Committee Against Torture in Geneva to describe its efforts to fulfill America’s…
Letter
Letter to General John Allen
November 6, 2014
November 5, 2014 General John Allen Special Presidential Envoy for the Global Coalition to Counter ISIL U.S. Department of State 201 C Street NW Washington,…
Press
Obama Administration Should Raise Human Rights Concerns During Conference of Coalition to Counter ISIL in Bahrain
November 6, 2014
Washington, D.C. – Human Rights First today urged the Obama Administration to publicly raise concern over the Bahraini government’s ongoing human rights abuses as the Kingdom…
Letter
Letter to General John Allen
November 5, 2014
November 5, 2014 General John Allen Special Presidential Envoy for the Global Coalition to Counter ISIL U.S. Department of State 201 C Street NW Washington,…
Blog
Election Day Reflection
November 4, 2014
By Maddy Tennis Today U.S. citizens head to the polls, exercising the fundamental freedom of the right to vote. As we practice democracy at its…
Blog
Washington Week on Human Rights: November 3, 2014
November 3, 2014
Top News TORTURE The United Nations Committee Against Torture kicked off its November session today and will review steps taken by countries to prevent torture and…
Press
Bahrain Suspends Opposition Group for Three Months
October 28, 2014
Washington, D.C. – Human Rights First said that today’s three-month suspension of the Bahraini opposition group al Wefaq is likely to lead to more friction and…
Blog
Don’t Blame New Freedoms for Violent Religious Extremism
October 23, 2014
This is a cross post from The Huffington Post Dictatorships do a great deal more to create and maintain violent religious extremism than liberalization has done…
Blog
Washington Week on Human Rights: October 20, 2014
October 20, 2014
Top News TORTURE Over the weekend, The New York Times’ Charlie Savage reported that State Department attorneys are urging the president to “officially abandon” the George W.…
Blog
Is the United States Government Finally Losing Patience with Bahrain?
October 20, 2014
By Brian Dooley This is a cross post from the Huffington Post The U.S. State Department today reacted to a decision by a Bahraini judge not to…
Press
Bahrain Court Refuses Release of Human Rights Defender Nabeel Rajab
October 19, 2014
Washington, D.C. – Human Rights First today expressed deep concern at a Bahraini court’s decision to continue the imprisonment of prominent human rights defender Nabeel Rajab,…
Press
Nabeel Rajab Trial Opens Sunday as U.S. Government Urges Bahrain to Drop Charges
October 17, 2014
Washington, D.C. – Human Rights First today welcomed the U.S. State Department’s call urging the Bahraini government to drop the charges against prominent human rights defender…
Blog
Washington Week on Human Rights: October 14, 2014
October 14, 2014
Top News KERRY TO CAIRO Secretary of State John Kerry is in Cairo today to participate in an international conference of 50 nations pledging $5…
Blog
Bahrain Human Rights Defender Faces Charges for Tweet
October 14, 2014
By Brian Dooley This is a cross-post from the Huffington Post Within two weeks of releasing leading human rights defender Maryam Al Khawaja from jail the Bahrain…
Blog
Washington Week on Human Rights: October 6, 2014
October 6, 2014
Top News IMMIGRATION DETENTION ABUSE CLAIMS Several women detained at the Karnes County Residential Center, an immigration detention facility in southern Texas, say workers have sexually…
Blog
Fighting the Closure of Civil Society Space
October 3, 2014
By Carolyn Greco Last week, the United States joined other governments at the United Nations Human Rights Council to pass the Irish-led resolution A/HRC/27/L.24 calling for support and defense of civil societies.…
Press
Reports That Travel Ban on Bahraini Activist Maryam Al Khawaja Lifted, Nabeel Rajab Detained
October 1, 2014
Washington, D.C. – Human Rights First today welcomed news that leading human rights activist Maryam Al Khawaja will be allowed to leave Bahrain. The organization…
Blog
Washington Week on Human Rights: September 29, 2014
September 29, 2014
Top News ISIS This week, the United States will continue its work to expand the coalition of nations joining in the effort to defeat the Islamic…
Press
As Trial of Activist Maryam Al Khawaja Approaches, Senators Call on Bahrain to Drop Charges
September 26, 2014
Washington, D.C. – A bipartisan group of six U.S. Senators urged the Bahraini government to drop the travel ban and charges that have been levied against…
Letter
Senators Urge Bahrain to Drop Charges on Maryam Al Khawaja
September 26, 2014
Senators Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Ron Wyden (D-OR) urged the Bahraini government to drop…
Blog
President’s Strategy for Confronting Violent Extremism Is Unconvincing
September 25, 2014
This blog is cross posted from The Huffington Post: President Obama’s remarks to the United Nations General Assembly singled out “the cancer of violent extremism” in…
Blog
Washington Week on Human Rights: September 22, 2014
September 25, 2014
Top News U.N. General Assembly This week, as the United Nations General Assembly gathers in New York City, President Obama will address member nations on Wednesday…
Press
Bahraini Activist Maryam Al Khawaja Released from Detention
September 18, 2014
Washington, D.C. – Human Rights First today welcomes reports that leading human rights activist Maryam Al Khawaja has been released from detention in Bahrain, and urges the Bahraini…
Blog
What’s Next for Maryam Al Khawaja?
September 18, 2014
This is cross posted from The Huffington Post: Today’s release of Maryam Al Khawaja after nearly three weeks in jail is welcome. But it’s tempered by…
Press
Bahraini Court Extends Maryam Al Khawaja’s Detention for the Second Time
September 16, 2014
Washington, D.C. – Human Rights First said that today’s Bahraini court decision to extend the detention of leading human rights activist Maryam Al Khawaja for a second time demonstrates the…
Letter
Letter Urging King of Bahrain to Release Maryam Al-Khawaja
September 15, 2014
Your Royal Highness, We are concerned at the continuing detention of human rights defender Maryam Al-Khawaja, who was arrested on August 30 2014, and we…
Blog
Washington Week on Human Rights: September 15, 2014
September 15, 2014
Top News Congressional ISIS Hearings Members of the House and Senate will hold a series of hearings this week on the administration’s plan to address the…
Blog
You Can Imprison the Revolutionary, but You Cannot Imprison the Revolution
September 12, 2014
Anyone who’s met Maryam Al-Khawaja knows she’s amazing. In 2012, Maryam accepted the Baldwin Medal of Liberty at our annual human rights Summit on behalf…
Blog
Ambassador Nominee States Intent to Flout Bahrain Law on Meeting Opposition
September 11, 2014
It was a question I was hoping for. At yesterday’s Senate Foreign Releations Committee hearing for Bill Roebuck, President Obama’s nominee to be the new U.S. Ambassador…
Press
Human Rights First’s Dooley Responds to Senate Hearing on Nomination of Ambassador to Bahrain
September 10, 2014
Washington, D.C. – Following today’s Senate Committee on Foreign Relations hearing on the nomination of William Roebuck to be Ambassador of the United States of America…
Press
Court Hearing on Bahrain Opposition Group Marks Deepening Human Rights Crisis
September 8, 2014
Washington, D.C. – Human Rights First said that tomorrow’s court hearing in Bahrain to consider the legality of peaceful opposition group Wa’ad (National Democratic Action Society),…
Blog
Washington Week on Human Rights: September 8, 2014
September 8, 2014
Top News ISIS President Obama will deliver an address on Wednesday to detail the administration’s plan for responding to the violence committed by the Islamic State…
Press
Bahraini Judge Extends Maryam Al Khawaja’s Detention
September 6, 2014
Washington, D.C. – This morning, a Bahraini judge ruled to extend leading Bahraini human rights activist Maryam Al Khawaja’s detention for 10 days. Al Khawaja was…
Press
U.S. Government Should Speak Out On Al Khawaja Trial
September 5, 2014
Washington, D.C. – Human Rights First today urged the U.S. Embassy in Bahrain to send an observer to monitor tomorrow’s court hearing for Bahraini human rights…
Opinion
How do you solve a problem like Maryam?
September 5, 2014
An opinion piece by Brian Dooley. The Bahraini government faces a tricky choice in the coming days as it weighs the political price of jailing…