Bahraini Medics’ Appeal Rejected Final Time
The appeal of nine Bahraini medics who treated victims of government crackdowns was rejected for the final time, and many of the sentences stem from "participating in illegal demonstrations." The sentences range from one month to five years. A number ...
Bahraini Protesters Arrested for Sabotage
On September 21, Bahraini police announced that they had arrested 29 suspects involved with rioting and vandalism in the capital city. “Rioters hurled petrol bombs, iron rods and stones, endangering both the police and civilians in the commercial centre ...
Pillay Condemns Bahrain’s “Reprisals and Intimidation” against Critics
U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay included Bahrain among the 16 nations accused of allowing government members to undertake "reprisals and intimidation against individuals" critical of regimes. Pillay said, "People may be threatened or harassed by ...
Bahraini Government Brings Legal Action Against al-Wefaq
Following protests in Manama on September 7, Minister of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments Sheikh Khalid bin Ali al-Khalifa voiced discontent with al-Wefaq's participation in the protests despite a government-imposed ban. The rally turned violent when police and protesters ...
NGOs Call US to Reject Bahrain UNHRC Nominee
In a letter released today, fourteen NGOs called on the United States to oppose the Bahraini candidate to the United Nations Human Rights Council's (UNHRC) Advisory Committee, Saeed al-Faihani. Groups including POMED, Human Rights Watch, The Foreign Policy ...
POMED Report: Analyzing the FY13 State and Foreign Operations Appropriations Bills
The Project on Middle East Democracy (POMED) released a report contrasting the House and Senate Appropriations bills for fiscal year 2013, examining the potential impact of these bills on foreign aid and democracy assistance. Among the notable findings are additional ...
UNHCR Details Syria’s Human Rights Absuses
The U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights released a report detailing human rights abuses in Syria. While Syrian forces were found responsible for a majority of the serious human rights abuses committed, the report contends there is evidence the opposition has ...
Universal Periodic Review of Tunisia
The United Nations High Commission for Human Rights held a Universal Periodic Review (UPR) on Tunisia on May 22. A delegation from Tunisia presented the following as positive achievements; the revolution of last year has led to a democratic transition, the new government has taken several measures to safeguard civil society, and efforts have been made to prevent violence against women. Delegations in the hearing also noted other positive changes, ...
Summary and Highlights of the FY13 House State and Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill
On Thursday (5/17), the House Appropriations Committee approved the fiscal year 2013 State and Foreign Operations Appropriations bill. According to a committee press release, the bill totals $40.1 billion in regular discretionary funding, which is $2 billion or 5 ...
The Ceasefire’s Struggle For Survival
The Associated Press reported today that the first six of the advanced team of U.N. observers arrived in Damascus to support the four-day-old ceasefire. Kofi Annan’s spokesman Ahmad Fawzi reported that the team will be led by Moroccan ...
POMED Notes: The Human Rights Crisis in Syria – Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission Hearing
On Tuesday, the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission held a hearing to examine the systemic and grave human rights abuses by the Syrian government, and the impact of those abuses on the Syrian people. Congressman Keith Ellison (D-MN) chaired the hearing. Congressman James McGovern (D-MA) and Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA) gave opening remarks. Panel one featured Ambassador Robert Ford as the witness, and Panel two featured Maria McFarland, deputy Washington ...
Middle East Tops Amnesty International’s Execution Report
Amnesty International released (Arabic) its annual report charting the surge in executions carried out internationally in 2011. According to Foreign Policy, a surge in executions can be attributed to the Middle East, which saw a 50% in confirmed executions for the year 2011, bringing the total number to 558. Iraq saw an estimated 68 executions, Saudi realized 82 deaths, and Iran, the top-placer in the report, saw 360. The U.S. ...
POMED Notes: “The Human Rights Situation in Syria”
On Tuesday, the Saban Center for Middle East Policy at Brookings hosted members of the U.N. Human Rights independent international Commission of Inquiry for Syria to discuss the findings of their recently released report. Paulo Pinhiero, the chairman of the commission, along with commissioners Yakin Erturk and Karen AbuZayd provided an overview of their investigation and described the current human rights situation in Syria. Senior Brookings Fellow Ted Piccone, deputy ...
POMED Notes: Options for U.S. Strategy Toward Syria
On Monday, the Saban Center for Middle East Policy at Brookings hosted a discussion on U.S. policy options in Syria. Panelists included Senior Fellow Daniel Byman, director of research for the Saban Center For Middle East Policy; Senior Fellow Michael Doran; Senior Fellow Kenneth Pollack; and Fellow Salman Shaikh, director of the Brookings Doha Center who appeared live from Doha Via video feed. Senior Fellow Tamara Cofman Wittes moderated the ...