Washington Center For Human Rights
From DC to the World
CategoriesBriefsThe Washington Centre for Human Rights expresses deep concerns regarding the growing misuse of cybercrime laws in the Arab region to restrict fundamental freedoms and suppress free expression. These laws, while intended to combat cybercrime, have increasingly been leveraged by authoritarian governments to stifle dissent and silence critics under the guise of national security and […]
CategoriesAdvocacyOn November 5, former President Donald Trump regained the White House in a landslide victory over his Democratic opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris. Global watchers are closely examining the outcomes, with US allies, partners, and enemies making predictions about the future strategic course of the Trump administration. There seems to be general agreement that Trump’s […]
CategoriesStatementsThe Washington Centre for Human Rights is deeply concerned about the recent findings regarding the use of French-manufactured military systems on armored personnel carriers (APCs) that are currently being deployed in the ongoing conflict in Sudan. These systems, which include the Galix defense system, were found to be in use by the Rapid Support Forces […]
CategoriesCountry ProfileSaudi Arabia’s possibly joining the United Nations Human Rights Council is upsetting campaigners. According to them, including Saudi Arabia in the UNHR is unfair to victims of abuse. Under the leadership of Mohammad Bin Salman, this nation executed more than 200 people in 2024. The government is making efforts to show that they are […]
CategoriesCountry ProfileThe Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) condemned all atrocities against Palestinians, including the murder of tens of thousands of people in the Gaza Strip, most of which were women and children. Recently, at least hundreds of Ethiopian migrants and asylum seekers were killed by Saudi Arabian authorities at the Yemen-Saudi border; these killings may qualify […]
CategoriesAdvocacyRecently, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman and Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi met in Cairo. The conversation highlighted Saudi Arabia’s ongoing efforts to increase its influence in Egypt. These two nations have been close for many years, and now Saudi Arabia seeks to expand its control in the region. During this conversation, two agreements […]
CategoriesCountry ProfileSaudi Arabia is trying to improve the image of its significant project named Neom. For this purpose, the nation is relying on the media but has failed to convince the people. Neom area, having a cost of $1.5 trillion, is developed under the leadership of Mohammad Bin Salman, on the Red Sea coast. The project […]
CategoriesStatementsThe Washington Centre of Human Rights firmly condemns the persistent human rights abuses in Saudi Arabia, where restrictions on freedoms and unjust treatment of citizens continue to harm and marginalize countless individuals. These actions are in violation of both Saudi Arabian national law and international human rights commitments. According to the Saudi Basic Law of […]
CategoriesStatementsThe Washington Centre for Human Rights strongly condemns the escalating human rights violations occurring in Sudan, as reports of targeted attacks on civilians, arbitrary detentions, and restrictions on freedom of expression and assembly continue to emerge. These acts not only contravene Sudan’s own constitutional guarantees for the protection of human rights but also violate several […]
CategoriesStatementsThe Washington Centre of Human Rights stands in unequivocal condemnation of the ongoing human rights violations in Afghanistan. The widespread abuses targeting fundamental freedoms and the dignity of Afghan citizens contravene both national and international human rights standards, which every state is obligated to uphold. Under Afghanistan’s own Constitution, notably Articles 22 and 23, there […]
CategoriesBriefsThe Washington Centre for Human Rights expresses deep concerns regarding the ongoing process to select Saudi Arabia as the host for the 2034 FIFA World Cup. It condemns the lack of adequate human rights protections in the current bidding process and urges FIFA to halt the approval of Saudi Arabia’s bid unless major reforms are […]
CategoriesBriefsRiyadh, Saudi Arabia — In a moment of sporting glamour, the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) Finals kicked off in Riyadh on Saturday night, marking the latest in Saudi Arabia’s aggressive push to redefine its image through high-profile sports events. The prestigious event, which featured top tennis players like Coco Gauff and Zheng Qinwen, was broadcast […]
CategoriesBriefsHuman rights organizations are urging FIFA to halt its decision to award Saudi Arabia the hosting rights for the 2034 World Cup, citing significant concerns over the country’s human rights record. The call comes as FIFA prepares for an extraordinary Congress on December 11, where national football associations will vote on the sole bid submitted […]
CategoriesCountry ProfileIn several countries governed by Sharia law, the lives of women are marked by systemic oppression, restrictions on personal freedoms, and denial of basic human rights. While the interpretation and implementation of Sharia law may vary across nations, its impact on women remains predominantly negative in many regions. Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Afghanistan represent stark […]
CategoriesCountry ProfileIn a remarkable display of sports diplomacy, Riyadh is hosting the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) Finals, heralded as the “crown jewel” of women’s tennis for 2024. The tournament is touted as a major breakthrough for women’s sport in the Kingdom, marking the first professional women’s tennis event held in Saudi Arabia as part of a […]
CategoriesAdvocacyAs FIFA prepares for a critical vote on December 11 regarding the host nation for the 2034 FIFA World Cup, Saudi Arabia stands as the sole bidder. However, human rights organizations are raising alarm over the potential consequences of awarding the tournament to the Gulf kingdom. Amid fears of migrant worker exploitation, severe restrictions on […]
CategoriesAdvocacyThe potential return of Donald Trump to the US presidency has sparked mixed reactions globally, but for many Arab regimes, particularly in the Gulf, it may be seen as a welcomed shift in US foreign policy. Trump’s approach to foreign relations during his first term, notably with Saudi Arabia and other Arab monarchies, made him […]
CategoriesBriefsThe Washington Center for Human Rights hosted an event on human rights violations in Sudan and war crimes supported by the UAE. The event was organized in the U.S. Congress. The focus of the event was to discuss the armed conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, along with their allied […]
CategoriesAdvocacyOne of the highly rewarding events for six ATP players is the Six Kings Slam. In this event, each one receives $1.5 million just for appearing. The names of the participants were Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Holger Rune, Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, and Daniil Medvedev. However, the winner will earn a massive amount, of approximately […]
CategoriesAdvocacyCarlos Alcaraz recently competed at the Six King Slam event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He is one of the top young tennis players who publicly thanked Turki Alalshikh. Turki Alalshikh is the head of the General Entertainment Authority and a close advisor to the Saudi royal family. Carlos Alcaraz praised him for efficiently organizing the […]
CategoriesStatementsThe Washington Centre for Human Rights is deeply concerned by the recent actions of Australian actor Chris Hemsworth, who starred in an advertisement promoting the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as a desirable tourism destination. Hemsworth, known for his role in the Thor franchise, appeared alongside his wife, Elsa Pataky, in a slick, glossy promotional video […]
CategoriesAdvocacyThe Line project in Saudi Arabia has drawn serious opposition. It is a planned 100-mile-long city that has received criticism because of its bad impact on workers’ health and nearby communities. Even though it is promoted as a futuristic, sustainable city, troubling reports have emerged about harsh labor practices and forced displacements. Reports have explored […]
CategoriesAdvocacySaudi Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman’s key focus is the Nowadya Neom City project. His Vision 2030 aims to modernize Saudi Arabia. This outstanding urban development is intended to transform the nation. However, due to unsafe working conditions, it has faced criticism. Many reports and documentaries explore alarming details about this situation. According to the […]
CategoriesAdvocacySaudi Arabia is increasing its interest and presence in English football. This expanding involvement of the nation raises concerns about its real goals. In October 2023, the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) spent a lot of money to purchase Newcastle United. The amount was approximately £300 million. According to critics, this investment was not just […]
CategoriesAdvocacyRecently, a report was released criticizing the large French supermarket in Saudi Arabia, Carrefour. According to the report, these agencies gave false information to the workers and misled them. They forced laborers to work for long hours, refused to give holidays, and were not paid fairly according to their hard work. Furthermore, they lived in […]
CategoriesAdvocacyRecently 57 Bangladeshi migrants were given harsh punishment, like prison sentences in the UAE for attempting peaceful protests. Now the decision to pardon them is a great relief. This announcement is a successful achievement for the chief adviser. Also, this resulted in a strong trade relationship with the United Arab Emirates. During the year of […]
CategoriesAdvocacyThe top priority of FIFA is always money. Due to this reason, the fight becomes more complicated, especially for women and LGBTQ+ rights. The struggle has now turned into the form of a battle between wealthy Gulf nations and the increasing success of women in sports. Women’s strong power has marked their name in the […]
CategoriesCountry ProfileMore than 100 female footballers do not want Saudi Arabia to host the FIFA World Cup 2034. For this purpose, they have signed a letter asking FIFA to end its sponsorship deal with Saudi Arabia’s state-owned oil company, Aramco. The players claimed that Saudi Arabia is involved in serious human rights violations, particularly against women. […]
CategoriesAdvocacyThe United Nations has requested Sudan’s military government to send international forces to save the lives of civilians in the ongoing war. But they refused to accept this request. The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and army both have violated the human rights of many innocent civilians, Stated the United Nations. Back in 2023, when the […]
CategoriesAdvocacyA recent report highlights the facts about Aramco, a company owned by the Saudi government. This company is the biggest spender on sports sponsorship in the faucet fuel industry, with $1.3 billion in deals. Saudi Arabia, a nation that prioritizes its interests, is using it to improve its image on the global stage and ignores […]
CategoriesAdvocacyThe war in Sudan began in April 2023, and it is still ongoing. The involvement of foreign nations such as Saudi Arabia and the UAE has worsened the war. These nations provide various weapons and military forces to the Sudanese troops. Due to this illegal help, the conflict intensifies and there is no chance of […]
CategoriesAdvocacyAntony Blinken is trying his best to secure the deal between Israel and Saudi Arabia, especially before President Biden’s terms end. Blinken has believed a ceasefire in Gaza could create peace across the world. However, Saudi Arabia is not a good and trustworthy partner in this process. This nation has a long history of human […]
CategoriesAdvocacyThe nation that is expected to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup is Saudi Arabia. This announcement shows a big concern about the country’s human rights record. Various human rights groups and Saudi activists are asking FIFA to ensure that the nation follows the human rights rules during the tournament. They want to check and […]
CategoriesCountry ProfileSaudi Arabia is the nation that has the highest number of executions. Recently, this country has executed a Filipino citizen for murder. At the same time, the government wants to reserve its seat on the United Nations Human Rights Council. This wish of the Saudi officials makes people question if they truly respect human rights. […]
CategoriesStatementsThe Washington Center for Human Rights has successfully conducted a Congressional Briefing titled “The Case for Accountability Six Years after the Murder of Khashoggi.” The event was moderated by Sherif Mansour, a civil society, human rights and democracy advocate held on 03 Oct 2024 at the Ford House office building. The panel of speakers included […]
CategoriesAdvocacyRecently a movie was released on Netflix named “The Goat Life” The theme of this movie tells the story of Najeeb Muhammad. He is an Indian migrant worker in Saudi Arabia in the 1990s. After getting stranded in the desert, Najeeb can work as a goat herder. Furthermore, the movie’s theme is based on the […]
CategoriesAdvocacyA Saudi fitness trainer and influencer, Manahel al-Otaibi, was assaulted in prison after being jailed in January. The question is, what crime did she commit? She supports women’s rights online. In response to this support, the Saudi government sentences her to 100 years in prison for the offence of “terrorist” in a secret trial. This […]
CategoriesCountry ProfileAnna’s TitToker user explored the harsh reality of living in Dubai. Her negative experience in Dubai highlights the deeper issues beneath the UAE’s good image. She called Dubai a “dystopian hell”. It suggests that people living in Dubai cannot share their views or speak freely. Her video went viral within minutes with more than 620,000 […]
CategoriesCountry ProfileRecently, the charges against Saudi princess Meshael Alayban of human trafficking were dismissed. The charges were related to holding a Kenyan servant like a virtual prisoner in her California home. The servant also claimed that the princess forced her to work 16 hours per day, seven days a week without any holiday. Furthermore, the payment […]
CategoriesAdvocacyEgypt’s cabinet said last week Saudi is decided to invest in Egypt’s financial markets. This huge investment, of approximately $5 billion will boost the market. It is important to know why Saudi Arabia took this action. What is their motive behind it? The UAE also invested in Egypt’s market before Saudi Arabia, which was $35 […]
CategoriesAdvocacyIn 2021, the Biden administration issued an order to stop the American support for aggressive actions in Yemen. It includes banning the arms sales to Saudi nationals. This decision was the same as the European nations did in the past, but it still permitted the sale of defensive weapons. Now the United States is planning […]
CategoriesCountry ProfileOn September 23, President Muhammad bin Zayed al-Nahyan visited Washington. This tour of the president highlights the ongoing efforts of the United Arab Emirates to maintain its global influence. This trip points out the deeper issues of the relationship between these two nations, the US and the UAE. The UAE is famous due to its […]
CategoriesAdvocacyRecently, a meeting in Riyadh was held. Many expresses attended this meeting and talked about Saudi Arabia‘s efforts to stop human trafficking. But the question is are all these efforts permanent or real? The name of the event was “Enhancing Cooperation in Combating Trafficking in Persons.” It brought many people together from various fields to […]
CategoriesAdvocacyFollowing the release of its “Bid Book” for the 48-team competition, Saudi Arabia has revealed that it has not complied with FIFA’s own human rights conditions in its bid for the 2034 men’s World Cup. Plans by Morocco, Portugal, and Spain to host the 2030 World Cup still have significant holes in them. Saudi Arabia […]
CategoriesCountry ProfileMany officials in Saudi Arabia are committed to fighting against human trafficking and enforcing labour laws. But at a closer look, these efforts feel more like a surface-level declaration than a genuine action. 30 July was the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons. This day is also observed globally by the United Nations. On this […]
CategoriesStatementsThe ongoing conflict in Sudan has led to widespread suffering, and the involvement of foreign actors has only exacerbated the situation. One of the most concerning international actors in this conflict is the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which has been providing critical support to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a militia responsible for numerous human […]
CategoriesBriefsAll those who speak against the government face a serious type of punishment from UAE officials. Citizenship revocation is a famous tool to punish those who freely speak or criticize the government. This tactic is mainly aimed at individuals involved in the “UAE84” trial, where 43 people were sentenced to life imprisonment on questionable terrorism […]
CategoriesAdvocacyMohammad Bin Salman, the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia wants to make his nation modern. He is doing his best to turn Saudi Arabia into a modern, tech-savvy place with new entertainment and a high-tech city. For this purpose he has made some major changes, like opening the movie theaters and letting women to drive […]
CategoriesAdvocacyThe recent actions conducted by Saudi authorities are deeply concerning. A Saudi man, known as Abdul-Majeed al-Nimr is the father of 4 children and 59 years old. He belongs to the Shiite-majority region of Qatif. Saudi authorities executed this person on August 17. They claimed that he was involved with an al-Qaeda-linked terrorist group. But […]
CategoriesAdvocacyThe recent report revealed that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman has warned the Biden administration. According to him, making a deal with Israel could put his life in danger. He also pointed out the case of former Egyptian President Anwar El Sadat. He was assassinated in 1981 by the Egyptian Islamic Jihad because he […]