Washington Center For Human Rights
From DC to the World
CategoriesBriefsOn March 10, 2025, Iranian intelligence arrested 4 Kurdish women activists. They were taken into custody in Kurdistan Province, with the claim of their involvement in international Women’s Day events. According to the Kurdistan Human Rights Network (KHRN), Leyla Pashaei and Sohyla Motaei were arrested in the cities of Iran, Saqqez and Dehgolan without any […]
CategoriesStatementsThe Washington Center strongly criticized Israel for its actions to cut off electricity to the Gaza Strip. This move by Israel worsened the already dire situation in Palestine. On March 1, 2025, the first phase of the ceasefire deal ended. Exactly 9 days after the ceasefire deal expired, Israel cut off electricity to Gaza. This […]
CategoriesAdvocacyOn March 1, 2025 the first phase of the ceasefire deal between Israel and Palestine ended. Exactly after the 9 days of ending the ceasefire deal, Israel cut off electricity to Gaza Strip. Rights groups have condemned this move by Israel, stating that it violates the basic rights of Palestinians. It seems that Israel’s move […]
CategoriesAdvocacyPeople across the world have criticized Israel for its actions of blocking food and many other essentials into Gaza. This decision by Israel was labeled as a breach of international law. Many organizations such as the United Nations and Oxfam have accused Israel of using starvation as a weapon and have demanded an instant move […]
CategoriesCountry ProfileMany human rights organizations heavily criticized Saudi Arabia’s record that operates in direct opposition to the death penalty and its gross abuses of combined injustices in its legal system. March 2022 perfectly showcased how untenable international action against the death penalty and abuses of human rights had become, especially when 81 men were executed in […]
CategoriesStatementsCrown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman and many other officials of Saudi Arabia continuously violated human rights. The Washington Center strongly condemns the persistent and egregious human rights abuses of the nation. Under the leadership of Prince Salman, Saudi Arabia is involved in many human rights violations. It includes a lack of freedom of expression, torture, […]
CategoriesAdvocacyThe Saudi government persisted in its systematic curbs on religious and belief liberties until 2022. One of the Saudi Scholar, Sheikh Salman Al-Ouda has been detained since September 2017 without any legal charges. He has characterized his extended isolation as a breach of global human rights standards. This prolonged confinement is a mental disorder as […]
CategoriesAdvocacyThe United Nations has long been considered the global voice for human rights and freedom of speech. Meanwhile, it has faced criticisms over its commitment to uphold such principles after what happened during the recent international conference on Internet governance. There is controversy surrounding whether the UN is allowing diplomatic relations to override its core […]
CategoriesAdvocacyIt has been more than seven decades since the Jammu and Kashmir conflict. Today Jammu and Kashmir are still under brutal executions, torture, and rape from the Indian side. This effect lessens the ability of Kashmiris to fight for self-determination. For more than 70 violent years, Kashmiris have been adamantly calling for an end to […]
CategoriesAdvocacyThe geopolitical turmoil has long been centered on the Gaza Strip, where ongoing clashes between Israel and Hamas have significantly exacerbated the humanitarian crisis. According to reports, Israel has been seriously impeding humanitarian relief attempts in recent months, even after a ceasefire was declared. In 2007, Hamas took control of the Gaza Strip after a […]
CategoriesStatementsRecently, Switzerland deported the Palestinian American journalist Ali Abunimah. The Washington Center strongly criticized this action. Ali’s detention and expulsion are a clear signal that people don’t have the right to speak openly, especially in favor of Palestinian rights. Ali Abunimah, Executive Director of The Electronic Intifada, came to Zurich for a series of events. […]
CategoriesAdvocacyIsrael has stepped up its military attacks starting October 7, 2023, targeting civilian facilities and destroying the area, according to data from the Gaza administration. The death toll from the 470-day bombardment is 57,136, and 11,200 people are still unaccounted for and probably trapped under the rubble. Due to the attacks’ destruction of vital civilian […]
CategoriesAdvocacyIn the fourth quarter of 2024, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD) stated that 13 recruitment offices would be closed and that 31 others would have their licenses revoked for a variety of infractions. Following ministry authorities’ inspection raids of recruitment agencies and businesses, punitive actions were implemented. Following their failure to […]
CategoriesAdvocacyFollowing Gulen’s death on October 20, 2024, the pro-government media constantly exploited hate speech to dehumanize and demonize him and his supporters, taking inspiration from President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s inflammatory statements. To silence moderate views and make anti-Gulen hate speech the prevailing public discourse, the administration also launched a wave of censorship at the same […]
CategoriesCountry ProfileDespite being accused of corruption, labor exploitation, sexual harassment, and abuse of power, a Turkish company that was controversially given the management of Somalia’s international airport through a dubious contract and appears to have involved Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has long been opposed to scrutiny. Most recently, the company’s impunity was demonstrated when a […]
CategoriesAdvocacyThe Israeli far-right minister Itamar Ben-Gvir’s visit to the holy Al-Aqsa Mosque complex in the Old City of occupied East Jerusalem was accepted by Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The national security minister’s Thursday morning visit and prayer at the Al-Aqsa compound, according to the ministry, was a blatant transgression and a provocation of […]
CategoriesCountry ProfileAt Multan International Airport, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) stopped a human trafficking attempt that was masquerading as an Umrah journey. Five passengers were detained by authorities after being removed from a flight headed for Saudi Arabia. According to an FIA official, the suspects were using Umrah visas and planned to use Saudi Arabia to […]
CategoriesAdvocacyDespite de facto ruler Mohammed bin Salman’s 2022 claim that the death penalty had been abolished in Saudi Arabia save in murder cases as part of his vision for a new open kingdom, the country hanged 330 people this year, the most in decades. Under the crown prince’s (abbreviated MBS) Vision 2030 plan, the nation […]
CategoriesCountry ProfileIn 2024, the nation’s migration sector remained mired in corruption and irregularities, continued to rely on Middle Eastern labor markets, particularly the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), and failed to investigate new labor destinations or reopen the old ones. Up until December 20th of this year, almost 60% of all workers who traveled overseas selected […]
CategoriesAdvocacyFor years, Saudi Arabia, a longstanding ally of the United States, has been eager to purchase the fifth-generation, stealthy F-35 Lightning II fighter plane. However, according to reports, the kingdom is searching for a substitute since the Pentagon is taking its time. Days after the United Arab Emirates (UAE) made a similar request, Saudi Arabia […]
CategoriesAdvocacyDespite de facto ruler Mohammed bin Salman’s 2022 claim that the death penalty had been abolished in Saudi Arabia save in murder cases as part of his vision for a new open kingdom, the country hanged 330 people this year, the most in decades. Under the crown prince’s (abbreviated MBS) Vision 2030 plan, the nation […]
CategoriesCountry ProfileA car crashed into a throng at a Christmas market in Magdeburg, Germany, on Friday, killing at least five people, including a toddler, and injuring more than 200 others. Taleb, a 50-year-old Saudi Arabian doctor, has been taken into custody by German police, who claim he was operating the vehicle. Notably, officials later acknowledged that […]
CategoriesCountry ProfileSpeaking at a recent conference in Saudi Arabia, Stephen Carter, CEO of Informa PLC, claims he broke a fundamental rule of his profession. The U.K.-based company Informa creates live events and exhibitions, and it functions best in the background. Speaking at the International MICE Summit earlier this month in Riyadh, Carter stated, “As someone told […]
CategoriesAdvocacyFor posting on social media, authorities arrested human rights campaigners, public intellectuals, and nonviolent dissidents and condemned others to decades in prison. Torture and mistreatment, extended arbitrary incarceration, and asset confiscation without a clear legal process are only a few examples of the widespread abusive behaviors that continue to occur in detention facilities. Crown Prince […]
CategoriesCountry ProfileIt was confirmed after the Australian withdrawal that Saudi Arabia would become the host nation of the 2034 FIFA World Cup. This selection of Saudi Arabia was due to its financial power within FIFA and was not surprising. The critics charged Saudi Arabia with the allegation of “sportswashing”. According to opponents the aim of Saudi […]
CategoriesCountry ProfileIt should come as no surprise that they won the proposal to host the 2034 World Cup, marking the second time the tournament would take place in the Middle East. The tournament’s ethics, logistics, and format are all flawed, but the human rights aspect is the most significant. People will claim that it’s beneficial for […]
CategoriesAdvocacyFIFA issued a positive assessment of Saudi Arabia’s bid to host the 2034 World Cup early on Saturday, November 30, stating that it posed just a “medium” risk to human rights and awarding it the joint-highest score of any bidding country. A long-awaited assessment on whether it should pay migrant workers who endured serious labor […]
CategoriesCountry ProfileTwo days prior to FIFA confirming Saudi Arabia as the host of the 2034 World Cup, the top human rights official at the United Nations promised Monday to work toward ensuring that migrant labor rules are “properly respected” during the tournament. FIFA will call an online conference of its 211 member federations on Wednesday to […]
CategoriesAdvocacyDonald Trump made a post on the social networking site Truth Social in February of 2024, nine months prior to his election to a second term as president of the United States. He wrote, “We should never give money again without the expectation of repayment or without strings attached.” “America’s United States should stop being […]
CategoriesCountry ProfileNowadays Saudi Arabia is involved in serious human rights violation cases. The increasing number of executions has raised serious concerns about this nation. In 2024, Saudi Arabia executed more than 300 people. This number is recorded as the highest figure in the Kingdom’s history this year. Recently, the nation announced the death penalty for 4 […]
CategoriesStatementsOn 4 December 2024, a former Nepalese migrant worker who was based in Saudi Arabia wrote, I borrowed US$1,115 at a 42 percent interest rate from family members to pay the agent the recruitment expenses. I was assigned as a laborer at a furniture factory where I had to carry loads, despite being assured that […]
CategoriesStatementsThe Washington Centre strongly condemns the alarming reports of Colombian mercenaries being deployed by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to support the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) led by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as “Hemeti,” in Sudan. This revelation highlights a deeply troubling pattern of external interference that exacerbates Sudan’s ongoing humanitarian crisis. Reports indicate […]
CategoriesCountry ProfileThe UAE uses strict laws to stop protests and criticism, aiming to protect its relationships with other countries and keep peace. Even though some reforms were introduced, migrant workers still face unfair treatment under the restrictive Kafala system, with little change seen in practice. The former minister and advisor of the United Arab Emirates, Anwar […]
CategoriesStatementsThe Washington Centre for Human Rights expresses serious concern over the detention of Ahmed Kamel, an Egyptian citizen, in Saudi Arabia. The Centre condemns the potential deportation of Kamel to Egypt, where he faces a high risk of torture, ill-treatment, and other human rights violations. The risks involved in his extradition raise significant alarm, as […]
CategoriesBriefsThe Washington Centre for Human Rights expresses profound concern about Saudi Arabia’s bid to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup. The Centre condemns the country’s current human rights practices, particularly in relation to migrant workers, freedom of speech, and the treatment of women and marginalized communities. Saudi Arabia’s human rights record raises significant alarms, and […]
CategoriesCountry ProfileIt seems self-serving that Saudi Arabia is making efforts to work with Egypt in order to maintain regional stability. At the same time, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan paid attention to the importance of their cooperation. It is worth questioning how genuine the partnership is. In the joint press conference with Egyptian Foreign […]
CategoriesAdvocacyA positive outlook for the future of the Middle East was introduced by the Abraham Accords. Initiating official diplomatic relations between Israel and several Arab countries, these normalization accords were signed in 2020 to promote peace and economic collaboration in ways that many people believed were unthinkable during our time. It appeared as though the […]
CategoriesStatementsThe Washington Centre for Human Rights expresses deep concern regarding the unlawful detention of Abdul-Baqi Saeed Abdo, a Yemeni Christian, who has been imprisoned in Egypt since December 15, 2021. Abdo’s case highlights the ongoing human rights violations faced by individuals exercising their freedom of religion and belief in certain parts of the world, including […]
CategoriesAdvocacyIn 2024, Saudi Arabia killed 101 foreigners, the most executions in the kingdom’s history in a single year. The number is almost three times as many foreigners as were put to death in 2022 and 2023 (34 each year). Human rights organizations have charged the monarchy with using the death sentence at an unprecedented level. […]
CategoriesCountry ProfileEven though the Middle Eastern country still needs to build several of the venues suggested for the tournament, FIFA gave Saudi Arabia’s 2034 World Cup bid a higher technical grade than the 2026 joint bid by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Although eight stadiums still need to be constructed, the 2034 proposal achieved an […]
CategoriesStatementsThe Washington Centre for Human Rights expresses its deep concerns over the ongoing environmental challenges discussed at the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) COP16 conference, currently taking place in Saudi Arabia. The event, which brings together representatives from 196 countries and the European Union, focuses on the global crisis of land degradation and […]
CategoriesCountry ProfileTwo Saudi and four Western sources told that Saudi Arabia is now pursuing a more modest military cooperation arrangement with Washington, abandoning its goal of an extensive defense treaty in exchange for normalizing relations with Israel. Riyadh changed its stance on Palestinian statehood early this year to finalize a comprehensive mutual security pact, informing Washington […]
CategoriesAdvocacyJournalist Larry Madowo disclosed that Kenyan nurses and caretakers in Saudi Arabia are facing deportation threats a day after he first reported their misery. This follows the widespread success of his tweets detailing the hardships faced by nurses dispatched to the Asian nation. In a Friday, November 29 post on X, the writer recounted some […]
CategoriesBriefsThe Washington Centre for Human Rights expresses deep concern over the alarming rise in executions carried out by Saudi Arabia since the beginning of 2024. According to official reports, more than 300 executions have taken place, an unprecedented number when compared to the kingdom’s usual annual totals of around 100 to 150. This sharp increase […]
CategoriesAdvocacyThe serious human rights issues raised in Saudi Arabia due to the execution proactices lack transparency. Many reports clearly highlight that convicted individuals face many complexities during their arrest and trial. They don’t even have the opportunity to prove themselves right. Furthermore, there are many documented cases of torture and mistreatment at the time of […]
CategoriesCountry ProfileITUC Africa and other prominent labor unions have raised concerns over the exploitation of migrant workers in Saudi Arabia by filing a protest with the UN, just weeks before FIFA formally awards Saudi Arabia the 2034 World Cup. 18 million workers are represented by ITUC Africa, a trade organization that has denounced the “cycle of […]
CategoriesAdvocacyWith a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.13% from 2025 to 2033, the Saudi Arabian film market is expected to grow from US$ 590.32 million in 2024 to US$ 1.29 billion by 2033. But a holy place for Muslims is now seen as a fantasy for others. Major development reasons for Saudi Arabia’s film […]
CategoriesCountry ProfileThe United Nations has received a complaint against Saudi Arabia’s labor policies from a trade union representing 18 million African workers. With the nation set to receive hosting rights for the World Cup next month, it has demanded “immediate and decisive action.” The African Regional Organization of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC-Africa) contends that […]
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 […]
CategoriesAdvocacyArguably the most well-known political prisoner in the Arab world is Alaa Abd el-Fattah, a computer programmer and activist who was imprisoned for distributing false information and jeopardizing national security. He became well-known for his activism and writing on opposing authoritarianism, and he played a significant role in the 2011 revolution in Egypt that toppled […]