Americans for Democracy & Human Rights in Bahrain (ADHRB) participated in the 60th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC60), held from 8 September to 8 October 2025.
During this session, ADHRB delivered seven oral interventions exposing human rights violations across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), particularly in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. It also addressed Israel’s ongoing genocide in Gaza and the attacks on Yemen linked to its support for the right to self-determination.
Under Item 2, ADHRB highlighted Bahrain’s escalating repression during the 2025 Ashura season. Under Item 3, it delivered two interventions: the first, in the Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on slavery, on the exploitation of migrant workers in the GCC; and the second, during the general debate, on the repression of fundamental freedoms in Bahrain, particularly freedom of the press. Under Item 4, ADHRB denounced continued arbitrary restrictions on the rights of former political prisoners in Bahrain and drew attention to the ongoing genocide in Gaza since 7 October 2023. In the general debate under Item 8, it focused on U.S. and Israeli attacks on civilians in Yemen and their direct link to the genocide in Gaza. Finally, under Item 9, ADHRB highlighted the systematic religious persecution of the Shia community in Saudi Arabia.
Item 2
In its intervention under Item 2 at HRC60 during the general debate on 10 September 2025, ADHRB addressed the dangerous escalation in Bahrain during the 2025 Ashura season. This included more than 60 summonses and arrests of preachers, eulogists, and minors, the storming of over 15 areas, the removal of Ashura manifestations, and attacks on historic religious sites. ADHRB further highlighted the violent assault on Hasan AlAnfooz, which resulted in serious injury, noting the absence of any genuine investigation or accountability. These violations, it stressed, exemplify sectarian discrimination and entrenched impunity. ADHRB called for urgent measures to protect religious freedoms in Bahrain and to end systematic violations against the Shia community.
Item 3
ADHRB delivered two interventions under Item 3 of the Council’s agenda on 12 and 19 September 2025, during the General Debate and the Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on slavery.
In its intervention under Item 3 during the Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on Slavery, on 12 September, ADHRB drew attention to the exploitation of migrant workers in the GCC countries. It cited poor living conditions, overcrowded and unsanitary housing, long working hours in extreme heat, physical and psychological abuse, and low wages. It also condemned the continued use of the Kafala system, which grants employers absolute power, enabling deception about working conditions, withholding of wages, confiscation of passports, and denial of basic necessities—leaving workers trapped in extreme poverty and punished when resisting these abuses. ADHRB concluded by asking Special Rapporteur Tom Obokata about the urgent need to end modern-day slavery in the Gulf rather than waiting for further human rights catastrophes.
On 19 September, ADHRB delivered its second intervention under Item 3, focusing on the ongoing repression of fundamental freedoms in Bahrain, particularly freedom of the press. It noted that the Bahrain Press Association documented more than 2,000 violations of freedom of expression in the first half of 2025, including the arrest and torture of photographer Sayed Baqer AlKamel, as well as Qasim Mohamed and Husain Helal, for content or activities related to Ashura. ADHRB also warned that the newly amended press law imposes strict licensing requirements on media outlets, strengthening state censorship and silencing dissent. In conclusion, it urged Bahrain to repeal these regressive laws, respect fundamental freedoms, and bring its legislation into full compliance with its international human rights obligations.
Item 4
Under Item 4 at HRC60, ADHRB delivered two interventions during the general debate on 23 September 2025.
In its first intervention, ADHRB highlighted the continued arbitrary restrictions on the fundamental rights of former political prisoners in Bahrain. Human rights defenders and activists, including Najah Yusuf, Ali Muhana, Naji Fateel, and Ali AlHajee, have faced dismissal from their jobs, denial of employment and housing opportunities, repeated arrests and summonses, travel restrictions, and reprisals targeting their families. Authorities have further imposed arbitrary travel bans and refused to issue good conduct certificates, depriving them of their basic rights. ADHRB urged immediate action to end these reprisals and to hold Bahraini authorities accountable.
In its second intervention, ADHRB focused on the ongoing genocide in Gaza since 7 October 2023, which has killed over 70,000 Palestinians, including 20,000 children and 12,500 women, and erased 2,700 families from civil records. It noted that 90% of the Strip has been destroyed, 2 million people displaced, famine is deepening, and both medical and media personnel are being deliberately targeted while humanitarian aid is obstructed. ADHRB called on the international community to act urgently to end the war, lift the blockade, and protect civilians, stressing that every day of inaction costs lives and undermines the credibility of international institutions.
Item 8
On 30 September, under Item 8, ADHRB addressed U.S. and Israeli attacks on civilians in Yemen, directly linked to Israel’s genocide in Gaza. These attacks struck vital infrastructure, including ports, electricity and oil facilities, airports, factories, and homes, killing 1,403 civilians, among them 174 children and 117 women. ADHRB also condemned the deliberate targeting of journalists, noting that 31 were killed in airstrikes on two newspaper offices on 10 September—constituting a war crime and a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law. ADHRB called on states to hold perpetrators accountable and ensure support for the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination.
Item 9
During the General Debate under Item 9, ADHRB highlighted the systematic religious persecution of the Shia community in Saudi Arabia. This includes severe restrictions on religious practice, curtailment of religious gatherings, bans on independent preachers and Husaini guesthouses, arbitrary arrests and summonses, and strict censorship of sermons. ADHRB also drew attention to sectarian discrimination in access to government jobs and leadership positions, alongside unfair politically motivated prosecutions, prison sentences, and executions. It called for an end to all forms of sectarian discrimination, the release of political prisoners, the protection of religious freedoms, and accountability through an independent investigation.
Through its participation in the 60th session of the Human Rights Council, Americans for Democracy & Human Rights in Bahrain (ADHRB) shed light on gross and systematic violations in Bahrain and GCC states, as well as the humanitarian crises in Palestine and Yemen. Its interventions covered key issues such as the suppression of fundamental freedoms and freedom of the press, arbitrary arrests and reprisals against political prisoners, the exploitation of migrant workers and the Kafala system, sectarian discrimination against Shia, and war crimes, including deliberate attacks on civilians, medical staff, and journalists. ADHRB has meticulously documented the impact of these policies on the most vulnerable groups, including children, women, journalists, migrant workers, and civil society activists.
These interventions serve as an urgent call for the international community to take decisive steps to protect human rights, ensure accountability, and end ongoing violations, including by safeguarding the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination. Such action is essential to achieve justice and to uphold the credibility and effectiveness of international institutions in defending human rights.
The post An Overview of ADHRB’s Participation in the 60th Session of the Human Rights Council appeared first on Americans for Democracy & Human Rights in Bahrain.
This post was originally published on Americans for Democracy & Human Rights in Bahrain.