Series of arrests in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, UAE targeting pro-Palestinian gatherings, Human rights group says

The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor condemned the campaign of arrests that it said took place in Bahrain, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia on the background of the right to freedom of expression in connection with the ongoing Israeli war on Gaza.

The monitor said in a statement that it “documented a series of arrests and subpoenas followed by several days of detention by the Bahraini, Emirati, and Saudi authorities, apparently related to solidarity with the Gaza Strip in light of the ongoing Israeli war since October 7.”

In Bahrain, the report found that at least 35 citizens were arrested, some of whom were released and others had their detention extended. The report also found that the authorities summoned a number of academics and opinion activists to warn them against organizing any events or expressing their, opinions on the issue of Gaza.

In the UAE, the report found that the authorities summoned a number of academics and opinion activists to the headquarters of the State Security Service to warn them against organizing any events or expressing their opinions on the issue. The report also found that the authorities have been restricting freedom of expression in the country, including through arbitrary arrests, torture, and enforced disappearance.

In Saudi Arabia, the report found that the authorities arrested a number of pilgrims to the holy places in Mecca and Medina on the background of their expression of solidarity with the Palestinian people, including wearing the Palestinian keffiyeh.

The report also found that the authorities arrested the British Muslim actor and director Islah Abd al-Rahman due to wearing the Palestinian keffiyeh in Mecca.