FROM THE REGION

Iran

• Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and other top officials referred to the protesters as “villains” and “rioters,” but the protests have been almost entirely peaceful despite the security forces' heavy-handed response. Authorities also sent text messages to citizens demanding they avoid the “illegal gatherings” and threatening legal action. 
• The government sought to weaken the demonstrations and control the external flow of information by implementing a near-total internet shutdown. As of November 21, they seemed to have begun slowly lifting the shutdown, and connectivity was up to 10% according to NetBlocks, but mobile internet had not yet been restored. 
• “Shutting down communications over the internet is a systematic assault on the right to freedom of expression and suggests that the authorities have something to hide,” said Philip Luther, Amnesty's research and advocacy director for the Middle East and North Africa. 
• The state said it has arrested over 1,000 people since November 17, including human rights activist Sepideh Gholian, whose whereabouts are currently unknown. 
• Amnesty has called on Iranian officials to stop their crackdown, lift the internet block, respect the right to free assembly and expression, and release those detained for peaceful protest or criticism of the government. 

United Arab Emirates

• The letters came partially in response to the UAE’s hosting of a global forum on the eradication of infectious diseases. Michael Page, deputy Middle East director at HRW, said, “To show a genuine commitment to ending preventable diseases that affect the world’s most vulnerable communities, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al Nahyan should first look to cleaning up his own backyard.”
• HRW has recently reported on the UAE’s treatment of prisoners with HIV, frequently denying them necessary care. 

Bahrain

• On July 26, 2019, Mohammed climbed onto the roof of the Embassy in protest of the executions of two Bahraini men. According to the police report, Embassy staff told him, “We have two people being executed in Bahrain and you will be the third.” He was then dragged onto the rooftop, a wet shirt was put over his mouth, and staff attempted to tie his wrists, causing injuries that were documented by police.
• Mohammed said, “I believe I would have been killed, like Jamal Khashoggi. It can’t be right that serious crimes like this can be committed in embassies without being brought to justice. No one is above the law.” 
• The Director of Advocacy at the Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy (BIRD), Sayed Ahmed Alwadaei, stated, “In an era where Gulf states get away with murder in diplomatic missions as in the case of Khashoggi, we should know the truth about what happened and those who attacked Moosa must be held to account. “

Kuwait

• The cabinet resigned amid corruption allegations and feuds between members of the ruling family, including accusations by the defense minister that more than 240 million dinars ($790 million) went missing from a military aid fund under the watch of the interior minister when he served as defense minister. The alleged corruption sparked public protests outside of parliament earlier this month.
• According to Minister of Defense Nasser al Sabah, the cabinet resigned to “avoid presenting answers to the queries and questions presented to it about the transgressions that took place in the army fund and related accounts.”
• It is not unusual for Kuwaiti cabinets to resign when they are faced with no-confidence votes or inquiries into their actions; there have been seven governments since November 2011. The current cabinet will remain in a caretaker role until a new cabinet is formed. 

Saudi Arabia

• Those found guilty face prison sentences of up to 16 years and fines of 4 million riyals (around $1 million).
• Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has led a highly controversial anti-corruption campaign, which he himself described as “shock therapy,” since 2017 when he infamously ordered the detention of a number of high-profile Saudis in the Ritz-Carlton in Riyadh. The initiative has been criticized for failing to follow due process. 

• When one of the journalists worked at the Saudi media ministry, as part of his professional responsibilities he worked with foreign reporters in Saudi Arabia who met with dissidents. In September 2018, he was told by the Presidency of State Security to stop working with foreign media or his “secret” would become public. He also believes he was under government surveillance.
• After the two journalists fled Saudi Arabia and declared that they were seeking asylum in Australia over a month ago, customs officials took them to a detention center rather than permitting them to apply for asylum freely. 
• Daniel Bastard, Reporters Without Borders’ Asia-Pacific director, said the journalists' treatment was “shameful” and added, “We obviously don’t want other Saudi journalists to be treated like Jamal Khashoggi, or (detained blogger) Raif Badawi.”

ON OUR RADAR

• November 18 - Saudi Princess Basmah bint Saud is reportedly being held under house arrest in Riyadh with no charges being brought against her. (Deutsche Welle)

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