Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
United Nations experts call for the release of Shia Muslims in detainment. Ali al-Nimr, Dawood al-Marhoon, and Abdullah al-Zaher were arrested as minors for participation in protests calling for political reform.
Originally sentenced to execution, the charges were commuted in February to 10 years. Human rights activists voice concerns over torture and inhumane conditions faced by Shia detainees.
Ali al-Nimr is the nephew of Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr, who was executed in 2016.
Manama, Bahrain
Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney voiced concern over human rights violations against political dissidents in Bahrain. He noted the denial of medical treatment to Shia detainees and called for the immediate release of Hassan Mushaima, the secretary-general of the Haq Movement. Ali Mushaima, son of Hassan Mushaima, reports his father’s deteriorating health and Bahrain’s lack of compliance to the UN’s Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, also known as the Mandela Rules.
Baghdad, Iraq
Locals report numerous incidents of shootings across Baghdad. Unidentifiable assailants use firearms with silencers to assassinate Shia individuals. Arrests have yet to be made.