Latest posts by Noor Mattar
Bahrain's Leading Human Rights Defender Nabeel Rajab Faces Prison for ISIS Tweets
As life grows increasingly intolerable for the country's Shia majority, one of the few people prepared to defend their rights faces jail.
Bahraini Human Rights Defender Awaits Sentence
Nabeel Rajab is scheduled to be sentenced in a case brought against him by the Bahraini government on March 15, concerning comments about ISIS that he made on Twitter. Convicted of “denigrating an official body” in tweets likening Bahrain's security apparatus to an “incubator” for ISIS fighters, Rajab was initially sentenced to six...
Bahrain Will Stamp Out Popular Protests, but Not Support for ISIS
The cyber-crime unit which arrests bloggers and human rights activists did not arrest the publishers of videos such as those calling for support of ISIS and inciting sectarian violence
When Journalism Isn't Quite Enough
In writing about subjects that demand a passionate response, classic journalistic style can be a very blunt tool.
Bahrain Joins US Air Strikes, but Still Tortures Americans and Silences ISIS Critics
Bahrain, along with four other Arab countries, has joined the coalition against the militant group ISIS, as it silences its own critics.
UK Court Revokes Immunity of Bahraini Prince Accused of Torture
Bahrain's Prince Nasser Bin Hamad AlKhalifa, who often travels to Europe for equestrian competitions, was the target of a recent Twitter campaign #torturePrince.
Bahrain's Prominent Human Rights Activist Arrested for Criticizing Police Defectors Who Joined ISIS
Bahrain's most prominent human rights defender Nabeel Rajab is back in jail for his tweets, for the third time.
ISIS Recruits Fan Bahrain's Sectarian Flames With YouTube Call to Arms
Four Bahrainis who have joined the terrorist group ISIS called on the Sunni population in Bahrain to take up arms and join the fight against their ruling “tyrants.”
Why Bahrain's Largest Opposition Bloc Wants People to Have More Babies
Al Wefaq says native Bahrainis could become a minority. Bahrain's Sunni Muslim monarchy has been accused of naturalising foreigners to prop up their own rule of the Shia Muslim-majority country.
Nine More Political Dissidents Are Stripped of Their Nationalities in Bahrain
One man's sister said he was tortured before the sentencing. A special commission found that Bahrain tortured and mistreated opponents of the regime in the past.
Leaked Data Suggests Bahrain's Government Hacked Its Own Fact-Finding Commission
The government's bloody crackdown against a popular uprising spurred the creation of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Investigation, which concluded authorities have practiced systematic torture against dissidents.
Electronic Witch-Hunts in Bahrain, Israel and the ISIS
Scores of people were arrested and tortured in Bahrain after an online witch-hunt to identify protesters. Today, the same tactic is being used by Israel and the ISIS.
Bahrain's Justice Minister Tweeted About Giving His Political Opponents a Political ‘Slap’
Slapping, kicking and other forms of physical violence were found to be part of the government's systematic mistreatment or torture of political opponents since the 2011 uprising.
Bahrain's Shia Muslims Tense as Politicians and Preachers Pledge Allegiance to ISIS
Back in 2011, Shia-Muslims complained of political and economic marginalization in the country of 1.3 million people, but recent events suggest a growing trend towards complete marginalization.
Kuwait, the Gulf's Poster Child of Democracy, Strips Opposition Members of Citizenship
Kuwait's decision to revoke the nationalities of opposition members and their families has sent shock waves across the Gulf. Noor Mattar tells us why.
Bahrain's Foreign Minister Seems to Have Forgotten His Country's Ill Treatment of Journalists
Khalid Alkhalifa took a dig at NBC after it pulled Ayman Mohyeldin out of Gaza for "doing his journalistic duty." Twitter users quickly reminded Alkhalifa of Bahrain's own shoddy record.
Bahrain Kicks Out Visiting American Human Rights Official
Bahrain, ruled by the Sunni al-Khalifa family, has faced criticism for its human rights record ever since the military cracked down on Shi'ite Muslim-led protests against the government in 2011.
Regional Terrorism Reaching Bahrain?
News that hardline Saudi cleric Mohamad Al Arefe will be visiting Bahrain tomorrow has caused controversy in the country, already simmering under sectarian strain.
Saudi Human Rights Lawyer Waleed Abulkhair Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison
The sentence is part of Saudi Arabia's continued crackdown on human rights activists. Abulkhair was charged with “insulting general order” and “inflaming public opinion”.
Ramadan Flavoured Arrests in Egypt
Eleven young men were arrested in Egypt while having a late night Ramadan meal, Suhoor, and accused of illegal gathering. Noor Mattar checks out the Suhoor detainees.
Bahraini Satirist Blogger Takrooz Arrested
Bahraini satirist micro-blogger Takrooz is being held on accusations of "inciting hatred against the regime" on Twitter.
