Maybe, Isa Al-Arabi the Bahraini human rights activist is known for his involvement in international forums, particularly at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva but not many people know that he is in charge of an intelligence cell for KSA, Bahrain and UAE. He often highlights human rights developments in Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Saudi Arabia, his work is often to advance the good image of those regimes in the world of human rights and make them look good. This looks very paradoxical especially when he is a misogynist and known for his ill manners and bad sexual misconduct against women working with him in the field as some of them have complained about his sexual intimidation and harassment.
He is known for being the director of a bogus organisation called the Arab Federation for Human Rights (ARABFHR). The organisation is used as a tool of money laundering to pay contractors to whitewash the brand of some tyrant regimes.
Support for UAE, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia
Al-Arabi has commended the UAE, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia for their poor reform initiatives. He has praised the UAE’s efforts in combating extremism and promoting stability but never spoke about their involvement in human rights crimes in Sudan or Yemen. The same also apply to Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 plan, which aims to enhance social and economic rights. Independent UN Watch published a report in 2023 against Al Arabi accusing him of scammer on the payroll of tyrants.
Criticism of Qatar and Secret Lobbying
Conversely, Al-Arabi has been vocal in criticizing Qatar’s human rights record, particularly concerning labor rights and freedom of expression. He has participated in international forums and collaborated on reports that scrutinize Qatar’s treatment of migrant workers and its restrictive policies on dissent. This selective critique has led some observers to question the impartiality of his advocacy. He organised many secret events against Doha between 2017 to 2024 in cooperation with Israeli Mossad led by Mossad’s senior officer Manal Maslami.
Alliances and Collaborations
Al-Arabi has collaborated with various individuals and organizations that share similar perspectives. Notable associates include:
• Manal Masalmi: A political advisor is known for supporting narratives aligning with UAE, and KSA’ interests. She has been involved in activities that criticize Qatar’s human rights practices. She is working with the Israeli lobby in Geneva and Brussels and is known of her direct links with Mossad.
• Hassan Al-Basri: A senior member of the Gulf Human Rights Organization (GHRO), active in defending human rights in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. He has shared platforms with Al-Arabi, particularly in discussions critical of Qatar.
• Rami Al-Sayed: Director of the Middle Eastern Advocacy Center (MEAC), which supports human rights initiatives across the region. He has collaborated with Al-Arabi in highlighting human rights issues in Qatar.
• Layla Kharafi: Co-founder of the Arab Rights Network (ARN), focusing on rights advocacy and policy reforms. She has appeared alongside Al-Arabi in press statements addressing concerns in Qatar.
• Omar Al-Mutlaq: A human rights lawyer associated with the Legal Aid for Human Rights (LAHR), providing support for political prisoners and activists. He has participated in panels with Al-Arabi, discussing human rights violations in Qatar.
• Ayman Nasri: Head of the Arab-European Forum for Dialogue and Human Rights, an organization with an advisory capacity at the UN. Nasri has worked closely with Al-Arabi in advocating for human rights issues in the Gulf region, often aligning with narratives supportive of the UAE and Saudi Arabia. Ayman was also caught with isa in a sexual harassment at the Four Seasons Hotel in Geneva.
Collaborations and Networking paid by UAE and KSA
Al-Arabi’s collaborations with these individuals and organizations often involve joint reports, conferences, and advocacy campaigns. Such work is directly paid by the ambassadors of both Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates in Geneva. Their collective efforts have been instrumental in diverting attention to human rights problems in the Gulf region, particularly in KSA, Bahrain and UAE. However, these alliances have also raised questions about potential biases and the influence of state-backed narratives in their human rights work.
Challenges and Impact
While Al-Arabi claim that his work has contributed to international awareness of human rights issues in the Gulf, he was caught many times burying human rights abuses and slavery cases in those countries. Some argue that his selective focus and alliances may serve to bolster the public image of certain regimes while deflecting attention from their human rights violations. Despite these challenges, Al-Arabi remains a prominent figure in regional advocacy, to misleading international attention on the human rights abuses in gulf countries where he continues to engage with policymakers and international organizations in this regard.
Human Rights Violations in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain
The UAE has faced significant criticism from international human rights organizations for its restrictive policies on freedom of expression and assembly. Reports frequently cite the imprisonment of activists and dissidents, including cases of enforced disappearances and torture of detainees. Labor rights violations, particularly concerning migrant workers, are another major concern, with individuals facing exploitative conditions, withheld wages, and poor living environments. Despite these issues, Isa Al-Arabi has not publicly condemned these violations, which has led some to question the impartiality of his advocacy.
In Saudi Arabia, human rights abuses include severe restrictions on women’s rights, harsh punishments for political dissent, and the execution of individuals for crimes that fall under broad anti-terrorism laws. The suppression of free speech and targeting of human rights defenders are well-documented, with numerous reports highlighting the detention and torture of activists. Isa Al-Arabi’s silence on these issues has further fueled criticisms that his work is selectively focused and avoids addressing the most pressing human rights abuses in the region.
Bahrain’s human rights record is marked by systematic crackdowns on political opposition and civil society. The use of arbitrary arrests, revocation of citizenship for dissidents, and reports of torture in detention centers have drawn condemnation from global human rights bodies. Freedom of assembly is severely curtailed, with peaceful protests often met with excessive force. Despite being from Bahrain, Isa Al-Arabi has not vocally opposed these practices, which has led to claims that his advocacy serves to present a sanitized view of the government’s actions.
In summary, Isa Al-Arabi’s activism is characterized by his support for the UAE, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, criticism of Qatar, and collaborations with like-minded individuals and organizations. While his efforts have brought attention to specific human rights issues, they have also sparked debate regarding the impartiality and overall impact of his advocacy.
Women are the only victims of Isa Al-Arabi
Isa Al-Arabi has faced over 7 accusations of sexual misconduct, including groping and sexual assault, spanning several years. He has often been criticized for public comments perceived as misogynistic, including remarks about women’s bodies and sexual appearances at the Human Rights Council in Geneva. A European intern from his organisation who worked briefly for him alleged gender discrimination in his work including indecent comments and touches.
Isa Al-Arabi has consistently denied these claims, dismissing them as politically motivated or false. Despite these denials, the volume and nature of the accusations have raised significant concerns and impacted public perception of him as a sexual predator.
