Arabian Rights Watch Association  (ARWA)

About Us

Arabian Rights Watch Association (ARWA) is a nonprofit, nongovernmental human rights organization based in the District of Columbia and is comprised of human rights activists, lawyers, professionals of diverse backgrounds and nationalities.

The acronym ARWA is also the name of Yemen's long reigning Queen Arwá bint Aḥmad ibn Muḥammad al-Ṣulayḥī, who governed from 1067 until her death in 1138. Queen Arwa was known as the greatest of the ruler of the Sulayhid Dynasty. She is popularly referred to as the Little Queen of Sheba al-Malika al-Hurra translated as the Free Noble Queen.

At ARWA, we take her legacy as an example of the oppressed minority whose basic human rights have been denied. We believe that all people should be treated with respect and dignity with equal rights under the law. We will seek to identify failures to do so, and advocate on behalf of these individuals to ensure that their struggle is brought to light and action is taken for redress.

Mission

ARWA defends the rights of people worldwide with a particular focus on the Arabian Peninsula. Our global presence and local nexus allows us to investigate abuses on the ground, expose the facts, and promote the rights of all people through activism and advocacy. ARWA is an independent, international organization that works to uphold and protect human dignity and advance the cause of human rights for all.

Core Values

DEFEND human rights vigorously and courageously

INDEPENDENCE of board and associates from parties to the conflict

INTEGRITY in all stated positions, reports, verbal and written statements

NEUTRALITY of board and independent private source of funding so as not to prejudice judgment

ACCOUNTABILITY & JUSTICE against those who violate international human rights and international humanitarian law