Country: Bahrain

Bahrain was majorly affected by the Arab uprisings that started in 2011, with a large part of the population demanding political reforms and more inclusion. Political unrest continues in the country to date, while the government suppresses criticism and systematically cracks down on peaceful activists and political opponents.

The rights to freedom of opinion and expression as well as peaceful assembly and association are severely curbed by the Anti-Terrorism Law, the Press Law and certain provisions of the Penal Code. Individuals making use of these rights often fall victim to campaigns of harassment and intimidation, which take the form of arbitrary arrests, trumped-up charges, the stripping of citizenship, and the use of travel bans as a form of reprisal.

The practice of torture continues to be practised systematically by law enforcement officials falling under the authority of the Ministry of Interior, and is used both during interrogation to extract incriminating confessions, and as form of punishment in detention. No independent investigations into allegations of torture are being conducted, and perpetrators of torture go unpunished.

Bahrain and Egypt’s National Human Rights Institutions failing to protect human rights

Led by MENA Rights Group, 17 civil society organisations urged the Sub-Committee on Accreditation not to grant Bahrain and Egypt’s National Human Rights Institutions status “A” given that they fail to comply with the Paris principles.

Evaluation report of the Bahraini National Institution for Human Rights

Executive Summary The Bahraini National Institution for Human Rights (“NIHR” or “the Institution”) was established on 10 November 2009 by Royal Order No. 46 of 2009. In August 2014, the Council of representatives and the Shura Council adopted Law No. 26 of 2014 with a view to give it more independence. The law was later […]

Human rights organisations call on the Inter-Parliamentary Union to raise concerns on the human rights situation in Bahrain

MENA Rights Group joined 21 human rights organisations in urging parliamentarians to publicly raise concerns on the state of political freedom and human rights in Bahrain during the Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly in March. We issued a set of recommendations for the Bahraini government to undertake.

Joint Letter: Free Dr Abduljalil Al-Singace after a year and half of hunger strike

To mark Al-Singace’s birthday on January 15, 2023, MENA Rights Group joined NGOs in urging Bahrain authorities to release him immediately and unconditionally.

Rights groups condemn F1’s “double standard” for racing in Bahrain amidst “continued institutionalized repression”

In a joint letter to the CEO of the Formula One Group, Stefano Domenicali, 27 human rights organisations called on Formula One to publicly acknowledge the human rights violations taking place in Bahrain and refrain from contributing to the sportswashing of such abuses. The coalition of organisations further called on Formula One to review their […]

NGOs urge RoyalJet to clarify involvement in wrongful extradition of dissident Ahmed Jaafar Mohamed Ali to Bahrain

On January 24, 2022, Serbian authorities extradited Bahraini dissident Ahmed Jaafar Mohamed Ali back to Bahrain, where he faces torture. The extradition, which was in violation of the European Court of Human Rights’ request for interim measures, was carried out by UAE-based charter operator, RoyalJet. On January 31, 2022, over 10 human rights NGOs wrote […]

Bahrain: Request for support to free imprisoned human rights defender Dr Abduljalil AlSingace, on hunger strike since July 2021

MENA Rights Group joins a coalition of 27 human rights organisations urging the United Kingdom’s Foreign Secretary, the United States Secretary of State, Germany’s Foreign Minister, the EU Special Representative for Human Rights and Secretary-General of the Council of Europe to call for the immediate and unconditional release of Bahraini academic and human rights defender, […]

Call for the release of prisoners of conscience in the Gulf in light of the lifting of Qatar blockade

On January 5, 2021, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain, and Egypt, signed a “solidarity and stability” agreement, at the Gulf Cooperation Council summit in Al-Ulah, Saudi Arabia, ending the blockade on Qatar. The reconciliatory agreement, which restores diplomatic ties, trade and travel between these countries, comes after Saudi Arabia and its allies […]

NGOs urge Asia-Pacific Group to oppose consideration of Bahrain for President of the Human Rights Council

On December 1st, 2020, MENA Rights Group and 20 other NGOs submitted a joint letter to call on the Human Rights Council’s Asia-Pacific Group to refrain from considering Bahrain for President of the Council. In the light of the country’s deteriorating human rights record, the election of Bahrain would fundamentally undermine the integrity of the […]

Bahrain: NGOs appeal to King to commute death sentences

On August 11, 2020, MENA Rights Group, Amnesty International, Ensemble Contre la Peine de Mort, Gulf Institute for Democracy and Human Rights, World Organisation against Torture and Salam for Democracy and Human Rights, sent a letter to the King of Bahrain urging him to commute all death sentences and establish a moratorium on executions.