Bahrain’s Struggle: Eroding Freedom of Expression, Peaceful Assembly, and Protest
The Bahraini government’s systematic suppression of freedom of expression, assembly, and peaceful protest is evident through a series of repressive laws and practices. Human Rights Watch (HRW) has highlighted these issues, particularly focusing on the political and civil isolation laws enacted in 2018. Americans for Democracy and Human Rights had covered before the consequences of these laws on the released political prisoners.
Updated: Mohamed AbdulJabbar Sarhan was a 20-year-old first-year university student at the University of Bahrain when Bahraini authorities arbitrarily arrested him on 22 January 2024. During his detention, he was subjected to torture, sexual assault, solitary confinement, an unfair trial based on confessions extracted under torture, medical neglect, and deprivation of communication with his family. Additionally, he was denied access to his attorney during the interrogation and trial period. He is currently serving a ten-year prison sentence in Jau Prison. On 30 August 2023, the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention published an opinion regarding the arbitrary detention of six Bahraini nationals, including Mohamed. In its opinion, the Working Group deemed their detention arbitrary and demanded their immediate and unconditional release. The Working Group called for compensation for the individuals, an investigation into the violations they endured, and holding the perpetrators accountable.
Updated: Fadhel Abbas Mohamed, a Bahraini citizen from the village of Nuwaidrat working in the private sector, was 19 years old when Bahraini authorities arrested him at his home at dawn on 22 November 2021, without presenting any arrest or search warrant. During his detention, he was subjected to torture, enforced disappearance, deprivation of communication with his family, and denial of visits from them. He faced death threats and physical assault, and was convicted in an unfair trial based on confessions extracted under torture. Additionally, he was deprived of access to his lawyer during the interrogation period. Currently, he is serving a ten-year prison sentence in Jau Prison. On 30 August 2023, the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention published an opinion regarding the arbitrary detention of six Bahraini nationals, including Fadhel. In its opinion, the Working Group deemed their detention arbitrary and demanded their immediate and unconditional release. The Working Group called for compensation for the individuals, an investigation into the violations they endured, and holding the perpetrators accountable.
On 17 July 2023, Americans for Democracy and Human Rights in Bahrain (ADHRB) launched an international campaign advocating for the rights of the ”Bidoon”. Aiming to secure access to essential services in education, healthcare, employment, and freedom of assembly, ADHRB called for the end of the discriminatory practices of Kuwait’s government. In addition, shortly after the start of the campaign, Amnesty International published the report ”I don’t Have a Future”: Stateless Kuwaitis and the Right to Education. The NGOs denounced the historical issues that the community has been facing since 1987 when the Kuwaiti government labelled them as illegal residents. Nonetheless, the efforts to leverage international pressure are not yet sufficient since 2023 showed concerning repressions against Bidoon activists and systematic violations of their rights.
Unveiling the Shocking Reality: UAE’s Sham Trial Amid COP28 Exposes Human Rights Contempt
The Emirati authorities’ commencement of a mass trial involving over 80 Emiratis, including prominent human rights defenders and prisoners of conscience, has sent shockwaves globally. The trial coinciding with COP28, billed as the ‘most inclusive COP ever,’ reflects the UAE’s blatant disregard for human rights and its unwillingness to address the dire state of rights in the country.
