UN WGAD finds the detention of four elderly Bahraini opposition leaders arbitrary and subjected to torture, coerced confessions, enforced disappearances, unfair trials, and medical neglect
The United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (WGAD) published today the opinion it adopted on 16 November 2023 during its 98th session concerning four elderly Bahraini opposition leaders. These Bahraini leaders were arbitrarily arrested and subjected to countless human rights violations including torture, enforced disappearances, prolonged solitary confinement, denial of phone contacts and visits, unfair trials, and medical negligence. These leaders are Hasan Mushaima, Sheikh Abdullah Isa Abdulla (Mirza) Mahroos, Abdulwahab Husain Ali Ahmed Ismaeel, and Sheikh Abduljalil Radhi Mansoor Makki (AlMuqdad). The Working Group found that their detention was arbitrary under Categories I (when it is impossible to invoke a legal basis justifying the deprivation of liberty), II (when the deprivation of liberty results from the exercise of rights or freedoms), III (when violations of the right to a fair trial are so severe that the detention is rendered arbitrary), and V(when the detention is discriminatory based on religious and political beliefs).
ADHRB at HRC55: Bahrain arrests participants in pro-Palestine protests, including minors
Profile in Persecution
Muntadher Fawzi Salman
Muntadher Fawzi Salman was a 17-year-old Bahraini high school student when Bahraini authorities arbitrarily arrested him from his home on 22 December 2016 without presenting an arrest warrant. During detention, he endured torture, enforced disappearance, denial of access to legal counsel during interrogations, unfair trials, and medical neglect. He is currently serving a nearly 80-year prison sentence in Jau Prison.
Sayed Osama Ali Husain was a 16-year-old student when Bahraini authorities arbitrarily arrested him from the street without presenting an arrest warrant. During detention, he endured torture, denial of access to legal counsel, and an unfair trial based on confessions extracted under torture. He is currently serving a 22-year and 6-month sentence in Jau Prison on politically motivated charges.
Disproportionality in Sentencing in the GCC: The Cases of Bahrain and Saudi Arabia
The Gulf remains a major destination for migrant workers, primarily from southern and Southeast Asia. Often, migrants from Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and numerous other countries travel to the Gulf States to work in low-skilled labour sectors. ADHRB, along with other organisations, reported the systemic discrimination these minorities face, including access to healthcare, threats of withholding of passports, physical or verbal abuse or non-payment of wages. Nonetheless, one of the most persistent and concerning discrimination is the disproportionality when it comes to the death penalty. The number of migrants who are killed by judicial execution is grossly disproportional to the size of the population living in the GCC. ADHRB recognises that this disproportionality lies in multiple factors, rendering the migrant workers an exceptionally vulnerable community.
