• Human Rights in Bahrain
    An independent commission of inquiry, appointed by King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa, concluded in 2011 that security forces had used excessive force against peaceful protesters during demonstrations, and had arbitrarily arrested, detained, tortured, ill-treated, and denied them fair trials. Authorities did investigate some low-ranking security officials in connection with torture allegations. However, protest leaders remain behind bars and no high-ranking officials have been held responsible for abuses. Security forces used excessive force in 2012 to disperse anti-government protests. Authorities jailed human rights defenders and people who participated in peaceful demonstrations or criticized officials. The government dissolved an Islamic opposition party.
  • A police officer holds back journalists as doctors and nurses emerge during a break in their civilian criminal court trial on November 28, 2011 in Manama, Bahrain.
    © 2011 AP Images
    EU/Bahrain: EU Should Demand Release of Activists
    European Union (EU) High Representative Catherine Ashton should pursue with Bahrain the immediate release of 13 high-profile activists and others detained or imprisoned for peacefully exercising their rights. Ashton will attend an EU-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) ministerial meeting in Bahrain on June 30, 2013.
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    • Bahrain: Doctors Punished for Treating Protesters
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    World Report 2013: Bahrain
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Bahrain

  • EU/Bahrain: EU Should Demand Release of Activists
    Jun 28, 2013
    European Union (EU) High Representative Catherine Ashton should pursue with Bahrain the immediate release of 13 high-profile activists and others detained or imprisoned for peacefully exercising their rights. Ashton will attend an EU-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) ministerial meeting in Bahrain on June 30, 2013.
  • Human rights record in Bahrain still abysmal - Europe must act
    Jun 21, 2013
    When European Union ministers meet their counterparts from the Gulf Cooperation Council states for a summit in Bahrain on June 30, the dismal state of that island kingdom's human rights record needs to have a prominent place on the agenda. Despite King Hamad's claims of reform, Bahrain is clearly heading down the road of greater repression and the EU ministers should make a point of clearly and publicly saying so.
  • Human Rights Watch Daily Brief, 20 June
    Jun 20, 2013
  • Bahrain: New Associations Law Spells Repression
    Jun 20, 2013
    New laws and lengthy jail terms for activists have put freedom of association in Bahrain under severe threat, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today. Bahraini authorities have left hardly any space for peaceful political dissent. Through a mix of restrictive laws and abusive policies, the government is sending a clear message that it will not tolerate calls for reform that challenge the ruling family’s monopoly on power.
  • Human Rights Watch Daily Brief, 13 June
    Jun 13, 2013
  • Human Rights Watch Daily Brief, 11 June
    Jun 11, 2013
  • Bahrain: Detained Activists Allege Torture
    May 14, 2013
    Bahraini authorities should immediately investigate allegations that officials are torturing activists in detention, Human Rights Watch said today. The authorities should ensure that no evidence secured by torture is used against detainees.
  • Bahrain's Rights, Britain's Failure
    May 14, 2013
    Britain's lack of support for freedom of expression in Bahrain is a flawed and self-defeating policy, says Nicholas McGeehan of Human Rights Watch.
  • Bahrain: F1 Ignores Rights Abuses Ahead of Race
    Apr 17, 2013
    International racing bodies responsible for scheduling the Bahrain Formula 1 Grand Prix from April 19 to 21, 2013, have taken no steps to address human rights abuses that appear to be directly linked to the event.
  • Bahrain: Targeted Raids and Arbitrary Detentions
    Apr 10, 2013
    Bahraini authorities are carrying out home raids and arbitrarily detaining opposition protesters in advance of the Formula 1 Grand Prix weekend of April 19 to 21, 2013, Human Rights Watch said today, based on information from a variety of local sources.
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