Bahraini government continues to target civil society for human rights work

On 11 July 2016, prominent political activist Ebrahim Sharif completed his one-year prison sentence and was released from Bahrain’s Jau Prison. The Government of Bahrain arrested Sharif on 12 July 2015 for a speech he gave and later charged him with “inciting hatred.” Prosecutors are now seeking to extend Sharif’s sentence for the same charges[…]

An Overview of ADHRB Engagement at the 32nd Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council

From 13 June to 1 July 2016, Americans for Democracy & Human Rights in Bahrain (ADHRB) took part in the 32nd Session of the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council (HRC) in Geneva, Switzerland to raise awareness of human rights abuses in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.  During the Session,[…]

Bahrain Escalates Crackdown on Civil Society in Month of Repression

29 June 2016 – In the past month, the Government of Bahrain has pursued a sustained campaign of repression. The police arrested Nabeel Rajab on expression-related charges and placed him in solitary confinement. The government forced Zainab Al-Khawaja into exile after threats of re-arrest and indefinite detention, and a week later imposed travel bans on[…]

Political Society Law Amendment Silences Religious Opposition

Since 2011, Bahraini officials have violently repressed activists and opposition political societies. Police used excessive force to disperse peaceful protesters demanding political reform in the Manama Pearl Roundabout. To further immobilize pro-democracy initiatives, Bahraini forces have arrested human rights defenders and amended laws to criminalize civil society and silence dissenting voices. Most recently, the government[…]

Rethinking the Current US-Bahrain Relationship

On Monday, 13 June 2016, Bahraini authorities arrested prominent human rights defender and president of the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights (BCHR), Nabeel Rajab. This recent arrest came on the first day of the 32nd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) in Geneva, Switzerland. Bahraini authorities gave no reason for the arrest[…]