Fifth Report of Bahrain’s MOI Ombudsman Whitewashes Impunity for Police Brutality

The Office of the Ombudsman for Bahrain’s Ministry of Interior (MOI) released its fifth annual report on 4 October 2018, further whitewashing both rampant police misconduct and its own role in perpetuating the cycle of abuse. Covering the period from 1 May 2017 to 30 April 2018, the report presents the work of the Ombudsman’s[…]

Top Officials Endorse Police Campaign Against Digital Rights in Bahrain

11 April 2018 – Two weeks ago, Bahrain’s Ministry of Interior (MOI) announced it would expand efforts to suppress online criticism and arrested five individuals on charges related to “misuse of social media” or similar allegations. Bahraini state media reports indicate that the number of digital rights arrests has grown to at least 12[1] since[…]

Dispatch: Loopholes in the US arms hold on Bahrain’s Ministry of Interior

In the aftermath of the Bahraini government’s violent suppression of the 2011 pro-democracy protest movement, the United States (US) temporarily suspended arms sales to the kingdom’s major security and defense institutions. A key military ally, the US purportedly sought to prevent the further use of American weapons and equipment in bloody attacks on peaceful demonstrators.[…]

Bahrain: Fourth Annual Report of Police Ombudsman Reveals Failure to Fulfill Mandate

On 12 September 2017, the Ombudsman for Bahrain’s Ministry of Interior (MOI) released its fourth annual report for the period of 1 May 2016 to 30 April 2017. As in its previous report, the Ombudsman’s Office re-emphasizes its autonomy from the government and greater security establishment, presenting statistics concerning the complaints of MOI malfeasance that[…]