On 2 March 2026, Americans for Democracy & Human Rights in Bahrain (ADHRB) delivered an intervention during the 61st session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, under the General Debate of Item 2. The organization highlighted Bahrain’s continued detention of political prisoners despite royal pardons and conditional releases, stressing the ongoing imprisonment of opposition leaders and human rights defenders under inhumane conditions, the exclusion of political prisoners from recent pardons, and the rise in arrests for peaceful expression. ADHRB called for the unconditional release of all political prisoners, an end to arbitrary arrests and torture, and respect for the right to freedom of expression.
Bahrain promotes the image of “cleaning” its prisons through royal pardons and conditional releases. In reality, it continues to detain political dissidents, opposition figures, and human rights defenders. Elderly figures like Hasan Mushaima, Dr. AbdulJalil AlSingace, and AbdulHadi AlKhawaja remain imprisoned under inhumane conditions despite repeated UN calls for their release and urgent medical care.
The latest royal pardon notably excluded all political prisoners. At the same time, arrests for expressing dissent or demanding basic rights have been on the rise, with authorities continuing to summon and arrest individuals, including minors and the elderly, whether by participating in peaceful demonstrations or posting on social media. Many are subjected to torture and coerced into signing false confessions or pledges as a condition for release.
We urge Bahraini authorities to unconditionally release all opposition leaders, human rights defenders, and political prisoners, and to end the practice of arresting individuals for exercising their right to free expression.
