On 12 March 2026, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) delivered an intervention during the 61st session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, under the General Debate of Item 3. The NGOs highlighted Bahrain’s escalating suppression of freedom of opinion and peaceful assembly amid the ongoing U.S.-Israeli war on Iran. They drew attention to the violent repression of citizens expressing views on the conflict—including minors, women, and elderly individuals with chronic illnesses—widespread arrests, and concerns over unfair trials. The NGOs called on the Council to urge Bahrain to immediately and unconditionally release all detainees, drop all charges, end ongoing arrests, and adopt policies that respect differing political views while halting the legal and social persecution of its citizens.
We draw your attention to Bahrain’s dangerous, escalating suppression of freedom of opinion and peaceful assembly amid the recent U.S.-Israeli war on Iran.
Since the war began on 28 February, authorities have violently repressed citizens expressing views on the conflict, including minors, women, and elderly individuals with chronic illnesses. Demonstrations have been dispersed, and dozens have been arrested daily for participating in protests expressing solidarity with Iran, condemning the war, and calling for an end to the U.S. military presence in Bahrain.
Ongoing arrests have also targeted citizens expressing pro-Iran views online, celebrating, or merely filming Iranian strikes on U.S. military sites.
We are further concerned by the rapid referral of many detainees to trial on charges such as “treason,” “sympathy with Iran against Bahrain,” and “unlawful filming of strategic locations,” indicating possible swift, unfair trials.
We urge Bahrain to immediately and unconditionally release all detainees, drop the charges against them, end the ongoing arrests, and adopt a policy of reconciliation that respects differing political views and ends their legal and social persecution.
