Bahraini human rights sources have reported that authorities have arrested at least 60 individuals, including children, in connection with their participation in peaceful protests and online activity regarding the war on Iran. Iran has carried out drone and missile attacks on U.S. bases in Bahrain in response to attacks launched against its territory from these bases.
Amid this escalation, Bahrain has intensified its measures against those exercising their rights to freedom of expression and assembly. Authorities have arrested dozens of individuals who gathered to publicly mourn the religious leader Ali Khamenei, as well as others who protested U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran. Last week, the Interior Ministry’s Civil Defence Council announced a nationwide ban on protests “to preserve public safety in light of the blatant Iranian aggression against Bahrain.”
In addition to the arrests of protesters, more than 40 arrests have been recorded over social media posts. Those detained had published or reshared videos of the attacks while expressing sympathy with Iran—acts that authorities have classified as “treason.” The Interior Ministry stated that such actions constitute criminal offenses, asserting that “publishing videos that mislead the public, spread fear, and undermine security and public order constitutes treason and a clear violation of the state’s values and principles.”
Reports also indicate that Bahraini officials have been raiding suspects’ homes in the middle of the night without arrest or search warrants, and without presenting evidence of a crime. Detainees are taken away and denied contact with their families or lawyers. When families attempt to reach authorities, they are not informed of their relatives’ whereabouts for several days.
Among those arrested for posting videos are six migrant workers, who have been charged with “glorifying hostile acts in a manner that harms security and public order.” In a system where migrant workers already face systemic injustice and inequality, this presents a serious risk—particularly as the Public Prosecution is reportedly seeking the death penalty for those who express sympathy with Iran. This term remains vague and can therefore be applied broadly. Migrant workers are especially vulnerable, as they live under the kafala system, where they are legally tied to their employers. Even if they are not prosecuted, their status in Bahrain may be jeopardized if employers interpret such posts as disloyalty.
These arbitrary arrests must be immediately revoked, as criminalizing freedom of expression constitutes a violation of international law. The death penalty must be reserved for the most serious crimes, not imposed over social media posts. Bahraini authorities are exploiting the security situation to further tighten their grip on dissent and silence the population.
Bahrain must immediately and unconditionally release all those detained for exercising their right to freedom of expression. There have also been reports of explosions near both Dry Dock and Jau prisons, where many political prisoners are arbitrarily detained. The safety of all detainees must be ensured, and they must be evacuated from these locations to protect their physical well-being. All long-term detained political opponents must also be released unconditionally, and their safety and freedom must be guaranteed.
