REEMA SHALLAN: In Bahrain, the Prisons are for the Reformers

The people of Bahrain are currently facing an unprecedented attack on their human rights. Since 14 February 2011, the government has detained thousands of non-violent demonstrators for their involvement in pro-democracy protests. Unfortunately, these arrests are just the first in a series of state-sanctioned human rights violations that pervade the Bahraini criminal justice system. After[…]

Bahrain Postpones Opposition Leaders’ Free Speech Trials

12 October 2015 – Bahraini courts today postponed the trials of Ebrahim Sharif and Majeed Milad to 12 November 2015 and 27 October 2015, respectively. Sharif, former Secretary-General of the National Democratic Action Society (Wa’ad), faces up to ten years in prison for charges related to free expression. Milad, a senior member of the opposition and[…]

Al-Singace Protest Hits 200 Days, NGOs Demand His Release

7 October 2015 – Today marks the 200th day of Bahraini prisoner of conscience Dr. Abduljalil al-Singace’s protest. Dr. al-Singace has refused all solid food in protest over the torture and ill-treatment of prisoners in Bahrain. 21 human rights organizations reiterate their call for his release in a joint-statement published today. Following growing international attention to his case,[…]

October Champions for Justice: Teachers

Teachers have been at the forefront of Bahrain’s peaceful protests and democratic movement. They have also been amongst the harshest-treated victims of unfair trial and abuse. In 2011, the Bahrain Teacher’s Association (BTA) was a leading union calling for strike action in solidarity with the protests. The government subsequently dissolved the BTA and imprisoned its[…]

Congress Calls for DOD Assessment of Security Situation in Bahrain, Options for Fifth Fleet

1 October 2015 – Washington, DC – The FY 2016 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) conference report, released Tuesday by the Chairs and Ranking Members of the House Armed Services and Senate Armed Services Committees, would require the Department of Defense (DoD) to submit an assessment on the security situation in Bahrain within 120 days[…]