Bahraini forces critically wound protester with live ammunition in attack on Diraz protests

26 January 2017 – In the early hours of 26 January 2017, Bahraini security forces fired live ammunition at protesters in Diraz, Bahrain. The security forces shot 18-year-old Mustafa Ahmed Hamdan in the head; he is currently receiving urgent medical care at Salmaniya Medical Center. Hamdan is in critical condition. We, the undersigned organizations, are[…]

Bahraini authorities continue harassment of Ebtisam al-Saegh

On 22 January 2017, Bahraini government forces summoned human rights defender Ebtisam al-Saegh for questioning. Al-Saegh works to document human rights violations on the ground in Bahrain. The authorities notified al-Saegh that she would be expected at the Department of Criminal Investigation (CID) in Muharraq. Prior to the investigation, officials did not notify al-Saegh their[…]

NGOs condemn Bahrain NIHR Statement on Executions

20 January 2017 – We, the undersigned, strongly condemn the position of the Bahrain National Institution for Human Rights (NIHR) which, in a statement released earlier this week, supported the extrajudicial executions of torture victims Ali Al-Singace (21), Abbas Al-Samea (27) and Sami Mushaima (42). Ali, Abbas and Sami were executed on Sunday 15 January[…]

Bahrain partially suspends Alwasat, only independent newspaper

17 January 2017 – Bahrain’s Ministry of Information Affairs (MIA) yesterday issued an order to suspend the only independent newspaper in the country, Alwasat, from using electronic media tools, effectively suspending its online presence. The order comes a day day after the execution of three torture victims and on the day the trial of journalist[…]

Bahrain Executes Stateless Torture Victims Following King Hamad’s Authorization

15 January 2017 – Bahrain today executed three torture victims following authorization by King Hamad. Sami Mushaima (42), Ali Al-Singace (21) and Abbas Al-Samea (27) were executed this morning by firing squad, the first people executed in Bahrain since July 2010, and the first Bahrainis executed since March 1996. The execution came less than a[…]