Ashura 2025 in Bahrain: Religious Persecution and Restrictions on Freedom of Worship and Belief

Introduction In a worrying escalation this year, Bahraini security forces — as in previous years — have resorted to the harshest forms of repression against Ashura rituals, carrying out a widespread campaign of summonses, arrests, fabricated charges, and the removal of religious symbols across various regions. Meanwhile, the government’s official narrative presents an idealized image[…]

ADHRB at HRC55: We call on Bahrain to end sectarian discrimination and protect religious freedoms

On 27th March 2024, ADHRB delivered an intervention at the United Nation Human Rights Council session 55 under item 8 during the General debate. ADHRB condemned Bahrain’s restrictions on Shia religious practices. We express deep concern over Bahrain’s ongoing violations of religious freedom,  especially targeting Shia citizens, which contravene the Vienna Declaration and contradict official[…]

ADHRB: Holding an International Religious Freedom Roundtable in Bahrain Ignores Systematic Discrimination and Divisive Government Policies

6 December 2019 – On 8 and 9 December, the King Hamad Global Centre for Peaceful Coexistence in the Kingdom of Bahrain will be holding an International Religious Freedom (IRF) Roundtable. This will be a major international religious freedom gathering in Bahrain, and part of a goal by the organizers to see a proliferation of[…]

ADHRB writes to US Ambassador to Bahrain Siberell over ongoing concerns

18 November 2019 – Today, ADHRB sent a letter to Justin Siberell, the American ambassador to the Kingdom of Bahrain, raising several related concerns about the ongoing deterioration of human rights in Bahrain. Among the concerns we raised were continued religious discrimination, in particular surrounding the commemoration of Ashura and Muharram and officials’ denial of[…]

UPDATED: Bahrain Harasses Shia Clerics Ahead of Ashura Amid Wider Attack on Religious Freedom

**Updated 07 November 2018 – Individuals detained during Ashura, including AbdulMajeed Abdulla Mohsen, have been released except for one. However, clerics continue to be targeted, with two other clerics arrested on 29 October due to their religious discourse around Ashura. **Updated 26 October 2018 – There are clerics who remain in detention since September. On 19 September, AbdulMajeed[…]