Self-censorship: Bahrainis’ Refuge from the Guillotine of Government Pursuit

Before the commencement of the 55th session of the Human Rights Council (HRC) on 26 February 2024, ongoing human rights violations in Bahrain have been exposed. This is despite the government’s vigorous efforts to conceal these violations, particularly the freedom of opinion and expression, by claiming superficial reforms before the international community. However, monitoring the[…]

Profile in Persecution: Ammar Ebrahim Ahmed (Dhaif)

Ammar Ebrahim Ahmed (Dhaif), a 17-year-old Bahraini high school student and minor, was arrested by Bahraini authorities from his sister’s home on 13 July 2013 without providing an arrest warrant. During his detention, he was subjected to torture, sexual harassment, denial of access to his lawyer during interrogation, an unfair trial based on confessions obtained[…]

Scrutinizing the State of “Freedom of the Press’’ Across GCC States

Historically, Gulf Cooperation Countries have used a strategy of repression by imposing state control of the media or through broad laws and strict censorship. Often, the governments justify this control by referring to social values like cohesiveness and harmony in society. However, this strategy poses journalists in the Gulf at extreme risk. They are harassed,[…]

Bahrain’s Struggle: Eroding Freedom of Expression, Peaceful Assembly, and Protest

The Bahraini government’s systematic suppression of freedom of expression, assembly, and peaceful protest is evident through a series of repressive laws and practices. Human Rights Watch (HRW) has highlighted these issues, particularly focusing on the political and civil isolation laws enacted in 2018. Americans for Democracy and Human Rights had covered before the consequences of[…]

Profile in Persecution: Mohamed AbdulJabbar Sarhan

Updated: Mohamed AbdulJabbar Sarhan was a 20-year-old first-year university student at the University of Bahrain when Bahraini authorities arbitrarily arrested him on 22 November 2021. During his detention, he was subjected to torture, sexual assault, solitary confinement, an unfair trial based on confessions extracted under torture, medical neglect, and deprivation of communication with his family.[…]