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Bahrain

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From the Communiqué

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Retrial announced for al-Khawaja and other activists

Bahrain has announced a retrial for hunger-striking political activist Abdulhadi al-Khawaja and 20 others accused of plotting against the state in the Arab Spring protests last year, report the Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR), the Writers in Prison Committee (WiPC) of PEN International and Human Rights Watch. The IFEX members are disappointed that the activists remain in custody pending the retrial, and are calling for their immediate release.

At least 31 extrajudicial killings since official commission of inquiry, says Bahrain Center for Human Rights

Since an official commission of inquiry reported last November, the Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR) has documented at least 31 "extrajudicial killings" in Bahrain. Most of the deaths were from teargas inhalation, including three in the past week alone, and three were as a result of torture in custody, says BCHR in a new report. Human Rights Watch also issued its own report following a national commission's assessment that lauded the government's progress.

See all articles: Bahrain

Campaigns and Advocacy

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ARTICLE 19's submission to the Universal Periodic Review

ARTICLE 19 has called on the UN member states to urge the authorities to commit to preventing harassment of journalists and human rights defenders, stop controlling and censoring the media, increase internet freedom and end violations of the right to peaceful protest.

One hundred organisations call to end assault on freedom of speech, and to free all detained human rights defenders and netizens

One hundred organisations appeal to authorities to release human rights activists in Bahrain from prison. They include Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja, founder of IFEX member BCHR, his daughter Zaynab Al-Khawaja, and Nabeel Rajab, President of BCHR. Al-Khawaja’s life is at risk after more than three months on hunger strike.

Fifty IFEX members and partners call for freedom for Bahraini human rights defenders, bloggers and activists

In advance of the Formula 1, 50 IFEX members and partners call for detained activists and human rights defenders to be freed, including blogger and activist Abduljalil Al-Singace and human rights activist Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja, founder of IFEX member the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights, who is ailing in prison since starting a hunger strike on 8 February.

See all campaign news: Bahrain

Reports

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Press freedom situation worsens as authorities attempt to whitewash actions

The authorities have hired Western PR firms to help project a favourable image of the regime in the Western media.

Vital reform commitments unmet, finds Human Rights Watch

Some of the BICI’s most serious concerns, like accountability for crimes such as torture and relief for people wrongly imprisoned have not been adequately addressed, says Human Rights Watch.


See all reports: Bahrain