Bahrain Center for Human Rights

“The continued targeting of human rights defenders in Bahrain through arbitrary summonses and prolonged detentions is a clear attempt to silence dissent” – Bahrain Center for Human Rights

Authorities continue to discriminate against women, arbitrarily detain children, shut down civic space, and pressure human rights defenders.

BCHR welcomes the releases and urges authorities to release all remaining political prisoners, including human rights defenders like Abdulhadi Alkhawaja.

“Various restrictions imposed on prisoners’ movements and, most recently, the interruption of communications with families must end,” said UN experts.

The verdict reflects a pattern of cross-border repression and reprisals against activists, says BCHR.

With his health in jeopardy, imprisoned human rights defender Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja recently joined hundreds of prisoners of conscience in a hunger strike.

Strike comes in response to harsh prison conditions, including medical negligence.

Rise in sectarian hate speech leads to deeper social divisions, says Bahrain Center.