Bahrain Center for Human Rights

The international community’s response to the current charges leveled against prominent activist Nabeel Rajab has been monumental in denouncing the Criminal Investigations Department and the Bahraini government for their actions.

As a human rights defender, Al-Maskati has long been the subject of threats and harassment for his work. Others like Al-Maskati have been the subject of heavy persecution in Bahrain recently.

Three NGOs strongly condemned the Bahraini government’s detention of Shaikh Ali Salman, for his peaceful political activities and his work as a leader of Al-Wefaq, the largest opposition political party in the country.

Zainab and Maryam Al-Khawaja have been speaking up against the Bahraini regime for years now and have faced reprisal.

On 21 and 22 November 2014, security forces attacked peaceful protests calling for the boycott of parliamentary elections in several parts of the country. Authorities employed tear gas and shotguns against unarmed protesters, and subjected at least 21 villages to indiscriminate and excessive use of tear gas.

Ammar Abdulrasool has received more than 80 international awards for his photography. Government forces interrogated Abdulrasool regarding his work, placing emphasis on a photograph showing a peaceful protestor giving a police officer a flower.

The Ministry of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments filed a lawsuit against Al-Wefaq National Islamic Society to suspend its activities for three months accusing the society of “breaking the law”.

Zainab al-Khawaja, who is eight months pregnant, was in court on 14 October to face charges relating to two previous incidents. She was arrested again in the courtroom for ripping up a photo of the King.