Bahrain Center for Human Rights

While welcoming moves to implement measures that guarantee media independence, IFEX-TMG calls on the Tunisian government to fully respect free expression in the new Constitution and put an end to attacks on journalists and artists.

Almost a year after the Bahrain Independent Commision of Inquiry published a report on events in Bahrain in February and March 2011 and providing recommendations for the future, human rights violations continue, say local rights groups.

Jawad Al-Shaikh, the father of a 14-year-old boy killed by Bahraini security forces in 2011, was arrested at a peaceful protest in Manama recently. Al-Shaikh has also been subjected to acts of intimidation by the forces since the death of his son.

The acting vice president of the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights, Said Yousif Al-Muhafdhah, is the latest from the organization to be arrested by Bahraini authorities for his human rights work.

A report compiled by BCHR on human rights violations in Bahrain reveals the strong culture of impunity perpetuated by the lack of accountability amongst the ruling family, security forces, and the army.

The Bahraini authorities have been misusing judicial procedures to silence opponents who exercise their free speech rights in religious sermons and seminars.

In an attempt at breaking a siege on a Bahraini village, three human rights defenders were arrested for marching peacefully towards the village with symbolic amounts of food and medical supplies in their arms.

Bahraini human rights defender and president of the Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights Mohammed Al-Maskati was detained overnight and released after interrogation.