Bahrain Center for Human Rights

Leading human rights defender Nabeel Rajab’s three-year jail sentence, handed to him as a result of advocating peaceful demonstrations, was reduced to two years.

While some Bahraini opposition members’ sentences have been reduced, approximately 200 Bahrainis involved with the Islamic Action Society are still in prison.

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.