The process of transformation and progress toward democracy in any country necessitates implementing reforms within official state institutions, including the security and judicial systems. These reforms must adhere to a transparent, stringent accountability mechanism grounded in clear legal frameworks. Additionally, it is essential to establish a defined pathway that ensures equal rights for all individuals and reaffirms the principle that the law applies to everyone without exception.
However, in Bahrain, the process of meaningful reform and democratic transformation has remained elusive since the popular pro-democracy movement began 13 years ago in 2011. The lack of judicial independence and its subordination to the ruling authority, coupled with a pervasive policy of impunity, has created a shield protecting perpetrators of violations and corruption. Instead of safeguarding citizens, the law has become a tool to target them.
One of the most egregious violations of human rights in Bahrain is torture, which has been inflicted on citizens for opposing the country’s rulers or political systems. A clear testament to this is the dozens of communications (opinions, urgent appeals, or allegations) issued by UN experts, particularly those focused on torture and other violations, from various UN Special Procedure offices and working groups. These communications have repeatedly called on Bahraini officials, from the king to lower-ranking officials, to immediately halt torture and other abuses. Each communication has reiterated the request for Bahrain to allow a visit by the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture to directly assess the validity of ongoing allegations.
Despite these appeals, Bahrain’s so-called “torture princes” remain free. While the government has occasionally announced trials for a few perpetrators of abuses or created investigative bodies to examine torture claims, these measures have largely been superficial and aimed at polishing the regime’s image on the international stage. For instance, the establishment of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI) to investigate government-led torture was a notable step. Yet the Bahraini government has failed to implement its recommendations in a meaningful or effective manner.
Recently, the Bahraini government has attempted to project an image of reform by adopting measures such as granting amnesty to dozens of political prisoners and releasing others under “open prisons” or alternative sentencing frameworks. However, these efforts are overshadowed by the continued arrest of rights advocates, the ongoing crackdown on peaceful groups and dissenting voices, and the protection of “torture princes” from accountability amid a widespread policy of impunity.
The Spread of the Policy of Impunity
More than a decade has passed, yet the crackdown that followed the peaceful pro-democracy movement in Bahrain remains a stark reminder of the country’s human rights violations. Four state institutions played a central role in suppressing peaceful protests: the National Guard, the Bahrain Defence Force, the Ministry of Interior (MOI), and the National Security Agency (NSA). Acting under Royal Decree No. 18 of 2011, which declared a state of national safety, these agencies carried out gross human rights abuses. These included arbitrary arrests, violent suppression using weapons, and widespread torture. These actions have been condemned by various UN bodies, international organizations, and NGOs for their egregious violations of fundamental human rights. Despite international criticism, Bahrain’s authorities have consistently failed to hold perpetrators accountable, enabling a culture of impunity to persist.
To date, Bahraini authorities have failed to take serious steps toward holding officials accountable for torture and human rights abuses. These include high-ranking figures such as the king’s son, Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, and Minister of Interior Rashid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, both directly implicated in violations.
This report continues the campaign launched by Americans for Democracy & Human Rights in Bahrain (ADHRB) in February 2023, calling for the prosecution of those responsible for abuses against political prisoners in Bahrain.
Since the crackdown on pro-democracy protests, ADHRB and other human rights organizations have documented numerous abuses by senior officials who authorized torture, arbitrary detention, and extrajudicial killings. Reports based on testimony from human rights advocates have accused the Bahraini MOI of personally overseeing torture in prisons. Bahrain ranked first in the Arab world for its incarceration rate in 2015, with approximately 4,000 prisoners, equating to 301 inmates per 100,000 people. Instead of addressing calls for investigations, Bahraini authorities have routinely demonized such demands. Interior Minister Rashid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, who has held his position since 2004, dismissed allegations of abuse, stating: “Claims and allegations of torture repeated by some individuals are mere assertions based on unfounded and unsupported rumors”.
Despite the government’s repeated denials of torture, the reality on the ground tells a different story. Under pressure from public protests and human rights advocacy, the Bahraini government established the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI) through Royal Decree No. 28 of 2011 on 29 July 2011. Tasked with investigating the events of February and March 2011 and their aftermath, the commission released its report on 23 November 2011, known as the “BICI Recommendations”. The report outlined 19 key recommendations, including establishing an independent and impartial mechanism to hold officials accountable for unlawful acts and providing compensation to victims.
In response to the report, which exposed the regime’s practices, the government quickly announced formal measures. In July 2012, Nawaf Abdulla Hamza, head of the Public Prosecution’s Special Investigation Unit (SIU), filed torture charges against 15 individuals, followed by similar charges against seven more in October 2012, after investigating complaints of torture and mistreatment received by the Public Prosecution Office (PPO). However, the MOI soon closed these investigations and launched an aggressive campaign to polish the judiciary and prison system’s image. The MOI declared, “Speaking of torture these days is unjustified. Detainees and prisoners are safeguarded under the custody of the MOI, making what is referred to as ‘torture’ unnecessary”.
However, consistent documentation of ongoing torture during various stages of litigation by numerous human rights organizations led to additional measures. In May 2015, the Bahrain Criminal Court sentenced six security personnel from the MOI, including three officers, to prison terms ranging from one to five years for torturing prisoners and causing the death of one detainee.
Through this pattern of perpetuating impunity, responding to torture allegations with either superficial reforms or outright denial, and attempting to bolster the image of its security and judicial systems, the Bahraini regime has effectively authorized and legitimized ongoing repression against its citizens.
Princes of Torture
Reports from victims indicate that they were subjected to severe beating and torture by individuals whom the victims recognized as members of the Bahraini royal family. Complaints were filed against those involved in the torture, and letters were sent to world leaders urging them to take steps and hold the princes of torture accountable for their human rights violations, but to no avail.
- Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa
Nasser bin Hamad, the son of the King of Bahrain, is considered one of the most prominent princes of torture, protected from prosecution and accountability for the torture crimes he committed against political prisoners. The prince holds several positions, including National Security Advisor, Secretary-General of the Supreme Defense Council, and Commander of the Bahraini Royal Guard. He has used his positions and influence to commit human rights violations. Complaints were filed against the prince in courts in France and the UK, where the High Court issued a ruling to lift his immunity; however, this ruling did not lead to any practical steps.
Among the cases of torture is that of Sheikh Abdullah Isa Abdulla Mahroos (Sheikh Mirza Mahroos), a prominent Bahraini cleric who was subjected to multiple human rights violations, including torture and an unfair trial, and is currently serving his sentence in Jau Prison. Sheikh Mahroos was beaten by Nasser bin Hamad, who forced him to open his mouth and then spat in it.
Sheikh Mohamed Habib Al-Miqdad, a Bahraini-Swedish cleric and social activist, who is still serving his prison sentence in Jau Prison, was also tortured and mistreated by the princes of torture, including the King’s son. Nasser bin Hamad did not hesitate to explicitly introduce himself to victims. He informed Sheikh Al-Miqdad of his identity and proceeded to slap him and insult him due to slogans chanted during protests against the ruling family.
Documentations mention dozens of other cases where the King’s son was involved in torture, and in most of them, Nasser bin Hamad identified himself to the victims before torturing them. In many cases, he intentionally humiliated the victims, beat them in sensitive areas, struck them severely until they bled, forced them to kiss his shoes, insulted them, and used sectarian slurs against them.
- Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa
The sons of the King of Bahrain, Nasser and Khalid, held high-ranking positions and military ranks that secured them a vast influence and a green light to legitimize violations and entrench a policy of impunity. Khalid bin Hamad, a colonel, holds the position of First Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports, President of the General Sports Authority, and Chairman of the Bahraini Olympic Committee. He became involved in the torture of Bahraini citizens during the 2011 popular movement, along with other scandals that were investigated.
Documents recount an incident in which an elderly man and his son were arrested and forced to bow to Khalid, who was wearing a military uniform. The man and his son were thrown in front of the King’s son, who proceeded to beat them with his weapon, directing sectarian insults at them.
Among the torture victim testimonies, one citizen describes how he was beaten and humiliated by Khalid, where he was forced to kneel with his hands bound and was beaten severely on his ribs and face. He was also forced to eat hot pepper and insult opposition leaders. Later, this person was arrested, accused of inciting against the regime, sentenced to prison, and dismissed from his job.
Khalid used to stand at checkpoints, personally inspecting passersby in a degrading manner. In one case, he beat a citizen after finding text messages on his phone urging participation in the Pearl Roundabout protests. The citizen reported that Khalid was wearing a military uniform and oversaw the beating until he caused a wound beneath his beard and blood began to pour. Khalid kicked him in the back and kidneys until the victim could no longer move. He was forced to sign a confession without knowing its contents, and as a result, was imprisoned for three months.
Khalid participated in torturing individuals at checkpoints and frequently engaged in beating victims until they bled. In one case, he forced a citizen to eat soil, grabbed his neck, and slammed it hard onto his knee, breaking the victim’s nose and causing bleeding.
- Rashid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa
The widespread policy of impunity and the systemic use of torture in Bahrain cannot be discussed without mentioning Rashid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa. Serving as Minister of the Interior since May 2004, he bears primary responsibility for the interrogations and torture inflicted on political prisoners in Bahrain. ADHRB has documented testimonies stating that the Minister of Interior personally conducted their interrogation and torture, alongside Tariq AlHasan, the head of General Security, following episodes of severe torture! In addition to extrajudicial killings and torture, the Interior Minister’s record includes violations such as assaulting women, stealing household items, and selling them in public auctions organized by the ministry. The BICI Report confirmed the Interior Minister’s failure to protect peaceful protesters and his involvement in covering up violations against detainees. However, Rashid successfully whitewashed his crimes by promoting that these violations were part of protecting the regime, maintaining security, and capturing and prosecuting terrorist cells. With the backing and protection of the royal court, he was able to continue these violations and was even rewarded with his son’s appointment as Bahrain’s ambassador to the United States (U.S.) in 2017.
In February 2019, ADHRB launched a campaign entitled “Prosecute Him”, condemning the horrific violations committed by Rashid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa against political prisoners. The campaign highlighted cases of victims tortured under the supervision, approval, or even presence of the Interior Minister. Through the cases it spotlighted, ADHRB documented the abuses endured by hundreds of detainees in Bahraini prisons, which constitute crimes against humanity according to UN Special Procedures. Among these victims are human rights defender Dr. AbdulJalil AlSingace, prominent opposition leader Hasan Mushaima, human rights defender AbdulHadi AlKhawaja, former Secretary-General of the AlWefaq Society Sheikh Ali Salman, human rights activist Naji Fateel, and prisoner of conscience Ali Hasan AlAradi.
- Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa
Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa served as Director-General of Police in the Southern Governorate from 2011 to 2016, attaining the rank of Brigadier General. Under his command, these forces engaged in retaliatory actions against human rights defenders, including Dr. Saeed AlSamahiji, who was arrested for tweeting criticism of Saudi Arabia’s execution of political prisoners. Khalifa also participated in the collective punishment of political prisoners in Jau Prison in March 2015. According to detainee testimonies, Khalifa personally oversaw some torture sessions, during which six guards repeatedly kicked one prisoner while Khalifa sat and watched. He instructed the guards to “hurt him, but don’t kill him,” and the guards proceeded to strip the prisoner, chain him to a metal bed, and continue beating him, including on his genitals. No charges were filed against these officers or the Director-General.
Reports also highlighted Khalifa’s responsibility for the torture of several Bahrain University students, such as Fatima AlBaqali, along with other female detainees like journalist Naziha Saad. Khalifa’s crimes followed him wherever he went, and during a visit to the British capital, London, Bahrainis who had been tortured by him referred to him as “The Executioner,” reminding him of his crimes against Bahrainis.
Instead of being held accountable after his name appeared in the BICI Report, Khalifa was appointed in 2016 as Deputy Head of General Security, making him second in command of police divisions across the four governorates. This appointment also made him second in command to national units, including the Special Security Forces and the Coast Guard. Since then, his tenure has seen some of the most violent incidents committed by security forces in recent years, including repeated extrajudicial killings throughout 2017. In January 2018, the King promoted him to Major General and appointed him Deputy Inspector General. Major General Khalifa is now tasked with assisting the Inspector General in handling complaints referred by the Ombudsman and holding MOI employees accountable for violations. These employees were personally directed by him to arrest human rights defenders and torture prisoners.
- Khalifa bin Abdulla Al Khalifa
Among the prominent names involved in torturing political prisoners is Khalifa bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, Head of the National Security Agency (NSA) within the MOI, which replaced the State Security Agency responsible for the deaths of dozens of detainees under torture.
Khalifa participated in torture operations during interrogations, and among his victims was Sheikh Abdulla Isa Mahroos. Khalifa repeatedly kicked Sheikh Mahroos in the stomach and ordered prison guards to step on his abdomen, causing internal bleeding and forcing him to undergo two surgeries. Sheikh Mahroos recalls: “They would stand with their shoes on my stomach while I was lying on the ground, and whenever I complained of stomach pain, they hit me more on my stomach, and I developed internal bleeding and severe pain.” He asserts that he identified some of his torturers, including “Head of the NSA Khalifa bin Abdulla Al Khalifa and several of the agency’s members.”
Torture operations were conducted under the supervision of high-ranking officials and royal family members. The confessions extracted under torture were filmed and shown on state-run media, allowing the MOI to showcase its so-called achievements while terrorizing detainees and justifying their unfair and illegal trials. Detainees mentioned that one member of the NSA informed them that a “prince” from the royal family would meet with them to hear their statements and raise them to the King in hopes of their release. At the time, Khalifa played the role of an intermediary between the King and Bahraini opposition figures, one of whom was Hasan Mushaima, whose name appeared in the confessions shown in the film as the main instigator of the so-called terrorist cell.
- Noura Al Khalifa
Among the names that surfaced in the dark torture chambers was Noura Al Khalifa, a princess who worked in the Counter-Narcotics Police and was accused of torturing Bahraini activists. Noura was tried after complaints were filed against her, but the Appeals Court quickly acquitted her of torture violations.
Among the documented cases were that of brothers Ghassan and Bassim Dhaif, who worked at the Sulaimaniya Medical Complex, and Dr. Ali AlEkri. Cases also included women who were arrested and imprisoned under extremely poor conditions and tortured at the hands of a royal family member, such as poet Ayat AlQarmazi, Jalila AlSalman – then-acting president of the Bahrain Teachers Association-, the paramedic Dr. Fatima Hajji, Dr. Zahra AlSammak, Dr. Rula AlSaffar, and Dr. Kholood AlDurazi.
Poet Ayat AlQarmazi was arrested and tortured in March 2011 at the age of 21 for reciting a poem critical of the Bahraini government. She was beaten with wires while blindfolded and threatened with rape. During one of her torture sessions, she recognized Noura, who verbally abused her, spat in her mouth, electrocuted her face, and slapped her multiple times. Student Fatima AlBaqali endured similar forms of torture due to a speech she delivered during a sit-in at the Pearl Roundabout and was threatened with rape if she revealed the violations.
Dr. Fatima Hajji was tortured for communicating with human rights organizations. She was beaten with a water hose and electrocuted by the princess. Under torture, she was coerced into falsely confessing that she supplied blood units to activists for simulating injuries during protests. She was also sexually harassed by a group of men under the princess’s supervision, threatened with rape, and forced to stand on one leg, sing, dance, and imitate animal sounds.
Official Torture Agencies
Bahrain’s widespread policy of impunity in Bahrain couldn’t be sustained without a system that protects both the policy itself and those enforcing it. At the center of this system is the MOI, whose various branches form the backbone of the police state. A detailed study by ADHRB revealed the Ministry’s pivotal role in Bahrain’s sudden transformation into a police state. Between 2011 and 2019, over 3,000 human rights violations were linked to the Ministry. These included arbitrary detention, torture, rape, and extrajudicial killings.
From 2011 to 2024, at least 19 political prisoners died in Bahraini prisons due to medical neglect and systematic torture. The victims include: AbdulAziz Ayyad (17 March 2011), Hasan Jassim AlFardan (3 April 2011), Ali Saqr (4 April 2011), Zakariya AlAsheeri (9 April 2011), AbdulKarim Fakhrawi (11 April 2011), Jaber AlAlaiwat (6 December 2011), Mohamed Mushaima (2 October 2012), Yusuf AlNashmi (11 October 2013), Hasan AlSheikh (5 November 2014), Hasan Jassim Hasan AlHayiki (31 July 2016), Mohamed Sahwan (16 March 2017), Jaafar AlDurazi (26 February 2014), Hameed Khatam (31 January 2020), Sayed Kadhem Abbas (3 February 2020), Abbas Malallah (6 April 2021), Husain Barakat (9 June 2021), Ali Qambar (25 October 2021), Sadiq Jaafar AlMadani (17 December 2022), and Husain AlRamram (25 March 2024).
None of these cases were seriously investigated, nor were perpetrators held accountable. When inquiries were made, deaths were labeled as “natural causes,” leaving the perpetrators free and protected. Even when evidence documenting the torture of victims is presented, as in the case of death row political prisoner Mohamed Ramadan, it does not lead to a reduction in harsh sentences, despite confirmed reports that his confessions were coerced.
In addition, there have been cases of extrajudicial killings where the perpetrators were protected, with no investigations or accountability. These include the killings of Abdulla AlAjooz (20 February 2017), Redha AlGhasra, Mustafa Yusuf, and Mahmood Yusuf (9 February 2017) carried out by security forces affiliated with the MOI.
Members of the ruling family involved in crimes have also been protected. In 2016, military officer Hamad Mubarak Al Khalifa killed journalist Eman AlSalehi in front of her six-year-old son. Despite this, state media ignored the case, no photos of the perpetrator were broadcast, and the law was never enforced. Furthermore, he was granted a royal pardon in 2022. Moreover, officials accused of torture were promoted and granted expanded powers through royal decrees. For example, Adel bin Khalifa bin Hamad AlFadhel, involved in torture cases, was promoted to Deputy Minister of Interior.
Between 2011 and 2019, ADHRB documented the MOI’s direct involvement in at least 570 cases of torture under the command of the Interior Minister. ADHRB’s weekly Profiles in Persecution have detailed numerous cases of torture involving high-ranking officials. Among these cases is that of activist Ali Hasan AlAradi, who endured severe physical and psychological torture and ill-treatment before being personally interrogated by Interior Minister Rashid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa. During the torture preceding the interrogation, AlAradi was beaten severely on his head and genitals with batons and wooden rods. His eyes were blindfolded throughout the interrogation, he was forced to stand for long hours, denied sleep and restroom access, and threatened with harm to his family. As a result of this torture, he suffered a broken hand and lost hearing in his left ear. He was subsequently prosecuted based on confessions extracted under torture.
Despite this evidence, including findings from the BICI that confirmed the Minister of Interior’s involvement in serious human rights violations, he has never been held accountable. Instead, since his appointment he deflected criticism, accusing anyone who questioned his ministry’s practices and threatening legal action against those who accused him of torture.
This protection extended to senior officials and members of the ruling family, creating a culture of impunity. This culture is reflected in Bahrain’s prisons, where torture and violations against political prisoners are perpetrated with no remorse or accountability. Officers such as AbdulSalam AlAraifi, Hisham AlZayani, Nasser AbdulRahman Al Khalifa, Bader AlRuwaie, Ali Arad, Yusuf AlQadi, Abdulla Omar, and Ahmed AlEmadi were documented perpetrators on political and sectarian grounds. Complaints against them were ignored, and state agencies provided them with full protection, enabling further violations. Political prisoners, most notably Mohamed Hasan Abdulla AlRamel, have documented in audio recordings the abuses they endured at the hands of these officers. They filed complaints with the relevant MOI bodies, but no action was taken.
Bahrain has established itself as a model police state through its institutional framework, with approximately 46 MOI employees per 1,000 citizens and the highest rate of mass detention in the Middle East. Evidence shows that serious violations, including torture, stem from the Ministry’s de facto policy, which not only reinforces a culture of impunity but also includes an incentive system designed to reward perpetrators.
Torture Testimonies
Below are examples of torture endured by political prisoners, including opposition leaders and human rights defenders.
- Prominent opposition leader Dr. AbdulJalil AlSingace
Dr. AlSingace has been subjected to daily torture. He was beaten on the head with batons, threatened with sexual assault, and deprived of showers for long periods. In addition, he was denied medical care, despite suffering from post-polio syndrome, sickle cell anemia, and other painful conditions. Despite this, he only received medical attention after his health severely deteriorated.
On 8 July 2021, Dr. AlSingace began a hunger strike when prison authorities confiscated his book on Bahraini dialects, a project he spent four years researching and writing. Since then, the torture inflicted upon him has taken new forms. He has been held in conditions resembling solitary confinement at Kanoo Medical Center, denied access to sunlight and outdoor time, and his medical examinations have been concealed from him and his family. He remains deprived of treatment to this day.
- Prominent opposition leader Mr. Hasan Mushaima
Another prominent opposition leader, Mr. Hasan Mushaima, experienced severe physical abuse during his interrogation and trial. He was beaten, punched all over his body, particularly on his head, and pushed to the ground, causing injuries. Mushaima also endured psychological torture, verbal abuse, and ill-treatment. Despite suffering from multiple health issues—including diabetes, hypertension, prostate enlargement, ear infections, gout, unspecified kidney and stomach damage, a cyst in the eye, and a heart muscle problem—Mushaima is continually denied medication and routine medical checkups. A former cancer patient, the 76-year-old opposition leader has been isolated at Kanoo Medical Center for three years, facing slow death due to the systematic denial of essential healthcare, despite his age.
- Prominent Human Rights Defender AbdulHadi Al-Khawaja
From the moment of his arrest, human rights defender AbdulHadi Al-Khawaja was subjected to torture, resulting in four fractured bones in his jaw. After spending two months in solitary confinement, and only eight days following jaw surgery, he was subjected to severe physical and psychological torture, prompting him to begin a hunger strike. He was threatened with force-feeding through a nasal-gastric tube. Al-Khawaja’s appeals to the Minister of Interior went unanswered; instead, retaliation against him intensified. Due to the hunger strikes and torture, he now suffers from severe joint and bone pain that prevents him from sleeping, as well as other complications, including deteriorating vision that could cause him to lose his sight.
- Mohamed Hasan Abdulla (AlRamel)
Released political prisoner Mohamed Hasan AlRamel exemplifies the policy of medical neglect practiced—and still ongoing—against prisoners of conscience in Bahrain, a policy that at one point threatened his life. AlRamel has endured extreme torture, including beatings across his body and ribs, sexual harassment, verbal abuse, and being hung from stairs. Additionally, the retaliatory policies extended to arbitrary measures, including depriving him of prayer, sleep. and restroom access, placed in solitary confinement, and denied medical care. Furthermore, officers of the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) threatened to harm his mother and wife. Due to the medical negligence he endured, he was compelled to undertake repeated hunger strikes in protest against being denied medical appointments, necessary medications, and the specialized meals he required.
BICI Recommendations
In July 2011, Bahrain’s King established an investigative commission in response to international criticism over the security forces’ violent and disproportionate response to peaceful protests in February 2011. The protests left 30 people dead, with 19 deaths attributed to security forces. In its report released on 23 November 2011, the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI) concluded that the NSA and the MOI had engaged in “systematic practices of physical and psychological abuse amounting to torture in several cases.”
The government then established three bodies to address torture: The Ombudsman Office under the MOI, led by Rashid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, one of the most prominent torturers; the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) under the Public Prosecution Office (PPO), which is complicit in torture by accepting forced confessions during interrogations; the Prisoners and Detainees Rights Commission (PDRC), whose members included judges complicit in the criminalization of human rights and opposition activism.
Over more than a decade, government bodies have demonstrated, through both their structure and actions, their ineffectiveness and failure to reform the judicial system or activate oversight mechanisms to safeguard human rights in the country.
In addition to the culture of impunity, it is important to highlight the promotions granted to perpetrators of violations. Despite the involvement of numerous officers in overseeing the abuse of political prisoners and extrajudicial killings, these individuals have been promoted to higher positions. This constitutes a direct endorsement of oppressive policing, the proliferation of abusive practices, and their institutionalization. Among these names are:
- Brigadier General AbdulAziz Mayouf AlRumaihi- Director-General of the Criminal Investigations and Forensic Evidence Directorate (CID)
The Criminal Investigations and Forensic Evidence Directorate, commonly known as the “Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID),” is one of the most prominent torture apparatuses under the MOI. It is headed by Brigadier General AbdulAziz Mayouf AlRumaihi, despite his being accused of human rights violations, including his involvement in the killing of Abdullah Al-Ajooz by security forces in February 2017. AlRumaihi continues to retaliate against activists by using his authority to deny them certificates of good conduct.
- Brigadier General Fawaz AlHasan – Commander of the Royal Police Academy:
Similarly, Fawaz Hasan AlHasan, the General Director of Police in Muharraq Governorate, received continuous promotions. He was promoted to the position of Commander of the Royal Police Academy at the rank of General Director, despite documented serious violations under his leadership, including the torture of activists Ebtisam AlSaegh and Najah Yusuf.
- Brigadier General Bassam Mohamed Khamis Al-Maraj – Chief of the National Intelligence Agency. :
Bassam Mohamed Al-Maraj personally oversaw torture sessions and was among four senior torturers at the CID. Al-Maraj supervised acts of torture at the intelligence headquarters, the abduction of dissidents, and the fabrication of false charges against them. He also supervised the use of brutal torture methods to extract forced confessions, the torture of female detainees, and retaliation against activists and human rights defenders. Recently, on 10 July 2024, a royal decree rewarded Al-Maraj for his violations by promoting him to the position of Chief of the National Intelligence Agency.
Recommendations
The state of human rights in Bahrain has worsened. Repressive practices became deeply entrenched over the years, with the government blatantly ignoring international laws and treaties. Over time, it has disregarded the BICI recommendations and resumed security crackdowns, arbitrary arrests, and trials that fail to meet even the most basic standards of international justice.
Just one year after the commission’s recommendations—and continuing to the present—Bahrain’s government has shown a clear lack of political will to implement the promised reforms. It has ignored repeated calls to investigate allegations of torture, ill-treatment, and excessive use of force, as well as to prosecute those responsible for such violations. This inaction has entrenched and perpetuated a culture of impunity. Trials based on confessions extracted under torture remain unreviewed, with sentences—including 51 death penalties—issued based on these coerced confessions. As of 2024, 12 political prisoners face execution, and 10 prominent opposition leaders have been imprisoned for over a decade solely for their peaceful roles in protests.
In light of this, ADHRB reiterates its calls for justice and accountability. It urges the immediate and unconditional release of all opposition leaders and political prisoners, the initiation of independent investigations into torture allegations, and the prosecution of perpetrators, regardless of their rank. ADHRB also demands accountability for investigative judges who issued unjust sentences despite evidence of torture. Furthermore, ADHRB calls for restructuring prison administrations, security agencies, and the judiciary to ensure the appointment of impartial and independent judges. Finally, ADHRB stresses the urgent need for the government to fully and seriously implement the findings and recommendations of the BICI.
ADHRB also calls for full reparations for victims of human rights violations, ensuring they receive compensation and guarantees of non-repetition. It reiterates its demand for Bahrain’s government to dismantle its culture of impunity and adhere to its obligations under international treaties, including the Convention Against Torture (CAT) and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). Additionally, ADHRB emphasizes the urgent need to end the criminalization of free speech and the suppression of voices advocating for reform, as these are crucial for achieving meaningful change in the country.
The government’s claims of reform, such as releasing a few political prisoners, stand in stark contrast to its continued criminalization of free expression, the violent suppression of protests, and ongoing restrictions on prisoners of conscience. Therefore, ADHRB recommends restructuring Bahrain’s security and judicial institutions to free them from the control of the MOI This must include ending the culture of impunity, starting with the removal of the Minister of Interior, holding all officials involved in violations accountable, and ensuring victims are compensated and their civil and political rights are fully restored.
