Champions for Justice: Bahrain’s Pro-Democracy Movement

Five years ago this week, hundreds of thousands of people rose up in support of democracy and human rights in Bahrain. After enduring decades of structural inequalities, corruption, and repression, nearly half the country’s citizen population gathered to demand reform. The government responded swiftly, and severely. Riot police flooded the streets, employing excessive and indiscriminate[…]

Confederation of African Football endorses Sheikh Salman for FIFA presidency

Bahrain’s Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim al-Khalifa gained a major boost in his bid to become the next FIFA president when he received the endorsement of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) on Friday February 5th 2016. The 54-nation body of the CAF endorsed Sheikh Salman unanimously. Sheikh Salman al-Khalifa is a member of Bahrain’s royal[…]

Mapping Bahrain’s Human Rights Violations

Skip to the map here. On February 14, 2011, thousands of Bahrainis participated in a “Day of Rage” in Manama, inspired by the popular upheavals in Egypt and Tunisia. They hoped that peaceful protests could change the political landscape of the country. By the end of the night, 21-year old Ali Mushaima was dead. This[…]

Three-year prison terms for burning tires

Bahrain’s First High Criminal Court sentenced eight suspects to three years in prison over charges of starting a fire and holding an assembly in Salmabad. The Public Prosecution said the suspects started a fire for terrorist purposes on December 27, 2014, putting people’s lives and properties in danger. The prosecution also accused them of participating[…]

Photographer Ahmed al-Fardan Imprisoned for Illegal Assembly

On 3 February 2016, a Bahraini court upheld photographer Ahmed al-Fardan’s three-month prison sentence on charges of “attempting” to protest. We condemn the Bahraini authorities’ continued targeting and prosecution of photographers and journalists, which directly violates internationally guaranteed freedoms of expression and media. On 26 December 2013 at 3:00 A.M., security forces raided al-Fardan’s house,[…]