Fifth Report of Bahrain’s MOI Ombudsman Whitewashes Impunity for Police Brutality

The Office of the Ombudsman for Bahrain’s Ministry of Interior (MOI) released its fifth annual report on 4 October 2018, further whitewashing both rampant police misconduct and its own role in perpetuating the cycle of abuse. Covering the period from 1 May 2017 to 30 April 2018, the report presents the work of the Ombudsman’s[…]

Profiles in Persecution: Ali Sayed Hashem 

Ali Sayed Hashem was a high school student before his arbitrary arrest and torture by Bahraini security forces in July 2017.  Subjected to an unfair trial, Ali is now serving a six-year sentence in New Dry Dock, the section of Jau Prison for individuals under the age of 21, where he has again been tortured[…]

Bahraini Human Rights Defender Nabeel Rajab Recognized as a Finalist for the Václav Havel Human Rights Prize

On 8 October 2018, Nabeel Rajab was recognized as a shortlisted finalist for the Václav Havel Human Rights Prize. This prestigious prize is awarded each year by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, the Václav Havel Library, and the Charta 77 Foundation to honor outstanding civil society action in the defense of human[…]

Election Tracker: Quasi-Governmental Election Monitor Accuses Critics of “Political Terrorism”

As Bahrain’s parliamentary elections approach amid escalating political repression, Americans for Democracy & Human Rights in Bahrain (ADHRB) will be closely monitoring all updates until the vote on 24 November 2018. This blog series, Election Tracker, will follow developments and provide context on the upcoming elections. See the previous post on the continued judicial harassment[…]

Profiles in Persecution: Redha Merza Mushaima

Redha Merza Mushaima is a 30-year-old Bahraini prisoner from Sanabis. He was arbitrarily arrested, prevented from communicating with his family, and tortured at both the Ministry of Interior (MoI)’s Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) and the Riffa Police Station. He is currently in Jau Prison. At approximately 2:00am on 4 March 2014, a group of Bahraini[…]