Bahrain’s Ongoing Detention of Political Activists

On February 25, 2016, the Index on Censorship called for the immediate release of imprisoned political activist Ebrahim Sharif, after a Bahraini court convicted Sharif of inciting hatred. The court acquitted the former Secretary-General of National Democratic Action Society on charges of promoting the toppling of the government. The court sentenced Sharif, to one year[…]

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,[…]

Jailed Opposition Leader Summoned For Questioning Over Tweets

On Sunday, Bahraini authorities questioned Sheikh Ali Salman over “violations” posted on his Twitter account, despite the fact that he remains imprisoned and unable to tweet.  Sheikh Salman, the secretary-general of Bahraini opposition bloc al-Wefaq, is already serving a four-year prison term for inciting hatred, disturbing public peace, and inciting civil disobedience.  Following the interrogation, Bahrain’s prosecutor stated he[…]

Bahraini Authorities Arbitrarily Arrest Journalist Mahmood al-Jazeeri

On Monday, Bahraini security forces arbitrarily arrested journalist Mahmood al-Jazeeri, increasing the number of journalists, photographers, bloggers and internet activists under arrest in Bahrain to more than twenty. The Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR), Americans for Democracy & Human Rights in Bahrain (ADHRB), and the Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy (BIRD) expresses its[…]

Proven Human Rights Abusers Don’t Get to Set the Record Straight

During the 2011 uprising, Bahrain’s human rights abuses took center stage when security forces used excessive force against peaceful pro-democracy protests. Since then, evidence of human rights abuses by the government continues to mount. Although widespread documentation of the government’s use of torture, arbitrary detention, and flawed trials makes it difficult for Bahrain to cover[…]