PARLIAMENTARY EVENT: Commemorating Bahrain’s Martyr’s Day

20 December 2018 – On Monday 17 December, the Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy (BIRD) attended an event in Parliament chaired by Liberal Democrat MP Tom Brake, to commemorate Bahrain Martyrs’ Day. At the event, experts on Bahrain discussed the human rights violations perpetrated by the government against civilians and shared the stories of…

For BIRD Weekly 217, click here.

Bahrain: Drop Charges in Rights Defender’s Case

(Beirut) – The following statement was issued on December 18, 2018 by 57 rights groups, including Human Rights Watch: We the undersigned call on Bahrain to release Nabeel Rajab immediately, to repeal his convictions and sentences, and drop all charges against him.

Profiles in Persecution: Faten Ali Naser

Faten Ali Naser is a 41-year old mother of four and housewife from Bahrain. She is currently in Isa Town Women’s Prison, serving a five-year sentence for allegedly harboring a fugitive and now awaiting an appeal scheduled for 28 January 2019.

For ADHRB Weekly Newsletter 281, click here.

BIRD Weekly #216: Thai Authorities Proceed with Extradition of Bahraini Footballer

6 December 2018 – Tomorrow, former Bahraini football player, Hakeem AlAraibi, will be taken to Bangkok Criminal Court (Ratchadaphisek) as Thai immigration authorities decided to proceed with his extradition to Bahrain. AlAraibi was arrested on 27 November on the basis of a now-lifted INTERPOL arrest warrant issued at the request of Bahrain, despite AlAraibi being a recognised refugee in Australia.

Profiles in Prosecution: AbdulMajeed Abdulla Mohsen

AbdulMajeed Abdulla Mohsen is an established Bahraini human rights defender and has been an advocate of civil rights in Bahrain since 2011. Also known as a “Father of the Revolution,” AbdulMajeed has a history of being unlawfully arrested for his activism.

For ADHRB Newsletter 280, click here.

As Expected, Bahrain’s Parliamentary Elections Were Neither Free Nor Fair

26 November 2018 – This past weekend, on 24 November 2018, Bahrain held elections for the 40 seats of the lower house of parliament. As expected, these elections occurred with severe restrictions placed on civil and political society by the Bahraini government.

See also ADHRB Weekly, number 279.
See also BIRD Weekly, 215.

Bahrain: Pre-election clampdown on political opposition and activists

Widespread suppression of the political opposition, activists, and civic leaders. Shi’a public figures have been disproportionately targeted in the parliamentary pre-election clampdown

Bahrain: No Free Elections in Current Environment

(Beirut) – The upcoming parliamentary elections in Bahrain, scheduled for November 24, 2018, are occurring in a repressive political environment that is not conducive to free elections, Human Rights Watch said today. Bahrain’s allies should encourage the Bahraini government to take all the necessary steps to reform laws undermining freedom of expression and assembly and to release detained opposition figures.

For more on the US Senate vote and the Bahrain elections, see ADHRB Weekly 278, accessible here.

BAHRAIN: Formula One Expresses “Concerns” for Imprisoned Female Activist Critical of The Grand Prix

15 November 2018 – On 12 November, Formula One expressed concern for Bahraini female political prisoner, Najah Yusuf, whose conviction involves criticising the Bahraini government and the Bahrain Grand Prix 2017. In June 2018, Najah was found guilty for, according to the Public Prosecution, promoting and encouraging people “to overthrow the political and social systems”….

For BIRD Weekly 213, click here.

Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission Calls on Bahrain to Make Parliamentary Elections Free and Fair

06 November 2018 – Today, Representative Jim McGovern and Representative Randy Hultgren, the co-chairs of the Congressional Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, publicized a letter they sent last week asking Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa to “take all necessary steps to ensure that the upcoming elections for the Council of Representatives of Bahrain’s National Assembly meet international standards for free and fair elections.”

For ADHRB Weekly 277, click here.