Between 2019 and 2024, Bahrain has continued to face systematic human rights violations, despite repeated government promises of reform following the crackdown on peaceful protesters in 2011. The report “Behind the Facade: Understanding Human Rights Challenges in Bahrain,” issued by HuMENA for Human Rights and Civic Engagement, sheds light on these violations and their developments, offering an in-depth analysis of the current human rights situation.
The report examines Bahrain’s legal and constitutional framework, highlighting the contradictions between local laws and international human rights standards, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. It reveals how national legislation has been used as a tool to suppress freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.
The report covers issues of torture and ill-treatment in Bahraini prisons, including torture in prisons and detention centers, and detention in undisclosed locations. It provides evidence and testimonies about the harsh treatment of detainees, especially human rights defenders.
It also discusses arbitrary detention and enforced disappearance, focusing on arbitrary arrests and enforced disappearances as government strategies to suppress opposition and intimidate activists.
Regarding the status of women in Bahrain, the report addresses gender-based violence, legal and social discrimination, as well as challenges related to women’s rights in work and public life, highlighting the difficulties women face in various aspects of life.
The report also examines the situation of religious and ethnic minorities in Bahrain, including discrimination against Shia Muslims and the targeting of activists from minority groups. It covers the struggles of the LGBTQI+ community, highlighting the discrimination and violence they face in society.
Using a qualitative research methodology that includes reviewing legal literature and human rights reports, as well as interviews with field experts, the report presents a comprehensive picture of the current human rights landscape in Bahrain. It emphasizes the restrictions on civil and political freedoms and the urgent need for fundamental reforms.
The report underscores the importance of international and local cooperation to apply pressure on Bahraini authorities to comply with their international human rights obligations. It provides specific recommendations directed at the Bahraini government, the international community, and human rights organizations, aiming to improve the situation and ensure the protection of fundamental rights for every individual in Bahraini society. The report highlights the complexity of the human rights situation and the need for effective interventions to ensure justice and dignity for all.
