In February 2011, following the example of the revolts in Tunisia and in Egypt, a protest movement developed calling for profound political and social reform in Bahrain. In response to these peaceful demonstrations the army fired on protesters and Gulf Cooperation Council troops intervened.
The brutal repression resulted in the death of several dozen people, hundreds of wounded and arbitrary arrests.
In recent weeks the protests have become less intensive but repression has been even greater, extending to doctors and medical staff. Human rights defenders who are not arrested or who have not disappeared are victims of regular acts of intimidation.
Massive lay-offs in factories and businesses, censorship and proceedings against journalists are the government’s response to the longings for freedom and social justice.
Governmental Declarations on Reform Are Little More than Rhetoric, As Reality Reveals Continued Repression of Basic rights, Deliberate and Collective Forms of Punishment
While thousands of Bahraini people are expected to meet on 14 February 2012 to mark the first anniversary of the start of pro-democracy protests, the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) is publishing a position paper on the situation of human rights since the release of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI) report on 23 November 2011.
National Safety Appeal Court confirms sentences against 21 political leaders and human rights activists. Judiciary in Bahrain misses opportunity to regain credibility! FIDH calls for their immediate release due to the arbitrary nature of the charges and of the entire proceedings.