Bahrain
Bahrain is a Gulf state exhibiting low scores across most GSoDI attributes, although it performs in the high range with regard to Basic Welfare. Over the last five years, there have been no notable changes in levels of performance. The country is ruled by the Sunni Muslim royal family, Al Khalifa and elections are held every four years. However, these are neither free nor fair, largely deemed a state mechanism to preserve the status quo and control of the Al Khalifa dynasty. Bahrain is an oil producer, with 70 per cent of government revenues coming from oil exports, allowing it to increase social spending in times of instability. Bahrain also hosts a U.S. naval base.
Bahrain was under the control of the Portuguese and Persian empires in the 16th and 17th centuries, then existed as a protectorate of the British empire until its independence in 1971. A moderate form of parliamentary democracy ensued but was suspended in 1975 by then-Emir Isa bin Salman who took on absolute power after early conflicts with the National Assembly. Bahrain is divided along religious and sectarian lines, and its large Shia population (55 to 65 percent) and Sunni ruling family have put the country in the middle of regional conflicts between Saudi Arabia and Iran. Waves of popular opposition to the monarchy in the late 1990s, rooted in policies of unequal and selective development, made clear the need for political reform. A new constitution was promulgated in 2002, reinstating elections and opposition parties. Although elections occur regularly, these have been marred by allegations of systematic fraud and violent clampdowns on opposition members and human rights activists. In 2011, predominantly Shia protesters demanded representation, civic and religious freedoms, which the government suppressed with the aid of Saudi Arabia. The Bahraini government has since pursued all forms of dissent, with protestors and political activists facing long sentences and torture in prisons. The government has also dissolved the last major opposition parties (al-Wifaq and Wa’ad) and closed the only independent media outlet, Al-Wasat.
The divide between the ruling Sunni family and the country’s Shia population has resulted in sectarianism, which has been politically instrumentalized by the regime, employed to silence, isolate and eradicate Shia-dominated opposition. In addition to the penalties for anti-monarchical speech or action, Bahraini Shia face persecution of religious figures and restrictions on religious holidays. They are underrepresented in government jobs and dissidents are routinely stripped of citizenship and frequently accused of doing the bidding of Iran. There is evidence of Iran sending weapons into the country, which the Bahraini government claims are meant to supply the opposition. Bahraini women are severely underrepresented in government and business, although some steps have been taken toward expanding their rights.
Bahrain’s rulers have given no indications that they are willing to allow independent political forces in the country. The signing of the Abraham Accords, in which Bahrain made peace and began to normalize relations with Israel, opened another potential division between the ruling monarchy and its people, who have protested the decision.
Monthly Event Reports
August 2023 | Prisoners demanding better rights stage mass hunger strike
On 7 August, a widespread hunger strike commenced across prisons in Bahrain, intensifying throughout the month to become the largest in the nation's history. By month-end, it was reported that the strike involved more than 800 individuals, predominantly political prisoners and prisoners of conscience. They protested against poor detention conditions, including alleged torture, and inhumane treatment, demanding improved cell conditions, the right to communal prayers, eased family visit restrictions, better education facilities, and access to adequate medical care. In late August, the Bahraini government offered additional rights to address these concerns. However, the prisoners rejected the initial concessions, extending their protest as they deemed the proposed measures inadequate in addressing their concerns or ensuring their fundamental rights. After 36 days, the strike was temporarily halted on 12 September due to the worsening health of some prisoners and a revised offer from the government to improve conditions, including releasing some prisoners from solitary confinement and revising healthcare provisions. These developments have sparked international concern, and foreign governments have called on Bahrain to advance criminal justice reforms and respect human rights standards.
May 2023 | Parliament abolishes controversial sexual assault legislation
The Parliament of Bahrain voted unanimously on 21 May to abolish controversial legislation that granted pardons to perpetrators of sexual abuse who married their victims. This landmark decision by the Shura Council represents a vital step towards protecting the rights and dignity of women, addressing gender-based violence, and ensuring justice for survivors of sexual assault in Bahrain. The vote follows years of advocacy and has been widely celebrated by human rights groups who have long condemned the law for promoting impunity and further victimizing survivors. The development marks a positive step towards aligning Bahrain's legal framework with international human rights standards and ensuring justice and accountability for Bahraini citizens.
November 2022 | Formation of new Cabinet in Bahrain following non-competitive elections
Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa approved the formation of a new Cabinet after reappointing Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa as Prime Minister. The cabinet’s change followed a general election on 12 November held without opposition or independent media. Voter turnout reached 70 per cent, but the authorities had made it a criminal offense to boycott the tightly controlled ballot. This was Bahrain’s third election since the 2011 demonstrations, which were driven by demands for a constitutional monarchy and further political reforms. The vote has been criticized by several human rights organizations for taking place in a climate of "political repression" following the suppression of dissent and dissolution of main opposition groups by the state, seen as the most restrictive measures since Bahrain’s return to parliamentary elections in 2002.
August 2022 | Bahraini regime continues to commit serious human rights violations
Bahrain has continued to clamp down on dissent, in particular targeting the Shia community ‐ whose members have long complained about discrimination and marginalization at the hands of the regime, which had worsened following the popular uprising and nationwide protests of 2011. Ahead of Shia religious celebrations, Bahraini authorities imposed heavy curbs on the religious freedom of the community and prevented them from participating in Ashura rituals. There are also concerns about large-scale human rights violations in detention centres, including allegations of torture. Human rights organizations continue to warn about dire conditions for prisoners of conscience in Bahraini jails.
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