On 8 April, Bahrain released 1,584 prisoners, including a number of political prisoners, in what was the largest royal pardon since the 2011 Arab spring, when Bahrain experienced a series of mass anti-government protests. According to a government spokesperson, 65 per cent of the released prisoners were convicted of rioting and, of these, some were reported to have been serving life sentences connected with the 2011 protests. Thousands of protesters, journalists and activists are thought to have been imprisoned in Bahrain in the wake of the Arab Spring and it is estimated that many political prisoners remain in detention (more than 600 are thought to be incarcerated in Jau prison, the country’s largest male detention facility). The prisoner release coincided with celebrations of Eid and the King’s silver jubilee, but commentators have speculated that it may have been motivated by a desire to assuage the human rights concerns of its US and UK allies and to reduce domestic tensions over the country’s normalized relationship with Israel.   

Sources: Reuters, The New Arab, The Guardian, Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy   

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.

Sources: Al Jazeera, Anwaj Media, Reuters, Middle East Eye, The New Arab

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.

Sources: Kingdom of Bahrain Shura Council, Middle East Monitor, Sharika Wa Laken, Amnesty International, The National News

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.

Sources: Al Arabiya News, BIRD, Reuters, The Arab Weekly