The human rights organizations signatory to this statement express their deep concern over the widespread arrest campaign witnessed in the Kingdom of Bahrain, against the backdrop of the military escalation in the region between the United States, Israel, and Iran, and the subsequent missile strikes that targeted areas in the Gulf, including Bahrain.

According to field monitoring documented by human rights organizations, Bahraini authorities have arrested at least 189 individuals, including minors and women. The charges brought against those detained vary: some have been accused of publishing images of the bombardment, others of leaking such information and images to external parties, as well as charges related to photographing missiles that fell, or sharing such footage on social media. Additional accusations include posting tweets, comments, and opinions that differ from the official narrative, participating in marches, or expressing political views related to ongoing regional events, including condemning the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Religious Leader, Sayyed Ali Khamenei, and attempting to stage sit-ins in front of the U.S. embassy in Bahrain. Individuals who had been evacuated from Iran were also arrested upon their return at airports and land crossings in Bahrain.

The arrest of such a large number of individuals for documenting public events or expressing political opinions constitutes a serious infringement on fundamental rights guaranteed under international law, foremost among them freedom of expression and the free flow of information. Documenting public events, including missiles or explosions, cannot in itself be considered a criminal act unless accompanied by clear evidence and intent to harm public security or safety—especially given that Bahrain has not issued any official notice explicitly declaring that the country is currently in a state of war, nor clarified to citizens and residents what is permitted and prohibited to avoid legal violations.

Moreover, the publication of photos and names of detainees, or publicly accusing them through Bahraini media and social media platforms without evidence and prior to their appearance before the judiciary, constitutes a clear violation of the presumption of innocence. It exposes detainees to defamation and societal condemnation before any judicial ruling is issued. This conduct—particularly by the Ministry of Interior, which publicly asserts the involvement of detainees in the alleged charges—contravenes the Bahraini Constitution and the principle of ensuring a fair trial.

The signatory human rights organizations also express grave concern over statements by the Public Prosecution, the Ministry of Interior, and the Interior Minister in Bahrain linking the aforementioned charges to treason and calling for the imposition of the harshest penalties without leniency, including the death penalty, which is internationally condemned. The Public Prosecution’s statement also hinted at revoking citizenship, describing the acts as a “betrayal of the homeland that sheltered them, in which they lived, whose nationality they carried, and from whose resources they benefited,” and calling for the maximum penalties against the accused. It is deeply concerning that the right to nationality—one of the most fundamental and universally guaranteed rights—is being undermined and turned into a tool of repression amid political tensions and wartime conditions. This reflects a recurring security pattern in every political crisis in the Kingdom, where international events are exploited by security authorities to justify repression, arrests, and the tightening of security measures beyond their already high levels.

Once again, Bahrain is resorting to the anti-terrorism law and the Terrorism Prosecution. Over the past years, Bahraini authorities have persistently used these frameworks expansively to criminalize peaceful activities, including the expression of opinion or participation in peaceful gatherings. Referring such cases to what is known as the Terrorism Prosecution reflects the continued securitized approach in handling issues such as photography or publication.

It is noteworthy that Bahrain has neither declared a state of war nor a state of emergency, nor issued any directive clarifying what is prohibited prior to these arrests. Even in cases of emergency or armed conflict, the state remains bound to uphold the minimum non-derogable rights, foremost among them the right to a fair trial, freedom of opinion and expression, the right to peaceful assembly, and the right to access information.

These arrests have coincided with a rise in hate speech against Shiite citizens, alongside reported directives from high-level security authorities to civil society institutions and sports clubs requiring them to issue statements condemning Iran for targeting certain sites in Bahrain. Some charitable associations were surprised to find statements attributed to them circulating in the media and on social media platforms after apparently being disseminated by the National Communication Center. This practice contradicts the principle of the independence of civil society institutions, as well as freedom of expression, and even violates official circulars, laws, and ministerial procedures that prohibit charitable and sports institutions from engaging in political activities or public affairs.

The Head of the Cybercrime Prosecution at the Public Prosecution, Zahra Murad, stated that Bahraini law does not distinguish between the author of content and its publisher, holding both equally responsible. However, from a human rights perspective, the issue lies in the misinterpretation of this law and the absence of clear standards defining what constitutes unlawful content. Cybercrime charges often rely on interpretations of the intent of the publisher or author rather than the actual content itself, and are based on vague and broad laws that allow authorities to criminalize any content under claims of threatening civil peace or undermining national morale. Moreover, the Cybercrime Prosecution’s silence regarding documented hate speech—exceeding 200 instances targeting Shiite citizens, questioning their patriotism, and calling for their expulsion or revocation of citizenship—reveals double standards and a failure to apply the law equally. Instead, the law appears to be used as a tool for political repression on one hand, and as protection for those promoting hate speech in Bahrain on the other.

It was hoped that the Bahraini government would act with greater rationality and demonstrate more mature and prudent crisis management, ensuring the protection of human rights and promoting the values of equal citizenship during this sensitive and critical period. The undersigned organizations urge the Bahraini government to safeguard citizens’ rights, distance itself from hate speech, and promote national unity during this critical time.

Recommendations:

- Release all individuals detained for exercising their rights to freedom of expression or documenting events.

- Halt smear campaigns against detainees and respect the presumption of innocence.

- Refrain from using anti-terrorism laws in cases related to peaceful expression, media coverage, or documentation.

- Ensure the right of all detainees to a fair and transparent trial in accordance with international standards.

- Hold accountable all individuals who have disseminated hate speech, including certain local newspapers.

Signatory Organizations:

1- Salam for Democracy and Human Rights

2- Bahrain Forum for Human Rights

3- Gulf Institute for Democracy and Human Rights

4- Al-Amal Center for Human Rights and Justice

5- Yemeni Center for Human Rights

6- Insan Organization for Rights and Freedoms