Bahrain Human Rights Chief Condemns Torture and Secret Trials

Baqir Darwish, the head of Bahrain’s Human Rights Association, criticized the continuation of secret trials and widespread human rights violations in Bahrain in a newly released 60-page report. The report addresses fabricated cases and forced confessions, particularly targeting religious institutions, Shiite clerics, and restrictions on freedom of expression. Darwish added that testimonies from figures such as scholar Mohammad Sanqour reveal torture and unlawful pressure in Bahraini prisons.

He also pointed to restrictions imposed on eulogists and organizers of Hussaini mourning ceremonies, expressing concern over the arbitrary revocation of citizenship of 69 Bahraini citizens, including 26 minors. The head of Bahrain’s Human Rights Association called for an end to political prosecutions against religious scholars and the initiation of independent investigations into the torture allegations.

This recent report comes amid repeated warnings from human rights organizations regarding the human rights situation in Bahrain, especially the treatment of the Shiite minority and civil activists. Violations of civil rights and religious restrictions have been at the core of widespread grievances in the country.