Bahrain authorities suppress dissent amid Iran-US conflict, rights group warns - JURIST - News

## Summary
News patrick489 / Pixabay Human Rights Watch (HRW) warned on Thursday that Bahraini authorities have arrested dozens of individuals for participating in peaceful protests amid the escalating conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran. Jafarnia stated, “Bahraini authorities are using the cover of war to justify further violations against the population … Bahraini authorities should stop detaining people, unconditionally release all those arbitrarily detained, and temporarily release others on humanitarian grounds.” HRW emphasized that Bahrain is bound by the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which guarantees the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, including in online spaces. The rights group also noted that under international standards, including the Arab Charter on Human Rights , the death penalty should be limited to the “most serious crimes,” a threshold that does not encompass acts such as peaceful protest or online expression. The organization highlighted protections under the Convention on the Rights of the Child that prohibit the arbitrary detention of minors for exercising their right to peaceful expression.

## Article Content
News
patrick489
/ Pixabay
Human Rights Watch (HRW)
warned
on Thursday that Bahraini authorities have arrested dozens of individuals for participating in peaceful protests amid the escalating conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran. The organization underscored the suppression of dissent through modes of arbitrary detention, denial of due process of law, and the potential imposition of the death penalty in certain cases.
Niku Jafarnia, a Yemen and Bahrain researcher at HRW, urged the government to uphold, rather than curtail, fundamental freedoms during a period of heightened instability. Jafarnia stated, “Bahraini authorities are using the cover of war to justify further violations against the population …
Bahraini authorities should stop detaining people, unconditionally release all those arbitrarily detained, and temporarily release others on humanitarian grounds.”
HRW emphasized that Bahrain is
bound
by the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which guarantees the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, including in online spaces. The rights group also noted that under international standards, including the
Arab Charter on Human Rights
, the death penalty should be limited to the “most serious crimes,” a threshold that does not encompass acts such as peaceful protest or online expression.
Against this backdrop, Bahraini authorities have moved to suppress domestic expressions of solidarity with Iran and criticism of US and Israeli military actions. The Civil Defense Council
announced
a blanket ban on protests, citing public safety concerns “in light of the blatant Iranian aggression against the Kingdom of Bahrain.”
However, additional concerns have been raised about the detentions and crackdowns on freedom of speech and expression. Earlier this month, the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights (BCHR)
raised
alarm over a series of arrests carried out on March 1 and 2 following coordinated US and Israeli strikes on Iran. According to BCHR’s documentation, at least 60 individuals, including minors, were detained in connection with peaceful demonstrations and online expressions opposing the military actions.  The organization highlighted protections under the
Convention on the Rights of the Child
that prohibit the arbitrary detention of minors for exercising their right to peaceful expression.
This week, a coalition of non-governmental organizations expressed
concerns
during the 61st session of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC). The discussion highlighted that the safety of high-profile prisoners placed them at increased and immediate risk in light of the ongoing hostilities. The current prisoners face an immediate threat to their lives due to prolonged arbitrary detention and worsening health conditions linked to inadequate medical care.
Additionally, the UN Security Council (UNSC)
adopted
a legally binding resolution on March 12 that condemned Iran’s attacks on Gulf states and called for an immediate cessation of the hostilities. The resolution was sponsored by the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), of which Bahrain is a part, alongside the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, and Kuwait. The resolution marked a formal determination of violation of international law by the Iranian military.

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## Expert Analysis

### Merits
N/A

### Areas for Consideration
- Against this backdrop, Bahraini authorities have moved to suppress domestic expressions of solidarity with Iran and criticism of US and Israeli military actions.
- The discussion highlighted that the safety of high-profile prisoners placed them at increased and immediate risk in light of the ongoing hostilities.
- The current prisoners face an immediate threat to their lives due to prolonged arbitrary detention and worsening health conditions linked to inadequate medical care.

### Implications
- Jafarnia stated, “Bahraini authorities are using the cover of war to justify further violations against the population … Bahraini authorities should stop detaining people, unconditionally release all those arbitrarily detained, and temporarily release others on humanitarian grounds.” HRW emphasized that Bahrain is bound by the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which guarantees the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, including in online spaces.
- The rights group also noted that under international standards, including the Arab Charter on Human Rights , the death penalty should be limited to the “most serious crimes,” a threshold that does not encompass acts such as peaceful protest or online expression.

### Expert Commentary
This article covers rights, peaceful, bahrain topics. Areas of concern are also raised. Readability: Flesch-Kincaid grade 0.0. Word count: 486.