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Omct individual regions map middle east and north africa 01
CAT status Status under the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment State Party since 6 March , 1998
Reviewed 2017 Read review

Bahrain

At a glance

Following political and social tensions, Bahrein adopted in 2017 a decree authorizing the National Security Agency to conduct arrests and interrogations in cases related to « terrorist crimes ». It also ratified an amendment to the Constitution reauthorizing military courts to try civilians. Death sentences for murder and terrorism-related offences are one of the dramatic consequences of this policy. Bahrein has resumed executions after an interruption of almost seven years. There are consistent reports of torture and ill-treatment in detention, in particular with regard to detainees questioned about terrorism-related offences. Following unfair trials, courts continued to convict persons accused of such offences on the basis of « confessions » allegedly extracted under duress. The repression against human rights defenders, also often accused of terrorism-related offences, is alarming. There are numerous allegations of serious acts of intimidation, threats, revocation of citizenship as a reprisal and arbitrary imprisonment of human rights defenders and journalists. The OMCT and other actors of the civil society have been calling for the Bahrein government to stop death sentences and to release human rights defenders.

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