The undersigned organisations urge the European Union and other regional bodies and agencies to address the human rights situation in Bahrain, in particular the ongoing crackdown on protests, incidents of torture and the inadequate provision of medical care for political detainees.
Since the outbreak of the US/Israel–Iran war in late February, tensions have escalated within the region, including in Bahrain, where authorities have intensified restrictions on civic space. Bahraini authorities have carried out a sweeping wave of arrests, detaining more than 200 individuals, including minors and women. Many were reportedly arrested for exercising their right to freedom of expression, including sharing views or content related to the conflict, or for exercising their right to peaceful assembly.
We are deeply concerned about the death of Sayed Mohammad Al Mosawi. He was arrested on 19 March 2026 at a checkpoint alongside other individuals travelling in the same vehicle. Following his arrest, he was subjected to enforced disappearance, with authorities refusing to disclose his whereabouts or allow any contact with his family until they were notified of his death and instructed to retrieve his remains from a military hospital. Photos of his body show clear marks of torture that may have caused or contributed to his death.
On 26 March 2026, another tragic incident took place in Dry Docks Prison, where a detainee died due to medical neglect, including the lack of treatment for his blood disease (Sickle Cell disease).
Fifteen (15) years ago, on the late evening of the 8th of April, Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja, the prominent Danish-Bahraini human rights defender was violently detained and sentenced to life imprisonment in 2011 after leading peaceful protests calling for fundamental freedoms, rights and democracy in Bahrain. He remains at Jau Prison in Bahrain.
Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja suffers from numerous health issues including dental issues and chronic jaw pain, following three fractures in his jaw during his violent arrest in 2011, all of which require specialist treatment that has been suspended for Al-Khawaja for approximately a year and a half.
The denial of medical care in Jau Prison is a systemic problem that has already led to multiple deaths, including political prisoner Hussein Khalil (31) and Hussein Ali Aman (41) in 2024, both reportedly denied timely medical attention.
These incidents reflect the broader systemic issue in the treatment of prisoners. Several detainees from Dry Docks and Jau prison have reported medical negligence and delayed access to treatment, in addition to poor prison conditions, including overcrowding, flooding due to rain, and unsanitary facilities. Family visits are severely restricted and video calls have been almost fully suspended under the ongoing war in the Middle East.
We urge the international community to step up and express concern about Bahrain´s neglect of their international human rights obligations, including the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, due process, and protection from torture and other ill-treatment. Bahrain must:
- Immediately and unconditionally release Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja and all other prisoners who are imprisoned solely due to their peaceful activities and exercise of their freedom of expression, assembly and association;
- Conduct independent, impartial and transparent investigations of all cases of torture, including establishing the cause of death of Sayed Mohamed Almosawi and identify and hold accountable those responsible;
- Ensure all prisoners access to urgent medical care, as well as contact with their families and legal counsels;
- End the practice of enforced disappearance and arbitrary detention and immediately disclose the fate and whereabouts of all missing persons; and
- Bring an end to the harassment and criminalisation of human rights defenders and civil society actors
We stand in solidarity with Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja, who just marked the 15th anniversary of his imprisonment, and who is featured in the Stand As My Witness global campaign by CIVICUS, which advocates for and protects human rights defenders around the world while celebrating their vital work.
We also stand with all activists in Bahrain who continue to defend human rights at great personal risk. The international community must intensify pressure on the Bahraini authorities to end these abuses and uphold fundamental freedoms. Failure to act will only entrench a culture of impunity and deepen concerns about Bahrain’s compliance with its international human rights obligations.
Signatories:
- CIVICUS
- The Free AlKhawaja Campaign
- Bahrain Center for Human Rights
- SALAM for Democracy & Human Rights