Bahrain
Bahrain is a Gulf state exhibiting low performance across all four categories of the Global State of Democracy framework. Over the last five years, Bahrain has experienced notable advancements related to Access to Justice and Freedom of Association and Assembly, albeit the scores remain very low. The country is ruled by the Sunni Muslim royal family, Al Khalifa and although elections to one of the country’s two parliamentary chambers are held every four years, these are largely deemed a state mechanism to preserve the status quo. Bahrain is an oil producer, with 70 per cent of government revenues coming from oil exports, allowing it to increase social spending in times of instability. Bahrain also hosts a U.S. naval base.
Bahrain was under the control of the Portuguese and Persian empires in the 16th and 17th centuries, and then under a British protectorate until its independence in 1971. A moderate form of parliamentary democracy ensued but was suspended in 1975 by then-Emir Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa who took on absolute power after early conflicts with the National Assembly. Bahrain is divided along religious and sectarian lines, and has a large Shia population (55 to 65 percent) and a Sunni ruling family.
Waves of popular opposition to the monarchy in the late 1990s, rooted in policies of unequal and selective development, made clear the need for political reform. A new constitution was promulgated in 2002, reinstating elections and opposition parties. In 2011, protests, rooted in the systematic deprivation of rights of the Shia population, were met with government suppression. The government has since pursued all forms of dissent, with protestors and political activists facing long sentences and torture in prisons. The last major opposition parties (al-Wifaq and Wa’ad) were dissolved in 2016 and 2017, respectively. The only independent media outlet, Al-Wasat, was also closed in 2017. In 2018, the so-called political isolation laws prohibited former members of dissolved parties from running in elections or getting involved in civil organizations. The signing of the Abraham Accords, in which Bahrain began to normalize relations with Israel, opened another potential division between the ruling monarchy and its people.
The Shia-Sunni divide is prominent in Bahrain’s sociopolitical landscape, as it has been politically instrumentalized by the regime to silence Shia-dominated opposition. In addition to penalties for anti-monarchical stances, Bahraini Shia face persecution and restrictions on religious holidays. They are underrepresented in government jobs and dissidents are routinely stripped of citizenship and frequently accused of doing the bidding of Iran. While the rural-urban gap reflects disparities in access to services, Shia neighborhoods face underdevelopment even within urban areas. Tensions around secularism and the position of Islamist Sunni political forces, such as the Muslim Brotherhood and Al-Asala - which largely align with the government- have also shaped domestic politics. Bahraini women are severely underrepresented in government and business, although some steps have been taken toward expanding their economic rights. While Bahrain has a lower proportion of migrant workers than its Gulf neighbors, they also face socioeconomic exclusion as a result of the kafala sponsorship system.
Looking ahead, while Bahrain’s rulers have given no indications that they are willing to allow independent political forces in the country, developments in Representation will be a key area to watch. Additionally, the repression of pro-Palestinian protests has increased following the 2023 Israel-Gaza war, which may impact Rights in the years ahead.
Last Updated: June 2024
https://www.idea.int/democracytracker/
April 2024
Political prisoners released in largest royal pardon since Arab Spring
On 8 April, Bahrain released 1,584 prisoners, including a number of political prisoners, in what was the largest royal pardon since the 2011 Arab spring, when Bahrain experienced a series of mass anti-government protests. According to a government spokesperson, 65 per cent of the released prisoners were convicted of rioting and, of these, some were reported to have been serving life sentences connected with the 2011 protests. Thousands of protesters, journalists and activists are thought to have been imprisoned in Bahrain in the wake of the Arab Spring and it is estimated that many political prisoners remain in detention (more than 600 are thought to be incarcerated in Jau prison, the country’s largest male detention facility). The prisoner release coincided with celebrations of Eid and the King’s silver jubilee, but commentators have speculated that it may have been motivated by a desire to assuage the human rights concerns of its US and UK allies and to reduce domestic tensions over the country’s normalized relationship with Israel.
Sources: Reuters, The New Arab, The Guardian, Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy
August 2023
Prisoners demanding better rights stage mass hunger strike
On 7 August, a widespread hunger strike commenced across prisons in Bahrain, intensifying throughout the month to become the largest in the nation's history. By month-end, it was reported that the strike involved more than 800 individuals, predominantly political prisoners and prisoners of conscience. They protested against poor detention conditions, including alleged torture, and inhumane treatment, demanding improved cell conditions, the right to communal prayers, eased family visit restrictions, better education facilities, and access to adequate medical care. In late August, the Bahraini government offered additional rights to address these concerns. However, the prisoners rejected the initial concessions, extending their protest as they deemed the proposed measures inadequate in addressing their concerns or ensuring their fundamental rights.
After 36 days, the strike was temporarily halted on 12 September due to the worsening health of some prisoners and a revised offer from the government to improve conditions, including releasing some prisoners from solitary confinement and revising healthcare provisions. These developments have sparked international concern, and foreign governments have called on Bahrain to advance criminal justice reforms and respect human rights standards.
Sources: Al Jazeera, Anwaj Media, Reuters, Middle East Eye, The New Arab
May 2023
Parliament abolishes controversial sexual assault legislation
The Parliament of Bahrain voted unanimously on 21 May to abolish controversial legislation that granted pardons to perpetrators of sexual abuse who married their victims. This landmark decision by the Shura Council represents a vital step towards protecting the rights and dignity of women, addressing gender-based violence, and ensuring justice for survivors of sexual assault in Bahrain. The vote follows years of advocacy and has been widely celebrated by human rights groups who have long condemned the law for promoting impunity and further victimizing survivors. The development marks a positive step towards aligning Bahrain's legal framework with international human rights standards and ensuring justice and accountability for Bahraini citizens.
Sources: Kingdom of Bahrain Shura Council, Middle East Monitor, Sharika Wa Laken, Amnesty International, The National News
November 2022
Formation of new Cabinet in Bahrain following non-competitive elections
Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa approved the formation of a new Cabinet after reappointing Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa as Prime Minister. The cabinet’s change followed a general election on 12 November held without opposition or independent media. Voter turnout reached 70 per cent, but the authorities had made it a criminal offense to boycott the tightly controlled ballot. This was Bahrain’s third election since the 2011 demonstrations, which were driven by demands for a constitutional monarchy and further political reforms.
The vote has been criticized by several human rights organizations for taking place in a climate of "political repression" following the suppression of dissent and dissolution of main opposition groups by the state, seen as the most restrictive measures since Bahrain’s return to parliamentary elections in 2002.
Sources: Al Arabiya News, BIRD, Reuters, The Arab Weekly
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