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Bahrain Centre for Human Rights (BCHR)

Bahrain: Statement by Front Line Defenders as Final Appeal of Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja Rejected posted on: 2013/01/07

On 7 January 2013 the highest appeal court in Bahrain upheld the sentences of 13 activists, including prominent human rights defender Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja, a former Protection Co-ordinator for Front Line Defenders and former President of the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights (BCHR).

Bahrain: Update- Arrest and detention of human rights defender Mr Sayed Yousif Al-Muhafdhaposted on: 2012/12/28

On 25 December 2012 human rights defender Mr Sayed Yousif Al-Muhafdha was brought before the Public Prosecution in Bahrain where his detention was extended by 15 days. He is reportedly being kept separate from others detained on similar charges and held at Hoora Police station. His continued detention is clearly an attempt to silence reporting on the use of violence by the authorities and there are fears for his treatment.

Bahrain: Update – Sentencing and extended detention of human rights defender Ms Zainab Al Khawajaposted on: 2012/12/17

On 13 December 2012, human rights defender Ms Zainab Al Khawaja's pre-trial detention was extended by the Public Prosecutor's Office until 27 December 2012. The decision follows charges brought against her on 10 December 2012 for alleged “incitement of hatred against the regime” in connection to her arrest the previous day.

Bahrain: Prominent Human Rights Defender Nabeel Rajab on Hunger Strikeposted on: 2012/10/08

On 5 October 2012, imprisoned Bahraini human rights defender Mr Nabeel Rajab went on a hunger, water and medicine strike in protest of denying him the opportunity to attend the 3-day ritual mourning gatherings for his deceased mother.

Bahrain: Human rights defender Nabeel Rajab sentenced to three years in prisonposted on: 2012/08/16

Human rights defender Nabeel Rajab, President of the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights (BCHR), was sentenced on 16th August to three years imprisonment on charges of illegal assembly

The release of Bahraini human rights defender, Abdul Hadi al-Khawajaposted on: 2004/11/22

Front Line welcomes the release of Abdul Hadi al-Khawaja following a pardon by the King of Bahrain on 21st November 2004. Unusually, the royal decree came just hours after the human rights defender had been sentenced to one year in prison, on charges relating to articles 165 and 168 of the penal code. In a public statement on behalf of the King, it was announced that “the imprisonment (of Abdul Hadi Al-Khawaja) should be limited to the period preceding the publication of this decree”.

Front Line remains deeply concerned that no action appears to have been taken to overturn the decision of the Labour and Social Affairs Minister on 29 September 2004 to dissolve the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights (BCHR). The BCHR was reportedly closed for “activities contravening the Associations Law of 1989”. Front Line is calling on the authorities to revoke this arbitrary decision and remove any obstacles which prevent human rights defenders in Bahrain from carrying out their legitimate and important work of defending and promoting human rights in accordance with the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders.

Detention of Human Rights Defender and closure of the Bahrain Human Rights Centre in Bahrainposted on: 2004/11/10

Front Line is deeply concerned at the decision of the Labour and Social Affairs Minister Majid al-Alawi to dissolve the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights (BCHR). The BCHR was reportedly closed for “activities contravening the Associations Law of 1989”. This decision took effect as of 29 September 2004. A governmental order was delivered to the BCHR, which also named an official to audit its accounts and activities. The order prohibits the BCHR human rights defenders in resuming all activities and freezes all funds.

The BCHR is a leading human rights organisation in Bahrain and the Gulf region. It is one of the two human rights NGOs to have been authorised in Bahrain when King Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa gradually introduced political reforms after becoming ruler in 1999. One of BCHR’s major projects is “The Migrant Workers Group” which protects the rights and interests of its migrant workers, and was due to open a shelter for migrants who were victims of abuse, especially house maids.