Mohammed Al-Maskati
Mohammed al-Maskati declared “Hero” for defending human rights through digital security training in the MENA Region
Mohammed Al-Maskati is the founder and former president of the Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR) and an active participant in the activities of the UN Human Rights Council. He is an outspoken critic of human rights abuses in Bahrain.
Following the eruption of protests in February 2011 against government corruption and discrimination of the Shi'a majority population, the situation for human rights defenders in Bahrain became even more dangerous and difficult. Faced with widespread protests and unrest, the authorities responded with harsh measures and a crackdown on protesters, civil society leaders, human rights defenders and pro democracy activists. Human rights defenders were tried in military courts, often charged with fabricated crimes, and given hugely disproportionate sentences. Furthermore many have been ill-treated and tortured in detention, have been held incommunicado and denied access to family and lawyers, while confessions made under duress have been admitted as evidence in court in contravention of international law.
