Bahraini activists have commemorated the 10th anniversary of the 2011 pro-democracy protests. But their activities have been met with heavy repression. This article is published by Human Rights Watch (HRW). Here is an excerpt:

Bahraini activists commemorated the tenth anniversary of the 2011 pro-democracy uprisings amid heavy repression, including the arrest and torture of children, Human Rights Watch said today in its World Report 2022. Independent media and prominent opposition groups remained outlawed.

Health and hygiene conditions in Bahrain’s overcrowded prisons remain extremely serious, and have led to two major Covid-19 outbreaks. Three detainees died in Bahraini prisons in 2021 amid allegations of medical negligence. Prison authorities brutally suppressed a peaceful sit-it at the main Jau Prison, and security forces summoned for interrogation and arrest people who publicly called for the release of detained family members.

“Ten years after Bahrain’s pro-democracy uprising, the authorities have snuffed out all critical voices and severely restricted any space for opposition,” said Michael Page, deputy Middle East director at Human Rights Watch. “Bahrain’s international allies should not continue business as usual and should condition their aid to Bahrain on an improvement in the country’s rights record.”

Read the full article here.