The Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR) expresses deep concern over the continued pattern of arbitrary arrests, summonses, and suppression of peaceful protests across Bahrain during the second half of 2025. Authorities have escalated their campaign to silence dissent, target children and youth, and restrict civic space—including through arrests at checkpoints, roads, airports, courts, and through coercive summonses.
Despite the peaceful nature of most demonstrations, security forces consistently criminalize activism, intimidate participants, and subject detainees to arbitrary detention without due process. These actions contravene Bahrain’s obligations under international law, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
BCHR Documentation (July–December 2025)
July
- 34 arrests documented
- 4 arrested from public roads
- 1 arrested from court
- 1 surrendered himself
- The remainder were summonses before arrest
- 3 children among those arrested
- 19 released later
- 14 peaceful protests observed
August
- 14 arrests documented
- 5 arrests followed summonses
- The remaining were from the King Fahd Causeway, roads, or airport checkpoints
- 4 released later
- 4 children among those arrested
- 14 peaceful protests observed
September
- 13 arrests documented
- 1 released later
- 2 children among those arrested
- 2 arrests followed summonses
- The remainder occurred in various areas nationwide
- 41 peaceful protests observed
October
- 16 arrests documented
- 10 arrests followed summonses
- 7 children among those arrested
- 4 released later
- 43 peaceful protests observed
November
- 45 arrests documented
- 8 children among those arrested
- 18 house raids conducted
- 15 arrests followed summonses
- 21 released later
- 23 peaceful protests observed
December
- 17 arrests documented
- 8 released later
- 1 child among those arrested
- 10 arrests followed summonses
- 16 peaceful protests observed
Targeting of Children and Criminalization of Dissent
BCHR is alarmed by the continued targeting of children in arrest operations, including detentions linked to participation in or presence near peaceful protests. In many cases, minors were taken without warrants, access to legal counsel, or timely notification to families—violating both Bahraini law and international child-rights standards. Arrests at causeways, airports, and in court premises reflect an expansive strategy of repression that goes beyond political centres and into everyday civic life.
Suppression of Peaceful Assembly
Throughout this period, Bahrain’s authorities maintained a heavy security presence at protests and frequently used threats, summonses, and arbitrary detentions to disrupt peaceful assembly. Despite clear constitutional protections for the right to peaceful protest, individuals exercising this right have been criminalized, surveilled, and sometimes forcibly dispersed.
International Obligations Ignored
BCHR recalls that Bahrain is bound by international human rights treaties that guarantee freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and protections against arbitrary or unlawful detention. The relentless pattern of arrests—including children and repeat summonses—reflects a systematic strategy to stifle dissent rather than uphold the rule of law and fundamental freedoms.
Recommendation
The Bahrain Center for Human Rights reiterates its core demands:
- Immediate and unconditional release of all individuals detained solely for exercising their rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, especially minors.
- End to arbitrary detentions and summonses used as tools to intimidate and silence activists.
- Full respect for the rights to peaceful protest and assembly in accordance with international law.
- Cease house raids, arbitrary checkpoints, and punitive measures targeting dissenting voices.
- Unfettered access for independent international monitors to assess conditions for detainees and compliance with human rights obligations.
A Call for International Attention
BCHR calls on the United Nations, regional bodies, foreign governments, and international human rights organizations to urgently address the ongoing violations in Bahrain. Continued international silence emboldens further repression and undermines Bahrain’s legal obligations under international human rights law. The Bahraini people’s legitimate calls for justice, dignity, and accountability must not be met with arrests, summonses, and silence.
This statement continues BCHR’s documentation and analysis of state-led human rights violations, promoting transparency and accountability in line with international standards.