The War in the Region Requires Immediate Humanitarian Action — Release All Prisoners
The Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR) expresses its deep alarm for the lives and safety of detainees in Bahrain, particularly those held in Jau Prison and the Dry Dock Detention Center, as the region witnesses a dangerous military escalation involving Israel, the United States, and Iran.
Recent days have witnessed missiles falling in Bahrain, either as a result of interceptions by air defense systems or as part of missile and airstrikes attacks. Some strikes have also fallen near civilian locations, including hotels, residential buildings, and apartments across different areas of the country.
This situation places Bahrain—and everyone within it—at serious risk.
Witnesses have reported that airstrikes and falling debris caused damage to residential areas, while loud explosions were heard in the vicinity of both Dry Dock Detention Center and Jaw Prison, raising grave concerns for the safety of detainees and nearby communities during the attacks by Iranian forces.
While civilians can seek shelter and take precautions, prisoners have no such protection. Detainees remain confined in overcrowded facilities without the ability to evacuate, protect themselves, or access emergency services in the event of further escalation.
BCHR warns that detention facilities such as Jau Prison and Dry Dock could become extremely dangerous locations during airstrikes or missile attacks. The continued detention of prisoners under these circumstances puts their lives in direct danger and raises serious humanitarian and legal concerns.
Among the prisoners whose safety is of particular concern are:
- Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja, 64 Danish/Bahraini prominent human rights defender and co-founder of BCHR.
- Sheikh Ali Salman, 60 a leading political figure imprisoned for his political views.
- Hassan Mushaima, 77 an elderly detainee suffering from serious health complications.
- Abduljalil Al-Singace, 64 an academic who has endured years of medical neglect in prison.
- Sheikh Mohamed Habib Al Muqdad, 63 Swedish/Bahraini prominent religious figure.
These prisoners all above 60 —along with many others—remain behind bars despite long-standing international calls for their release.
At this critical moment, humanitarian responsibility must prevail over political considerations.
BCHR believes that this is a moment for unity and humanity. The current regional war should serve as a reminder that the protection of human life must be the highest priority.
BCHR therefore calls on the Bahraini authorities to:
- Immediately and unconditionally release all prisoners of conscience and political prisoners.
- Urgently release elderly prisoners, prisoners with serious medical conditions, and vulnerable detainees.
- Adopt humanitarian measures to reduce overcrowding in detention facilities.
- Ensure full transparency regarding the safety and protection of detainees during this period of regional instability.
Nedal AlSalman, Director of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights, said:
“It is time to unite and place the protection of human life above all political considerations. At a moment when missiles are falling and the threat of escalation looms over Bahrain, keeping prisoners behind bars exposes them to grave and unnecessary danger. Their immediate release is both a humanitarian necessity and a moral responsibility before it’s too late.”
At a time when missiles are falling in the region and uncertainty grows, keeping prisoners behind bars places their lives in unacceptable danger.
BCHR calls on Bahraini authorities, political actors, civil society, and the international community to unite in demanding the release of prisoners and protecting human life.
This is not a moment for division.
This is a moment for humanity.
This is the time to unite and release all prisoners.