On World Environment Day, the Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR) draws attention to the close connection between environmental protection and human rights. Environmental degradation, pollution, and the silencing of environmental defenders continue to affect communities across Bahrain, particularly residents of Ma’ameer village, one of the country’s most heavily polluted areas.
Ma’ameer: A Community Living in the Shadow of Industrial Pollution
For decades, residents of Ma’ameer have lived alongside one of Bahrain’s largest industrial complexes. The village is surrounded by major industrial facilities, including the state-owned Bahrain Petroleum Company (BAPCO) refinery and ALBA, one of the world’s largest aluminum producers. The proximity of these facilities to residential neighborhoods has created serious concerns regarding the health, safety, and well-being of local residents.
Unlike industrial zones that are located far from residential communities, Ma’ameer residents live only a short distance from refinery operations, industrial emissions, storage tanks, and heavy manufacturing activities. The refinery and industrial facilities operate in the middle of a populated area, exposing thousands of residents to continuous pollution.
Residents have repeatedly reported strong odors, smoke emissions, and air pollution emanating from industrial activities. For years, villagers have expressed concerns regarding the impact of pollution on their health and quality of life. Community members have reported increased cases of respiratory illnesses, cancer, miscarriages, and birth defects, which they believe are linked to prolonged exposure to industrial pollutants. Residents have also raised concerns regarding contamination of groundwater and the surrounding marine environment.
In addition to air pollution, local fishermen and residents have reported the disposal of industrial and chemical waste into coastal areas near the village. According to community testimonies, pollution has contributed to the degradation of marine ecosystems and the decline of aquatic life that once sustained local livelihoods. The environmental burden imposed on Ma’ameer raises serious concerns regarding environmental justice and the right of communities to live in a safe and healthy environment.
Targeting Environmental Human Rights Defenders
Environmental protection cannot exist without the protection of those who speak out against environmental harm. Bahraini environmental human rights defender Mohammed Jawad has become one of the most prominent voices highlighting environmental injustice in Ma’ameer.
Through peaceful protests, advocacy efforts, and artistic expression, including music that addresses environmental concerns, Mohammed Jawad has sought to draw attention to the impact of industrial pollution on local communities. Rather than addressing the environmental concerns he raised, Bahraini authorities have subjected him to repeated reprisals.
Mohammed Jawad has previously been arrested and subjected to enforced disappearance because of his peaceful activism. His case demonstrates the risks faced by environmental defenders in Bahrain who seek accountability for environmental damage and advocate for the rights of affected communities.
The targeting of environmental defenders undermines public participation, weakens environmental accountability, and discourages communities from raising legitimate concerns about public health and environmental protection.
Coastal Reclamation and the Loss of Bahrain’s Natural Shores
Bahrain has also witnessed extensive land reclamation projects that have dramatically altered the country’s coastline. Historically known as a nation surrounded by open access to the sea, many coastal areas have gradually been reclaimed, privatized, fenced off, or converted into commercial and residential developments.
The loss of public beaches and natural coastal areas has affected fishing communities, reduced public access to the sea, and contributed to environmental degradation of marine habitats. Reclamation projects have impacted biodiversity, fisheries, and natural ecosystems that form an essential part of Bahrain’s environmental and cultural heritage.
The environmental concerns raised by residents are not merely anecdotal. In previous years, Bahraini authorities themselves acknowledged incidents involving significant fish deaths linked to pollution in Bahrain’s waters. Reports documented large numbers of dead fish washing ashore, with environmental experts and officials identifying pollution and deteriorating water quality as contributing factors. Despite these warnings and public concerns, residents and environmental advocates continue to report ongoing pollution affecting coastal and marine ecosystems, particularly in areas adjacent to industrial activities and land reclamation projects. Community members argue that environmental conditions have not improved and, in some cases, have worsened, further threatening marine biodiversity, traditional fishing livelihoods, and public health. The continued recurrence of pollution-related incidents underscores the need for independent environmental monitoring, transparency, and accountability regarding industrial activities that may impact Bahrain’s fragile marine environment.
The continued reports of marine pollution, fish deaths, declining biodiversity, and the deterioration of coastal ecosystems demonstrate that environmental concerns in Bahrain are not isolated incidents but part of a broader pattern requiring urgent action. Environmental justice demands that affected communities, including residents of Ma’ameer and traditional fishing communities, are heard, protected, and provided with effective remedies. Sustainable development cannot be achieved while communities continue to bear the environmental and health costs of industrial expansion without adequate safeguards and accountability.
Recommendations
BCHR calls upon the Bahraini authorities to:
- Conduct independent and transparent environmental assessments regarding pollution in Ma’ameer.
- Ensure effective monitoring of emissions and waste disposal from industrial facilities operating near residential communities.
- Protect the right of residents to access information regarding environmental and health risks.
- Guarantee the protection of environmental human rights defenders, including Mohammed Jawad, from reprisals and harassment.
- Investigate allegations of pollution affecting marine ecosystems and local communities and conduct a comprehensive, independent investigation into recurring incidents of marine pollution and fish deaths in Bahrain’s coastal waters, publish the findings transparently, identify sources of contamination, and implement effective measures to prevent further damage to marine ecosystems, fisheries, and coastal communities.
- Halt environmentally harmful practices that threaten Bahrain’s remaining coastal and marine resources.
- Ensure meaningful public participation in environmental decision-making processes.
- Recognize and implement the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment in accordance with international human rights standards.
Environmental protection and human rights are inseparable. Communities should not be forced to choose between economic development and their health, safety, and dignity. On World Environment Day, BCHR reiterates its call for environmental justice, accountability, and the protection of those who courageously defend Bahrain’s environment and the rights of its people.