Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR) Calls for the Immediate Release of activist Khalil Buhazaa and Condemns the Criminalization of Peaceful Expression
The Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR) expresses its deep concern over the continued detention of Bahraini citizen Khalil Buhazaa, who remains in pretrial detention solely for the peaceful exercise of his right to freedom of opinion and expression.
According to available information, Mr. Buhazaa was arrested at his residence in Manama on 3 May at approximately 6:30 p.m. He was subsequently brought before the Public Prosecution on 5 May, which ordered his detention for seven days pending investigation. On 11 May, his detention was extended for an additional month. On 4 June, the authorities further extended his pretrial detention for another month, raising serious concerns regarding the use of prolonged pretrial detention as a punitive measure rather than an exceptional legal procedure.
Mr. Buhazaa is reportedly facing several accusations, including incitement against the political regime, dissemination of false information during wartime, support for Iranian aggression, and glorification of terrorist acts. However, available information indicates that the allegations are based exclusively on social media posts and online commentary in which he expressed political opinions, shared publicly available information from international media sources, and discussed constitutional and legal issues, including fair trial guarantees protected under Article 20 of the Bahraini Constitution.
BCHR believes that the prosecution of individuals for peacefully expressing their views, sharing information, or engaging in political analysis constitutes a clear violation of the right to freedom of expression as protected under Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), to which Bahrain is a State Party.
The continued reliance on broadly worded national security and counterterrorism provisions to suppress peaceful dissent undermines Bahrain’s obligations under international human rights law and contributes to the shrinking of civic space and public participation in the country.
Nedal Al Salman, Director of BCHR, stated:
“The detention of Khalil Buhazaa reflects the ongoing criminalization of peaceful expression in Bahrain. No individual should face imprisonment for sharing opinions, engaging in political analysis, or discussing public affairs. The repeated extension of pretrial detention in cases involving peaceful speech raises serious concerns about the misuse of judicial processes to silence critical voices and restrict civic freedoms.”
BCHR calls on the Bahraini authorities to:
- Immediately and unconditionally release Khalil Buhazaa;
- Drop all charges related solely to the peaceful exercise of freedom of expression;
- End the arbitrary use of prolonged detention against individuals exercising their fundamental rights;
- Ensure that domestic legislation and practice comply with Bahrain’s obligations under international human rights law, particularly regarding freedom of opinion and expression; and
- Guarantee that all individuals in Bahrain can express their views without fear of arrest, prosecution, or retaliation.
BCHR further calls upon the United Nations, diplomatic missions, international human rights organizations, and relevant Special Procedures mandate holders to closely monitor this case and engage with the Bahraini authorities to ensure respect for fundamental freedoms and due process guarantees.
The case of Khalil Buhazaa serves as another reminder of the urgent need to protect freedom of expression and end the use of national security-related charges against individuals engaged in peaceful speech and political commentary