The Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR) expresses its grave concern over the re-arrest and continued detention of prominent Bahraini human rights defender Naji Fateel, more than two years after his release under a royal pardon. BCHR calls on the Bahraini authorities to immediately release Fateel and all other former prisoners who have been returned to detention because of financial liabilities arising from cases for which they were previously imprisoned.
According to information documented by the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights (BCHR), plainclothes police officers raided Fateel’s home at approximately 5:45 a.m. on 18 August 2026 while he and his family were asleep. Fateel reported that the officers did not present an arrest warrant or explain the reason for his arrest before taking him away. He was subsequently informed that his detention concerned an outstanding financial payment connected to one of his previous cases.
On 20 August, Fateel was transferred from East Riffa Police Station to Jau Prison.
BCHR is particularly concerned that Fateel’s re-arrest occurred despite his efforts to address the outstanding financial liability. Two days before his arrest, he had reportedly contacted the relevant authorities seeking documentation of the amount owed so that he could pursue a settlement.
Background
Naji Fateel is a prominent Bahraini human rights defender who was arrested on 2 May 2013. Between 2013 and 2016, he received prison sentences totalling 25 years and six months in cases connected to his human rights activities.
After spending more than eleven years in prison, Fateel was released on 8 April 2024 under a royal pardon.
One of the cases against him concerned the 2015 events at Jau Prison. Fateel was among 57 defendants convicted in relation to protests inside the prison and collectively ordered to pay approximately US$1.35 million in compensation for alleged damages. Fateel’s individual liability was subsequently calculated at approximately US$23,700.
BCHR is deeply concerned that financial penalties stemming from cases covered by the 2024 pardon are now being used to return former prisoners to detention. Imprisoning individuals who have already spent years in detention because they are unable to meet substantial financial obligations undermines the purpose of their release and places renewed pressure on them and their families.
The case is especially troubling given that, in November 2022, the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention concluded that Fateel’s detention was arbitrary, citing violations of international fair-trial standards. The Working Group called for his immediate and unconditional release, compensation and other reparations, as well as an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding his detention and allegations of torture.
Bahrain: UN expert alarmed by health of human rights defenders in prison | OHCHR
Bahrain: UN expert alarmed by prolonged detention of human rights defenders | OHCHR
BCHR previously published few statement calling for the release of Naji Fateel
Free Naji Fateel & All Detained Prisoners of Conscience – BCHR
Nedal AlSalman, Director of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights, said:
“A royal pardon should open the door to freedom, dignity and reintegration — not become a temporary pause before a former prisoner is returned to the same prison because of financial penalties arising from the very cases for which he was pardoned. Naji Fateel has already spent more than eleven years behind bars. His re-arrest sends a deeply troubling message to human rights defenders and former political prisoners that their freedom can remain conditional and insecure long after their release.”
AlSalman added:
“Financial obligations must never become another instrument for perpetuating punishment. Bahrain should immediately release Naji Fateel and ensure that no pardoned prisoner is returned to detention simply because they cannot afford financial liabilities connected to their previous cases.”
BCHR Recommendations
The Bahrain Center for Human Rights calls on the Bahraini authorities to:
- Immediately and unconditionally release Naji Fateel and all other pardoned former prisoners detained because of their inability to meet financial liabilities arising from their previous cases.
- Suspend enforcement measures that result in imprisonment for inability to pay these financial penalties and establish a fair and transparent mechanism to review outstanding liabilities associated with cases covered by royal pardons.
- Clarify the legal effect of the 2024 royal pardon on all associated penalties and financial claims, ensuring that pardoned individuals are not subjected to renewed deprivation of liberty arising from the same cases.
- Investigate the circumstances of Fateel’s dawn arrest, including allegations that officers entered his home without presenting an arrest warrant and intimidated members of his family.
- Fully implement the recommendations of the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, including providing Fateel with an effective right to compensation and other reparations and conducting an independent investigation into allegations of torture and ill-treatment.
- End all forms of harassment, intimidation and reprisals against human rights defenders and guarantee that they can carry out their legitimate and peaceful human rights work without fear of arrest, prosecution or retaliation.
BCHR further urges Bahrain’s international partners and relevant United Nations mechanisms to raise Fateel’s case with the Bahraini authorities and press for his immediate release.
Freedom following a pardon must be meaningful and durable. It should not be undermined by measures that effectively recreate the punishment from which an individual was supposedly released.