The 32-page report, Crackdown in Bahrain: Human Rights at the Crossroads, focuses on the arrest, detention and trial of 23 political opposition activists, as well as allegations that they were tortured in custody. The government has failed to open independent investigations into any of the reports of torture and has actively prevented reporting of the alleged abuses.

 

More broadly, the report highlights restrictions on the rights to freedom of expression, association and assembly in Bahrain, including constraints imposed on independent human rights organisations.

 

Amnesty International’s findings are being published ahead of the 10th anniversary of the endorsement of the National Action Charter, which paved the way for major political and legal reforms in Bahrain, resulting in human rights improvements in the country.

 

Philip Luther, Deputy Director of Amnesty International’s Middle East and North Africa Programme, said:

 

“Bahrain is at a crossroads when it comes to human rights.

 

“Many of the advances made during the last ten years are in danger of being eroded by the increasing reports of torture and other ill-treatment against political activists held in prison and the government’s failure to ensure they are independently investigated.”

 

Note to editors: for a copy of the report, see  http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/asset/MDE11/001/2011/en/cb766afa-fba0…