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Bahrain

Thousands of protesters in the small island Kingdom of Bahrain in the Persian Gulf took to the streets calling for government reform in February and March 2011. The Bahraini government’s response was brutal and systematic: shoot civilian protesters, detain and torture them, and erase all evidence.

On the frontline, treating hundreds of these wounded civilians, doctors had first-hand knowledge of government atrocities. As a result of their efforts to provide unbiased care for wounded protestors, the government initiated systematic and targeted attacks against medical personnel. PHR went to Bahrain to investigate and document these attacks.

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Suppressing the narrative in Bahrain (February 13, 2012)

A year after the uprising in Bahrain began, the government has continued to deny entrance to journalists and human rights activists, including Richard Sollom of PHR.

On Eve of One-Year Anniversary of Protests, Bahrain Should Support Freedom of Expression (February 13, 2012)

As the international community looks to Bahrain on the one-year anniversary of the popular protests in the country, Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) today called on the Government of Bahrain to support freedom of expression and resist a violent response to protests.

Congressmen Confront Bahrain Over Recent NGO Visa Restrictions (February 3, 2012)

With the first anniversary of the popular uprising, and subsequent suppression, in Bahrain fast approaching, a number of human rights organizations are asking a dreaded question: What happens if there's another crackdown, and not enough international organizations are there to witness it?

US pushes Bahrain arms deal despite abuses (February 2, 2012)

Obama administration using legal loophole to sell arms to Bahrain despite ongoing abuses and crackdown on NGOs.

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Bahraini Government’s Use of Tear Gas Claims Several Lives (January 27, 2012)

Over the last month, the Bahraini police have been using tear gas almost every night against protesters in residential areas. Specifically, the police have been targeting the Shi’a neighborhoods of Iker, Sitra, Nuwadrat, and Ma’ameer. While there are international guidelines for the proper use of tear gas, victims of such attacks describe the police using tear gas inappropriately – including firing into homes and other closed spaces. Such inappropriate use can have disastrous consequences. Since the start of the unrest in February 2011, at least 13 civilians have died from exposure to the tear gas, according to Bahraini civil society groups. They note that those who die from tear gas inhalation are usually people who are already vulnerable due to old age or disease, which make the gas’s effects more deadly.

Bogus Charges Against Bahraini Human Rights Activist Must Be Dropped (December 22, 2011)

Last week, Bahraini authorities wrongfully detained human rights activist Zainab al-Khawaja, while she engaged in nonviolent, peaceful protest against Bahraini government policies last week. As this video shows, Zainab was dragged away by law enforcement officers who, according to Amnesty International allegedly beat her outside the view of cameras before taking her into custody against her will.

Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland in Bahrain: Speak Out or Get Out (October 19, 2011)

See UPDATE to this May 2011 post. Ireland’s leading medical institution, the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI), which has trained many Bahraini physicians, has been conspicuously absent in the global call for the Kingdom of Bahrain to stop its relentless and systematic attack on medical workers.

Bahraini Authorities Release Medic (August 24, 2011)

Bahraini authorities released medic Rula Al-Saffar on 21 August following five months of arbitrary detention. Her release comes shortly after her three-week hunger strike to protest her arbitrary arrest and subsequent torture while in detention at the hands of Bahraini authorities.

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PHR Applauds Members of Congress Who Called For Open Access for NGOs to Bahrain (February 2012)

Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) applauds members of Congress who wrote to the King of Bahrain, His Majesty Shaikh Hamad Bin Isa Al-Khalifa, to request open access for non-governmental organizations (NGOs). PHR was recently denied entry to Bahrain to continue its human rights investigation despite previous assurances from the Government of Bahrain.

Independent Body Announced to Investigate Human Rights Abuses in Bahrain (June 2011)

The establishment of this investigation commission, announced Wednesday, June 29, is a response to calls from PHR and other groups to investigate attacks on protesters and health professionals following popular protests in Bahrain earlier this year.

Richard Sollom Testifies on Bahrain to Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission (May 2011)

Richard Sollom, Deputy Director of PHR, testified to the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, US Congress, on Bahrain's attacks on and detention of medical professionals in the wake of protests against the government in February and March, 2011.

Do No Harm (April 2011)

PHR's emergency report documents and decries systematic human rights abuses in Bahrain, and persecution of health workers based on their knowledge of those abuses.

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Featured Expert

Richard Sollom, MA, MPH

Richard oversees PHR programs on health, emergency response, armed conflict, asylum, and UN advocacy initiatives. During his time at PHR, he has led health and human rights investigations in Bahrain, Bangkok, Bangladesh, Burma, and Zimbabwe. Read More »