AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL
MEDIA ADVISORY

AI index: MDE 11/003/2011

11 February 2011

New report on human rights crackdown in Bahrain

Amnesty International today published a report looking at the recent deterioration of the human rights situation in Bahrain.

The 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 reports highlights restrictions on the rights to freedom of expression, association and assembly in Bahrain, including constraints imposed on independent human rights organizations.

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

“Bahrain is at a crossroads when it comes to human rights,” said Philip Luther, Deputy Director of Amnesty International’s Middle East and North Africa Programme.

“Many of the advances made during the last 10 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.”

For a copy of the report: “Crackdown in Bahrain: Human Rights at the crossroads”, please go to www.amnesty.org

For more information or to arrange an interview with one of Amnesty International’s experts on Bahrain, please contact the press office on: +7778 472 126.

ENDS/