Human Price of Freedom and Justice
A group of Bahrain’s independent human rights groups published an 87-page report called Human Price of Freedom and Justice. It documents abuses that occurred during the Bahraini uprising that began in 2011 and continues today. The report explains the background, lists the types of violations, and makes recommendations for the Bahraini government and international actors such as the EU, the United States, the United Nations, and the International Criminal Court.
The report was released on 22 November 2011, one day before the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI) released its own findings. It says the violations were widespread and systematic. It also urges the United Nations to send an urgent mission to Bahrain to investigate the deaths of at least four protesters after BICI’s work ended.
Context: Following the Arab Spring, Bahrain’s mostly Shia population protested for more freedoms. The Sunni-led government responded with a harsh crackdown. Gulf states, led by Saudi Arabia, sent troops to help, and the government hired Pakistani security personnel. Protests continued periodically.
What the report asks for: real reforms by the Bahraini government, reparations for victims, and greater international pressure and awareness to push Bahrain to comply. The International Freedom of Expression Exchange noted that the study reflects nearly a year of research, but more work is needed because the conflict and rights violations continue.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 07:52 (CET).