A report by the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention on its October 2001 visit to Bahrain.

Executive Summary

A delegation of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention visited Bahrain from 19 to 24 October 2001. It comprised two members of the Group, its Vice-Chairman, Mr. Louis Joinet, and Mrs. Leïla Zerrougui (Algeria), accompanied by the Group’s secretary. Throughout its visit, the delegation enjoyed the full cooperation of the Bahraini Government. The authorities granted it unrestricted access to all prisons and police station holding cells. It was able to speak freely and without witnesses to prisoners it selected at random.

Released by the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor
March 4, 2002

Bahrain is a hereditary emirate with few democratic institutions and no political parties. The Al-Khalifa extended family has ruled the country since the late 18th century and dominates all facets of its society and government. The Constitution confirms the Amir as hereditary ruler. The Amir, Shaikh Hamad Bin Isa Al-Khalifa, governs the country with the assistance of his uncle, the Prime Minister, his son, the Crown Prince, an appointed cabinet of ministers, and an appointed Consultative Council that advises the Government on all new legislation. In 1975 the Government suspended some provisions of the 1973 Constitution, including those articles relating to the National Assembly, which was disbanded and never reinstituted. Citizens belong to the Shi'a and Sunni sects of Islam, with the Shi'a constituting over two-thirds of the indigenous population. However, Sunnis predominate politically and economically because the ruling family is Sunni and is supported by the armed forces, the security services, and powerful Sunni and Shi'a merchant families. The political situation generally was calm during the year; there were a few incidents of low-level political unrest, but there has not been significant unrest since 1996. In February an overwhelming majority of eligible citizens, both male and female endorsed a government plan entitled the National Action Charter to restore constitutional rule. On October 2, the Amir affirmed that the country would become a constitutional monarchy, with a government based on separation of powers, majority rule, and minority rights. There are few judicial checks on the actions of the Amir and his Government, and the courts are subject to government pressure and occasional accusations of corruption; however, the judiciary provides some checks on government authority.