Submission Summary

A total of 11 Bahraini, regional, international and thematically-focused non-governmental organisations submit this report ahead of the Government of Bahrain (GoB)’s November 2025 review before the Committee Against Torture (the Committee). In alphabetic order based on the English versions of their names, these organisations are: (1) Bahrain Center for Human Rights; (2) Bahrain Forum for Human Rights; (3) CIVICUS; (4) Gulf Institute for Democracy and Human Rights; (5) HUMENA for Human Rights and Civic Engagement; (6) MENA Rights Group; (7) Rights Realization Centre; (8) SALAM for Democracy and Human Rights (SALAM DHR); (9) The Advocates for Human Rights; (10) World Coalition against the Death Penalty and (11) World Organisation Against Torture

The methodology for this report broadly adheres to the approach adopted by the GoB in its fourth periodic report submitted on 26 May 2021, in which the GoB addresses the list of issues (LoI) set out by the Committee. Like the state party’s report, it examines the practical implementation of Bahrain’s obligations under the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT, the Convention). Accordingly, this report does not follow a strict article-by-article structure in line with the Convention.

Like the state party’s report, this text examines specific and emblematic cases to illustrate systemic patterns and broader trends in the administration of justice and treatment of detainees. The cases and issues highlighted in this report are representative of practices that interrogate the GoB’s adherence to its CAT obligations and the effectiveness of safeguards against torture and ill-treatment in Bahrain. It responds to the claims made by the State Party and dispels the GoB’s claims by addressing concerns across multiple provisions of the Convention.

The Committee’s guidelines state that “The information should not contain names of victims except if related to public cases or if the consent of the victims or their families is obtained.” Save one, at least one organisation, and often multiple ones have repeatedly raised all names and incidents set out below. They are generally and widely known. The experience of one, a Ugandan migrant worker, Martin Buregyeya, has never been public prior to this report. He gave express permission to cite his experience in this text.

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