The Bahrain government, by arresting 60 Shia clerics and 2 others in the UAE, has showcased a serious case of the persecution of religious scholars in the country. A new report from the National Islamic Society of Bahrain, titled "Beyond Restrictions," illustrates the dimensions of the arrests and violations related to the interrogation and judicial process.
Report and Dimensions of Arrests
This report examines the statistics of arrests from the beginning of the war until mid-September 2026, which includes over 820 cases of arrest. Sheikh Hussein Al-Dhiyahi, the deputy chairman of the Society of Al-Wefaq, emphasized that the statistics indicate the expansion of the scope of persecution and arrests in light of actions targeting scholars and religious institutions, accompanied by restrictions on performing rituals and managing religious affairs.
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Violations and Human Rights Concerns
This report also provides a list of violations, including statements allegedly obtained under duress, signing minutes without knowledge of their content, and restrictions on the activities of lawyers. Other violations include misconduct during detention and recording sermons, speeches, and religious rituals as evidence of accusations. This raises serious questions regarding the guarantee of fair trial and protection of freedom of belief.
Sheikh Hussein Al-Dhiyahi emphasized the necessity of freeing the detained scholars and invalidating statements obtained under duress and torture. He also called for independent and impartial international investigations into these violations and stressed the importance of the mobilization of human rights organizations and international bodies to pursue this case and ensure respect for religious freedoms and the legal rights of detainees.
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