Bahrain Mirror: SALAM for Democracy and Human Rights called on the government of Bahrain to commute all death sentences. These sentences followed trials that did not comply with fair trial guarantees, and in which allegations of torture against those sentenced were not investigated, making their confessions legally invalid.

SALAM said in a statement on the World Day against the Death Penalty that Bahrain is among 56 countries that retain the death penalty. This punishment is stipulated by Bahrain's Penal Code; there are 83 articles and clauses stipulating the death penalty. From 2011 to 2019, 36 death sentences were issued, and there have been five executions: Ali Al-Arab and Ahmed Al-Malali were executed by squad firing on May 6, 2019. Sami Mushaima, Abbas Al-Samei and Ali Al-Singace were executed on January 15, 2017. In addition to this, two death sentences have been reconsidered, ten were changed to life imprisonment, and three were passed onto to the Court of Cassation (final court). Eight are currently at imminent risk of execution, pending ratification by the King.

SALAM said that the Bahraini judiciary lacks independence and impartiality required for a fair judiciary and is in need of significant reform. It called on the government of Bahrain to establish a moratorium on the death penalty, sign, ratify and accede to the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, with a view towards abolishing the death penalty.

Arabic Version