The year 2017 emerged as one of the most burdensome years in the memories of Bahrainis, and one of the deadliest years ever.

Complementing the austerity policy and the lifting of subsidies on basic goods and services, the government has approved the value added tax (VAT) in a Gulf agreement to add more burdens on the shoulders of Bahrainis.

Bahrain raised the ceiling of public debt to an unprecedented level when it approved a law to raise the borrowing limit to 13 billion dinars, which constitutes more than 80% of state revenues.

Human rights defenders and activists experienced a brutal period during 2017; torture, extortion, travel bans and attacks on homes and properties, as well as pressures and threats aimed at turning activists and rights defenders into informants.