Political Prisoner Record

Bahrain

Nabeel Rajab: UN Working Group opinion and current status

UN Working Group on Arbitrary DetentionOpinion No. 12/2013, adopted 3 May 2013

This opinion concerns an earlier period of detention, from his arrest on 5 May 2012. The UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention found his detention arbitrary, falling within categories II and III. It recommended his immediate release and an enforceable right to compensation, and encouraged Bahrain to bring its laws into line with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.1

Category IICategory III

Read the opinion

Government position

According to the opinion, the Government replied on 24 September 2012. It said Mr. Rajab was arrested and convicted for participating in a gathering, calling for a march without notice and joining a march that endangered public security, and that he received family visits and medical care equal to other inmates.1

Background

According to the opinion, Mr. Rajab, president of the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights, was arrested on 5 May 2012 and later sentenced, including on 16 August 2012 to three one year terms in connection with marches in early 2012.1

Status now

Released. The EU said on 10 June 2020 that a Bahraini court had granted him a non-custodial alternative sentence in place of the five year prison term he had been serving since 2016.2

As of 10 June 2020.

Findings on this site are those of the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, an independent body of experts. Its opinions are not court judgments. Each record includes the government's position where it gave one.

Sources

  1. University of Minnesota Human Rights Library (copy of UN document), Opinion No. 12/2013 (Bahrain), A/HRC/WGAD/2013/12, full text mirror (25 July 2013)
  2. European External Action Service, Bahrain: Statement by the Spokesperson on the release of human rights defender Nabeel Rajab (10 June 2020)