Amnesty International reported Feb. 11 that nearly five years after Bahrain's Day of Rage protests sparked international concern over Bahraini government accountability in human rights, the hope for reform has dwindled. In Bahrain, February 14, 2011, was a day of protests that ultimately ended in the death and torture of rights activists. AI reported that peaceful opposition activists still face arbitrary detention and even physical punishment. AI called for the government to take accountability not only for current conditions but for the security forces that committed abuses during the initial protests.

Bahrain has faced criticism from international human rights organizations in recent years for its handling of pro-reform protests. Bahrain has tortured detainees in the years following the country's 2011 protests, despite a government promise to stop such abuses, Human Rights Watch reported in November. In September, 32 nations issued a joint statement that was read to the UN Human Rights Council discussing human rights concerns in Bahrain. Last April, Amnesty reported that reforms in Bahrain failed to end serious human rights violations. The report detailed the continued jailing of activists and mistreatment of detainees.

From Jurist, Feb. 12. Used with permission.