The Bassiouni Report: A Decade and a Half of International Silence on the Violations of the Khalifi Regime

The Bassiouni Report: A Decade and a Half of International Silence on the Violations of the Khalifi Regime

As human rights violations in Bahrain persist, attention is once again turning to the recommendations of the Bassiouni Commission, which have gone unheeded for more than a decade. Despite both global and local calls, the recommended reforms remain suspended with no sign of implementation.

Fourteen years after the report was issued, its 500 pages compiled by Mahmoud Bassiouni continue to affirm the extensive violations that took place, including torture, extrajudicial killings, and the repressive mechanisms that wreaked havoc within security institutions. These actions remain unpunished and have only intensified over time in an environment devoid of meaningful reform.

The position of the Khalifi regime remains clear and unmistakable in its refusal to embark on a path of genuine change. Instead of holding perpetrators accountable, it rewarded those responsible for the abuses, allowing the wave of repression to continue engulfing daily life in the country. All of this has occurred amid international indifference to these tragic circumstances—especially from powers that have long championed the ideals of freedom and democracy, such as the United States and the United Kingdom.

Meanwhile, repeated calls to implement the recommendations of the Bassiouni Report have failed to produce the desired impact in ending violations in Bahrain, leaving the country trapped in a cycle that expands with each passing day.

Today, we witness a renewed demand for urgent attention to Bahrain and its people, with an emphasis on the necessity of upholding the principles of freedom, dignity, justice, and respect for the rule of law as the foundation for building a future that guarantees the rights and dignity of every individual.