A Security Crackdown Instead of an Independent Investigation… following the Death of Fisherman Abdullah Hassan Yusuf!

The campaign of arbitrary summonses and arrests carried out by the Bahraini authorities through their security agencies since the funeral of the victim, fisherman Abdullah Hassan Yusuf—including charges based merely on attending the funeral or expressing criticism of the official narrative of his death—constitutes a grave violation of Bahrain’s voluntary international commitments under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, particularly Articles (9) and (19). It further emphasizes the government’s ongoing repressive policy that targets the peaceful exercise of the rights to freedom of opinion and participation in public life.

The arbitrary summoning, arrest, and home raids of citizens merely for attending a funeral or for calling for the release of video footage related to a death that has become a matter of public concern go beyond even what could be described as an “exceptional and disproportionate use of law enforcement powers.” This comes despite citizens maintaining complete peacefulness during the funeral and protests, and without violating any laws.

Moreover, the authorities’ failure to publish the full video recording of the collision between the Coast Guard boat and the fishing vessel—as confirmed by the surviving witnesses—despite the case having become a public issue requiring transparency, only deepens the perception that there is an intent to conceal the truth at the expense of justice, accountability, and efforts to combat impunity.

The disregard for releasing the full video recording of the collision between the Coast Guard boat and the fishing vessel, as confirmed by the testimony of the surviving witnesses—despite the case having become one that requires transparency—deepens the impression of an intent to conceal the truth at the expense of the natural course of justice, fundamental standards of accountability, and safeguards against impunity.

The Bahrain Forum for Human Rights stresses the following:

1. The immediate and unconditional release of all detainees arrested for peacefully exercising their right to expression or participating in the funeral.
2. The dropping of all charges related to this campaign.
3. The opening of an independent and impartial criminal investigation into the circumstances of Abdullah Hassan Yusuf’s death, including the full release of all video evidence and the identification of those responsible, without invoking official status as a pretext for immunity.

Respecting the right to know the truth and refraining from criminalizing expression are essential steps toward addressing the crisis of trust between society and the security institutions. Any other course will only lead to further security abuses against citizens amid the ongoing pattern of impunity for members of the security forces.