Bahrain's King Pardons 457 Prisoners on 25th Anniversary

On Wednesday evening, Bahrain pardoned 457 prisoners, a decision welcomed by a prominent rights group but criticized for not going far enough, as key activists are not expected to be included.

King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa issued the royal decree in commemoration of the 25th anniversary of his ascension to the throne. The Bahrain News Agency stated that the pardons reflect the king’s commitment to promoting social cohesion and maintaining justice and the rule of law. The agency further noted that the move seeks to balance legal accountability with humanitarian concerns, offering inmates a chance to reintegrate into society.

However, the report did not specify which individuals were pardoned. The Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy, based in London, commented that "political prisoners" are expected to be among those released. While the group’s advocacy director welcomed the decision, he urged the government to release more prisoners, particularly those detained since 2011 for advocating democratic reform.

Sayed Ahmed Alwadaei, the advocacy director, highlighted the cases of prominent activists Abdulhadi al-Khawaja, Abduljalil al-Singace, and Hassan Mushaima, saying their release would mark a turning point in Bahrain's history. These activists were arrested during the 2011 Arab Spring protests in Bahrain.

Maryam al-Khawaja, daughter of Abdulhadi al-Khawaja, expressed doubt that her father would be among those freed, stating in a video post on X that she was "not very optimistic." She emphasized that these activists "should have never been imprisoned" and mentioned that while there were rumors of political prisoners being released, there was no confirmation of who or how many.

Human rights groups, including the Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy, Amnesty International, and Human Rights Watch, have previously called for the release of Mushaima, citing his urgent need for medical treatment. At the time of a December letter to the king and crown prince, Mushaima was 75 years old.

King Khalifa has issued pardons in the past, including one for 1,584 prisoners in April and another for 545 in June. He has been king of Bahrain since 2002, having previously ruled as emir since 1999. In 2002, he transitioned from emir to king, dissolving the position.

Bahrain, a Shiite-majority nation, has faced longstanding allegations of repression by its Sunni monarchy, especially following the harsh crackdown on 2011 protests, which was backed by Saudi and Emirati forces.