Bahrain Centre for Human Rights

Description

The Bahrain Centre for Human Rights, known as BCHR, is a Bahraini non-profit organization that works to promote human rights in Bahrain. It was founded in June 2002 by Bahraini activists. In 2013 it received the Rafto Prize for its work.

The centre encourages and supports individuals and groups to defend their own rights and the rights of others, and works to promote democracy and human rights in line with international standards. It aims to promote civil, political and economic freedoms, combat racial discrimination, spread a culture of human rights, and support and protect victims and vulnerable people. Its work includes advocacy, training, workshops, seminars, media campaigns and reporting to United Nations mechanisms and international organizations.

BCHR documents and campaigns on issues such as the treatment of human rights defenders and political activists, the detention of Bahraini citizens, migrant workers’ conditions and rights, restrictive local laws, torture and women’s rights. It regularly issues statements calling for the release of detained activists and political prisoners and reporting on arrests, torture and freedom of expression in Bahrain. It partners with organizations including the International Federation of Human Rights, IFEX, the Coalition for Organ Failure Solutions and CARAM Asia.