ALWEFAQ
National Islamic Society stated that it had obtained serious and credible information that Bahrain’s ruling authorities are committing grave abuses against Shia clerics held in undisclosed detention facilities.

According to the statement, directives with a sectarian motive were issued directly from the highest levels of authority, instructing personnel to subject clerics to physical assaults, verbal abuse, spitting, threats of sexual violence, and coercion to sign false and fabricated confessions.

The statement further confirmed that a number of senior clerics and heads of religious seminaries were beaten by security officers, revealing that orders had been issued from senior authorities requiring that the clerics be subjected to humiliation and harsh treatment.

Al-Wefaq also reported that security personnel acting under instructions from senior officials were directed to insult the Ja'fari school of thought and ridicule Shia beliefs.

According to the statement, this included insults directed at Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them), Shia religious rituals, Imams, scholars, sacred symbols, and jurisprudential teachings.

The society further noted that the detained clerics were subjected to punitive measures, including having their hands shackled behind their backs, being blindfolded throughout the day, being deprived of medication and rest, and being spat upon.

It added that there were additional alleged abuses which it declined to describe out of respect for the clerics concerned.

Al-Wefaq held the King of Bahrain and the Prime Minister personally responsible for what it described as "sectarian terrorism," "a campaign against the Ja'fari school of thought," and "organized crimes" committed against dozens of Shia clerics, asserting that the actions constituted an organized and premeditated campaign carried out under explicit orders.

The society concluded by calling on the international community, the United Nations and its institutions, governments, human rights organizations, religious and social institutions, political parties, parliaments, and all bodies concerned with defending human dignity to intervene and, according to its statement, help bring an end to this sectarian campaign carried out by the Bahraini authorities against the country's Shia community.

Statement issued by the Al-Wefaq National Islamic Society on 14 July 2026.