# Founding of the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights (June 2002)

URL: https://allhistories.com/bahrain/timeline/2002-founding-of-the-bahrain-centre-for-human-rights
Location: Manama, Bahrain
Themes: main-event

The Bahrain Centre for Human Rights was founded in June 2002 by Abdulhadi Alkhawaja, Nabeel Rajab, Abdulaziz Abul and others, according to Wikipedia, although its infobox gives May 2002. It set out to monitor abuses and publish reports independently of the state, soon after the amnesty and reforms of 2001. Bahrain's reform period encouraged the formation of civil society groups, and the Centre quickly gained international attention for documenting cases of alleged torture and discrimination. It campaigned on the Shia majority's complaints about naturalisation and employment, and on the treatment of migrant workers, drawing criticism from the authorities. The Centre's criticism of the government led to its closure in September 2004 and the arrest of its president, although it continued to operate abroad and online. Its leaders became prominent in the 2011 protests. Nabeel Rajab later served prison sentences, while the government disputes the Centre's legal status. At this point in the timeline (2002), Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa (2002 – present) reigned as King of Bahrain, head of state of the kingdom proclaimed in 2002 under the amended constitution; Prime Minister of Bahrain Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa (1970 – 2020) led the government.

## Why it matters
The Centre became the best-known independent monitor of rights in Bahrain, and its confrontation with the state recurred in 2004 and 2011.

Ruler at the Time: [Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa (King)](https://allhistories.com/bahrain/rulers/hamad-bin-isa-al-khalifa-king)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia — Bahrain Centre for Human Rights](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bahrain_Centre_for_Human_Rights)
- [Wikipedia — Human rights in Bahrain](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_rights_in_Bahrain)