(Washington, D.C., March 10, 2026)—In response to a crackdown on freedom of expression by the governments of Qatar and Bahrain during the ongoing regional war, DAWN issues the following statement:
"Freedom of expression does not disappear when the bombs start falling," said Omar Shakir, DAWN's Executive Director. "Wartime is precisely when people most need to speak freely to share information, question decision-making, express dissent, and hold authorities to account."
"Qatar and Bahrain should immediately release those arrested for their peaceful expression in relation to the war and drop all charges against them," said Raed Jarrar, DAWN's Advocacy Director. "Sharing information or challenging their government's policies, including their ties to the US or Israel as they wage an unlawful war of aggression, should never be grounds for arrest."
Background
Bahraini authorities have, according to Bahraini human rights defenders, arrested at least 100 people in relation to protests or expression related to the war. Authorities have acknowledged detaining people for offenses that "include publishing videos and content expressing sympathy with this heinous attack, which constitutes betrayal of the nation," including by "misleading public opinion," and sought the death penalty against some activists.
Qatar's Ministry of Interior has said that it has arrested over 300 people on charges of spreading "misleading information," including at least one person arrested for "direct insults to the State of Qatar and its institutions."
