The small island nation of Bahrain, ruled by the Al Khalifa family since 1783, presents a complex picture of modern struggles amidst ancient divisions. Once hailed as a model for reform in the Gulf, the brutal government crackdown on 2011’s Arab Spring protests has left the country fractured along sectarian lines. The monarchy’s dependence on external support from regional allies has led to an increasingly authoritarian stance aimed at preserving stability, while stifling dissent.
The Challenges of Speaking Freely
Freedom of expression is severely curtailed in Bahrain, with the government utilizing a mix of laws, surveillance, and censorship to silence critics. Independent media outlets have been banned since 2017, and the 2016 Press Freedom Index ranked Bahrain 162nd out of 180 countries.[14] Vague legal language criminalizing speech deemed offensive to the regime or national unity gives authorities broad powers for prosecution. Over 1,000 websites have been blocked, including human rights sites and opposition blogs.[6] Fear of reprisals leads many to self-censor when speaking online or to the media.
The crackdown intensified after the 2011 protests, when activists utilized social media and international press coverage to organize and share their pro-democracy message globally. Angered by this free flow of information, officials resolved to prevent it from happening again.[10] A cybercrime law passed in 2014 facilitates the monitoring of all online activity, with the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority filtering content and requiring internet service providers to utilize its censorship system.[8]
Downloading in the Dark
While strictly controlled traditional media leaves little room for free expression, the internet has provided an outlet for sharing information. However, downloading copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) software or torrent trackers also opens up users to potential legal penalties. Still, some in Bahrain argue that individuals face little risk of prosecution for personal piracy, unlike companies or commercial operations.[3]
Nonetheless, the government blocks torrent sites freely, and may punish those visiting them, citing piracy as detrimental to national interests or religious morality. Circumventing these restrictions carries the same risks as other “subversive” online activities. Some users have adapted by learning to navigate access points beyond the reach of censors.[8] But for most, the dangers outweigh any benefits.
An Intrusive State Apparatus
Advanced surveillance technology acquired from international sources has given Bahraini security services immense powers to monitor its citizenry through online and telephonic communication.[4] The government captures IP addresses to identify, track, and arrest bloggers and internet users for posts deemed inappropriate – over 15 journalists have fled into exile. [8] Fear of constant monitoring permeates Bahraini society, stymying dissent.
The opposition utilizes VPNs and secure chat apps to avoid detection, but state hackers have grown adept at infiltrating such channels.[8] For political opponents and human rights activists, simply communicating safely has become an ordeal, let alone organizing more publicly. The expansion of Chinese-style technological authoritarianism further empowers the regime.
While Bahrain presents a gleaming modern face to the world, its campaign against online freedoms reveals the insecurity plaguing its rulers. However, no matter how tightly information is controlled, the desire for self-expression cannot be easily suppressed. The struggle for rights continues, albeit more discreetly, but with no less conviction.
Citations:
[1] https://manaramagazine.org/2022/10/bahrain-tribalism-sectarianism-and-the-challenges-of-the-21st-century/
[2] https://www.hrw.org/report/2022/10/31/you-cant-call-bahrain-democracy/bahrains-political-isolation-laws
[3] https://www.reddit.com/r/Bahrain/comments/169d49q/torrents/
[4] https://www.theguardian.com/news/2022/feb/18/how-spyware-erodes-human-rights-in-bahrain-nso-group-pegasus-project
[5] https://bti-project.org/en/reports/country-report/BHR
[6] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Censorship_in_Bahrain
[7] https://vpnpro.com/best-vpn-services/bahrain-vpn/
[8] https://giswatch.org/en/country-report/communications-surveillance/bahrain
[9] https://www.bqa.gov.bh/en/aboutqaaet/pages/4thgeneration.aspx
[10] https://freedomhouse.org/country/bahrain/freedom-net/2022
[11] https://www.safetydetectives.com/blog/how-to-get-a-bahrain-ip-address/
[12] https://freedomhouse.org/country/bahrain/freedom-net/2021
[13] https://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/document?doi=08a866192fbd24b6b2b0c13de4fb01864fbdf432&repid=rep1&type=pdf
[14] https://rsf.org/en/country/bahrain
[15] https://support.purevpn.com/about-purevpn/p2p-file-sharing
[16] https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/11/4/682
[17] https://freedomhouse.org/country/bahrain/freedom-world/2022
[18] https://www.sonicwall.com/support/knowledge-base/how-to-block-p2p-applications-eg-bittorrent-emule-using-application-control-policies/170503412433395
[19] https://vc.bridgew.edu/jiws/vol13/iss5/3/
[20] https://www.state.gov/reports/2022-country-reports-on-human-rights-practices/bahrain/
[21] https://www.vpnranks.com/countries/bahrain/
[22] https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.3366/jj.1011777
[23] https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2023/country-chapters/bahrain
[24] https://limevpn.com/what-countries-are-the-safest-for-torrenting-the-ultimate-truth/
[25] https://www.adhrb.org/2021/10/bahrains-repression-of-online-dissent-an-egregious-violation-of-freedom-of-expression/
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