MIGRANTS’ RIGHTS The sponsorship (kafala) system for employing migrant workers in Bahrain put migrant workers in an even more vulnerable position and at risk of contracting COVID-19 during the pandemic.4 This was in addition to unsanitary living conditions in overcrowded accommodation, scarce legal protection and limited access to preventive health care and treatment.
UNFAIR TRIALS The Court of Cassation continued to uphold the outcomes of flawed mass trials. In June, it rejected 48 of 49 appeals from a mass trial of 169 individuals charged with joining a terrorist organization. A group trial of 39 Shi’a defendants, including 14 children, concluded on 13 September with prison sentences for all defendants, some of whom were prevented from attending court for the verdict. On 3 November another mass trial of 52 alleged members of a “terrorist cell” concluded with 51 convictions.
DEATH PENALTY Courts continued to hand down death sentences, in some cases following grossly unfair trials. The Court of Cassation confirmed the death sentences against Zuhair Ebrahim Abdulla and Husain Abdulla Khalil on 15 June, and against Mohamed Ramadhan Isa and Husain Ali Moosa on 13 July. No executions were reported. 1. Bahrain, Kuwait and Norway contact tracing apps among most dangerous for privacy (Press release, 16 June) 2. Bahraini youth targeted in family reprisal (MDE 11/3011/2020)) 3. Bahrain: Joint public letter to King calling for commutation of death sentences ((MDE 11/2861/2020)) 4. Bahrain: Ensure protection of migrant workers in COVID-19 response ((MDE 11/2168/2020))
Amnesty International Report 2020/21
BANGLADESH People’s Republic of Bangladesh Head of state: Abdul Hamid Head of government: Sheikh Hasina Journalists were increasingly persecuted for reporting corruption and criticizing the government’s COVID-19 policies. The draconian Digital Security Act (DSA) 2018 was widely enforced to curtail freedom of expression. Police and other law enforcement agencies continued to carry out extrajudicial executions. Violence against women increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. Implementation of the Chittagong Hill Tracts Agreement remained stalled and a crackdown on Indigenous activists intensified. People’s right to health care was not adequately protected or fulfilled during the pandemic. Bangladesh continued to shelter nearly 1 million Rohingya refugees from Myanmar as little progress was achieved towards their safe, dignified return.
BACKGROUND Bangladesh’s health care system and economy suffered heavily because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Since the first confirmed COVID-19 case on 8 March, infections spread quickly throughout the country and the health care system was overwhelmed. The economy took a double hit due to the slump in domestic demand and a sharp decline in exports. Millions of workers, especially those working on low wages, for example in the garment industries and in the informal sector, were badly affected by the economic shock. There was also rampant mismanagement and corruption in relief distribution, and the authorities increased their repression of journalists and media outlets that reported these scandals. Rallies and marches could not take place because of physical distancing rules.
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