Police Encounters
Your rights during arrests, searches, detention, and criminal proceedings under Bahrain's Constitution and Criminal Procedure Code.
Right to Know Charges Against You
If you are arrested or detained in Bahrain, you have the right to be told why:The police must inform you of the reason for your arrest and the charges against you at the time of arrest or as soon as p...
Right to Legal Representation
Bahrain's Constitution guarantees your right to a lawyer during criminal proceedings:Right to a lawyer: You have the right to hire a lawyer of your choice at any stage of the criminal process.Mandator...
Right Against Arbitrary Arrest
Bahrain's Constitution protects individuals from being arrested or detained without legal basis:No arrest without cause: You cannot be arrested, detained, imprisoned, or searched except as provided by...
Rights During Search and Seizure
Your home and personal property are protected from unreasonable search under Bahraini law:Homes are protected: The Constitution states that dwellings are inviolable and cannot be entered or searched w...
Right to Humane Treatment
Bahrain's Constitution and laws prohibit torture and cruel treatment of detainees:No torture: Physical or mental torture, inhumane treatment, and degrading punishment are prohibited by the Constitutio...
Right to Contact Your Embassy
If you are a foreign national arrested or detained in Bahrain, you have the right to contact your country's embassy or consulate:Consular notification: Upon request, the authorities must notify your e...
Rights of Juveniles in the Justice System
Bahrain has a specialized system for handling juveniles (under 18) who come into contact with the law:Age of criminal responsibility: Children under 15 years old cannot be held criminally responsible....
Right to Appeal Criminal Convictions
If you are convicted of a crime in Bahrain, you have the right to appeal the decision to a higher court:First appeal: Convictions from the Lower Criminal Court can be appealed to the High Criminal Cou...