MPs sign EDM on Bahrain, Saudis buckle under NEOM challenges
Several Members of UK Parliament have signed an Early Day Motion (No 2765) to mark the 15th anniversary of the Bahrain pro-democracy uprising. It calls for the immediate release of the leaders of the Revolution. It also calls for the imposition of Magnitsky sanctions against individuals responsible for serious human rights violations, including the Interior Minister, Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa. It condemns Bahrain’s routine use of torture, denial of medical care to political prisoners, and the perpetuation of a climate of impunity; and further decries Bahrain’s use of transnational repression, including citizenship revocation and the surveillance of dissidents in the UK.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned Bahrain that it “urgently” needs to cut spending or raise taxes in order to keep its mounting debt burden under control. In a review of the country’s economy published in late January, the fund acknowledged some recent budget reforms — including a corporate income tax and changes to utility prices — but said more changes were needed. “Delayed or insufficient fiscal adjustment could exacerbate debt sustainability concerns and financing challenges,” it added.
Meanwhile, arrests have continued. On 8th February two brothers were detained by the Bahraini regime’s torturers. Ahmed Al Najjar, 64 and his brother, Mohammed, 59 were arrested from their homes, On 4th February regime’s forces detained three citizens: Nidal Jihad (from Dair town), Hassan Al Ghawwas (from Sanabis) and Mohammed Madan (from Nuwaidrat town). Today, Wednesday 11th February, regime’s court extended the detention of Nidal Jihad and Hassan Al Ghawwas for ten more days.
Two Bahrainis have been given lengthy prison sentences by a khalifi court. Ali Ahmed Hbail has been sentenced to two years while Ahmed Fadel Hbail has been given one year. Both are 19 and from Sitra town. They were arrested on 29th September when their car was intercepted by the regime’s security forces. They were beaten and abused before they were taken to the prison.
The sectarian policies of the khalifi tribal rule are clearly evident in the field of employment. Recently scores of Bahrainis finished their training with the National Guard, but no Shia Muslim native was among them. Shia Muslims are the natives of Bahrain and make up to 70 percent of the population, but are unfairly marginalised.
The past week witnessed several protests in various parts of the country especially by the unemployed. The people of Markh town took part in a demonstration to remember the victims the regime. They marked the execution of three Bahrainis by the regime in 2019.
On Sunday 8th February political prisoner Hussain Ali, from Karranah town, collapsed inside the Dry Dock prison. He has been on hunger strike to protest the ill-treatment and lack of medical care. He was given five and a half years jail sentence for his peaceful anti-regime activities. Ahmed Isma’il from Al Dair town was arrested when he attended Samaheej police station. He was detained on Thursday 5th February after responding to a summons from the police. On Monday 9th February regime’s forces arrested at least ten people for protesting peacefully outside the civil service department. Scores of unemployed natives have held daily protests against lack of employment. On 11th January twenty protesters were arrested. The unemployed are continuing their protests to call for work opportunities.
Yesterday, Tuesday 11th February, regimes court imposed a prison sentence on a Bahraini citizen Ali Hussain Al Bahhar, from Sitra town. He was given a one-year jail term for taking part in a peaceful congregation. He has been behind bars since September 2025 after he was arrested from the street.
The Saudi regime has executed two Egyptians. Yesterday, Usama Yassin and Ashraf Ubaid were killed after spending 19 years in jail. They were subjected to enormous abuses throughout their ordeal. The execution was carried out at Tabuk prison in Northwestern Arabia.
The Saudi government has been forced to re-appraise the progress of the Neom project. It has been described as undergoing a significant “course correction” as of early 2026, scaling back from its initial $1trillion vision to focus on a 2.4 km “mini line” segment by 2030, targeting under 300,000 residents. While excavation for The Line is extensive, financial constraints and rising costs have delayed projects like Trojena, with only the Sindalah luxury resort making progress toward opening. Reports suggest a “re-prioritisation” due to lower oil prices and financial constraints, with some project elements being paused. The project has also faced scrutiny over the displacement of local tribes.
Bahrain Freedom Movement
11th February 2026