Bahrain
2026
- GOVERNMENT
- constitutional monarchy
- CONSTITUTION
- February 14, 2002; amended in 2012, 2017
- LEGAL SYSTEM
- mixed legal system of Islamic law (sharia), English common law, Egyptian civil, criminal, and commercial codes; customary law; has not submitted a declaration of jurisdiction to the ICJ
- LEGISLATIVE SYSTEM
- bicameral legislature composed of the Consultative Council and the Council of Representatives (House of Deputies)
- JUDICIAL SYSTEM
- Court of Cassation (composed of the president and 3 judges); Supreme Court of Appeal (composed of the president and 3 judges); Constitutional Court (composed of the president and 6 members); High Sharia Appeal Court (court sessions include the president and at least one judge); High civil appeal courts; intermediate and lower civil courts; High Sharia Appeal Court; High Sharia Court; Administrative Appeal Courts; military courts
RELIGIONS
Muslim 73.7%, Christian 9.3%, Jewish 0.1%, other 16.9% (estimate 2017)
From the country
- OCTOBER 25, 2005BahrainDEATH PENALTY
it was reported that Bahrain may reintroduce death penalty if...
it was reported that Bahrain may reintroduce death penalty if the Chamber of Deputies passed a draft law on anti-terror measures.
- JULY 10, 2005BahrainDEATH PENALTY
BAHRAIN. TWO BANGLADESHI NATIONALS SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR MURDER
two people were sentenced to death for the murder of a Bahraini housewife, Latifa Abdulla Abdulaziz.
- APRIL 12, 2005BahrainDEATH PENALTY
BAHRAIN. PARLIAMENT PRESENTED WITH ANTI-TERROR LAW
Bahrain's government presented parliament with an anti-terrorism law stipulating death for "terrorist" acts, following a rise in militant violence in the oil-rich Gulf Arab region, state media and MPs said.
- JANUARY 1, 2005BahrainDEATH PENALTY
The offences for which capital punishment either can or must be applied are
The offences for which capital punishment either can or must be applied are
- APRIL 21, 2004BahrainDEATH PENALTY
Bahrain voted against the resolution on the death penalty...
Bahrain voted against the resolution on the death penalty at the 60th UN Commission on Human Rights
- APRIL 12, 2004BahrainDEATH PENALTY
The offences for which capital punishment either can or must be applied are
The offences for which capital punishment either can or must be applied are
- APRIL 24, 2003BahrainDEATH PENALTY
Bahrain voted against the resolution on the death penalty...
Bahrain voted against the resolution on the death penalty approved by the UN Commission on Human Rights, in Geneva
- JANUARY 1, 2003BahrainDEATH PENALTY
The offenses for which capital punishment either can...
The offenses for which capital punishment either can or must be applied are: premeditated murder, plotting to topple the regime, collaborating with a foreign hostile country, threatening the life of the Emir, and defiance of military orders in time of war
- APRIL 25, 2002BahrainDEATH PENALTY
Bahrain voted against the resolution 2002/77 on the...
Bahrain voted against the resolution 2002/77 on the death penalty at the 58th UN Commission on Human Rights
- JANUARY 1, 2002BahrainDEATH PENALTY
The offenses for which capital punishment either can...
The offenses for which capital punishment either can or must be applied are: premeditated murder, plotting to topple the regime, collaborating with a foreign hostile country, threatening the life of the Emir, and defiance of military orders in time of war
- FEBRUARY 13, 2001BahrainDEATH PENALTY
The Bahraini authorities have released all political...
The Bahraini authorities have released all political prisoners
- FEBRUARY 13, 2001BahrainDEATH PENALTY
The Bahraini authorities have released all political...
The Bahraini authorities have released all political prisoners