Written by Brian Dooley and Suchita Uppal
Given the long-standing and credible allegations of torture against Prince Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa of Bahrain, Human Rights First urges the imposition of visa sanctions against him under the Section 7031(c) sanctions program. A formal recommendation was made to the US Department of State.
In 2011, large-scale protests calling for democratic reform in Bahrain were brutally suppressed by the government, with thousands of people imprisoned and detained. The Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry, commissioned by Bahrain’s King Hamad, has confirmed that the Bahraini government used torture and other forms of physical and psychological violence in its crackdown, and that security forces were responsible for the deaths of 13 civilians. Five civilian deaths were attributed to excessive physical violence and torture.
During this time, King Hamad’s fourth son, Nasser, took the lead in identifying and punishing athletes who took part in demonstrations, and publicly called for “accountability” for those who opposed the regime. He is accused of directly subjecting political prisoners to severe assaults that amount to torture under U.S. and international law. Credible evidence of Nasser’s direct acts of torture, a “gross human rights violation” punishable under section 7031(c), in public statements and sworn testimony during judicial proceedings by multiple survivors. presented.
Under the provisions of this law, the U.S. government is not only permitted, but required, to impose visa restrictions on government employees if presented with sufficient credible evidence of sanctionable conduct by the government employee. Waivers of sanctions are only granted if they meet a “compelling national interest” or other limited criteria. There is no evidence to suggest that Mr. Nasser’s entry into the United States would result in such benefits.
Nevertheless, since 2011, Nasser has visited the United States several times, including competing in the Florida triathlon in 2013 and meeting with the US National Security Adviser in 2022. In September 2023, Mr. Nasser attended a high-level government meeting with his brother. The crown prince was publicly welcomed by name by US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken. Mr. Nasser’s continued visit in violation of Section 7031(c) would suggest that the U.S. government does not take the torture allegations seriously.
More than a decade after the 2011 protests, Bahrain’s human rights situation has not improved. Bahrain’s largest prison, which houses prominent opposition leaders and human rights activists, was the site of a massive hunger strike last year to protest years of abuse and neglect. The U.S. government acknowledges Bahrain’s “serious human rights problems,” including inhuman or degrading treatment and punishment by the government, but there is little indication that these issues matter in its policy toward Bahrain. Not yet.
Since 2011, Bahrain has made concerted efforts to suppress torture allegations against Nasser and rebuild his public image. Not only has he avoided any form of responsibility, he has been promoted to a key position and currently serves as Bahrain’s National Security Adviser and Commander of the Royal Guards. As the founder and sponsor of various sporting events and national teams, including cycling, triathlons and equestrian sports, Nasser is a central figure in Bahrain’s well-known efforts to sportswash human rights abuses.
The United States should take the allegations of torture against Nasser seriously and should not give him a platform to repair his image. Human Rights First is calling on the U.S. government to comply with his country’s laws and stop welcoming Nasser to Washington and deny him entry.