Bahrain's Commonwealth Membership: Understanding The Country's Status

Bahrain is a small Arab state situated in a bay on the southwestern coast of the Persian Gulf. It is an archipelago consisting of Bahrain Island and about 30 smaller islands. It was a British protectorate from the late 1800s until it declared independence in 1971. Bahrain is not currently a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. However, there have been suggestions that it, along with other Gulf states, should consider joining.

Bahrain's history as a British protectorate

In the 1820s, the rulers of Bahrain, Salman and Abdullah Al Khalifa, signed an agreement with the British to limit piracy in the area. In 1835, the British dictated peace treaties to many of the leaders of the Gulf, including Bahrain, which specified that rulers must make efforts to stop pirates operating in the area. This treaty also included a clause to limit the slave trade.

In 1861, the British signed another treaty with the Al Khalifa rulers of Bahrain, which placed the country under British protection. This treaty also prohibited the rulers of Bahrain from engaging in "the prosecution of war, piracy, or slavery". In return, Britain assumed responsibility for Bahrain's defence and for the conduct of its relations with other major powers.

In 1947, protection of Bahrain briefly became the responsibility of the government of British India, but this reverted to Britain following India's independence.

In 1968, Britain decided to withdraw all of its forces from the Gulf, which led Sheikh Isa ibn Salman Al Khalifa to proclaim Bahrain's independence in 1971. A treaty of friendship was signed with the United Kingdom, ending Bahrain's status as a British protectorate.

The UK's military presence in Bahrain

The UK has a long history of military presence in Bahrain, dating back to the early 19th century. In 1868, an agreement was made between the UK and Bahrain, stating that the ruler of Bahrain could not enter into relationships with other foreign governments without British consent. This agreement solidified Britain's influence in the region and marked the beginning of Bahrain's status as a British protectorate.

In 1935, the UK transferred its main naval base in the Persian Gulf to Bahrain, located at Mina Salman, and named it HMS Juffair. This base played a crucial role during World War II, supplying Britain with oil and serving as a centre of British naval operations. However, after World War II, the UK faced economic constraints and budgetary challenges, which led to a reevaluation of its global military presence. As a result, in 1968, the British government announced its intention to withdraw from the region by 1971, marking the end of the permanent Royal Navy presence in Bahrain.

Despite the withdrawal, the UK maintained its influence in the region and continued to hold defence ties with Bahrain and other Gulf states. In 2014, more than four decades after the initial withdrawal, the UK announced plans to establish a new permanent naval base in Bahrain, also named HMS Juffair, located at the Mina Salman Port. This base became operational in 2018 and can accommodate up to 500 military personnel. It serves as a hub for the Royal Navy's operations in the Persian Gulf, Indian Ocean, and Red Sea.

Bahrain's economy and trade

Bahrain's economy is heavily dependent on oil and gas, with petroleum being the country's most exported product, accounting for 60% of export receipts, 70% of government revenues, and 11% of GDP. However, Bahrain has the most diversified economy in the GCC region, with particular strengths in the financial services, ICT, manufacturing, logistics, and tourism sectors.

Bahrain has a liberalised environment, advanced infrastructure, and industries open for investment. The country offers 100% foreign ownership in most non-oil-based sectors, making it an attractive destination for foreign businesses. Bahrain's finance industry is very successful, with the country being named the world's fastest-growing financial centre by the City of London's Global Financial Centres Index in 2008. Bahrain's banking and financial services sector, particularly Islamic banking, have benefited from the regional boom driven by demand for oil.

Aluminium is the second-most exported product, followed by finance and construction materials. Bahrain has also invested in heavy industries and has a successful shipbuilding industry.

Bahrain has a well-developed road network and modern port and airport facilities, making it a regional financial and business hub. The country has signed several free trade agreements, including with the United States, and is a member of the World Trade Organization.

The country has a talented and highly skilled population, with a strong work-life balance culture, making it an attractive location for businesses. Bahrain's government works closely with businesses to enhance the business-friendly ecosystem through policy reform.

Trade with the Commonwealth

As a former British protectorate, Bahrain has strong historical ties with the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth nations. While not a member of the Commonwealth itself, Bahrain could benefit from joining the organization to strengthen its economic and security relationships with these countries. The Commonwealth provides a platform for cooperation and union between members and offers trade advantages, with research showing that trade with another Commonwealth member can be up to 50% higher than with a non-member.

With the UK being the premier international destination for Gulf investors, Bahrain could further integrate its economic future with the Commonwealth and benefit from increased foreign direct investment and expanded trade partnerships with emerging markets.

Bahrain's political system

Bahrain is a constitutional monarchy ruled by a Sunni royal family, the Al Khalifas, since the late 1700s. The current ruler, King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, has been in power since 1999. While the country gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1971, the UK has continued to maintain varying degrees of political and economic influence over Bahrain.

The Bahraini government is appointed by the King, who also appoints the members of the upper house of parliament, the Shura Council. The Shura Council can veto legislation passed by the elected lower house, the Council of Representatives.

Bahrain's population is predominantly Shia, but the ruling class is Sunni. This divide has led to long-running tensions, which have resulted in civil disobedience and violent incidents. Shia Bahrainis claim they are treated like second-class citizens and are denied equal housing, health, and education benefits. They also say that most government institutions refuse to hire them.

The Bahraini political system has been criticised for eliminating a broad range of political rights and civil liberties, with media outlets being under tight official control.

The country's human rights record

Bahrain's human rights record has been described as "dismal" by Human Rights Watch, with reports of torture and forced disappearances being commonplace in the country. The Bahraini government has been accused of marginalising the native Shia Muslim population, who make up the majority of the citizen population. The government's crackdown on protesters during the 2011 Arab Spring brought further human rights complaints, including the destruction of dozens of long-standing Shia mosques.

Torture is regularly employed by the Bahraini government, with reports of physical and psychological abuse of detainees. The Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry, established by King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa in 2011, confirmed that there were incidents of physical and psychological abuse on detainees, but was criticised for not disclosing the names of individual perpetrators and for only holding accountable those who actively carried out the human rights violations.

There is also a growing problem of stateless people, known as Bedoon, in Bahrain. These individuals, who are often descendants of Iranians, are denied the right to hold legal residency, travel abroad, buy houses, own land, start a business, borrow loans, send their children to public schools, or receive free medical care. They can also be deported at any time, and hundreds have been deported to Iran since the beginning of the 1980s.

Bahrain has been criticised for its treatment of migrant workers, who make up the majority of the country's workforce. In 2011, Human Rights Watch claimed to have found evidence that protections for migrant workers had improved. However, in 2021, Human Rights Watch and Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy reported that children aged between 11 and 17 were being held by Bahraini police over protest-related cases, where they were beaten and threatened with rape and electric shocks.

Bahrain has also been accused of religious discrimination, with Shia Muslims allegedly facing "apartheid" and being denied key government posts or service in the police or military. Jobs in the police and armed forces are reserved for Sunnis, and Sunni Saudis are admitted to Bahrain as citizens to fill these roles. Shia Muslims and some Sunnis of Persian origin are banned from residing in the city of West Riffa, where only Sunni Muslims are permitted to live.

The Bahraini government has also been criticised for its treatment of women, with the country's family laws discriminating against women's right to divorce, inherit, and transmit Bahraini nationality to their children on an equal basis to men. Article 353 of the penal code previously allowed perpetrators of rape to escape prosecution if they married their victims, but this was annulled in June 2023.

In terms of freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly, Bahrain has been accused of arresting, prosecuting, and harassing human rights defenders, journalists, opposition leaders, and defence lawyers, including for their social media activity. All independent Bahraini media have been banned from operating in the country since 2017, and all opposition groups have been dissolved.

Overall, Bahrain's human rights record remains a cause for concern, with reports of torture, forced disappearances, religious discrimination, and violations of freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly.

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