King Hamad Grants Pardon to 457 Inmates

Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa has issued a royal pardon for 457 inmates to celebrate his 25th anniversary as ruler, with the aim of promoting social cohesion and justice. The release, which includes numerous political prisoners, is seen as an effort to ease regional tensions and uphold human rights principles. Videos circulating on social media captured emotional reunions as families welcomed their loved ones outside Jau prison. The pardon reflects Bahrain's commitment to balancing legal accountability with humanitarian considerations, providing inmates with a chance to reintegrate into society. This follows a previous pardon in April of 1,584 prisoners, indicating a broader strategy to improve relations with Iran and address dissent since the 2011 protests. The initiative has been commended by various oversight bodies for exceeding international treatment standards.