Nedal AlSalman

Nedal AlSalman is a Bahraini human rights defender, women’s rights advocate, and civil society leader with more than two decades of experience promoting human rights, democracy, gender equality, and civic freedoms in Bahrain and internationally. She currently serves as the Director of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR), one of Bahrain’s leading independent human rights organizations, where she works to document human rights violations and advocate for the protection of fundamental freedoms.

AlSalman is the Vice President of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), a global network of human rights organizations operating in more than 100 countries. She also served as President of the IFEX from 2016 to 2023, becoming one of the most prominent voices advocating for freedom of expression, press freedom, and the protection of journalists and human rights defenders worldwide.

Throughout her career, AlSalman has focused on supporting women human rights defenders, combating discrimination, advancing gender equality, and defending civic space. She has represented civil society at numerous international forums, including sessions of the United Nations Human Rights Council, where she has raised concerns regarding human rights conditions in Bahrain and the wider region.

Her advocacy has come at a personal cost. Due to her human rights work, she has faced reprisals, including a travel ban, threats, harassment, and digital surveillance. Despite these challenges, she has continued to advocate for justice, accountability, and the protection of human rights defenders.

Recognized internationally for her leadership and commitment to human rights, Nedal AlSalman remains an influential voice in global civil society, working to strengthen human rights movements and ensure that the voices of victims and marginalized communities are heard at national, regional, and international levels.