Sexual Conduct Law – Bahrain

Overview

Bahrain’s legal system is a blend of civil law, Sharia (Islamic) law, and customary practice. While it is often described as one of the Gulf’s more socially liberal states, sexual conduct is still regulated by law, and enforcement can be strict in cases involving public scandal, non-consensual acts, or violations of modesty norms.

Sex Outside Marriage

Consensual sexual relations between unmarried adults are illegal under Bahraini law. Article 324 of the Penal Code criminalizes adultery, with penalties including imprisonment of up to 2 years. If the accused is married, penalties may be harsher, and prosecution can proceed upon a spouse’s complaint.

While prosecutions for private consensual sex are rare for foreigners, they occur when there is a police report, a public disturbance, or an unrelated investigation revealing the conduct.

Prostitution & Solicitation

Prostitution is illegal under Articles 324–326, with penalties of 2–5 years imprisonment. Managing or operating a brothel can result in longer sentences. Foreign nationals convicted may be deported after serving their sentence.

LGBTQ+ Relations

Same-sex sexual conduct is not explicitly illegal for adults in private, but public morality laws are often used to target LGBTQ+ individuals. Police raids on private gatherings have resulted in arrests under “public immorality” or “cross-dressing” laws. Discretion is strongly advised.

Public Decency & Obscenity

Public displays of affection can be prosecuted under modesty and public order laws, carrying penalties of fines or short-term imprisonment. Obscene acts in public are punishable under Article 351.

Production or distribution of pornography is strictly prohibited, with penalties of up to 5 years imprisonment.

Sexual Assault & Related Crimes

• Rape (Article 344): 7 years to life imprisonment, depending on aggravating factors.
• Indecent assault (Article 346): 1–7 years imprisonment.
• Sexual exploitation of minors (Articles 347–348): severe penalties up to life imprisonment.

Enforcement Reality

Enforcement is most likely in cases involving public behavior, accusations from locals, or hotel policy violations. Many hotels will refuse to allow an unregistered guest of the opposite sex to access rooms, especially if neither party is Bahraini.

“Even in the more relaxed Gulf states, once the police are involved, it becomes very formal, very quickly.” — expat in Manama