Dr. Nada Dhaif is a Bahraini oral and dental surgeon and founder of the Bahrain Rehabilitation and Anti-Violence Organization (BRAVO). Dhaif was one of 20 medical professionals who were arrested, imprisoned, and tortured during the 2011 Bahraini uprisings for treating pro-democracy protesters. She was held in solitary confinement for 22 days and was forced to sign a false confession admitting to hatred of the regime. After her release, Dhaif founded BRAVO, the first NGO of its kind in the Gulf region that seeks to support victims of torture or violence, achieve compliance and adherence to human rights principles, and end the practice of torture. Dhaif was exonerated of her charges in June 2012, following an appeal. In 2015, Dhaif became an Ashoka Fellow for her work supporting victims of violence and torture.
