As Bahrain is torn apart by protests and brutal government repression, Dateline gains access to investigatea series ofmysterious deaths and disappearances.

Video journalist Yaara Bou Melhem had difficulty even getting into Bahrain to report for Dateline, and what she eventually found there was a regime determined to keep protesters quiet and out of the media.

But she sets about investigating the country’s dark secret of disappearances and deaths, including the backlash against the killing of a young father of two, Hani Jumah, in mysterious circumstances.

And Yaara hears of the persecution and fear of those wanting to speak out, but who face violent attacks for standing up for democracy, even in the hospitals where they’re sent for treatment.

Yaara won a UN Australia Media Peace Award in October and a Walkley Award for Excellence in Journalism for this report.