03 Dec 2012

The Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR) expresses its grave concern for what is happening in the Dry Dock Prison – temporary prison – of violations against those detained for political cases, where the prison officials targeted the prisoners because of releasing a statement under the name of “Prisoner of Conscience Coalition”.

Photo: “Prisoners of Conscience Coalition in Bahrain” statement

On 27 November 2012, cyber activists published a statement under the title “Prisoners of Conscience Coalition in Bahrain”, the statement indicated the violations taking place in prison and the unjust trials that those detained for political cases are subjected to. The statement called for holding events in solidarity with the prisoners.

According to information received by the BYSHR from inside the “Dry Dock Prison”, the prisoners in “3,6,2,9″ words have suffered violations by the security forces, where the prison officials raided the words, searched them in derogatory and insulting manner, and the prisoners were beaten and tortured by the security forces in the sports field.

One of the prisoners – in a phone call – said to the BYSHR, “I have seen the security forces beat the prisoners and then I saw blood on the sports filed” and the call was disconnected.

One of the prisoners – in a phone call – confirmed that the security forces on 27 November 2012 targeted the prisoners’ beliefs and cursed and swore at the Shiite clerics.

According to the information received by the BYSHR the prison warden ordered to put at least two prisoners in solitary confinement.

On 1 September 2012, Director-General of Prisons visited the Dry Dock Prison and according to information from the prisoners, he was threatened the prisoners because of the “Prisoners of Conscience Coalition in Bahrain” statement.

In a phone call to the BYSHR, one of the prisoners said, “the chambers were raided and at least three people were taken to an unknown place, and among those was Mr. Mohammed Al-Tal – “a well-known pro-democracy activists”.

Photo: Mr. Mohammed Al-Tal

The BYSHR could not obtain any extra information about what is taking place inside the prison because communication is almost entirely lost.

The BYSHR calls for the following:

1. the immediate and urgent release of the peaceful and pro-democracy activists;

2. the urgent and independent investigation in the allegations of abuse against prisoners in the Dry Dock Prison, and the Jaw Central Prison and police stations;

3. Bring forth those responsible for abusing prisoners to fair trials.

Photo: Shiia religious venues “called “Matam” in Arabic”

19 November 2012

The Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR) and the Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR) express their grave concern for the measures taken by the Bahraini Ministry of Interior against a group of Shiia clerics and a group of those responsible for Shiia religious places, after summoning and threatening them.

On the 12th of November, 2012, the Bahraini Minister of Interior met with the head of Shiia religious venues – called “Matam” in Arabic – where he issued a warning against addressing political issues that are related to local affairs during the month of Muharram. During this month, Muslims, and especially Shiia, hold events to mourn the martyrdom of the Prophet Mohammed’s grandchildren – and the Minister warned the clerics against addressing any political issues in Bahrain. (Refer to the Ministry of Interior statement: http://www.bna.bh/portal/en/news/532957?date=2012-11-13)

On the 17th of November, 2012, the Bahraini authorities arrested the cleric Mr. Kamel Al-Hashimi, and the prosecutor ordered a seven-day imprisonment pending further investigation. The cleric Mr. Ahmed Al-Majed was also arrested because of speeches he gave in this religious place, Matam, after he addressed the political situation in Bahrain.

On 18th of November, 2012, the Bahraini Authorities summoned the clerics Mr. Elias Al-Marzooqi, Mr. Hasan Al-Aali, Mr. Mahmood Taheri, Mr. Jaffar Saegh, Mr. Kadhim Darwish, Mr. Hussein AlAmiri, the Islamic singer Mahdi Sahwan, the Islamic singer Abdul-ameer Al-Biladi, the Islamic singer Abather Al-Halwaji, the Islamic singer Hussein Ahmed, the Islamic singer Sayed Alawi
Alalawi and others for interrorgation.

The Bahraini Authorities also summoned those responsible for the Shiia religious places – Matam – in the following villages: Bani Jamra, Aali, Saar, Bilad-al-qadeem – Karzakan – Sanabis – Isa Town and others, and they warned the clerics against addressing the current state of political affairs of Bahrain.

The Security Forces removed religious signs and banners belonging to the Shiia sect from roads and buildings (especially religious places). The Security Forces also warned people not to re-install these signs and banners in more than 8 villages.

The Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR) and the Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR) believe that the Bahraini authorities, through these measures against the Shiia sect, intend to restrict the freedom of belief and to create a sectarian conflict between Shiia and Sunni muslims in order to distract the public debate away from the issues of corruption, racial discrimination and human rights violations that sparked the public public protests on the 14th of February 2011.

The Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR) and the Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR) call for the following actions:

1. Stop targeting freedom of belief and allow all sects in Bahrain to express their opinion.
2. The Bahraini Authorities must stop the frequent attempts of creating a sectarian conflict in order to confine the public protests.
3. Bring forth those responsible for targeting freedom of belief to justice.

November 9, 2012

The Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR) and the Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR) express their grave concern regarding the news of the death of 16 year old Ali Radhi. Security forces enforced a siege around a central mosque in the village of Duraz today to prevent people from Friday prayers. When security forces blocked the streets, people headed to Duraz on foot in an attempt to reach the mosque.

People climbing over walls in attempt to get to Duraz for Friday prayer

The security forces attempted to prevent hundreds of people from getting to Duraz by using teargas, in one instance reportedly shooting tear gas directly into a car full of women as shown in this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=w9WSK-Hmhgk#!

Pictures from the attack on people today

According to eyewitnesses, Ali Abbas Radhi-16 years old- and a few friends were walking towards Duraz when they were chased by riot police. Ali Abbas Radhi reportedly ran into the highway to get away from the riot police when he was hit by a civilian car which caused his death. The BYSHR and BCHR hold the Ministry of Interior responsible for the death of Ali Abbas Radhi.

Middle: Ali Abbas Radhi. Left: Ali Abbas Radhi in the hospital. Right: Ali Abbas Radhi after being hit.

The BYSHR and the BCHR call on the United States, the United Kingdom, the United Nations, and all other close allies and international institutions to put pressure on Bahrain to:

1. Immediately stop attacking religious processions
2. Respect people’s right to freedom of religion
3. Stop the use of excessive force against civilians
4. Immediately launch independent investigations into the death of Ali Abbas Radhi and all other victims killed since February 14th 2011.
5. Hold accountable all those who are taking part in, supervising, overlooking, giving orders and/or knowingly allowing human rights violations and extra-judicial killings to take place.

The BCHR and the BYSHR remind the Bahraini authorities of Article 18 of the Universal Declaration for Human Rights:

“Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.”

“Freedom of conscience is absolute. The State shall guarantee the inviolability of places of worship and the freedom to perform religious rites and to hold religious processions and meetings in accordance with the customs observed in the country”. (Article 22/ Bahrain Constitution).

On 12 April 2011, Minister of Interior announced that the religious processions- for Shia Community- are not allowed “temporarily” due to the National Safety law (Emergency law). Ref: http://www.alwasatnews.com/3140/news/read/537003/1.html

On 4 June 2011, Bahrain TV announced that the religious processions- for Shia Community- are allowed after the end of the National Safety law (Emergency law).

On 5 June 2011, Hundreds took part in religious processions. (Attached photo 1)

The riot police attacked the religious processions in several areas (Ma’ameer, Sitra, karzakan, Buri, A’ali, Dair, Kawara, Hamala, Duraz and other). Ref “Ma’ameer village:

The assaults by riot police lead to injuries amongst the participants in religious processions. (Attached photo 2, 3)

The riot police later detained the participants in the religious processions.

The Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR) expresses deep concern at the targeting of religious processions and emphasizes that freedom of religion in Bahrain is in danger. BYSHR calls for the Special Rapporteur of Religious freedom to take urgent actions.