Bahraini authorities prevented today -November 30, 2011- the representative of Human Rights Watch from attending the trials of journalist Reem Khalifa and members of the Board of Directors of the Bahrain Teachers Society.

The trial of journalist Reem Khalifa was postponed to December 15, 2011.

The trial of members of the Board of Directors of the Bahrain Teachers Society (BTS) was postponed to January 9, 2012. Additional information on trial ( http://byshr.org/?p=855)

The Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR) expresses its deep concern regarding the trial of the Board of Directors of the Bahrain Teachers Society (BTS) and journalist Reem Khalifa.

The Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR) expresses its deep concern regarding the trial of the Board of Directors of the Bahrain Teachers Society (BTS) because of their peaceful activities.

The hearing session on November 30th.

The defendants are present at the trial :

1- Mr.Anwar Abdul Aziz Akbar.
2- Mr.Salah AlBari.
3- Ms.Afrah AlAsfour.
4- Ms.Sana Abdul Razak.
5- Mr.Ali AlBanaa.
6- Ms.Fakharia Milad.
7- Ms.Gasoon Sayad Hamza.

Charges:

1-Taking part at illegal gatherings;
2-Inciting others to commit crimes;
3-leaving work on purpose and encouraging others to do so;
4-Disrupt the implementation of laws.

The Society was founded in 2002, previously called for improvement in teachers working conditions, and contributed to the protests since February 14, 2011.

BTS: Activities”2009″

On 13 March 2011, The BTS issued a statement criticizing the violations by the security forces in schools and called for a strike. (Ref: http://www.bhteachers.org/portal/news.php?action=view&id=61)

On 23 March 2011, Issued a statement to suspend strike. (Ref: http://www.bhteachers.org/portal/news.php?action=view&id=62)

On 6 April 2011, The Bahrain Teachers Society (BTS) suspended by Ministry of Development. (Ref: http://www.bna.bh/portal/news/451949).

BTS’s website blocked by Bahraini authorities: www.bhteachers.org

Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR) expresses deep concern at the targeting of institutions of civil society and calls for urgent action to stop the punishment of civil society institutions by the Bahraini authorities.

The Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR) expresses its deep concern regarding the trial of the Board of Directors of the Bahrain Teachers Society (BTS) because of their peaceful activities.

On 11 October 2011, The first hearing was held at the an ordinary court for Bahrain Teachers Society (BTS).

The defendants were present at the trial :

1- Mr.Anwar Abdul Aziz Akbar.
2- Mr.Salah AlBari.
3- Ms.Afrah AlAsfour.
4- Ms.Sana Abdul Razak.
5- Mr.Ali AlBanaa.
6- Ms.Fakharia Milad.
7- Ms.Gasoon Sayad Hamza.

Charges:

1-Taking part at illegal gatherings;
2-Inciting others to commit crimes;
3-leaving work on purpose and encouraging others to do so;
4-Disrupt the implementation of laws.

The Society was founded in 2002, previously called for improvement in teachers working conditions, and contributed to the protests since February 14, 2011.

BTS: Activities”2009″

On 13 March 2011, The BTS issued a statement criticizing the violations by the security forces in schools and called for a strike. (Ref: http://www.bhteachers.org/portal/news.php?action=view&id=61)

On 23 March 2011, Issued a statement to suspend strike. (Ref: http://www.bhteachers.org/portal/news.php?action=view&id=62)

On 6 April 2011, The Bahrain Teachers Society (BTS) suspended by Ministry of Development. (Ref: http://www.bna.bh/portal/news/451949).

BTS’s website blocked by Bahraini authorities: www.bhteachers.org

Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR) expresses deep concern at the targeting of institutions of civil society and calls for urgent action to stop the punishment of civil society institutions by the Bahraini authorities.

Ms. Al Salman (Left) and Mr. Abu Dheeb (Right)

Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR) is deeply concerned upon hearing today of the sentencing of the President of the Bahrain Teachers Association, Mr. Mahdi AbuDheeb, to 10 years in prison, by a Military court. His Vice President, Ms. Jaleela Alsalman, was sentenced to 3 years.

Charges:

1-inciting others to commit crimes;
2-calling for the hatred and overthrow of the ruling system;
3-holding pamphlets, disseminating fabricated stories and information;
4-leaving work on purpose and encouraging others to do so;
5-taking part at illegal gatherings.

On September 11, 2011, the President of the Teachers’ Society Mr. Mahdi AbuDheeb had announced his hunger strike to protest his arbitrary detention.

BYSHR urges the Special Rapporteur on torture and arbitrary detention take urgent action for the immediate release of pro-democracy activists.

Bahrain Youth Society For Human Rights (BYSHR) expresses its concern about the the health of the detainees on hunger strike who are protesting the unfair trials and arbitrary detention after their participation in protests demanding political and democratic reforms in Bahrain since 14th February 2011.

A human rights activist confirmed that the detainee Mr. Jaffar Abbas Hassan Jaffar (41 years) had lost consciousness while he had been in the courtroom and the hearing had halted to transport the detainee to hospital by ambulance.

She confirmed: “I saw the torture and mistreatment marks on Mr. Jaffar’s body ”.

Many of the detainees since the 14th February’s protests have gone on hunger strike to demand fair trials and to protest against the military tribunals and arbitrary detention for long periods.

The President of the Teachers’ Society Mr. Mahdi Abodeeb has announced his hunger strike since 11th September 2011 to protest arbitrary detention.

The information that BYSHR has received confirms that a number of the hunger strikers were taken to hospital for treatment, however they refused to be treated.

BYSHR demands the Special Rapporteur on torture and arbitrary detention an urgent action for the immediate release of pro-democracy activists and for respect of human rights.

List the names of hunger strikers in the prison of the Dry Dock (Click Here )

Ms. Al Salman (Left) and Mr. Abu Dheeb (Right)

Lawyer informed the BYSHR that the Teachers will be presented before a military court on 29th Aug, 2011.

The defendants:

1- Mr. Mahdi Isa Abu Dheeb – Chairman, Bahrain Teachers Society

2-Ms. Jalila Mohammed Ridha Al Salman – Deputy Chair, Bahrain Teachers Society

Charges:

1-inciting others to commit crimes;
2-calling for the hatred and overthrow of the ruling system;
3-holding pamphlets, disseminating fabricated stories and information;
4-leaving work on purpose and encouraging others to do so;
5-taking part at illegal gatherings.

Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR) expresses deep concern at the targeting of institutions of civil society and calls for urgent action to stop the punishment of civil society institutions by the Bahraini authorities.