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.”

The Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR) expresses its great concern regarding the local authorities’ arrest of children who are less than 16 years of age on charges of participating in protests and accusing them of criminal charges.

The local authorities arrested S. Ali Mustafa Al-Muhafdha – 16 years old – on 14 June and he was accused of “assembling, possession of Molotov and attacking security patrols”.

According to the information received by the BYSHR from the S. Ali’s family, he suffers from very poor health and the officials at the “Dry Dock Prison” refuse to transfer him to a specialized doctor.

In July 2012, the local authorities arrested Mohammed Abbas Al-Mulani – 16 years old –Mohsen Mohammed Al-Arab – 13 years old – Mirza Abdul-shaheed Mirza – 12 years old – and they were accused of “criminal arson”.

The judge refused to release them and kept Al-Arab and Mirza in juvenile prison, and as to Al-Mulani he was transferred to “Dry Dock Prison”.

The local authorities accused these children of charges related to the political situation in the country and especially during the recent escalation of protests in Bahrain.

The BYSHR fears that children are being ill-treated given the past mistreatment the BYSHR had monitored before towards those accused in cases related to the political situation in the country, and emphasizes that the judiciary is not independent or unbiased in dealing with such cases.

The Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR) demands the authorities to immediately release the children and to stop all kinds of arbitrary arrests of children and accusing them of political charges, and to independently and objectively investigate the claims of mistreatment in prison.

Hussam Mohammed AlHaddad-16 years old- died after being shot by security forces in Muharraq.

Two witnesses confirmed to the Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR) that Hussam was shot using bird shotgun by security forces at 9:30pm ( August 17) and then subjected to severe beatings by 15 (approximately) unknown individuals.

Witnesses confirmed that Hussam was involved in the protests in support of the Palestinian people.

At one o’clock in the morning ( August 18) – approximately – Ministry of Interior announced that he died at hospital.

Statement of the Ministry of the Interior (Arabic) (Click Here)

The BYSHR documented the injuries of many demonstrators and has received reports of excessive use of force by riot police using bird shotgun.

Learn more about the campaign against the use of bird shotgun (Click Here)

The BYSHR demanding, the following:

1-Immediate and urgent investigation in the case of the death of Hussam Mohammed AlHaddad.

2-Prevent security forces immediately from the use of bird shotgun against demonstrations.

3-Allow peaceful demonstrations without legal barriers.

Mr. Ali Yousif AlSatrawi -16 years old- was run over last night (19th of November) by Bahrain security forces during a protest at Juffair- in the capital Manama- and died at the scene.

This case similar other cases in that:

1- Sanabis village ( 4-Nov-2011) : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yeiu33FAi7U&feature=related

2-Sanabis village ( 4-Nov-2011) : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQB-N-fPO0c

3- In different villages: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fiY5FljGHEY

The Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR) documented the injuries of many demonstrators and has received reports of excessive use of force by riot police as well as the intentional damaging of private property in an attempt to terrorize village inhabitants.

BYSHR is urging the authorities in Manama to start an investigation and bring the perpetrators to justice.

Ali Jawad Ahmad 14 years old Bahraini has been killed this morning.

As witnesses told Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR) that Ali was participating in a peaceful anti government march early morning today in Sitra . Ali shot directly with tear gas from Bahrain Security forces when they used excessive force against the demonstrators.

One of the victim’s relative said that he was taken immediately to the Sitra’s health center, he lost his life at 9:37 am (Approximately)

Security forces surrounded the Health center of Sitra to prevent the demonstrators.

BYSHR is urging the authorities in Manama to start an investigation and bring the perpetrators to justice.

On June 7th 2011, the court sentenced the child Mohammed Salman Majid Hassan (15 years old) to serve a two year imprisonment.

Mohammed was arrested on the 6th April 2011, and the court charged him with taking part in illegal protests and disrupting public security and rioting.

The court held two hearings for Mohammed:

The first hearing: He was not allowed to inform his family or the lawyer.

The second hearing: Mohammed called his family for the first time since his arrest, to request a lawyer, however his parents could not provide a lawyer in this short notice, and he only met his family for the first time in the court.

“Mohammed was subjected to ill-treatment during the first days of his arrest” Mohammed’s family stated to the BYSHR.

“We searched for a long time until we found a lawyer who is willing to file an appeal for the ruling tomorrow (14th June 2011)”, Mohammed’s family informed the BYSHR.

The Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR) expresses its deep concern regarding the trial of children, without legal assistance or allowing them to contact their families, and considers that the child Mohammed was subjected to an unfair trial; especially that he was tried before a military court. The BYSHR calls for the Special Rapporteur of Independence of the judiciary to take urgent actions.

Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR) is deeply concerned about sentencing of 3 demonstrators Today in National Safety court ( Military court) .

Today 30 May 2011 , 3 demonstrators sentenced :

1- Hassan Abdullah Saeed was sentenced to two year imprisonment for taking part in illegal protests and disrupting public order.

2-Mohammed Ali Kadhim was sentenced to one year imprisonment for taking part in illegal protests and disrupting public order.

3-Ahmed Ali Mohammed was sentenced to three year imprisonment for taking part in illegal protests and disrupting public order and The obtaining of publications that contain content inciting the overthrow of the regime.

Case on-going:

Mohammed Ebrahim Khatem -15 years old – The case has been adjourned till 5 June, 2011 for the final pleading.The judge refused the request for release. (Ref:http://byshr.org/?p=518)

Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR) is deeply concerned about trial of a child before a military court.

Today 24 Monday 2011 , The second hearing session for Mohammed Ebrahim Khatem before a military court (National Safety court).

He is 15 years old, was arrested from his house at 1:30 am.

“Mohammed was arrested 20 days ago” his family said.

Charges: Gathering for more than 5 people without a authorization and riot.

The family informed BYSHR, that the only time they saw him after his arrest was at the first court hearing session.

The case has been adjourned till 30 May, 2011.

Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR) documented the testimonies of detainees (have been released recently) and decided to publish some of what has been documented.

BYSHR is deeply concerned about this Allegations of Child Abuse in Bahrain.

First Allegation: 14 years old – Fatima (full name withheld)

Security forces raided our school, and I was arrested amongst a group of students, and force to stand under the sun for a long time.

And she (the student) said, “They forced us to chant pro-government slogans”.

She continues, “We were transported from the school to the police station, and we were beaten and sworn at on the bus that transported us, and they forced us to keep our hands raised up from 10 in the morning till 1 in the afternoon”.

The student says, “In the interrogation room in the police centre, I was asked to disclose the names of the teachers and students that were against the government, I informed them that I do not have any knowledge of them, consequently I was beaten on the face and head, with a water hose”.

She continues, “They wrote an interrogation report and forced me to sign it, and I also had to sign a pledge that I would attend to the police station at anytime of their request”.

Second Allegation: 15 years old – Hassan (full name withheld)

Security forces raided my village, and I was arrested at a location where a group of youth were getting ready to arrange a peaceful rally.

The child says, “One of the security officers in the police car placed a tear gas canister in my mouth and informed me that if I spoke or if the canister dropped from my mouth, he would ignite it and put it in my mouth again. They covered my eyes with a length of fabric and tied my hands from the back”.

The child continues, “As the car was travelling I had to endure beatings and verbal abuse, and one of the security officers began to remove my clothes, and told me that he loves to have relationships with young boys, as I was crying he stopped removing my clothes”.

The boy says, “After they abused us in the police station, we were taken to the ‘Criminal Investigation Building’ and I was questioned regarding the rally and was beaten by people I cannot identify, after this we were escorted to a room with a doctor who then examined us, we were then transported to the Dry Dock Prison”.

He continues, “In the Dry Dock Prison we were forced to chant pro-government slogans, and were beaten and cursed, and were only allowed one meal for more than 10 days, after that we were allowed to have three meals, pray, shower and my tied hands were moved from behind my back to the front”.

And he says, “I have heard sounds of screaming from several of the boys while being tortured and this was very physiologically affecting”.

Arrests ‘crucial’ in clamp on juveniles

By SANDEEP SINGH GREWAL , Posted on » Monday, November 22, 2010

BAHRAIN’s police force yesterday defended the arrests of juveniles as part of a crackdown on street violence.

It follows calls by rights activists for children currently being held in custody to be released.

The Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR) claims 76 youngsters, aged 10 to 17, are among 355 people rounded up by police.

However, the Interior Ministry yesterday said the juveniles in custody were suspected of rioting, arson and vandalism.

Security forces had acted within the law by arresting juveniles thought to be involved in crime and it was up to the Public Prosecution to either detain or release themthe ministry said in a statement to the GDN.

(more…)