REPORT ON FRONT LINE HEARING OBSERVATION: HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS IN BAHRAIN

A report of the hearing of:

• Ali Abdulemam (blogger and owner of bahrainonline.org);
• Dr. Abduljalil Al-Sengai (spokesman and Director of the Human Rights Bureau of the Haq Movement for Civil Liberties and Democracy);
• Abdul-Ghani Khanjar (spokesperson for the Bahraini National Committee for Martyrs and Victims of Torture);
• Suhail Al-Shehabi (Committee of the Relatives of Detainees and the Committee of the Unemployed);
• Ahmed Jawad Al-Fardan (Committee of the Relatives of Detainees in Karzakan);
• Ali Jawad Al-Fardan (Committee of the Relatives of Detainees in Karzakan);
• Salman Naji (Committee of the Unemployed);
• AbdulHadi Al-Saffar (chairman of the Committee Against High Prices);
• Hassan Al-Haddad (member of the Committee of the Unemployed);
• Mr Jaffar Al-Hessabi (dual British-Bahraini national, independent human rights defender supporting the rights of detainees in Bahrain);
• Dr Mohammed Saeed (board member of the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights),

High Criminal Court, Manama, Bahrain – 11 November 2010

INTRODUCTION

Front Line works worldwide for the protection of human rights defenders at risk, people who work, non-violently, for any or all of the rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Front Line publicly reported on numerous occasions on the trial against a number of human rights defenders facing charges of “terrorist” activities in Bahrain, and repeatedly called for their release and for the charges to be dropped as they appeared to be motivated by their legitimate human rights work.

Front Line commissioned Ms Charlotte Peevers, an English qualified Barrister, to conduct a visit to Bahrain in early November 2010 to observe the proceedings. Ms Peevers attended the session of the trial held on 11 November 2010 before the High Criminal Court.

Ms Peevers sought to meet with representatives of the Ministry of Justice and the Public Prosecutor’s Office. Ministry of Justice Officials indicated they were unwilling to discuss the case as both the Minister of Justice and his Deputy were out of the country at the time.

Unfortunately, although the PPO did appear willing to discuss the trial there were apparently bureaucratic difficulties that prevented a meeting. It was, however, possible to meet with lawyers of the detainees, human rights activists, and family members of the detainees.

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15 April 2010

Re: Bahrain – Four human rights defenders sentenced to three years imprisonment

Four human rights defenders who were acquitted in the High Criminal Court in October 2009 after the case against them collapsed when forensic evidence proved police statements to be false, have apparently now been convicted and sentenced by the Court of Appeal. Reports indicate that the human rights defenders, Sadeq Jawad Ahmed Al-Fardan, member of the Committee of the Unemployed; Sayed Omran Hameed Adnan, member of the Committee Against One Percent; Fadhel Abbas Mohamed Ashoor, member of the Committee to Combat High Prices; and Habib Mohamed Habib Ashoor, member of the Committee for Detainees were sentenced on the 28 March 2010 by the Court of Appeals to three years in prison, for the alleged murder of a police officer and the attempted killing of two of his comrades during a riot. The four human rights defenders have not yet been re-arrested.

On 13 October 2009, Sadeq Jawad Ahmed Al-Fardan, Sayed Omran Hameed Adnan, Fadhel Abbas Mohamed Ashoor and Habib Mohamed Habib Ashoor were acquitted on all charges in the aforementioned case by the the High Criminal Court, after a trial that lasted 15 months, in which the scientific evidence and in particular the forensic report had proven that the police statement related to the case was false.

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Bahrain: De facto closure of the Bahrain Nursing Society
Posted on 2010/03/26

The Bahrain Nursing Society, founded in 1991 and located in the State Hospital in Salmaniya, was de facto closed on 23 March 2010, allegedly by the Ministry of Health.
Further Information

The Bahrain Nursing Society focuses its work on defending the rights of its members – who are mainly nurses – working in the health sector. It has a license to operate and functions within the realms of the law.

On 23 March 2010, just before 7am, the Society’s administrator went to the Bahrain Nursing Society’s office and discovered that the locks had been changed.

According to information received, the de facto closure of the Bahrain Nursing Society is directly related to a reception scheduled to take place in the office on 23 March to welcome the release, on 21 March 2010, of Mr Ibrahim Al-Dimistani, the Secretary-General of the Society. Ibrahim Al-Dimistani had been arrested on 17 March 2010 for “hiding and harbouring a fugitive”, under Article 256 of the Penal Code. The “fugitive” was a protester who was badly injured during a demonstration in the village of Kazakan on 14 March 2010. Ibrahim Al-Dimistani provided him with first aid and recommended him to go to Salmaniya hospital for further treatment.

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http://www.frontlinedefenders.org/node/2367

Bahrain: Media harassment of human rights defenders Mr Nabeel Rajab, Mr Mohamed Al-Maskati and Mr Abdul Ghani Al-Khanjar
Posted on 2010/02/18

A media harassment campaign has recently been launched against human rights defenders Mr Nabeel Rajab, Mr Mohamed Al-Maskati and Mr Abdul Ghani Al-Khanjar. Nabeel Rajab is the president of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights, Mohamed Al-Maskati is the president of the Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights, and Abdul Ghani Al-Khanjar is the spokesperson for the National Committee for Martyrs and Victims of Torture.
Further Information

Front Line previously issued appeals concerning Nabeel Rajab on 25 November 2009, 30 October 2008, 22 September 2006, 20 July 2005, 14 June 2005 and 29 September 2004, and concerning Mohamed Al-Maskati on 5 February 2009, 3 November 2008, 19 December 2007 and 1 February 2007.

Recently, local online newspapers The Gulf News (http://www.akhbar-alkhaleej.com) and Al Watan News (http://www.alwatannews.net) as well as the Bahrain Radio Station have issued false statements concerning the aforementioned human rights defenders. The three defenders have repeatedly been accused by these media outlets of committing violent acts, using Molotov bombs, and of betraying their country.

This campaign began following the publication of the Human Rights Watch report “Torture Redux” on the use of torture in Bahrain, on 8 February 2010. In the report, Human Rights Watch expressed its thanks to the human rights activists who assisted in the preparation of the report including Nabeel Rajab, Mohamed Al-Maskati and Abdul Ghani Al-Khanjar.

Front Line believes that Nabeel Rajab, Mohamed Al-Maskati and Abdul Ghani Al-Khanjar have been targeted as a result of their human rights activities, in particular their involvement in the preparation of the recent Human Rights Watch report on the use of torture in Bahrain. Front Line fears for the physical and psychological integrity of the aforementioned defenders.

Bahrain: Abduction and beating of human rights defender, Mr Jaafar Kadhim

2009/05/14

Front Line is deeply concerned following reports of the abduction and beating of human rights defender Mr Jaafar Kadhim in Manama, on 7 May 2009. Jaafar Kadhim has worked for the Committee of Activists and Prisoners of Conscience since December 2007 and has helped to organise peaceful marches and protests for the rights of detainees. In 2007-2008 he hosted many meetings in his house between relatives of detainees and visiting foreign journalists and international human rights organisations such as Amnesty International. Front Line previously issued an appeal concerning the detention of Jaafar Kadhim on 5 February 2009.

On 7 May 2009, at approximately 8.45pm, Jaafar Kadhim was abducted by a group of men in plain clothes driving two separate cars, a red Tida and a grey Lancer. Jaafar Kadhim was driving his own car near Jidhafs Medical Center, west of Manama, when his car was stopped by the men in the two cars. They pulled the human rights defender out of his car and blindfolded him. He was then driven for about 10 minutes to an unknown destination where he was severely beaten until he eventually lost consciousness. When he regained consciousness he managed to find his way to the nearby house of his friend Mr Hassan Mushaima from where he was transferred to hospital by ambulance.

Front Line is deeply concerned for the physical and psychological integrity of Jaafar Kadhim and believes that the abduction and beating of this human rights defender is an attempt to sanction him for his peaceful and legitimate work in defence of human rights.

Bahrain: Deteriorating situation for human rights defenders
Posted on 2009/03/02

Rally to mark the end of the humger strike in Bahrain.Human rights defenders in Bahrain are facing increasing repression. The authorities have sought to target independent human rights defenders and their organisations and restrict human rights activities. Human Rights defenders have been subjected to intimidation, arbitrary detention, torture and ill-treatment, fabricated judicial proceedings, threats and harassment. In 2009 Human rights defenders in Bahrain are clearly facing a series of severe violations of their legitimate rights to promote, protect, and defend human rights in Bahrain.

Further Information
On the 10th of February, the name of human rights defender Abbass Abdulaziz Al-Omran, board member of BCHR, was included in the indictment that Bahrain’s Public Prosecutor sent to the Grand Criminal Court in connection with case number 1403/2008 which deals with the alleged “terror plot”.

Al-Omran has been a member of BCHR since 2002 and became a board member of the BCHR in 2008. He is heavily involved in the activities of the Committee of Unemployed and Low-waged Workers, the Committee of Martyrs and Victims of Torture, and the Committee of Families of Detainees.

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Bahrain: Arbitrary arrest and detention of human rights defenders, Mr Ali Hassan Salman and Mr Jaafar Kadhim Ebrahim

Posted on 2009/02/09

Front Line is concerned following reports that human rights defenders, Mr Ali Hassan Salman and Mr Jaafar Kadhim Ebrahim, were arbitrarily arrested on 4 February 2009. Both human rights defenders have worked for the Committee of Activists and Prisoners of Conscience since December 2007 and have helped to organise peaceful marches and protests for the rights of detainees. During an Amnesty International visit to Bahrain in 2008, Ali Hassan Salman and Jafaar Kadhim Ebrahim coordinated meetings between families of detainees and Amnesty International.

Further Information
On 4 February 2009, at approximately 2.45 a.m., the houses of both Ali Hassan Salman and Jaafar Kadhim Ebrahim were raided by security forces. Ali Hassan Salman was arrested and beaten in front of his family during the raid, causing his mother to faint. His glasses were also broken. Jaafar Kadhim Ebrahim, who lives in the same area, was arrested within 15 minutes. No arrest warrant was shown and no reasons were given for either of the arrests. Since their arrests, Ali Hassan Salman and Jafaar Kadhim Ebrahim have not been allowed to communicate with their families and lawyers.

Front Line believes that Ali Hassan Salman and Jafaar Kadhim Ebrahim have been arrested because of their legitimate and peaceful activities in the defence of human rights, in particular their work to coordinate meetings between Amnesty Intenational and families of detainees. Front Line is concerned for the physical and psychological integrity of Ali Hassan Salman and Jafaar Kadhim Ebrahim while in detention.

Bahrain: Increasing restrictions on the activities of human rights defenders
Posted on 2009/02/03
Human rights defenders in Bahrain are facing increasing restrictions on their activities. The authorities have sought to target independent human rights organisations including the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights and restrict human rights activities. Human Rights defenders have been subjected to arbitrary detention, torture and ill-treatment, fabricated judicial proceedings, threats and harassment.

Further Information
According to the Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR), during the last two years the Government, represented by the Ministry of Development, has waged a campaign against local NGOs registered under Law 21/1989. Most human rights organisations refer to this law as one of the obstacles hindering the work of local NGOs in Bahrain. In addition, the Ministry of Development has launched another campaign against unregistered committees and NGOs that have refused to be registered according to such a defective law that hinders their social work.

The Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights submitted its request for a license in 2005. However, the Ministry is still refusing to grant the license without any reasonable grounds. The Government has targeted the leaders of the organisation on several occasions and has attempted to suppress its activities.

Also, the Ministry of Development has rejected the registration request by the Child Association for reasons that contradict the provisions of the International Convention on the Rights of the Child, of which Bahrain is a signatory. The Convention stipulates that children have the right to establish their own organisations to protect their rights. The Association submitted its application in 2004.

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Bahrain: Arbitrary detention of human rights defender Abdul-Redha Hassan Al-Saffar
Front Line is deeply concerned following reports that the Bahrainian authorities have refused to disclose the whereabouts of human rights defender, Mr Abdul-Redha Hassan Al-Saffar, who was arbitrarily arrested, early in the morning of 21 December 2008, from his residence in Mahooze village by state security forces despite there being no arrest warrant against him. No reason has been given for his arrest and his whereabouts are as yet unknown.
Further Information

Posted 06 January 2009. Abdul-Redha Hassan Al-Saffar, 36 years old, has been active in helping the families of the detainees in Bahrain and has also worked to support the Unemployed Committee. He is well known for his role in organising peaceful sit-ins in collaboration with the families of detainees and the Unemployed Committee.

Front Line believes that the arbitrary detention of Abdul-Redha Hassan Al-Saffar is directly related to his legitimate and peaceful activities in defence of human rights, in particular his exercise of the right to assembly. In view of reports of Abdul-Redha Hassan Al-Saffar’s detention and the fact that his whereabouts are currently unknown, Front Line is gravely concerned for his physical and psychological integrity and believes that this may form part of a campaign to restrict the work of human rights defenders in Bahrain.

http://www.frontlinedefenders.org/node/1749

Front Line is concerned following reports of the postponement of the court hearing of the seven human rights defenders: Maytham Badar Jassim Am-Sheikh, Hassan Abdelnabi Hassan, Abdullah Mohsen Abdulah Saleh, Ahmad Jaffar Mohammed Ali, members of the Unemployment Committee, Naji Ali Fateel, member of the Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR), Mohammed Abdullah Al Sengais, head of the Committee to Combat High Prices, and Ebrahim Mohamed Amin-Al-Arab, founding member of the Martyrs and Victims Committee.

further Information
Posted 05/02/2008 The court session was scheduled for 4 February 2008, at the High Criminal Court. On 4 February 2008, at approximately 10.00am, without the presence of the human right defenders, the presiding judge informed the lawyers of the defendants that the court session would be postponed until 3.00pm. At 3.00 pm, the court hearing went ahead without the presence of their lawyers. The trial was further adjourned until 24 February 2008.

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