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.

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HUMAN rights activists and families are planning to protest outside the Justice and Islamic Affairs Ministry on Thursday to demand the release of suspects arrested in connection with a terrorist cell.

The Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR) yesterday said it would stage a peaceful sit-in outside the courts in the Diplomatic Area to coincide with the latest High Criminal Court hearing.

Twenty-five men, two of whom still at large, have been charged for being part of the cell, which reportedly aimed to jeopardise national security.

“We have stepped up our campaigns to release the men and partnered with several international human rights groups,” said BYSHR president Mohammed Al Maskati.

Lawyers for the men refused to discuss the case after the court granted a Public Prosecution request to ban media coverage of the trial. Mr Al Maskati said an observer from the international rights group Frontline would attend the hearing. The BYSHR has submitted a request to the Interior Ministry for permission for the rally, but is still waiting for a response.

A HUNGER strike launched by inmates at Bahrain’s central prison five days ago is still ongoing, according to human rights activists.

The Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights has received information from inside Jaw Prison that the inmates are still vigilant about the strike, despite efforts by police to stop them.

They are understood to be demanding personal items such as razors, extended exercise time and cell doors to be left open until midnight.

However, the Interior Ministry earlier branded the items as illegal, saying they were impossible to attain.

“We have received credible inside information that the inmates are still on strike,” said society president Mohammed Al Maskati.

“It has been five days and nothing has been done about their situation.”

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FOUR unemployed Bahrainis have pledged to sleep rough for days in protest if authorities don’t meet their demands.

The university graduates are demanding jobs in governmental organisations, saying they are fully qualified to take up any position offered.

The men, who began their vigil at 7am and slept rough outside the Civil Service Bureau (CSB), Juffair, last night, have also vowed to continue protesting until their voices are heard.

Degree

Hassan Abdulkareem, 23, Hammed Ali Ebrahim, 28, and Hani Abdulla, 26 – who have all graduated with bachelor’s degree in physical education – told the GDN yesterday that CSB officials dismissed their complaints.

A fourth Bahraini, known only as Ali who had graduated with a bachelor’s in accounting, was not present when the GDN visited the men’s camp site yesterday but is understood he participated in the day-long protest and would sleep rough with the rest of the men.

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RIGHTS activists were outraged yesterday after a Bahraini MP allegedly urged the government to use live ammunition against rioters.

MP Jassim Al Saeedi made the comments to an Arabic newspaper, which quoted him demanding the death penalty for violent protesters.

However, both the Bahrain Human Rights Society (BHRS) and Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR) said they were appalled by the suggestion.

“All I have to say is that thank God he is not in a position where he can order the country’s police to use such force against citizens,” said BHRS secretary general Dr Abdulla Al Derazi.

“It’s strange that an MP, who has an important role in creating Bahrain’s legislature, is for the use of violence.

“He should defend the dignity, integrity and humanity of people instead of calling for such an act.

“Human rights activists in Bahrain are calling for the reduction in using force against demonstrators and he is proudly demanding law enforcers to use live ammunition to stop demonstrators.

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RIGHTS groups yesterday demanded access to inmates who launched a hunger strike at Bahrain’s central prison on Sunday.

The inmates at Jaw Prison are understood to be demanding personal items such as razors, extended exercise periods and cell doors to be left open until midnight.

One rights group said prison visits had been cancelled as a result of the protest and accused guards of using heavy-handed tactics to bring inmates under control on Monday.

However, the Interior Ministry yesterday branded inmates’ demands as “illegal” and said police had no choice but to use force to prevent a riot.

“Some of the inmates went on a hunger strike and refused to listen to direct orders,” the ministry said in a statement.

“Police tried to use peaceful and modern methods to control the situation before it escalated and to restore order, but there was no positive response from the inmates.

“They refused to listen to reason and they started breaking chairs and tables in the dining area to use as sharp objects in order to fight the policemen.

“Their demands are illegal because they consisted of keeping the cell doors open until midnight, extending exercise hours until late at night and allowing them to possess dangerous tools such as shaving razors.”

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Rethink on status of BCHR likely

By DANIEL MUNDEN , Posted on » Wednesday, February 03, 2010

A HUMAN rights group banned from operating in Bahrain almost six years ago could once again be recognised by the government, the GDN has learnt.

The Bahrain Centre for Human Rights (BCHR) was dissolved in 2004 after authorities accused it of dabbling in politics and violating a law governing civil societies.

However, it has continued to operate unofficially – despite having its licence cancelled – often in conjunction with international rights groups.

Now it has emerged the government could be prepared to rethink its decision following meetings with representatives of an international watchdog.

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A LAWYER plans to challenge the trial of a human rights activist by arguing the case against him is unconstitutional.

Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights president Mohammed Al Maskati is standing trial at the Lower Criminal Court for allegedly launching an association without issuing a declaration of registration.

His lawyer Mohammed Al Jishi yesterday argued the charge violated several articles of the constitution and requested a judge’s permission to lodge a case at the Constitutional Court.

The judge adjourned the trial until March 31 to review the request.

http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/NewsDetails.aspx?storyid=269268

Gulf Daily News- 18 oct, 2009

THE actions of Bahrain rights activists will be under constant examination to ensure that they are taking the right approach in resolving issues of great importance, it has emerged.

The move will be spearheaded by a Bahrain rights group after it joined forces with other Arab activists, who will each have their plights and struggles documented and monitored.

The Union of Arab Human Rights Defenders was officially founded at the start of this month and includes so far representatives from six countries across the Middle East.

It aims to create a democratic and regulatory entity that includes human rights organisations from every Arab country and will monitor the treatment and achievements of activists across the region.

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By NOOR TOORANI, Posted on » Wednesday, August 26, 2009

BAHRAINI activists have set themselves a deadline of two months to secure the release of 27 men accused of murdering two Pakistanis, including one policeman.

A coalition of community groups, human rights groups and political organisations has been formed to lobby the government into acquitting them.

Members of the coalition claim there is a lack of evidence pinning the suspects to the crimes.

Nineteen Bahrainis are standing trial at the High Criminal Court for the premeditated murder of Pakist-ani policeman Majid Asghar Ali Baksh when his patrol car was ambushed by Molotov cocktails in Karzakan in April last year.

The men, who denied the charges, are also accused of attemp-ting to murder two other policemen who were with the 24-year-old victim and of rioting.

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