Mr.Fadel Abbas – General Secretary of the National Democratic Assembly-has been summoned by the Lower Criminal Court on 31 Oct, 2011 the charges are related to “National safety” or “Emergency Law”.

The King of Bahrain announced the National Safety “Emergency Law” on 15 March until 1 June.

Mr. Abbas has criticized human rights violations in the media.

Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR) expresses its deep concern about the continued targeting of opposition political associations.

Background:

National Democratic Assembly “Website” boycotted the elections (September 2011) and boycotted the King’s Dialogue Initiative.

URGENT ACTION:

After Being Sentenced to Life Imprisonment Mr.Alkhawaja gets Beaten after He Speaks in Court
Reports that other Activist Sentenced were beaten as well after Speaking

The Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR) expresses its deep concern after receiving confirmed reports from a reliable source that Mr. Abdulhadi Alkhawaja, Former MENA Coordinator of Frontline Defenders and Former President of the Bahrain Centre for Human rights (BCHR), was beaten severely after court yesterday (22 June 2011). Mr. Alkhawaja’s daughter who had attended the trial had previously tweeted:

“After the sentence was read, my father raised his fist & shouted “WE SHALL CONTINUE ON THE PATH OF PEACEFUL RESISTANCE!” they started violently shoving my father out of the court room.”

The BYSHR has learned that Mr. Alkhawaja was beaten severely, mostly to his face that is still healing from 4 fractures sustained from the brutal beating he received during his arrest as well as in the incident when he had banged it against the floor to avoid being sexually assaulted in detention.

The BYSHR has learned from family members that Mr. Alkhawaja still has increasing pain in his jaw and that he could not eat or smile properly because of the pain. Mr. Alkhawaja is said to be taking painkillers constantly to ease that pain and that his face was numb (in the area where he had sustained injuries).

There are also reports that other activists sentenced also received a beating after they had yelled “Peaceful Peaceful” while being dragged out of the court. Unconfirmed reports that Mr. Mirza AlMahroos, Prominent cleric and Political activist also sentenced to life, reportedly sustained an injury to his eye.

The Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR) calls for immediate intervention in this case and is extremely worried as to the well being of Mr. Alkhawaja especially given the injuries he has already sustained. The BYSHR calls on the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders to take urgent action.

Note: Mr.Abdulhadi Alkhawaja’s family received a letter from him highlighting his medical condition, the letter is available upon request in Arabic and English.

Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR) is deeply concerned about Islamic Action Society.

Islamic Action Society website : http://www.amal-islami.net/

Information:

1- Mohamed Ali AlMahfoodh ( Secretary General ) – arrested on 4 May, 2011
2-Abdulla Alsaleh (Deputy Secretary General) – His house stormed.
3- Fahmi Bakalwa ( Coordinator of the Human Rights Committee) – arrested on 20 April, 2011
4-Jaffer Abdulla Hassan (Administrative) – arrested on 21 March, 2011
5-Hussein Ghasra ( Administrative) – arrested on 26 April, 2011

Bahraini authorities arrested several members of the Society.

Background information:

On 14 April 2011, Ministry of Justice and Islamic Affairs announced that it will suspend the Al-Wefaq Islamic National Society and the Islamic Action Society ( Islamic”Shia”, political, opposition).

On 14 April 2011, U.S. administration criticized the decision of the Bahraini authorities.

On 15 April 2011, Ministry of Justice and Islamic Affairs announced that it will not suspend the Al-Wefaq Islamic National Society and the Islamic Action Society.