on: December 25, 2007

Urgent action
Bahrain
The Right To Peaceful Assembly Gone With The Wind

the Arab Program for Human Rights Activists (APHRA)
observes with concern the latest events in Bahrain kingdom in the aftermath of the demonstrations held in support of torture victims on December 17th 2007 and the resulting clashes between people and security forces in different regions in Bahrain, the arrest campaign, the excessive use of force for separating demonstrators and the storming of the houses of several civil society activists whether or not they participated in the demonstrations. Among the activists arrested at the morning of Friday 21st December 2007 were Haitham Al-Tamar, member of the committee for unemployed and low-income people, Naji Ali Feteal and Nader Ahmad Al-Salatena, members of the Bahraini organization for human rights, Abd-Allah Mohsin, Mohammad Al-Sankees and Shaker Mohammad Al-Hemli. In the house break-in campaign, computers, CDs and important papers were seized. According to some local estimates, 39 activists were arrested up to the present with the pretense of searching for a governmental rifle that was lost in the demonstrations as claimed by the ministry of the interior.

The Arab Program for Human Rights Activists (APHRA)

confirms that these storming campaigns and the following arrests made by the Bahraini security forces are completely incompatible with all international conventions that guarantee the right to peaceful assembly as the collective vehicle through which citizens express their opinions and legitimate demands. APHRA emphasizes that this security-based approach by the Bahraini government gets Bahrain back to the pre-reform era, gives priority to security method over democratic one and abolishes all promises given by the monarch at the turn of the millennium. These acts by the Bahraini security forces also violate articles 9 and 21 of the international covenant on civil and political rights that prohibit arbitrary arrests and guarantee the right to peaceful assembly.

APHRA asks the Bahraini authorities to immediately stop the revenge campaign and the blockade put against the people of Sanabis and Al-Diya and other regions of Bahrain and to immediately release the arrested people, particularly prisons of conscience who were arrested prior to the December 17th demonstrations. APHRA also calls for initiating an immediate inquiry for examining the claims about the excessive use of power by security forces in separating demonstrators resulting in the death of Ali Jasim in December 17th demonstrations and imposing penalties on the convicted persons.

Meanwhile, APHRA appeals to all Arab and international civil society organizations to show solidarity with the human rights activists who were arrested at the morning of Friday 21st December 2007 and to put pressure on the Bahraini authorities to put an end to all the forms of suppression to which human rights activists in Bahrain are exposed.

Bahrain:Setting a Police Car Ablaze and Weapon Theft:
Accusations Made by Authorities against Prominent Human Rights Activists

Manama- 25th December, 2007
BH000313

Arrest of Human Rights Activists/ Inhuman and Cruel Treatment/ False Accusations

The Bahraini Interior Ministry assistant under-secretary for legal affairs made public a statement (1) – published by the official Media Agency- highlighting that those individuals who the Security Forces arrested after breaking into their houses are not political or human rights activists, but a group of people involved in the incidents that took place on the 20th of December 2007, by setting a police car ablaze and stealing weapons from the car.

The Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights is surprised by the Interior minister’s statement regarding the people they arrested from their homes, destroying everything inside, confiscating laptops, mobiles and some of their files.

The Bahraini security forces had arrested prominent human rights activists and they are members in the Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights – a non-governmental organization – and which contributed in training youth in human rights field, as well as establishing the organization. Also, one of its center’s is “Youth Center for Non-Violence” and which is concerned with educating youth from different areas in international mechanism.

The arrest of the activist “Naji Fateel” (2) and “Nader Al-Salatna” (3) and they are prominent members in the Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (4), is a violation of the Declaration of the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, issued by the United Nations.

(more…)

Front Line is concerned following reports of the recent judicial proceedings against Mohamed Abdul Nabi Al-Maskati, Director of the Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR), an organisation that organises training workshops and monitors human rights violations.

Further Information
Posted 20/12/2007 On 27 November, 2007, Mohamed Abdul Nabi Al-Maskati was called to present himself at the Fourth Minor Criminal Court on charges of “activating [...an...] unregistered association before issuing the declaration of registration”. The trial of Mohamed Abdul Al-Maskati has been postponed until the next session of the court on 21 January 2008. If convicted, Mohamed Abdul Al-Maskati could face up to six months in prison and/or a fine of 5,000 dinars.
The Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights originally applied for registration as a non-governmental organisation (NGO) in June 2005, but has never received an official response from the Bahraini government. Prior to the arrest of Mohamed Abdul Nabi Al-Maskati, the BYSHR received notification from the Ministry of Social Affairs that the organisation’s leader would be prosecuted if they did not cease their activities.

Such charges are made under the Bahraini Penal Code of 1976 and the Association Law of 1989, which require NGOs to register with the authorities. In practice, this legislation affords the authorities the opportunity to impede the activities of human rights organisations and civil society movements.

Front Line believes that the presence of free and functioning civil society movements underpins any democratic society and believes that the charges brought against Mohamed Abdul Nabi Al-Maskati may be directly related to his work, and that of his organisation, in defence of human rights, and fears that it may form part of an ongoing campaign against civil society organisations and human rights defenders in Bahrain.

JOINT URGENT APPEAL

Arrest of Human Rights Activists from their Residence
Reports of Wide Arrests and Excessive Use of Force by Special Security Forces

Friday 21st December, 2007

The Bahrain Centre for Human Rights (BCHR) and the Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR) are highly concerned for the wellbeing of three activists. It is confirmed that today morning Friday the 21st of December, 2007, Special Security Forces (SSF) headed by security officers in civilian clothes have broken into the residences of the three activists arresting them and confiscating their information files and CD’s. The armed security officers did not permit the arrestees or the women residing in the houses to change their clothes. Until this moment their families could not get any information concerning their whereabouts. The three activists are:

1. Najji Ali Fateel, 32 years, active member of Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR)
2. Maytham Al-Tamar, 33 years, active member of the Unemployment Committee
3. Abdulla Mohsen, 27 years, Political Activist

Other activists have also reportedly been arrested, of them:
1. Osama Ahmed Rabea, 29 years, Political Activist
2. Mohammed Al-Singais, 35 years, Political Activist and Head of the Committee to Combat Inflation in Bahrain
3. Shaker Mohammed Al-Hamali, member of the Unemployment Committee

(more…)

Appeal to drop activist’s case
By Geoffrey bew

MANAMA

AN international organisation has backed calls for legal proceedings against a Bahrain human rights activist to be dropped. Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights president Mohammed Al Maskati was summoned to the Lower Criminal Court earlier this month to answer charges of “activating an unregistered association before issuing the declaration of registration”.

The 1987 Law of Organisations criminalises the formation of any group without the approval of authorities and the Social Development Ministry is said to have been requesting them to stop their activities or face prosecution.

Local activists claimed the ministry’s actions were contrary to the Bahrain government signing of the International Convention for Civil and Political Rights.

Mr Al Maskati’s case was adjourned until January 21 and, if found guilty, he faces a maximum sentence of six months in jail and a BD500 fine.

(more…)

Bahrain: Security pursuits in various locations against a demonstration in support of the victims of torture

Announcing Emergency State in Villages and Cities to suppress demonstrations

Manama – 17 December 2007

BH000312

Abuses/Arrests/excessive use of power

Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR) is highly concerned by the security forces pursuits in different locations all over Bahrain. Security forces – Riot Fighting Forces – in plain clothes prevented a demonstration in solidarity with the victims of torture before 2000. The demonstration was planned to launch on Monday 17 December 2007 close to Raas Al-Roman mosque – near the Bahrain capital city of Manama. Large numbers of security forces in cooperation with traffic police besieged the area and closed the paths leading to demonstration launching point. Demonstration admins – National Commission for the Victims of Torture – mentioned that they did notify security forces but they knew that they would not permit them. That is because the timing of the demonstration coincides with annual state celebrations of waiving rule by King Sheikh Hamad Ben Essa Al Khalifa.

“The annual celebrations are held in 17 December of each year and have become an annual tradition since the crowning of the current king in 2002. The demonstration was to call for canceling Law 56 which protects human rights violators against punishment. The demonstration also was to call for bringing justice on financial and spiritual levels to the victims of torture under state security law,” demonstration admins reported.

(more…)

Lord Avebury, the Vice-Chairman of the Parliamentary Human Rights Group

See Here

Bahrain has ratified the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), Article 19 of which says that everyone shall have the right to freedom of expression, subject only to restrictions provided by law that are necessary for the protection of national security or public order.

The state claims that a blanket prohibition on ‘unregistered associations’ comes within this exception, and thus it is a criminal offence to form a residents’ association or a dining club without government permission.

Mohamed Abdul Nabi Al-Maskati, 20, was tried by the Fourth Degree Minor Criminal Court on November 27, case no 21741/2006 on a charge of “activating an unregistered association before the issue of a declaration of registration.”

Maskati, an undergraduate, is Director of the Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR), which has failed to get registration because it deals with political matters and includes young people under the age of 18 amongst its members. Neither of these come within the restrictions allowed by Article 19, and Mr Maskati’s defence is that the law on unregistered associations is itself a violation of the ICCPR.

The BYSHR has played an important role in arranging training workshops, monitoring and documenting human rights violations, and participating effectively in forming a regional network for young rights activists in eight Arab countries. It has also become an effective member of the Bahraini Coalition for Truth, Justice, and Reconciliation, to which six other human rights groups and five political associations are affiliated. It is understood that the other unregistered human rights groups in Bahrain have been notified by The Ministry of Social Affairs that unless they cease their activities they too will be prosecuted.

Mr Maskati’s trial has been adjourned to January 21, 2008. In the meanwhile, my readers may like to protest against the trial itself and the law on unregistered associations, to the Ambassador, who according to Who’s Who unwinds by “reading about politics and social affairs”, so he’ll be interested to hear from you

H E the Ambassador,
Sheikh Khalifa bin Abdullah al-Khalifa,
Embassy of the Kingdom of Bahrain,
30 Belgrave Square,
London, SW1X 8QB
Tel 0207 201 9170, Email information@bahrainembassy.co.uk

URGENT APPEAL – THE OBSERVATORY

BHR 001 / 1207 / OBS 162
Judicial proceedings / Obstacle to the freedom of association
Bahrain
December 11, 2007

The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, a joint programme of the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) and the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), requests your urgent intervention in the following situation in Bahrain.

Brief description of the situation :

The Observatory has been informed by the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights (BCHR) about the judicial proceedings against Mr. Mohamed Abdul Nabi Al-Maskati, Director of the Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR), which organises training workshops, monitors and documents human rights violations and participates in forming a regional network for young human rights activists in eight Arab countries.

According to the information received, on November 27, 2007, Mr. Al-Maskati was tried by the Fourth Degree Minor Criminal Court, upon charges of “activating unregistered association before issuing the declaration of registration”.

These charges are linked to the fact that BYSHR failed to get registered because of the restricting procedures included in the Bahraini Penal Code of 1976 and Association Law of 1989, which pose conditions to the registration of NGOs, among which the approval by the authorities, the forbidding of handling political issues and the fact that all members should be older than 18 years old. According to these laws, the sentence incurred by Mr. Al-Maskati is six months of prison and a 5,000 dinars fee.

Prior to this trial, the members of BYSHR had received a notification by the Ministry of Social Affairs requesting them to stop their activities or they will be prosecuted. BYSHR had filed for registration in June 2005 and has since then never received any answer from the authorities.

The hearing has finally been reported to January 21, 2008.

The Observatory is preoccupied by these judicial proceedings against Mr. Al-Maskati engaged in accordance with legislative measures which illustrate a determination to control and silence independent organisations, and to limit the presence of NGOs on Bahraini territory.

(more…)

Groups face clamp
By Geoffrey Bew

MANAMA

UP to 10 active, but unregistered, human rights groups and committees in Bahrain could be forced to close, according to activists. Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR) president Mohammed Al Maskati was last week summoned to the Lower Criminal Court to answer charges of “activating an unregistered association before issuing the declaration of registration”.

The 1987 Law of Organisations criminalises the formation of any group without the approval of authorities and the Social Development Ministry is said to have been requesting them to stop their activities or face prosecution.

Mr Al Maskati’s case was adjourned until January 21 and, if found guilty, he faces a maximum sentence of six months in jail and a BD500 fine.

The activist claims the ministry’s actions were contrary to the Bahrain government signing of the International Convention for Civil and Political Rights.

Mr Al Maskati said his organisation was not against registering with the government, but not through a law “that restricts its freedom of movement”.

“The law is like a securities law,” he said. “It puts all organisations under scrutiny, but they must have freedom to achieve their goals.

“We want to register and have a legal society, but not under this law because it is bad. If there is a new law we are willing to register.”

(more…)

Sandeep Singh Grewal

Rights activists rally behind head of unregistered society

Human rights activists in the region have called on the Bahraini authorities to drop charges against activist Mohammed Al Maskati.
He is been charged with heading the Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights which is not registered. “My mother received the court notice asking me to be present during hearing on November 27. I was charged for running a non-registered association,” Al Maskati told the Tribune.

He claimed that the society had submitted all the required documents for approval from the Ministry of Social Development.
Al Maskati alleged that the ministry did not explain why the society would not be registered.

The Tribune tried to contact ministry officials but they were not available. The case has been postponed to January 21.
“I have consulted my lawyers. Bahrain has signed the International Convention for Civil and Political Rights. The charges against me are in violation of this international convention,” Al Maskati said.

Cairo-based non-governmental organisation, the Arab Programme for Human Rights Activists, which monitors human rights violations in the region, has launched a petition calling for dropping charges against Al Maskati.

In Bahrain, the now dissolved Bahrain Centre for Human Rights and the Haq Movement have taken up the case. “The United Nations will review Bahrain’s record in the field of human rights in April 2008. But such acts against Al Maskati will give a bad image to the country,” BCHR vice president Nabeel Rajab said.

Meanwhile, the Committee of Underpaid and Unemployed told the Tribune that their rally slated for today had been cancelled as it was not permitted by the authorities. The rally was to start from the Chamber of Deputies to Gudaibiya.