Sign Your Letter

Mohamed Al-Maskati is a renowned young human rights activist in Bahrain who founded the Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR) in 2005.

For over two years, BYSHR operated peacefully and without hassle. Suddenly, in September 2007, the Bahraini Ministry of Social Affairs charged Maskati with running an “unlicensed association.” Maskati’s trial is set for November 6th. He faces up to six months in jail and a fine of 500 BD (over $1,300).

Bahrain is a signatory to international charters which guarantee freedom of association. As Maskati’s trial approaches, there is growing fear a guilty verdict will open the door for a crackdown on Bahraini human rights activists and NGOs. Protect Maskati and support human rights advocacy in Bahrain by sending the following letter (which you can edit).

Fill out the form below to e-mail a letter to:

Nasser Bin Muhammad Al-Balushi, Bahrain’s Ambassador to the United States
Joseph Barghout, Human Rights Officer, US State Department
J. Adam Ereli, United States Ambassador to Bahrain
The U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights
Bahraini Minister of Social Affairs

Bahrain Youth Society human rights organizes in the June 26, 2008 a national campaign against torture in Bahrain occasion of World Day for the Victims of Torture in coordination with a number of international human rights organizations.

And continue the campaign chose a name General (all against Torture) full year containing many of solidarity activities with torture victims from around the growing allegations of torture in prisons in Bahrain, which vary between actors campaign contributions from electronic sites, forums and blogs to inform people about torture And Support of Victims of Torture and provide protection to them through the media to expose practices that take place in prisons and many training courses on the Convention against Torture ratified by the Kingdom of Bahrain, and networking with civil society institutions and competent legislative institution.

The campaign aims to pass a law that bans torture, and the definition of torture in the legal literature in Bahrain and the demand to stop torture in prisons and prosecute those responsible for torture, and expose the immoral practices in human rights violations.

For more information contact the campaign team: all.against.Torture@byshr.org

Sandeep Singh Grewal – AHN Middle East Correspondent

Manama, Bahrain (AHN) – Peace is the new formula for protestors in the Kingdom, one of the few liberal states in the Gulf Cooperation Council that encourages outspokenness.

And these days, protestors are saying it with flowers.

An example is the Nuwaidarat housing protest that has been going on for more than 100 days. It is the longest peaceful protest in the country. The residents of four villages-Asker, Ma’ameer, Nuwaidarat and Sanad-are demanding the government allocate 230 new housing units to them rather than to outsiders. The villagers are protesting in style, with a range of tactics from billiard or table tennis tournaments to film screenings and pony rides to spice up their protest.

“Every day someone is protesting. The villagers take turns to spend the night in our hut. We will continue our protest till the authorities hand over the keys of these new housing units. They belong to us and not to people who do not live here,” a protestor told AHN.

This protest without a pause gets even bigger during the weekends, with lawmakers invited to deliver speeches and express solidarity to the protesters.

(more…)

Bahrain: the Establishment of a Youth Human Rights Organization is a Charge Punishable by Law

Maskati under Threat of Prosecution Once Again

Manama- 6th June, 2008

BH000319

The Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights has, with regret, been following up on the Ministry of Justices decision, to inform, through an official notification, Mr. Mohammed Al-Maskati, university student, 21 years, President if the BYSHR and a member of the Norwegian Defense International, that he is to be present as a criminal suspect for a court hearing before the 4th Lower Criminal Court on the 6th of November 2008. The charges are related to the working in a Society before it has been officially registered. The Ministry of Social Affairs is behind these allegations and should Mr. Al-Maskati be found guilty, he may be imprisoned for a period of no more than 6 months and/or a fine of 500 Bahraini Dinars.

(more…)