Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR) is deeply concerned about Other trials on charges of targeted police men and the military prosecutor demanded the maximum punishment.

On 28 April, 2011 , Lower National Safety Court issued a sentences against 7 demonstrators ( 4 death penalties and 3 life sentences).

Ref: Statement of the BYSHR: http://byshr.org/?p=391

Trials :

1- Abdulla Mohammed Habib appeared before the court over allegations of attempted murder of policemen for terror ends in addition to destroying public money. The case has been adjourned till 5 May, 2011 for the sentence.

2-Suleiman Yahya Hamza who is accused of attempting to murder a number of policemen for terrorist ends.The case has been adjourned till 3 May, 2011 for the final pleading.

3-Hamad Yusif Kadhim is charged of attempted murder of policemen and spoiling public money, the court appointed a defence lawyer for the defendant.The case has been adjourned till 3 May, 2011 for the defense witnesses and forensic medical report.

4-Hassan Abdelwahab Ahmed has appeared before the Lower Safety Court, accused of covering up one of the suspects and holding a stolen police weapon. The case has been adjourned till 3 May, 2011.

5-The court has adjourned the case of ten people – Authorities did not announced the names- accused of kidnapping a policeman and holding him as a hostage till 3 May, 2011. A copy of a medical report concerning the 5th and 9th suspects has been submitted to the Lower Safety Court.

Today ( 28 April , 2011 ) , Bahrain T.V showed the “confessions” of the accused who killed two police men and who were sentenced today ( 4 death penalties and 3 life sentences). One of the those, the first to be shown making a confession, is Mr. Ali Isa Saqer, who had died in custody on the 9th of April, 2011. (attached a video of the confessions as shown on Bahrain T.V. with his photo). The Ministry of Interior had alleged that Mr. Saqer had died after resisting security officials while in detention but the Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights(BYSHR) had viewed photos that show clear marks on his back, stomach and other parts of his body that seem to be signs of mistreatment. (Attached) A representative of Human Rights watch had attended the funeral and seen the body and confirmed this information (link of report). Human Rights Watch had asked for an investigation into his death. Until date the BYSHR has not learn that any such investigation has taken place.

The Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights(BYSHR) is concerned after viewing the “confessions” on television that the other defendants may have been subjected to mistreatment, it finds it disturbing that such confessions were televised after these defendants were denied due process and basic rights such as the right to a fair trial. The defendants had denied all allegations during the trial and this makes the confessions questionable. Furthermore, the BYSHR also strongly condemns the use of the death penalty.

Video: ( see the 6:04 min.) http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=aPP6rhUz55g#at=368

Ref: Statement of the BYSHR on Ali Saqer : http://byshr.org/?p=344

Ref: Statement of the HRW on Ali Saqer : http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2011/04/13/bahrain-investigate-new-death-custody

Today (28 April , 2011) Court ” Lower National Safety Court” – issue a Sentence against 7 demonstrators:

1-Ali Abdulla Hassan Al-Sankis ( Death penalty)
2- Qassim Hassan Matar Ahmed ( Death penalty)
3-Saeed Abduljalil Saeed ( Death penalty)
4-Isa Abdulla Kadhim Ali ( life imprisonment)
5- Abdulaziz Abdulridha Ibrahim Hussain ( Death penalty)
6-Sadeq Ali Mahdi ( life imprisonment)
7-Hussein Jaafar Abdulkarim ( life imprisonment)

Accusation: Murder of policemen Kashef Ahmed Mandhour and Mahmoud Farooq Abdulsamad.

Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights rejected the trial because special courts violate international standards and We demand the international community and organizations for urgent action to stop the trials against demonstrators.

Ref: http://byshr.org/?p=383

On April 28, 2011, Court ” Lower National Safety Court” – Ref: http://byshr.org/?p=383 – Will issue a Sentence against 7 demonstrators:

1-Ali Abdulla Hassan Al-Sankis
2- Qassim Hassan Matar Ahmed
3-Saeed Abduljalil Saeed
4-Isa Abdulla Kadhim Ali
5- Abdulaziz Abdulridha Ibrahim Hussain
6-Sadeq Ali Mahdi
7-Hussein Jaafar Abdulkarim

The Military General Prosecution calling for the “Death penalty” of demonstrators.

Accusation: Murder of policemen Kashef Ahmed Mandhour and Mahmoud Farooq Abdulsamad.

Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights rejected the trial because special courts violate international standards and We demand the international community and organizations for urgent action to stop the trials against demonstrators.

Bahrain News Agency published a news about the 6 cases in ” Lower National Safety Court” http://www.bna.bh/portal/en/news/453503.

BYSHR notes on the trial :

1-Right to Equality Before the Law and Courts: ” The accused in criminal proceedings is entitled to both equality before the law and equal protection of the law, without discrimination”. Bahraini authorities since March 16, 2011 are attempting to drive the country into sectarian conflict.

2-The accused is entitled to a trial before an independent, impartial and competent tribunal established by law : National Safety Law (Law of Emergency) contrary to international conventions and especially as it established Special trials. National Safety Law allows unlawful proceedings.

3-A Competent Tribunal Established by Law: Tribunals, courts and judges, including examining magistrates, must be competent in accordance with the law. Everyone has the right to be tried by courts and judges established under ordinary jurisdiction in accordance with legally-established procedures.Tribunals that do not apply these duly established procedural norms shall not be created as a substitute for the jurisdiction that normally corresponds to the ordinary courts.As a general principle, military tribunals, the jurisdiction of which shall be strictly limited to offences of a military nature committed by military personal, should not be competent to try civilians.

4-The Role of Prosecutors: “The accused is entitled to a trial in which the prosecutor is fair and impartial”.The office of prosecutor should be strictly separated from judicial functions.The six cases mention above, Investigation with the accused in the Military Prosecution relating to the Ministry of Defence.

5-Right to be Informed of One’s Rights: “Anyone arrested or detained is entitled to be informed, in a language they understand, of their right to (a) legal representation; (b) examination and treatment by a doctor; (c) have a relative or friend notified of their arrest or detention”. Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights has documented that the first days of detention is not allowed to communicate with his family, are not allowed to counsel or family visits, and his place remains unknown.

6- Right to Humane Treatment and Not to be Tortured While in Detention:“All persons deprived of their liberty have the right to be treated with humanity, with respect for the inherent dignity of the human person and not to be subjected to torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment”.Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights has documented allegations of torture, and 4 individuals had died in custody since the March 16, 2011.

“Sports” defendant in Bahrain, because of the freedom of opinion and expression

The Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR) has issued a report from Manama today regarding the Sports in Bahrain. The report covers the types of violations against Players, Referees and Clubs.

In a statement Mr. Mohammed Al-Maskati, the President of the BYSHR said: “Bahraini authorities accused the “sport”, and began to punish the players, referees and clubs, because of the freedom of opinion and expression.”

Report: Click here

Trade unionists, Support Democracy and Human Rights

The Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR) has issued a report from Manama today regarding the Trade unionists in Bahrain. The report covers the types of violations.

In a statement Mr. Mohammed Al-Maskati, the President of the BYSHR said: “Trade unionists were in the front line, and sacrificed their status as professional in order to protect democracy and human rights.”

Report: Click here

Update: 10:30 (Bahrain Time)

International organization had contact with the authorities has not been confirmed news of the trial, Mr. Abdulhadi did not contact his family again to deny the news.

URGENT: ALKHAWAJA DUE IN MILITARY COURT TOMORROW AT 8 am

Manama- 20, April 2011

The Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR) has just learned from Mr. Abdulhadi Alkhawaja’s (former MENA Coordinator with Frontline Defenders) wife that he had called and informed them that he was to be taken to the military court tomorrow at 8am. She informed the BYSHR that his voice was very weak and that she suspects he has been subjected to mistreatment.

Before this call, Mr. Alkhawaja’s daughter had received a call from the military asking her to take him clothes, which the family had done.

His whereabout was unknown since his brutal arrest on the 9th of April, 2011.

Cyber Activism On the front line in Bahrain

The Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR) has issued a report from Manama today regarding the Cyber Activists in Bahrain.

In a statement Mr. Mohammed Al-Maskati, the President of the BYSHR said: “Bahraini authorities suppressed the Cyber Activists and users of social media (Facebook and Twitter), they are on the front line and in danger. We holds International Community Responsible in the defense of Cyber Activists who helped expose human rights violations.”

Report: Click here

The Targeting of Political and Civil Societies in Bahrain: A Systematic Campaign

The Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR) has issued a report from Manama today regarding the targeting of Civil Society and political associations in Bahrain. The report covers the types of violations by the Bahraini authorities.

In a statement Mr. Mohammed Al-Maskati, the President of the BYSHR said: “the Bahraini authorities have cracked down on a wide range of societies and this report is merely an attempt to document some of ways that these societies were targeted since the February 14th unrest.”

Report: Click here