Photo: Mr. Sayed Ahmed Ridha Humaidan, While he was taking pictures in one of the protests.

29 December 2012

The Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR) expresses its great concern for the arrest of the independent and prominent photojournalist Mr. Sayed Ahmed Ridha Humaidan – 25 year old – who was arrested by the police, dressed in civilian clothes, on Saturday 29 December 2012 while he was with his colleagues in one of the malls.

Details received by the BYSHR indicate that Mr. Humaidan was on that day with his colleagues in City Center Mall – a shopping mall – on 29 December 2012 at 12:50 after midnight, when approximately 15 security men – dressed in civilian clothes – arrested him amid the shopping mall and took him to an unknown destination.

Mr. Ahmed Humaidan had won more than 140 international awards in photojournalism, and he is considered the second most Arab photographer to win awards in photography competitions, as well as being a member in an international organization for photography (such as: Photographic Society of America “PSA” and International federation of photographic art “FIAP” )

Photo: A photo won an international award

Mr. Humaidan had participated since 14 February 2011 – Arab Spring protests in Bahrain – in exposing the human rights violations against the peaceful protestors, and he had published dozens of photos that display the oppression of the security forces.

The BYSHR expresses its fear that Mr. Ahmed Humaidan has been subjected to revenge and mistreatment due to his role in exposing the human rights violations and especially that no information is available about where he is being detained and that he has not contacted his family or lawyer yet.

The Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR) demands:

1. Disclosing the place of detention of Mr. Ahmed Humaidan and to immediately release him;
2. Provide the legal and moral protection for independent photographers and to stop imposing restrictions on their peaceful work;
3. Independently and urgently investigate the incident of the death of Mr. Ahmed Ismail who was shot with an anonymous bullet while he was filming the oppression of the security forces towards the protesters. (Refer to the BYSHR statement: http://byshr.org/?p=1028)

Photo: Mrs. Rola Al-Saffar (Left) and Mr. Ibrahim Al-Demistani (Right)

December 27, 2012

The Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR) expresses its great concern that the Court of Appeal upheld the sentence today against Mrs. Rola Al-Saffar – Head of Bahrain’s Nursing Society – and Mr. Ibrahim Al-Demistani – Secretary-general – who is serving a one month imprisonment sentence in a different case related to the protests of 14 February 2011.

Details show that the Court of First Instance issued a verdict against Mrs. Rola Al-Saffar and Mr. Al-Demistani in 2007 on the charge of “conducting the affairs of the Nursing Society despite being dismissed from it by the Ministry of Social Affairs, and refusing to hand over the funds to the temporary manager appointed by the Ministry”.

On 23 March 2007, the Bahraini Authorities decided to close down the Society after the Society attempted to hold an event in solidarity with Mr. Al-Demistani – who had been arrested for treating an injured person in a demonstration against the government – the head office was closed by using the security forces who surrounded the place and prevented the administration board and those standing in solidarity with him from entering.

Mrs. Rola Al-Saffar faced charges after the protests of 14 February 2011. The Court of First Instance had sentenced her with 15 years in prison, but the Court of Appeal acquitted her. Mrs. Rola Al-Saffar had participated in the meetings of the Human Rights Council in Geneva in September 2012.

Mr. Al-Demistani is serving a 3 year imprisonment after being sentenced by the court for his role in treating the injured in the protests of 2011. Mr. Al-Demistani had participated in training dozens of people in villages on the treatment of those wounded in the daily protests taking place in the villages since 14 February 2011.

The BYSHR believes that upholding the sentences against Mrs. Rola Al-Saffar was because of her role in demanding the release of the medics who were convicted for treating the injured in the protests and for her participation in the Universal Periodic Review in the Human Rights Council in Geneva, Septemeber 2011.

The Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR) demands the following:

1-To immediately release the human rights activists and the medics;
2-Allow the civil society institutes to carry out their work freely and without restrictions.

Photo: Ali Aref, a Riot Police member, who assaulted a citizen

The Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR) expresses its deep concern for the incident that took place regarding the officer Ali Aref, a Riot Police member, who assaulted a citizen by beating him in the village of Aali, and this is not a precedent where Security Forces are known for their mistreatment and torture against citizens and political detainees. The report issued by the “Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry”, which was established by the King’s country Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa, confirmed that the Security Forces used torture to extract confessions or as revenge.

Video: Ali Aref, a Riot Police member, who assaulted a citizen

On 23 December, the – ill-reputed – officer, Ali Aref, was roaming with the Riot Police in the village of Aali when he questioned one of the citizens – accompanied by a child – and then slapped him on his face.

The assault against citizens in Bahrain is systematic and is carried out by individuals who work in the Ministry of Interior. The BYSHR has monitored several complaints against members of Security Forces who assault citizens in many areas, and these videos detect that:

1. Assaulting a citizen in the village of Bani Jamra, 9 November 2012
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYVIdgv6esM&feature=youtube_gdata_player
2. Assaulting a citizen in the village of Eker, 14 October 2011
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VuHVPKtk0A&feature=youtube_gdata_player
3. Assaulting citizens in the village of Maamer, 11 November 2011
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ps-xfboge6s

Within hours the Ministry of Interior announced that it will investigate the incident – the assault incident in the village of Aali – and that the security officer who attacked the citizen will be brought to military court (refer to the statement of the Ministry of Interior http://www.policemc.gov.bh/news_details.aspx?type=1&articleId=13229 )

This is not the first time that a statement is issued in cases of assaults by the security forces against citizens, where the Bahraini Al-Wasat newspaper (Issue 3718 – November 2012) published a photo of an assault against a citizen (refer to the newspaper http://www.alwasatnews.com/3718/news/read/714979/1.html )

On 20 November 2012, the Ministry of Interior released a statement that confirms bringing the security officer who assaulted the citizen on 9 November 2012 to military courts (refer to the statement of the Ministry of Interior: http://www.alwasatnews.com/3727/news/read/717224/1.html )

The BYSHR has until now not received the outcome of prosecuting those accused of human rights violations. The BYSHR believes that these investigations do not contribute in the criminal justice, due to the following:

1. the Ministry of Interior does not publish the names or military ranks of those accused of human rights violations;
2. the Ministry of Interior does not publish the results of the investigation or the court sentences;
3. the Ministry of Interior does not allow the victim or who represents him or her, the lawyers, and local and international human rights institutes to attend and observe the court hearings.

On 30 January 2012, the Ministry of Interior released “Code of Conduct for Policemen” in order for the policeman to protect the individuals from the abuse of using power and to promote human rights. (refer to the Code of Conduct: http://www.legalaffairs.gov.bh/viewhtm.aspx?ID=RINT1412)

The Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR) demands:

1. Permit the victim or who represents him or her and the local and international human rights organizations to attend the court hearings of the policemen accused of human rights violations;
2. Publish the court sentences and results of investigations with those responsible for the human rights violations in the various means of media;
3. Hold those that are directly and indirectly responsible for the human rights violations in Bahrain, and this should include all the officials in the higher ranks in the Ministry of Interior and other ministries;
4. Implement the principle of “no impunity”.

December 18, 2012

The Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR) expresses it grave concern due to the Bahraini Authorities suppressing the demonstrations on the anniversary of the King’s accession to the throne (16 – 17 December). Since the year 2000, the Bahraini Authorities have begun to celebrate this day as a National Day. On the other hand, the political opposition movements and the local organizations consider this day as the ‘Martyrs Day’, since two demonstrators who were calling for a constitutional kingdom died during these days in the nineties.

Photo (EPA): An older man during his arrest in demonstrations in Manama

On 16 December, hundreds demonstrated inside the villages of Bahrain calling for the demonstrations in the Capital of Bahrain (Manama) on 17 December in solidarity with the victims of the protests of the nineties and 14 February (what was called the Arab Spring), the Security Forces had used excessive force to disperse the demonstrations and at least 3 people were injured in the face due to using (shotgun), and several others wounded as well.

Photo: The Security forces used (shotgun) to suppress the demonstrations on 16 December.

On 17 December, the Bahraini Authorities closed all entrances to Manama, and tried to prevent the demonstrators from gathering, as well as using teargas and stun grenades.

During the demonstrations in Manama, the Bahraini Authorities arrested almost 24 people according to the statistics of the BYSHR, among them 3 women, and the human rights activist Mr. Sayed Yousif Al-Muhafdha from the Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR), and the blogger Mr. Hassan Jaber.The Bahraini authorities released almost 5 protesters later.

According to the lawyers of the BYSHR, those arrested were transferred to Hoora police station to interrogate them about their participation in the protests in Manama.

Photo: Mr. Sayed Yousif Al-Muhafdha (Right) and Mr. Hassan Jaber (Left)

This takes places days after the speech of the Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa in the International Conference “The Manama Dialogue” about the Bahraini Authorities being ready to engage in a dialogue with the opposition for the stability of the political conditions in Bahrain, and the King’s speech about the public liberties in Bahrain.

Photo: Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa

The Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR) calls for:

1. Immediately release the detainees from the peaceful demonstrations in Manama, and other villages, and to drop all charges related to freedom of expression and gathering.

2. The Bahraini Authorities have to abide by not restricting peaceful gatherings.

3. The Bahraini Authorities have to put an end to using excessive force against peaceful demonstrators.

Mr.Aqeel Mohsin Habib – 19 years old – from the village of Bani Jamra in critical condition, after the members of the security forces – in civilian clothes – fired him (live bullets and shotgun).

Photo: Mr. Aqeel before injury (left) – on the way to hospital after the injury (right)

According to information obtained by the Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR) in the evening December 4, 2012, Mr. Aqeel driving in his village and was accompanied by a person accused of political charges (escaped from prison) and suddenly appeared bus in front of him and the persons in civilian clothes – from inside the bus -fired live bullets and shotgun towards the car.

Photo: Mr. Aqeel’s car after he was injured

According to information obtained by the BYSHR that the accused person in the political issues had escaped from the car, but Mr. Aqeel was seriously injured in the face, neck and left arm (injuries because of shotgun).

Photo: computerized tomography (CT)

Interior Ministry (MOI) issued a statement “http://www.bna.bh/portal/en/news/536089”

The Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR) demanded an immediate and urgent investigation in the incident.

03 Dec 2012

The Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR) expresses its grave concern for what is happening in the Dry Dock Prison – temporary prison – of violations against those detained for political cases, where the prison officials targeted the prisoners because of releasing a statement under the name of “Prisoner of Conscience Coalition”.

Photo: “Prisoners of Conscience Coalition in Bahrain” statement

On 27 November 2012, cyber activists published a statement under the title “Prisoners of Conscience Coalition in Bahrain”, the statement indicated the violations taking place in prison and the unjust trials that those detained for political cases are subjected to. The statement called for holding events in solidarity with the prisoners.

According to information received by the BYSHR from inside the “Dry Dock Prison”, the prisoners in “3,6,2,9″ words have suffered violations by the security forces, where the prison officials raided the words, searched them in derogatory and insulting manner, and the prisoners were beaten and tortured by the security forces in the sports field.

One of the prisoners – in a phone call – said to the BYSHR, “I have seen the security forces beat the prisoners and then I saw blood on the sports filed” and the call was disconnected.

One of the prisoners – in a phone call – confirmed that the security forces on 27 November 2012 targeted the prisoners’ beliefs and cursed and swore at the Shiite clerics.

According to the information received by the BYSHR the prison warden ordered to put at least two prisoners in solitary confinement.

On 1 September 2012, Director-General of Prisons visited the Dry Dock Prison and according to information from the prisoners, he was threatened the prisoners because of the “Prisoners of Conscience Coalition in Bahrain” statement.

In a phone call to the BYSHR, one of the prisoners said, “the chambers were raided and at least three people were taken to an unknown place, and among those was Mr. Mohammed Al-Tal – “a well-known pro-democracy activists”.

Photo: Mr. Mohammed Al-Tal

The BYSHR could not obtain any extra information about what is taking place inside the prison because communication is almost entirely lost.

The BYSHR calls for the following:

1. the immediate and urgent release of the peaceful and pro-democracy activists;

2. the urgent and independent investigation in the allegations of abuse against prisoners in the Dry Dock Prison, and the Jaw Central Prison and police stations;

3. Bring forth those responsible for abusing prisoners to fair trials.