Bahrain military court sentences Shia activists in unfair trial
‘Human Rights Defender Abdulhadi al-Khawaja is among those sentenced to life in prison
22 June 2011

A military court in Manama today sentenced a group of 21 prominent Shia activists who have advocated political reform.

The Bahrain News Agency reported that the opposition activists had been charged with “plotting to topple the government” during recent pro-reform protests. Eight received life sentences and the rest received jail sentences of up to 15 years. Seven people were tried in absentia.

Amnesty International believes that some of the defendants may be prisoners of conscience, detained solely for peacefully expressing their political beliefs and organizing pro-reform rallies early this year. Some of the defendants were reportedly tortured or ill-treated.

“These sentences are extremely harsh, and they appear to be politically motivated, since we have not seen any evidence that the activists used or advocated violence,” said Malcolm Smart, Director of Amnesty International’s Middle East and North Africa Programme.

“Civilians should not have been tried in a military court, and these trials have been patently unfair. In particular, the court failed to adequately investigate allegations that some of the defendants were tortured and made to sign false ‘confessions’ which seem to have been used as evidence against them.”

Those sentenced to life imprisonment include prominent opposition activists such as Hassan Mshaima’, ‘Abdelwahab Hussain, Dr. ‘Abdel-Jalil al-Singace and ‘Abdulhadi al-Khawaja.

The activists were given very little access to lawyers, and at least two of them, Ebrahim Sherif and ‘Abdulhadi al-Khawaja, were reportedly tortured. ‘Abdulhadi al-Khawaja’s daughter, Zaineb al-Khawaja, attended the trial and was forcibly removed from the court when she shouted “God is great” after the sentence was read out. She was arrested and held in a police station for a few hours before being released. …more

Bahrain Doesn’t Want Stability
Keeping the country off balance is good for royal business.
BY FAHAD DESMUKH | JUNE 22, 2011

A military tribunal in Bahrain has sentenced eight prominent opposition activists to life imprisonment and 13 others to lesser prison sentences, on charges of seeking to topple the monarchy and collaborating with a foreign terrorist group, among a host of other charges.

The group was arrested in March as part of the Saudi-backed security crackdown on pro-reform protesters who had occupied the Pearl Roundabout in the capital Manama. Most of those sentenced are leaders or sympathizers of a coalition formed during the uprising that advocated the establishment of a republic and an end to the 200-year-old Sunni monarchy.

One of the sentenced men is Ibrahim Sharif, the Sunni leader of the secular left-of-center Waad party, which never called for a republic but rather for a transition to a genuine constitutional monarchy.

The sentencing comes just a week before the launch of a “national dialogue” by the government to discuss reforms in the country.

Due to the closed nature of the military tribunal, it is not exactly clear what evidence was provided to prove that the men were guilty of the charges against them. There’s no doubt that all except Sharif openly called for the fall of the Al Khalifa regime. But there is no proof that they planned to use violence or that they were being aided by a foreign terrorist group (read Hezbollah and Iran).

If the government did have evidence to prove its claims, you can be sure that it would have already been broadcast on Bahrain’s state TV network during the televised witch trials that take place every night in parallel to the one in court. …more

[excerpt Guardian UK 22 June] She was in court when her father, Abdulhadi al-Khawaja, one of the country’s leading rights activists, was given a life sentence, her younger sister, Maryam, said.

“Right after they read out the verdicts my father shouted, ‘The struggle will continue,'” said Maryam, 23, who left Bahrain in March and has been protesting from overseas, tweeting as maryamalkhawaja. “He was beaten and forcefully removed from the court. My sister stood up and chanted, ‘Allahu akbar’ [God is great], and she was forcefully removed from the court and arrested. She was charged with contempt of court but then was made to sign a pledge not to speak in court again and then she was released.” …more

[CB Editor: so happy to see you free again Zainab!]

Recent Tweets
* RT @angryarabiya: I signed & was released. I left the police station, for the 3rd time in less than a month. That makes it three pledges that I have signed.
about 57 minutes ago

* RT @angryarabiya: I refused to sign that pledge & said I wud sign one that says I will show up to prosecution if called. Didn’t think it wud work, but it did.
about 57 minutes ago

* RT @angryarabiya: there were details, I will not participate in illegal gatherings (5 or more ppl) I wont do something to disrupt the peace… and so on
about 57 minutes ago

BACK GROUND on Zainab’s Father sentenced to life in prison today for seeking Human Rights and Democracy in Bahrain.

Bahraini Activist Abdul Hadi Al Khawaja Severely Wounded under Torture
Al-Manar | May 9, 2011

Bahraini human rights activist and former president of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights Abdul Hadi Al Khawaja was drastically beaten by the Bahraini authorities after being arrested in April.

“Al Khawaja’s jawbones were completely smashed and he is suffering from four fractures in his face; he is to undergo a very critical operation”, another Bahraini activist Nabil Rajab stated.

In an interview with Al Manar website, Rajab called upon “the Bahrainis all over the world, specifically those living in European countries, to proceed with the lawsuits and use all possible judicial methods against the Bahraini regime”.

Furthermore, the human rights activist clarified that “we are victims of our region, as sympathizing with any cause is influenced by the sectarian aspect… we are also victims of inconsistencies and interests of world powers that ally with Al khalifa (Bahrain) regime”.

This comes as the Bahraini regime has been executing brutal repressive policies against civilians since the protests began. The Bahraini security forces are breaking into houses, kidnapping young men and women, arresting humanitarian and political activists, as well as opposition figures, and are imprisoning and torturing most of them.

Four political prisoners have been tortured to death; the last was funder of Al Wasat Bahraini newspaper and prominent business man Karim Al Fakhrawi. …more

[CB Editor Note: While there seems to be a slight break in the silence by the USG, there has been no action in concrete terms, demanding real and immediate change from the al Khlifa regime toward an embrace of Human Rights, Freedom and Democracy. Reform a recurring term has become al Khalifa “new speak” for “business as usual” with al Khalifa as “power broker” to players of his choosing who posture and clamor in hopes gaining new access to power in a reformed government. This has become a political charade and cycle of misery that seems to repeat it’s self every few years in Bahrain politics. It is time for the US to become an Actor. It can no longer remain on the side lines as a commentator and spectator. When the USG can see fit to freeze the assets of the Syria and Libya and launch a proxy war against the Libyans, it seems totally disingenuous that the US as a matter of principal will not interfere in the internal affairs” of another government.

President Obama seems to have embraced the idiocy of his myopic administration with little on their agenda except his reelection. Obama never takes real risks, especially with historic allies. Obama’s inaction regarding al Khalifa is moving the situation in Bahrain toward irreparable damage. The people of Bahrain look to the US in their struggle for liberty which Obama preached in his bid to become president. He became the change they hoped for. He has become their peril though denial and silence.

The US must move from it’s perch on the sidelines with it’s rhetorical and empty posturing, denial and the fantasy of a repentant al Khalifa. As Obama continues his abandonment of the Bahraini people, he pushes them into a familiar and desperate place that the US last saw in 1979 with the Revolution in Iran, when the US puppet government headed by Mohammad Rezā Shāh Pahlavi tumbled down after decades of arguably the most brutal oppression at anytime in recent history. All funded, trained and equipped by the CIA. Sadly the US policy in the Middle East does not respect history but rather demonstrates a singularity of focus toward the next oil wealth driven election, as it looks the other way while “it’s friends” continue their systematic, brutal, hatred of democracy, freedom and human rights. All motivated by the US empire and it’s desperate grasp on it’s vanishing hegemony over Middle East Crude.]

WASHINGTON | Wed Jun 22, 2011 2:14pm EDT

(Reuters) – The United States on Wednesday expressed concern about the severity of the sentences given to opposition leaders in Bahrain related to protests in the Gulf state.

Bahrain sentenced eight prominent Shi’ite Muslim activists and opposition leaders to life in prison on charges of plotting a coup during protests earlier this year.

“We are concerned about the severity of the sentences handed down,” State Department spokesman Mark Toner said. “We’re also concerned about the use of military courts to try these civilians.”

Demonstrators have mounted scattered daily protests in the Gulf island kingdom since emergency law was lifted on June 1.

As the cases go through an appeals process, “we continue to urge the Bahraini government to abide by its commitment to transparent judicial proceedings conducted in full accordance with Bahrain’s international legal obligations,” Toner said. …more

[Editor Note: Zainab and Maryam, I know this is a devastating blow and I know that you also know this isn’t anywhere close to the end of this fight. Your father is fighting the good fight and there are many of us in the world who stand solidly by his side. Your are not alone. The labor for his release and the freedom of all detainees will not cease on this end until all are free. My thoughts, hopes and mediation are for your fathers freedom.]

Bahraini activist’s father jailed for life
Zainab al-Khawaja aka angryarabiya gained international attention after tweeting about human rights abuses in the country

Activist Zainab al-Khawaja
Zainab al-Khawaja’s father was jailed for life, her husband and brother-in-law are also in custody.

The Bahraini activist whose prolific tweeting has focused international attention on human rights abuses was briefly arrested during a court hearing at which her father was jailed for life and her uncle was also imprisoned, her sister said.

Zainab al-Khawaja, known on Twitter as angryarabiya, comes from one of Bahrain’s most conspicuous dissident families. Her husband and brother-in-law are also in custody but have yet to be charged. She came to prominence in April after staging a 10-day hunger strike to demand her relatives’ release.

She was in court when her father, Abdulhadi al-Khawaja, one of the country’s leading rights activists, was given a life sentence, her younger sister, Maryam, said.

“Right after they read out the verdicts my father shouted, ‘The struggle will continue,'” said Maryam, 23, who left Bahrain in March and has been protesting from overseas, tweeting as maryamalkhawaja. “He was beaten and forcefully removed from the court. My sister stood up and chanted, ‘Allahu akbar’ [God is great], and she was forcefully removed from the court and arrested. She was charged with contempt of court but then was made to sign a pledge not to speak in court again and then she was released.”

With official pressure building up on family members within Bahrain – Zainab was briefly arrested last week – it is now largely up to her younger sister, an activist with the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights, to sustain the pressure on authorities. …more

Updates: Harsh sentences to 21 prominent oppositional leaders and Human Rights defenders

Update – 22 June 2011

Today the martial court issues verdicts against 21 rights activists and political opposition leaders after months of detention.

Eight Bahraini rights activists have been given life sentences by a military court, which found them guilty of plotting a coup against the government during two months of unrest that rattled the country earlier this year.

Another 13 political and rights activists were given sentences of between two to 15 years, as the government attempts to crush dissent that has erupted in the tiny kingdom in February following popular uprisings elsewhere in the Arab world.

The verdicts were immediately condemned by rights groups who said all those found guilty had been campaigning to end discrimination at the hands of the Sunni dynasty. Almost all activists who took to the streets of Manama in February and March were Shia Muslims, who make up 70% of Bahrain’s population, but feel largely disenfranchised.

Rights groups have urged Bahrain to halt the special military court proceedings, with Human Rights Watch deeming them a violation of international law.

“Most defendants hauled before Bahrain’s special military court are facing blatantly political charges, and trials are unfair,” said Joe Stork, deputy Middle East director at Human Rights Watch.

In a meeting earlier this month with U.S. President Barack Obama last week, Bahrain’s Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad al-Khalifa pledged he is seeking national dialogue with the protesters. Bahrain’s crackdown contradicts statements the prince made, Human Rights Watch said.

Bahraini human rights activist Nabeel Rajab also said he disapproved of the trials.

“This court does not meet international standards for human rights and for fair trials. The people were sentenced for expressing their opinion and for opposing the government,” Rajab said. “This goes against the government saying it wants a dialogue.”

Bahrain’s ruling dynasty had instead claimed that the men were part of a “sedition ring”, backed by Iran and Hezbollah, who were trying to topple the regime.Among those given life sentences were leading members of opposition political groups. Leading rights activist Adbul Hadi al-Khawaja, whose daughters Zainab and Maryam are prominent members of the Bahrainhuman rights movement, was one of those condemned to life in prison. Zainab was reportedly removed from the courtroom after protesting against the sentence

Among those who received lesser sentences was Ibrahim Sharif, a secular leftist Sunni, who was accused by a state-run newspaper of having links to “a foreign country” – a veiled reference to Iran.

The Guardian spoke to Sharif at the former focal point of the rights demonstrations in Manama in February where he said he was the only prominent member of the Sunni community to be campaigning more openly for equal rights for the kingdom’s majority Shia base.

“Things have to change here, or else the country will suffer and the kingdom could be imperilled,” he said at the time, standing in Pearl roundabout, a landmark in the central city that was later demolished under government orders.

As verdicts were read in a military court this morning, members of the public gallery chanted “solidarity, solidarity, we shall overthrow the regime”. Bahraini security officers were congratulating each other inside the courthouse, according to bystanders present.

The trials were held despite the government pronouncing the end of three months of martial law earlier this month, which had given the exclusively Sunni security forces extra powers of detention and arrest.

Activists called for protesters to again take to the streets in Manama on Wednesday in defiance of the verdicts and the government, which has vowed to continue a crackdown on dissent. Up to 30 doctors and nurses from key city hospitals were last week also put on trial accused of subversion and if using government facilities for political purposes.

Details of the verdicts

In custody:

1- Abdulwahab Hussain Ali ( life sentence imprisonment) – arrested 16 Mar 2011
2- Hassan Ali Mushaima.( life sentence imprisonment) – arrested 16 Mar 2011
3- Mohammed Habib Al Safaf. ( Al Miqdad) ( life sentence imprisonment) – arrested 16 Mar 2011 [and was in prisone between Aug 2010- 28 Feb 2011]
4- Ebrahim Sharif Abdulraheem Mossa ( 5 Years imprisonment) – arrested 16 Mar 2011
5- Abduljalil Mansoor Makk. (Al Miqdad) ( life sentence imprisonment) arrested 27 Mar 2011
6- Abduljalil Abdullah Al Singace.( life sentence imprisonment) – arrested 16 Mar 2011 [and was in prisone between Aug 2010- 28 Feb 2011]
7- Saeed Mirza Ahmed. (AlNouri) ( life sentence imprisonment) – arrested 16 Mar 2011 [and was in prisone between Aug 2010- 28 Feb 2011]
8- Abdul Hadi Abdullah Mahdi Hassan (AlMukhodher) ( 15 years imprisonment) – arrested 16 Mar 2011 [and was in prisone between 13 Aug 2010- 28 Feb 2011]
9- Abdullah Isa Al Mahroos.( 15 years imprisonment) – arrested 16 Mar 2011 [and was in prisone between Aug 2010-28 Feb 2011]
10- Abdulhadi Al Khawaja ( life sentence imprisonment) – arrested 9 April 2011
11-Salah Hubail Al Khawaj.( 5 years imprisonment) – arrested 21 Mar 2011
12- Mohammed Hassan Jawad.( 15 years imprisonment) – arrested Mar 2011 [was arrested for few weeks last year]
13- Mohammed Ali Ismael. ( 15 years imprisonment) – arrested Mar 2011
14- Al Hurr Yousif Mohammed.( 2 Years imprisonment) – arrested Mar 2011 [and was in prisone between Aug 2010- 28 Feb 2011] …more

One blogger sentenced to life imprisonment, another to 15 years in jail
Published on Wednesday 22 June 2011.

Reporters Without Borders is shocked by the long jail sentences that a military court passed today on 21 activists accused of belonging to terrorist organizations and trying to overthrow the government. Eight of them, including human rights activist and blogger Abduljalil Al-Singace, got life sentences. Thirteen others received sentences ranging from two to 15 years in prison. Ali Abdulemam, a blogger who was tried in absentia, was given 15 years.

“The only crime committed by Abdulemam and Al-Singace was freely expressing opinions contrary to those of the government,” Reporters Without Borders said. “These sentences, handed down at the end of trail that flouted defence rights, are typical of the intransigence that the authorities have been showing towards those identified as government opponents, who have borne the full brunt of their repression. The international community must call the government to account on its strategy of stifling all dissent.”

The head of the pro-democracy and civil liberties movement Al Haq, Singace was rearrested on 16 March after being held from September to February. He was previously arrested in 2009 for allegedly trying to destabilize the government because he used his blog (http://alsingace.katib.org) to denounce the deplorable state of civil liberties and discrimination against Bahrain’s Shiite population.

Abdulemam is regarded by fellow Bahrainis as one of his country’s Internet pioneers and is an active member of Bahrain Online, a pro-democracy forum that gets more than 100,000 visitors a day despite being blocked within Bahrain. A contributor to the international bloggers network Global Voices, he has taken part in many international conferences at which he has denounced human rights violations in Bahrain. He was also detained from September to February but avoided being rearrested and has been in hiding for several months. …more

Swedish activist gets life sentence in Bahrain
Published: 22 Jun 11 12:12 CET

A Swedish citizen and democracy activist was sentenced to life imprisonment in Bahrain on Wednesday after being convicted of “terrorist activity”, according to the Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR).

The life sentence for Mohammed Habib al-Muqdad comes on top of a 20-year sentence he received in May for allegedly kidnapping a police officer.

According to Wednesday’s ruling, al-Muqdad was guilty of “terrorist activity” with the intention to overthrow the regime.

“Since he was last released from prison he has been fighting for democracy in Bahrain,” Mohammed Al-Maskati, chairman of BYSHR told The Local.

Al-Muqdad was previously incarcerated for what the regime sees as “oppositional activity” after being arrested in August 2010 when he was held isolated without being able to contact his family or lawyer.

Al-Muqdad, who has dual-citizenship, was then brought in again and convicted in May together with eight others to 20 years in prison after allegedly kidnapping a police officer.

He is in his fifties and is a Muslim scholar from central Sweden, who lived in the country for many years, only returning to Bahrain in the 2000s after there had been some reforms in the country.

Swedish authorities tried to get to see him in conjunction with his last sentence but have met with difficulty as Bahraini law does not recognize dual citizenship. …more

BAHRAIN: Heavy sentences for human rights and dissenting activities
22 June 2011

On June 22, 2011, the National Security Court of Bahrain has sentenced to life imprisonment 8 of the 21 human rights defenders and political activists whom have been brought to trial under charges linked to supposed “terrorist activities”. The 13 others were sentenced to two to fifteen years’ imprisonment.
The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) express their utmost concern regarding this decision, as they consider that the charges are politically motivated and the right to a fair trial has been disregarded. Accordingly, FIDH and OMCT call for the immediate and unconditional release of those detained.

The 21 defendants have been brought to trial and charged with ”organising and managing a terrorist organisation”, “attempt to overthrow the government by force and in liaison with a terrorist organisation working for a foreign country,” and the “collection of money for a terrorist group”. FIDH and OMCT have considered since the beginning of the trial that the proceedings against them actually aim at sanctioning their involvement in the peaceful protests demanding democracy, the respect for human rights and/or political changes in the country(1).

Out of the 21 individuals sentenced, seven persons have been tried in absentia. Among the 14 who are under detention, several reported that they had been kept in solitary confinement and subject to continuous torture. Mr. Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja, former Director of the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights (BCHR)(3), who has been sentenced to life imprisonment, has regularly declared that he has been subjected to torture and other threats and bore at several occasion visible signs of torture. Moreover, the trial was not held in public. On May 12, 2011, at the second hearing, international observers were prevented to access the Court. Since then, international observers – even journalists covering the events – have been quasi systematically banned from entering the country.

“The judiciary in Bahrain has failed to guarantee the most basics of fair trial. We fear that the Special Appeal Court, if referred to, will not be able to restore the confidence of the Bahraini people through achieving an independent justice” said Souhayr Belhassen, President of FIDH. …more

Bahrain protesters hit streets after life sentences for 8 Shiite activists
By Associated Press, Updated: Wednesday, June 22, 1:55 PM

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Bahraini protesters poured back to the streets Wednesday after a security court sentenced eight Shiite activists to life in prison in the latest blow by the Western-backed kingdom to cripple the biggest Arab Spring opposition movement in the Gulf.

The fast and angry reaction to the verdicts — the most significant display of unrest in weeks — underscored the volatility in the island nation after four months of unrest and raised questions about whether any credible pro-reform leaders will heed calls by the Sunni monarchy to open talks next week.

In size, Bahrain is little more than a speck off the coast of Saudi Arabia. But it draws in some of the region’s major players: hosting the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet and serving as a growing point of friction between Gulf powers Saudi Arabia and Iran.

Security forces used tear gas to drive back hundreds of Shiite marchers trying to reach a central square in the capital Manama, which was once the hub of their protests for greater rights. In other Shiite areas, protesters gathered in the streets but were held back by riot police. No injuries were reported.

Bahrain has allowed two major rallies this month by the main opposition party, but the confrontations Wednesday were among the biggest challenges to security forces since martial law-style rule was lifted June 1.

Shiites account for 70 percent of Bahrain’s population of some 525,000, but claim they face systematic discrimination such as being barred from top government and political posts.

The protests — claiming at least 31 lives since February — have put U.S. officials in the difficult position of both denouncing the violence and standing by Bahrain’s rulers and their call for dialogue. In response, opposition groups have increased demands that include an end to the political trials and withdrawal of a Saudi-led regional force helping prop up Bahrain’s ruling family. …more

Foreign Office Minister concerned about sentencing in Bahrain
22 June 2011

“It is deeply worrying that civilians are being tried before tribunals chaired by a military judge, with reports of abuse in detention, lack of access to legal counsel and coerced confessions.”
Foreign Office Minister Alistair Burt MP

Foreign Office Minister for the Middle East, Alistair Burt said:

“I am extremely concerned by the process surrounding today’s sentencing of 21 opposition members and the nature of many of the charges. One of those found guilty is Ibrahim Sharif, a prominent moderate politician who has been a constructive participant in Bahraini politics and represents a registered political party. He was sentenced to five years. It is deeply worrying that civilians are being tried before tribunals chaired by a military judge, with reports of abuse in detention, lack of access to legal counsel and coerced confessions.

The Bahraini Government has committed to a National Dialogue on 1st July, which must be supported with concrete actions to address the long-term challenges facing Bahrain. We will also expect any appeals process to thoroughly and transparently address the substantial concerns that have been raised in these tribunals.” …source

Bahrain rights activists jailed for life
Military court finds eight campaigners guilty of plotting coup during protests in Sunni-ruled kingdom

Bahraini Shia Muslims chant slogans to free prisoners during a sermon. Photograph: Hasan Jamali/AP

Eight Bahraini rights activists have been given life sentences by a military court, which found them guilty of plotting a coup against the government during two months of unrest that rattled the country earlier this year.

Another 13 demonstrators were given sentences of between two to 15 years, as the government attempts to crush dissent that has erupted in the tiny kingdom since February following popular uprisings elsewhere in the Arab world.

The verdicts were immediately condemned by rights groups who said all those found guilty had been campaigning to end discrimination at the hands of the Sunni dynasty. Almost all activists who took to the streets of Manama in February and March were Shia Muslims, who make up 70% of Bahrain’s population, but feel largely disenfranchised.

Bahrain’s ruling dynasty claimed that the men were part of a “sedition ring”, backed by Iran and Hezbollah, trying to topple the regime.

Among those given life sentences were leading members of opposition political groups. Leading rights activist Adbul Hadi al-Khawaja, whose daughters Zainab and Maryam are prominent members of the Bahrain human rights movement, was one of those condemned to life in prison. Zainab was reportedly removed from the courtroom after protesting against the sentence. …more

Show Trial Verdicts Further Stain Bahrain’s Reputation
For Immediate Release: June 22, 2011
Human Rights Defenders

Washington, D.C.—Today, verdicts of 21 defendants were pronounced in Bahrain’s large political show trial. The verdicts expose the travesty of Bahrain’s military courts, and make the prospects of reconciliation even more remote, said Human Rights First.

“This was not a fair or proper legal process by any standard—there was evidence of torture, denial of proper contact with lawyers and failure to provide basic legal safeguards. This was a sham trial, another stain on Bahrain’s already discredited human rights record,” said HRF’s Brian Dooley, who was refused entry to observe the court hearings on May 12.

Eight of the 21 defendants were sentenced to life in prison, including prominent human rights defender Abdulhadi Al Khawaja. The other 13 were given between two and 15 years imprisonment.

“The verdicts undermine the Bahraini authorities’ attempts to show that normalcy has been restored. They continue to commit serious human rights violations, including pronouncing people guilty after unfair trials,” added Dooley. …more