World Report 2012 – Bahrain
Events of 2011 – Human Rights Watch

In mid-February Bahraini authorities used lethal force to suppress peaceful anti-government and pro-democracy protests, killing seven and wounding many more.

The crackdown resumed in mid-March, after troops from Saudi Arabia entered Bahrain and Bahraini military and security forces launched a systematic campaign of retribution, arresting thousands of demonstrators or individuals who supported the protests. Authorities fired hundreds of public sector employees suspected of supporting the protests, as did large private firms in which the state had a substantial stake.

Security forces’ use of birdshot pellets, rubber bullets, and tear gas as well as live ammunition caused most of the deaths and injuries of protesters and bystanders. Attacks against protesters continued after authorities formally lifted the “state of national safety” on June 1. At this writing more than 40 persons had been killed in connection with suppression of protests, including four who died in custody in April from torture or medical neglect, and several members of security forces.

Right to Assembly

During the early morning hours of February 17, security forces attacked peaceful demonstrators at the Pearl Roundabout in Manama, the capital. Many were sleeping. The assault left four protesters dead and hundreds injured. On February 18, security forces and the Bahrain Defense Force (BDF) fired live ammunition and rubber bullets at peaceful protesters marching towards the Pearl Roundabout – then occupied by BDF tanks, armored vehicles and police units – mortally wounding Abd al-Ridha Bu Hameed.

On February 19, authorities ordered security and military forces to withdraw and protesters reoccupied the Pearl Roundabout. For four weeks protesters gathered at the roundabout and other areas to voice opposition to the government and ruling Al Khalifa family. Crown Prince Salma bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa appeared on national television and guaranteed that protesters would be free to demonstrate at the Pearl Roundabout without facing arrest or attack by government forces.

On March 16 – a day after King Hamad declared a “state of national safety,” akin to a state of emergency – security and military forces forcibly cleared the Pearl Roundabout, the center of anti-government protests. The same day, forces dispersed protesters in villages outside Manama and surrounded the Salmaniya Medical Complex, the country’s largest public hospital, preventing patients and medical staff from entering or leaving the hospital. At least six people were killed during clashes on March 16, including two police officers.
[Read more →]

Bahrain police fire tear gas at rally
25 January, 2012 – Associated Press

MANAMA, Bahrain (AP) — Security forces in Bahrain have fired tear gas and stun grenade after opposition groups staged a rare march into the center of the capital Manama.

Police set up checkpoints and many shops were closed after the Wednesday unrest. Clashes occur almost daily in the island kingdom, but mostly in areas outside the Manama’s business districts.

Bahrain’s majority Shiites began protests nearly a year ago to seek greater rights from the ruling Sunni monarchy.

A government statement also said at least 41 policemen were injured in clashes with demonstrators that took place elsewhere on Tuesday. One policeman has severe burns from a petrol bomb. …source

Bahrainis seek freedom and justice, says Lamees Dhaif
WSN – by Lameses Dhaif – 23 January, 2012

Bahrain, a country that feels the world forsake it and ignores its struggle as compared with the rest of the revolutions.

The people of Bahrain are peaceful people living at the mercy of a repressive, corrupt authority. We are the only oil country where more than half of its people live in need, not because we do not have the resources – but because the corruption here created two categories of people – extreme wealth and extreme poor.

The indigenous people of Bahrain lived here before the arrival of the royal family. These – the original inhabitants – suffered more than others of oppression, discrimination and marginalization.

Recently these people revolted demanding conditions which are more just and democratic.

They also requested to change the prime minister, who has governed the country for four decades. During these years he looted so many of the countries resources for himself and his family.

Instead of listening to these demands, the regime suppressed villages and the regions that participated in the protests. Thousands of people were arrested, starved and injured. Lots of martyrs fell, most of them below the age of 16 years.

The peaceful demands were met with repression and abuse not only rejection.

However, the people are determined to continue their struggle to regain their legitimate rights.

The role of women

Women participated alongside men in these protests and were in the front lines. They were not afraid of the bullets and the military.

The martyr Bahia Al-Aradi, was one of the first to be killed in the confrontations. She had remained steadfast and was standing even when the men began to retreat after attacks from the military.

The women were subjected to the worst types of torture and were deployed from work and their reputation and chastity were trashed. This increased their determination to contribute to positive change.

Democracy is what Bahrain wants

When it comes to democracy, we believe that this form of tribal rule has failed. The existence of one family that controls the country and the destiny of its people has become a thing of the past. The era of absolute monarchies has ended since the Middle Ages.

The people of Bahrain are educated and they deserve a democratic government that respects and honors its will. Freedom and justice is all we want .. Is it too much to ask?

(Lamees Dhaif is a Journalist and human rights activist from Bahrain, she shares her views on Bahrain with www.wespeaknews.com via email)
…source

STL defense to answer questions on Twitter
24 January, 2012 – The Daily Star – Mohammad Azakir

BEIRUT: The head of the Defence Office at the Special Tribunal for Lebanon will be answering questions on Twitter from members of the public from 3 to 5 p.m. Beirut time Tuesday.

Francois Roux will answer questions related to the Defense Office, whose principal duty is to protect the rights of the accused.

In late June, the STL indicted four members of Hezbollah in the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri in 2005. Hezbollah denies involvement.
…source

Bahrain police under attack after Shia cleric’s call
25 January, 2012 – BCC

Violence has flared up in Bahrain in the wake of a leading Shia cleric’s call on Friday to “crush” police.

At least one person was reportedly killed and dozens were injured as protesters attacked security forces in Shia villages outside the capital.

Demonstrators from the Shia majority have faced a crackdown in the past year, as the Sunni monarchy attempts to cope with their demands for reform.

Sheikh Isa Qassim said: “Whoever you see abusing a woman, crush him.”

The sermon by the previously moderate cleric was taken as a call to arms by angry young Shia.

In a fiery harangue, a video of which has been seen by the BBC, Sheikh Qassim said: “Let us die for our honour.” …more

“How do those who do this to people expect the people to remain silent and not defend their rights and honour?” he asked.

Police routed

Video footage made available to the BBC show security forces being routed by Shia activists hurling stones and petrol bombs in the village of Sitra near the capital Manama over the weekend.
Protesters clashing with police officer Shia anger is turning increasingly violent

Sitra has been a focus of tension in the struggle between Shia protesters and the government of King Hamad Bin Isa al-Khalifa.

Two pictures from another Shia village, Diraz, show a security officer lying wounded on the pavement after being beaten by rioters on Tuesday.

Others show protesters in balaclavas and white martyrdom robes in a stand-off with police in Budaiya, just outside Manama.

The ministry of interior later released a statement saying that 41 security officers had been injured, two of them critically.

Activists meanwhile said at least one protester had died as a result of police violence. …more

Bahrain Analysis: Navigating a Rising Tide of Violence
24 January, 2012 – EA World News – by Marc Owen Jones

In his Friday sermon three days ago, Bahrain’s most senior Shi’a cleric Isa Qassim sent a strong message out to the state security services, saying, “Whoever you see abusing women, you must crush them.” Unsurprisingly, such words caused considerable anxiety in Bahrain, where tensions and violence seem to have escalated sharply since the beginning of the year. On Sunday, in what is one of the more powerful videos to emerge from Bahrain in the past year, residents of al-Eker videoed themselves chasing away riot police with Molotov cocktails, sticks and stones. Protesters have claimed that this was in retaliation to this incident, in which women appear to be struck and manhandled by riot officers after becoming involved over a man’s arrest.

With Qassim’s endorsement of violence in the defense of women comes the anxiety that Bahrain’s largest political opposition society al-Wefaq are taking on an increasingly hardline stance. It would, however, be inaccurate to suggest Qassim’s words reflect the will of the party itself. On the contrary, several months ago the opposition coalition (which includes al-Wefaq) used the post-BICI [Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry] period of relative goodwill to affect some sort of rapprochement, and denounced the use of roadblocks and pouring oil on the road.

To clarify al-Wefaq’s stance, Ali Salman outlined when it was acceptable to use violence, and stipulates clearly that it should only be used as a form of self defence in situations where the attack has clearly been established or when violations of property have occurred. He also added that protests should be peaceful, and that if this peacefulness was met with violence, then it is only fair to defend oneself. Despite Ali Salman’s clarification, Qassim’s words may have swayed those still deliberating whether or not violence is a legitimate defensive strategy to counter continued state repression. Such rhetoric concerning the defence of women will not only resonate strongly within an Islamic context, but also amongst many men themselves, who see violence against women as an affront to masculinity and pride.

Regardless of Qassim’s words, this escalation in violence seems to have been particularly notable over the last months, and a number of videos have surfaced that show residents of Bahrain’s villages resorting to increasingly extreme tactics to combat the presence of the riot police.

While violence towards the state security apparatus is not new, the uprising that began on 14 February 2011 was a largely peaceful movement, and generally rejected the violence that was more commonplace in the 1990s. However, continued government reluctance to affect meaningful change and provide space for legitimate political opposition is inevitably leading to increased radicalisation amongst Bahrain’s youth. Recent events would suggest that the violence is becoming less sporadic, more organised, and more widespread, as these videos show.

– Al-Daih. 22nd December. Unknown persons throw some sort of incendiary device off a roof, setting a policeman’s foot on fire. (This one particularly looks like it could have been a lot worse).

– Sitra. 23rd December. Protesters throw Molotovs and stones at passing police jeeps.

– Nabi Saleh. 24th December. Protesters throw Molotovs and iron rods at police, managing to set fire to a policeman’s leg

– Nuwaidrat. 30th December. Protesters wearing white smocks launch a co-ordinated attack on riot police

– Al Dair. 20th January. Protesters throw Molotovs and stones and riot police.

– A’ali. around 20th January. Protesters throw molotovs at the police.

-Uniformed protesters in Diraz march in a well-drilled and regimented fashion. They appear to be holding flags with Feb 14th Youth imagery….Similar to the previous video, this one shows youth in North Sehla marching in a regimented fashion, also holding flags that bearing Feb14th Youth imagery. A markedly similar procession is held in Sitra. These three videos all concern this idea of “holy defence” which will be discussed later. ِ

This is not an exhaustive list, but simply an indicator of increased militancy amongst Bahrain’s youth. Although the videos depicting violence speak for themselves, the latter 3 videos documenting the regimented processions are a bit more ambiguous to interpret. If, like their banners suggest, they represent the Feb 14th Youth, does this then challenge the existing conception that they are a “loosely organised” group. Possibly.

In addition to the above videos, a number of alarming discussions have been taking place on one of Bahrain’s popular opposition forums. This short thread focuses on the best way to run over policemen, whilst this one requests the addresses of thugs, “mercenaries” and officers. This use of violence is often justified in the context of “holy defence”.

Indeed, today sees the launch of “BahrainFist”, an operation of “holy defence” whose aim is to send a clear message to the security forces. The operation will not rely on peaceful means, and it seeks to “crush” the “mercenaries” should they decide to park at the entrance to the villages (which they inevitably will). Despite all the aforementioned talk of running over policemen, BahrainFist seems mainly to promote the use of Molotov cocktails, though there is a post on their website linking to this bizarre, marble-firing-gun made by some people in Barbar (though I imagine such weapons are more frightening than they are effective). [Note, the video of the marble-firing gun has since become private — odd. Another two (1,2) clips resemble martyrdom videos, and show men talking about their commitment to the BahrainFist operation.

Although it is not clear who is behind BahrainFist, it would be safe to assume it is a youth-based endeavour. Interestingly, those behind BahrainFist made a point of noting that the Feb 14th Youth endorsed their operation, suggesting that the two are not necessarily linked. BahrainFist also took Isa Qassim’s recent speech as an endorsement of their operation, though this may be a somewhat liberal interpretation of his speech.

While BahrainFist claims it is an operation of holy defence, the line between defence and pre-meditated offence can be somewhat nebulous. Do the riot police simply being parked at the entrances to a village constitute a transgression worthy of violent self defence? I imagine most would tend to disagree, though if the ability to protest peacefully is not provided, then is violent self-defence an inevitability? All valid questions, yet there does seem to be something pre-meditated about today’s operation.

Predictably, Qassim’s words and the advent of BahrainFist are not doing much to pacify loyalists, who have posted videos such as this, which shows them denouncing the likes of Isa Qassim and friends. They state that they will force them back to their original country (Iran) if they don’t stop what they’re doing. Although such threats are decidedly vague, the belief amongst many loyalists that the Government are refusing to enforce laws increases the possibility of vigilantiism. Indeed, thugs seemed to be out in force at the funeral of Yousif Muwali two days ago, and a number of people complained about being attacked. A new video has emerged of thugs and riot police officers beating up a man in Nuwaidrat. This comes a few weeks after thugs were reported to be loading up unmarked cars with molotov cocktails. The previous video also shows a thug throwing a Molotov cocktail with a riot officer doing little more than shooing him away. Let’s not also forget that the police themselves indulge in throwing molotov cocktails.
…more

February 14 Youth Coalition Condemns International Community’s Silence Over State Terror and Hold It Responsible For Any Future
by إئتلاف شباب ثورة 14 فبراير on Tuesday, January 24, 2012 at 9:51pm

The February 14 Youth Coalition condemns international community silence over the countless crimes and violations, which have been committed by the regime in Bahrain and the invading Saudi Arabia forces (under disguise of GCC Peninsula Shield) since the beginning of Bahrain Spring on 14 of February last year.

Clearly, this silence has been interpreted by the regime in Bahrain as an approval to use brutal methods to crush the peaceful revolution and crackdown on political activists. Use of lethal weapons, arbitrary detention, systematic torture (fatal in some cases) by hands of foreign mercenaries, job dismissal and sexual abuses in addition to laying siege on villages, ruining warship places and various sorts of collective punishments have been part of Bahrainis daily life!

Despite ongoing calls from credible human rights organizations such as Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International and Human Rights First to take serious action, the international community has remained largely silent. Furthermore, the international community has adapted a double-standard approach by deliberately ignoring the legitimate demand of Bahrain pro-democracy supports for self-determination, while it intervened directly in other Arab countries where people have called for the downfall of their dictatorships.

For the last eleven months, we have repeatedly pleaded for the international community to stand up to its expectations and protect the people of Bahrain from the brutal and illegitimate regime of Al-Khalifa but to no avail. Our people have had enough and it is time for us to assert to our right for self-defense and give up on a community that has proven it acts only when its selfish interests are threatened.

Therefore, we hold the international community fully responsible for any dangerous escalation that might happen in the future. …source

Protester responds in extreme, frustrated by murders of Protesters at peaceful protests and people in their homes with gas attacks

Saudi forces fire on Peaceful Shia protesters in Qatif
25 January, 2012 – JafriaNews

JNN 24 Jan 2012 Qatif : Several Saudi protesters have been injured in an attack by security forces on a demonstration in the Qatif region of the Eastern Province, Press TV reports.

On Tuesday, Saudi security forces opened fire on demonstrators in Qatif that protested against the ruling Al Saud regime.

Some of the wounded are reportedly in critical condition.

Nine protesters were also arrested during the attack on Tuesday for involvement in anti-regime demonstrations in the region.

Saudi officials accuse the detainees of “shooting members of security forces” in Eastern Province.

On Monday, Saudi security forces detained Zaher al-Zaher, a social activist, in the town of Awamiyah in the Eastern Province.

Regime forces also killed 22-year-old protester Essam Mohamed Abu Abdellah and wounded three others in Awamiyah on January 12.

Since February 2011, Saudi protesters have held demonstrations on an almost regular basis in the oil-rich Eastern Province, mainly in Qatif and Awamiyah, calling for the release of all political prisoners, freedom of expression and assembly, and an end to widespread discrimination.

However, the demonstrations have turned into protest rallies against the Al Saud regime, especially since November 2011, when Saudi security forces killed five protesters and injured many others in Eastern Province.

Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr, a prominent Shia cleric in Saudi Arabia, has warned the kingdom against the brutal crackdown on protesters in Eastern Province and called on the Al Saud regime to stop bloodshed.

Saudi Arabia is a state party to the Arab Charter on Human Rights. Article 24 of the charter states that “every citizen has the right… to freely pursue a political activity [and] to freedom of association and peaceful assembly.” …source

Some Protesters Retaliate Against Police Violence

Several people were wounded as “violence flared up in Bahrain in the wake of a leading Shia cleric’s call to ‘crush’ police.’” In his sermon Sheikh Isa Qassim said, “whoever you see abusing a woman, crush him,” which spurred some youth activists to engage in violence. “How do those who do this to people expect the people to remain silent and not defend their rights and honor?” he asked, referencing the violence that security forces have used against opposition groups. The video (above) shows Shia activists throwing stones and petrol bombs in response to recent attacks on protesters and women. Some sources also said that two policemen kidnapped and assaulted before being released. Public Security chief Major-General Tariq Al Hassan said, “a number of vandals were arrested after they blocked roads in various villages.” Some peaceful protesters expressed concern over the attacks, saying, “no one should come down to that level. It is not right what (the protesters) are doing.”

Meanwhile, security forces fired tear gas and stun grenades when protesters marched into the capital city of Manama. Police set up checkpoints and many shops were closed after the clashes. …source

Bahrain protesters Martyred by toxic gas assaults
25 January, 2012 – Shia Post

Two more anti-government Bahraini protesters have martyred from inhaling toxic tear gas and the other by sound grenade fired by al-Khalifa regime forces.

According to informed sources, Bahraini forces attacked houses in A’ali and al Diyah village by fiering tear gas and severely suppressed innocent civilians.

Today victims namely ’Haj ali al Sakri’ martyred from inhaling toxic tear gas in A’ali village and the other one ’Abbas Ja’afar Sheikh’, 22, by sound grenade from al-Khalifa regime forces, in al-Diyah village.

The number of Bahrain martyrs reached to 63.

Local sources said the demonstrations were held mainly in the village of Ma’ameer, about 15 kilometers (9.5 miles) south of the capital Manama, and the village of Dair, located on the northern coast of the Muharraq Island.

Many were also injured during the attacks, the sources said.

Regime forces also used toxic gas against a protest in the town of Sitra, A’alia and al-Dirah.

Saudi-backed Bahraini forces continue their violent crackdown on peaceful demonstrations in the country. …source

Human Rights in the Middle East: Why US Voices Matter
by: Sanjeev Bery – 25 January, 2012 – Human RIghts now Amnesty

Five months ago, I joined the team at Amnesty International USA to advocate for human rights across the Middle East and North Africa. Together with my colleagues in our Washington DC office, I work daily to push governments to stand up for core freedoms — or at least, to stop violating them.

From my perch in DC, I’m especially concerned about US foreign policy and how it impacts the lives of those across the Middle East and North Africa. In a number of countries where protestors have been in the streets, the governments that have attacked them received guns, ammunition, and equipment from US sources.

Egypt’s military leadership is one example. Bahrain’s monarchy is another. What this means is that US-based human rights advocates and activists have a very important role to play. What happens in Washington DC and in congressional districts across the country has a significant impact on human rights around the world.

That’s because the people responsible for putting US weapons in the hands of human rights violators pay close attention to what US voters have to say. Where there is silence, the status quo remains. But when concerned US citizens and residents speak up, elected officials notice.

One good example was the US State Department’s decision late last year to delay a proposed $53 million weapons sale to the Bahraini government. Since February of 2011, the Bahraini security forces have shown a willingness to use violence and torture to control and penalize Bahraini protestors.

Bahrain is a tiny island nation that has been ruled by the al Khalifa monarchy for some 200 years. As with so many governments across the Middle East and North Africa, Bahrain’s leaders are now facing increasing scrutiny and protest from the society they have ruled over. And as in so many other countries, the Bahraini government has responded to such protests with violence.

That’s why there was significant protest inside the United States when the Obama Administration proposed selling $53 million in US arms to the Bahrain government in September of 2011. Amnesty International, human rights activists, and even Members of Congress criticized the proposed sale. The Bahraini government had already used tanks to surround a hospital where wounded protestors had been treated. Why was the US government now proposing the sale of additional armored Humvees and tow missiles?

Following public criticism and threats of legislative action, the weapons sale has now been put on hold. That’s why Bahrain’s monarchy invests time in Twitter and pays for US lobbyists like Joe Trippi – the one-time strategist behind Howard Dean’s presidential campaign. They want to do their best to prevent such an outcome from happening again in the future. As human rights violations in Bahrain continue, the Bahraini government wants to limit the resulting political damage in the US.

All of this, however, shows how important domestic US opinion is for securing global human rights. As protestors take to the streets in country after country in the Middle East and North Africa, let’s make sure we in the US are doing our part to stand up for their core human rights. That doesn’t necessarily mean endorsing their every specific demand or political platforms. But it does mean preventing the shipment of US weapons that could be used to kill them.

In the global struggle for human rights, our own policymakers need to hear from us.

International Mission to Bahrain Report says promises for reform unfulfilled, while situation deteriorates
24 January 2012- BCHR

(ANHRI/Index on Censorship/WiPC/IFEX) – 24 January 2012 – Tunis/London – A report from a six-member mission of international organisations to Bahrain last November called out Bahraini authorities for failing to deliver on promises of reform, despite a highly-touted commission of inquiry which made numerous recommendations. Rights violations continue on a daily basis, and people are still jailed on long sentences, including prominent human rights activists jailed for life. Yet the world has not been paying attention to this forgotten country during a year of turmoil in the region.

The report, “Justice Denied in Bahrain: Freedom of Expression and Assembly Curtailed”, outlines violations of human rights related to the authorities’ handling of protests and demonstrations in the country since February 2011. The report details meetings with human rights defenders, lawyers, writers, artists, journalists, government officials and foreign diplomats and provides insight into how the government continues to punish and prosecute individuals for expressing their opinions and protesting ongoing repression.

“In the middle of the successive events that occur in the region we must not lose sight of the Bahraini people’s plight. We should deal with what’s happening in Bahrain as a peaceful uprising asking for dignity and human rights, not in the framework of sectarian conflict,” said Mina Mamdouh, Researcher at the Arabic Network for Human Rights Information.

With the publication of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI) report at the end of November (witnessed by the mission) and the deadline of February 2012 for a national commission to make recommendations for reform, expectations have been raised that there will be change in Bahrain. However, as the report indicates and as the mission members witnessed – and continue to monitor –the reality on the ground in Bahrain remains unchanged. Human rights activists, doctors, teachers, union members, political figures, journalists, bloggers and others continue to face harassment, prosecution and imprisonment despite the use of torture and unfair trials against them. Protests continue on an almost daily basis, and the security forces response is virtually unchanged since before the publication of the BICI report.

“It seems that despite the BICI report’s extensive catalogue of abuses against Bahraini citizens including torture, and a clear condemnation of the culture of impunity, the government of Bahrain is intent on maintaining the status quo. We are not seeing the immediate release of prisoners. Instead there is an interminable succession of postponed trials,” said Marian Botsford Fraser, Chair of the Writers in Prison Committee, PEN International.

The 11 recommendations made in the report, “Justice Denied in Bahrain: Freedom of Expression and Assembly Curtailed”, include calls to end the harassment, imprisonment and prosecution of Bahraini citizens for what essentially amount to persecution of free expression and legitimate human rights work. In line with the BICI report, which was accepted by the government of Bahrain, the international mission report also insists on accountability for those responsible for violating international human rights norms, in particular those responsible for torture and killing.

The full mission report is online in English at:
bahrainmissionreportjanuary2012final.pdf (634 KB)

The mission team was composed of the Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (ANHRI), Front Line Defenders, the Gulf Centre for Human Rights (GCHR), Index on Censorship, International Media Support (IMS) and the Writers in Prison Committee (WiPC) of PEN International, and was supported by the International Freedom of Expression Exchange (IFEX). …source

New Year in Bahrain Different: Systematic Violations Against Human Rights Activists
17 January, 2012

On January 1, 2012, Mr. Hani Alqmich was injured in the head by teargas canister were fired by the riot police during the assault on a peaceful protest.

Mr.Hani had surgery in the head, but he is still in hospital suffering from injury.

Mr.Hani activist in defending the rights of the unemployed.

On January 1, 2012, Bahraini authorities arrested Mr. Ahmed Abbas (a member of the Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights-BYSHR) and he has been subjected to ill-treatment.

In October and November 2011, the authorities attempted to arrest Mr. Ahmed Abbas, a member of the BYSHR, in relation to the monitoring and documentation of human rights violations in the village of Nuwaidrat. Mr. Ahmed Abbas has since then been forced to remain in hiding to continue his human rights work.

In the evening of January 6, 2012, Mr. Nabeel Rajab, President of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights was beaten severely by the security forces in Manama while he was participating in a peaceful demonstration to call for the release of political prisoners and human rights activists. According to testimonies, policemen attacked the demonstrators and a group of police officers gathered suddenly around Mr. Rajab and started beating him. He was kicked, punched and beaten all over his body and especially on the face and back, while lying on the ground.

In the evening of January 12, 2012, Mr. Nader Abdulemam, Human Rights Activist was injured in the face by teargas canister were fired by the riot police during the assault on a peaceful protest.

The Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR) demands to punish the perpetrators and the protection of human rights defenders in Bahrain. ..source

Three Prominent Bahraini Human Rights Defenders Recieve International Human Rights Personality of the Year 2011
29 December, 2011 – BYSHR

The Arab-American Organization for Democracy and Human Rights has awarded three prominent Bahraini Human Rights Defenders the International Human Rights Defenders Personality of the year 2011 along with other prominent Arab activist from the region.

The three defenders are:

1. Mr. Abdulhadi Alkhawaja, currently serving a life sentence for his human rights work in Bahrain. Was previously the Middle East and North Africa Coordinator with Frontline Defenders and the previous President of the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights (BCHR)

2. Mr. Nabeel Rajab, An Ion Ratiu Democracy Award Winner 2011, President of Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR), Deputy Secretary General of FIDH, and MENA Advisory member of Human Rights Watch.

3. Mr. Mohammed Al-Maskati, President of the Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR)

The award identifies these 3 activists as brave leaders of the Arab spring along with other prominent activists such as Nobel award winner Tawakul Karman, Eqyptian blogger Alaa Abdulfatah and Egyptian activist Wael Ghunaim. …source