Posts from — March 2012

Bahrain Activists: Manama Ignoring Human Rights Reform
18 March, 2012 – Bahrain Freedom Movement

More than eight months since the Bahraini Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI) was established, the government has failed to implement most of the recommendations, activists say.

Following mass pro-democracy protests between February and March 2011, the Bahraini government was accused of leading a severe crackdown on peaceful demonstrators.

The kingdom’s leader, King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, ordered that an Independent Commission of Inquiry be set up.

The commission was tasked with determining “whether the events of February and March 2011 (and thereafter) involved violations of international human rights law and norms, and to make the recommendations that it deems appropriate,” according to its website.

Months after the publication of the BICI’s report, however, activists and opposition leaders say the government has failed to implement most of the recommendations.

A new website and organisation called Bahrain Watch has even set up an “implementation tracker” explaining which recommendations the government has failed to carry through.

Some of them include the authority’s failure to establish an impartial, national independent mechanism to punish those responsible for death, torture, and mistreatment, to provide audio-visual recordings of all official interviews with detainees and to conduct effective investigations of all deaths attributed to security forces, as well as all allegations of torture and similar mistreatment.

Among some of the most pressing concerns, Bahrain Watch says police and security forces continue to commit torture and abuse with impunity, claims supported by Bahraini activists.

Bahrain Watch has exposed the case of a 16-year-old boy who says he was kidnapped and tortured just last month.

“He told me that this was the third time he was kidnapped and that before 14 February, 2011 he was imprisoned for one month in a political case. On 15 February, 2012 he received a phone call from a blocked number and they told him they were coming to get him,” said Irish activist Elaine Masons, who cleaned the boy’s wounds.

“He was outside his home in the village when a car with four hooded men grabbed him, put a bag over his head, tied his hands behind his back and drove off to an unknown location. They cut his body and beat him and then drove back to his village and dumped him out of the car on the road. They did not sexually assault him on this occasion, but did sexually assault him on the previous occasions,” she said.

“After the incident, the people that did this to him posted a tweet of what they had done and named him in the tweet,” she added.

The Bahraini government has created a web site where it provides an official account of the progress that has been made on implementing the BICI’s recommendations and reiterated its commitment to proceed with reforms.

“His Majesty King Hamad committed that we would implement these recommendations in their entirety and meaningfully. We will do this by the end of February 2012. Tangible progress made on each recommendation is daily updated in the Progress Section of this website”, a statement on the site read. …more

Rep. Polis Signs Bahrain Arms Sale Resolution

Congressman Jared Polis (D-CO) has joined 21 other cosponsors by signing on to H.J. Res. 80, which calls for “limiting the issuance of a letter of offer with respect to a certain proposed sale of defense articles and defense services to the Kingdom of Bahrain,” originally introduced by Rep. James McGovern (D-MA).

The resolution limits the proposed arms sale, requiring the Secretary of State to “certify to the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives” that the Government of Bahrain “is conducting good faith investigations and prosecutions of alleged perpetrators responsible for the killing, torture, arbitrary detention, and other human rights violations committed since February 2011,” among other measures ensuring the Government of Bahrain’s compliance with international human rights standards.

Bahrainis stage protest in Beirut against Saudi “interference” in Bahrain
19 March, 2012 – Lebanon NOW

Bahraini opposition activists gather outside the UN ESCWA building in Downtown Beirut on Monday. (AFP/Bahraini Opposition Abroad)

Bahraini opposition figures protested on Monday in front of Beirut’s ESCWA building to voice their condemnation to “Saudi interference” in Bahrain, a statement issued by the Bahraini opposition said.

The protesters called on the international community to address the “Saudi interference that is a flagrant occupation.”

The participants also submitted a letter to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon demanding Saudi forces to exit Bahrain because their presence “violates the UN charter’s articles pertaining to countries’ sovereignty.”

“[We call] for launching a serious investigation into the violations that the Saudi forces were involved in, such as demolishing mosques and violating religious freedoms.”

The statement also called for the UN General Assembly to address the issue.

The Shia-led opposition in Bahrain demands constitutional changes that would reduce the power of the ruling Sunni dynasty. Tensions have remained high in Bahrain since a deadly crackdown last year after a month of street protests in the capital Manama.

The joint Gulf Peninsula Shield Force headed by Saudi Arabia deployed to Bahrain in mid-March 2011 to back up the kingdom’s security forces in its crackdown of anti-regime protests.

…source

Bahrain opposition says ready for dialogue
19 March, 2012 – Lebanon NOW

Bahrain’s Shia-ruled opposition expressed on Monday readiness for dialogue with authorities to end the political deadlock in the Sunni-ruled kingdom, but demanded a referendum on the outcome.

The five main opposition associations, led by the major Shia formation, Al-Wefaq, said in a statement that the two sides of the dialogue should agree beforehand on its “agenda, mechanism, and time frame, in order to help create initial confidence.”

The groups also demanded that the dialogue include opposition leaders jailed in the wake of a brutal crackdown last year on a month-long protest demanding democratic change.

The opposition acknowledged that they have not received any invitation for talks, but said they were preparing in case negotiations were initiated.

The statement was released following a meeting of the groups, including the National Democratic Action Association, or Waed in Arabic, the Nationalist Democratic Rally Association, Alekha National Society, and National Democratic Assembly.

Political parties are banned in Bahrain, and licensed associations act as de facto parties.

The five groups said the results of the dialogue should be agreed by the public, and insisted that the outcome should be “revealed to the people so that an agreement can win popular and legal legitimacy.”

They reiterated that the dialogue should be based on the offer tabled by Crown Prince Sheikh Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa days before the clampdown in March last year.

Salman had said he supported vesting the parliament with full powers, and pledged to tackle naturalization, administrative and financial corruption, and sectarian tensions.

The Shiite majority have always complained of using naturalization to tip the demographic balance in favor of Sunnis loyal to the ruling family.

The opposition also demanded the implementation of the recommendations of an independent probe which accused police of using excessive force against demonstrators and torturing prisoners.
They agreed to form a “joint delegation” to any future talks.

Tensions have remained high since the deadly crackdown last year. An independent probe said 35 people were killed in the unrest, including five security personnel and five detainees tortured to death.
…more

Bahraini forces clash with protesters, one martyred
19 March, 2012 – Iran English Radio

Bahraini forces clash with protesters, one martyred

Another Bahraini protester has been martyred due to inhalation of tear gas fired by regime forces in an area north of the capital Manama.

According to Press TV, citing the main Bahraini opposition group, al-Wefaq, 27-year-old Sabri Mahfud died during a demonstration near Manama on Sunday.

Saudi-backed Bahraini forces continue the violent crackdown on peaceful demonstrations across the country.

Mahfud is the second victim of the Manama regime’s brutality over the past two days.

On Saturday, Bahraini activists found the body of 41-year-old Ja’far Jassim Radhi at his home in a village near Manama. Radhi was also martyred due to inhalation of tear gas fired by regime forces in the area.

Bahraini mourners held a funeral for Radhi near the capital on Sunday.

Bahrainis hold King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa responsible for the martyrdom of protesters during the popular uprising in the country that began in February 2011. …source

Bahrain opposition bloc: Free political prisoners before possible talks
By Associated Press – 19 March, 2012- Washington Post

MANAMA, Bahrain — Bahrain’s main opposition groups say authorities must free all political prisoners before possible talks on ending the 13-month uprising in the Gulf kingdom.

Monday’s statement appears to show some willingness to open dialogue with Bahrain’s Sunni monarchy, which has faced near-nonstop protests by majority Shiites seeking a greater political voice.

But the declaration set strict conditions, including release of activists jailed on anti-state offenses and reinstatement of all Shiites purged from jobs.

Bahrain’s leaders have taken strides to restore dismissed workers and made other concessions, but not enough to satisfy protesters.

More than 45 people have died in Bahrain’s unrest since February 2011.
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Bahraini security forces continue to engage in systematic torture in formal detention centers, and others informal
16 March, 2012 – Bahrain Center Human Rights

The general prosecutor is still involved in hiding the torture of detainees and does not allow their families to meet them till after the disappearance of the effects of torture and the severe beating.

Bahrain Center for Human Rights: repression in Bahrain takes new forms and methods and is continuing without stopping through the use of excessive force, torture, sexual harassment and breaking parts of the demonstrators’ bodies. …more

Bahrain Police Code of Conduct Published to Build Bridges of Confidence
15 March, 2012 – BNA

Manama, March 14. (BNA) — A tough new code of conduct for Bahrain’s police force enshrining principles of human rights and freedom for all citizens has been published by His Excellency Minister of Interior Lieutenant-General Sheikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al-Khalifa.

The new code, requiring officers to abide by ten principles including limited use of force and a policy of zero tolerance on torture and mistreatment, was one of the recommendations of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI).

It states that officers must show “respect for human dignity”, make arrests in accordance with international human rights standards, and forbids the use of force “except when absolutely necessary”. Officers must respect the code which should be their “guide and compass” while at work. It is based on principles enshrined in other international police codes, including those approved by the United Nations, and drawn up by the government of Australia, Northern Ireland and other Arab nations.

A new Internal Affairs Department is being established within the Ministry of Interior (MOI), and will be responsible for disciplinary reviews, as well as overseeing the new Police Code of Conduct.

In addition, the newly created position for an independent Ombudsman for policing will be entirely independent from the Ministry of Interior, and will have the responsibility of conducting investigations into allegations made against the police and other issues that relate to public confidence in policing.
The move comes as the Government of Bahrain is making swift progress in satisfying the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI)’s recommendations.

The Government has already initiated prosecutions of around 50 officers accused of mistreatment of protestors during last year’s unrest in Bahrain. It has also brought in international police experts John Timoney and John Yates to advise on best practice on policing in the Kingdom. And it has initiated a detailed and comprehensive new training programme for all officers and members of the security forces. …source

Bahrain’s foreign minister has asked the British Government to get Denis MacShane to shut up about its human rights record. Here he explains why he will not be silent

Tribune Magazine: Bahrain remains a torture-permitting nation

by Denis MacShane – 25 February, 2012 – Tribune Magazine

I am used to endless lies and criticism from the British National Party and its favourite blogger, as well as the ­Islamist ideologues who hate my work on anti-Semitism, and the offshore-owned press obsessed about Europe. But this is the first time that a government, Bahrain, has written to the British Government asking the Foreign Secretary to shut me up.

In a 17-page open letter to William Hague, Bahrain foreign minister Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa accuses me of making several “demonstrably misconceived” statements about the political ­situation in Bahrain without visiting the country. It is true that I have not been to Bahrain recently, but I don’t need to go to Syria or Iran or North Korea to know there are serious human rights issues in those countries.

The latest news from Bahrain remains ever more worrying. There are regular pro-democracy demonstrations which are severely repressed by the police. In a new tactic, the police are raiding individual homes and throwing tear gas canisters inside. Amnesty International reports that as many as 30 people may have been killed as they choked to death in confined spaces.

Last month, 24-year-old Yousif al-Mawaly was arrested, tortured and then dumped in the sea. Photographs of his body seen by the BBC appear to show abrasions and bruises consistent with beating.

Human Rights Watch has reported that Bahraini riot police beat a prominent human rights activist, Nabeel Rajab, head of the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights, as he was leaving a peaceful protest last month. Rajab said that the police attacked him using their fists and batons at about 8.30pm, as he was walking toward his car. “I noticed a number of riot police behind me. They were all in uniform. They started beating me and I fell on the ground. I told them that I was Nabeel Rajab, hoping that they would stop, but they kept beating and kicking me.” …more

UN, OIC experts in Syria on humanitarian mission
18 March, 2012 – Agence France Presse

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia: Technical experts from the UN and Organisation of Islamic Cooperation are in Syria on a mission to assess the humanitarian impact of its year-long bloodshed, a senior OIC official said on Sunday.

“The joint OIC-UN mission entered Syria om Friday to carry out an evaluation of humanitarian aid,” on a mission led by the Syrian government, its assistant secretary general, Atta al-Mannan Bakhit, told AFP.
…source

Tear Gas or Lethal Gas? Bahrain’s Death Toll Mounts to 30
by Richard Sollom – 16 March, 2012 – Physicians for Human Rights

Based on interviews with local physicians and analysis of news reports, the Government of Bahrain’s oppressive use of tear gas in recent months has reportedly killed both young and old civilians in their homes and in the streets of Manama, the Gulf Kingdom’s capital.

PHR has compiled a list of 30 reported tear-gas-related deaths in Bahrain (pdf) since the uprising began a year ago. Based on media and other accounts, most civilians who allegedly died from tear gas reportedly have suffered complications from gas inhalation; at least three civilians reportedly died after security forces fired metal tear gas canisters (nearly the size and half the weight of a can of Coke) from grenade launchers into crowds.

Government forces not only assault unarmed street protesters with tear gas during the day, they also attack innocent women, children, and the elderly with tear gas in their homes at night.

Fourteen-year-old Yaseen Jassim Al Asfoor reportedly died from tear gas inhalation after security forces threw three tear gas canisters into his home.

In another recent incident, an elderly woman named Sakeena Marhoon apparently died from repeated exposure to tear gas in her home.

The Government’s use of tear gas is so widespread and excessive that many families are now forced to stuff towels in doors and cracks in windows to protect them from the toxic clouds of gas outside.

Victims of these indefensible deaths and their families are not receiving the justice they deserve. Not only has the government failed to investigate or prosecute any law enforcement officials for employing such excessive force, but authorities also reportedly prohibit doctors from listing tear gas as a cause of death. Instead, coerced doctors have reportedly cited natural or unknown causes of death for some tear-gas related casualties.

While PHR has not analyzed tear gas in Bahrain, our report shows the use of it in confined spaces has deleterious and toxic effects (pdf).

The 1989 JAMA study found that detonating tear gas in small enclosed spaces creates a toxic concentration, which can cause permanent damage to the human body, including chemical pneumonitis, heart failure, fatal pulmonary edema, and death.

Last year PHR investigators in Bahrain found disconcerting evidence that Bahraini authorities may be using unidentified chemical agents in addition to tear gas. Doctors reported to PHR that they had treated patients exposed to tear gas who exhibited atypical symptoms, including non-epileptic seizures and hysteria. Further, Bahraini authorities at the Ministry of Health deny doctors’ requests to analyze the residue and chemical content of exploded tear gas canisters. …more