Bahrain: Detained leading activists and opposition figures protest increased restrictions in prison

Bahrain Center for Human Rights
23rd August, 2012

BCHR has learned that the detained 13 leading activists and opposition figures have submitted a letter to the prison authorities informing them that they will start a series of protest actions including a hunger strike if the increased restrictions in prison are not removed by Thursday.

“Today we submitted a letter to prison authorities that we will start a series of actions to protest against the violations and new restrictions, including on calls to families and lawyers, prevention from daily newspapers as well as prevention from daily exercise in the open air. The protest will include a hungerstrike.”

Further to the earlier report by Bahrain center of Human rights regarding an increased level of restrictions applied on the detained leading activists and opposition figures at Bahrain central prison (Jaw), new information has been received that these restrictions are not limited to the monitoring, interrupting and cutting phone calls of the detained activists to their families, but also includes prevention from access to newspapers and prevention from the daily exercise in the open air.

Mrs Fareeda Ghulam, the wife of detained leading activist, Ebrahim Sharif had reported earlier that an officer had interrupted a call between her and her husband, then the call was cut while she was describing the situation in Bahrain after the killing of 16 years old child Hussam AlHaddad by the security forces.

These increased restrictions come in time as the activists wait for a final verdict from the higher court of appeal which has postponed issuing the ruling from 14 August 2012 to 4 Sep 2012 for no obvious reason. It also synchronize with the increased level of security attacks on protesters as a 16 years old has been shot dead by police on 17 August 2012 and the leading human rights defender Nabeel Rajab has been sentenced to 3 years imprisonment.

The Bahrain Centre for human rights urges for the release and full exoneration of the prisoners who were arrested and sentenced in unfair military trials for practicing their legitimate right of expression and assembly.

The 13 opposition activists are as follows:

1-Abdulwahab Hussain ( life sentence imprisonment)
2-Ebrahim Sharif ( 5 Years imprisonment)
3-Hassan Mushaima( life sentence imprisonment)
4-Abdulhadi Al Khawaja ( life sentence imprisonment)
5-Abduljalil Al Singace.( life sentence imprisonment)
6-Mohammed Habib Al Miqdad ( life sentence imprisonment)
7-Saeed Mirza AlNouri ( life sentence imprisonment)
8- Abduljalil Al Miqdad ( life sentence imprisonment)
09-Abdullah Isa Al Mahroos.( 5 years imprisonment)
10-Salah Hubail Al Khawaj.( 5 years imprisonment)
11-Mohammed Hassan Jawad.( 15 years imprisonment)
12-Mohammed Ali Ismael. ( 15 years imprisonment))
13-Abdul Hadi AlMukhodher ( 15 years imprisonment)

More information: http://www.bahrainrights.org/en/node/5384

A Brief Analysis on Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Zuhayyan’s “What the World Should Tell Bahraini Opposition Groups” [1]
by Um Aisha – 23 August, 2012

I thought that the article would raise a few valid points about the Bahraini uprising until I got halfway through it. Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Zuhayyan, of course, exaggerated a few facts. It is hard to imagine that “millions” of people visited Bahrain as tourists each year.

In the beginning, Dr Al-Zuhayyan tried to show the nature of the Shi’a community in Bahrain and Saudi. He first portrayed them as a less conservative community and stated that they have “less restrictive religious traditions that permits both sexes to socialize and communicate to Westerners”. By doing so, I assumed that he does not believe that the protests in Bahrain had a sectarian drive. So what does this “Affinity with Iran” concern? Why does he then make note of a Shi’a Bahraini-Irani relation if what binds them together (religious sect) is not a strong force anymore?

What’s more, shortly after explaining how Shi’as are more socially advanced, Dr. Al-Zuhayyan accuses them of “hampering” the development of the “country”. In my opinion, this contradiction is not accidental but carefully thought. He is either trying to seem friendly and objective towards the shi’a community or trying to use their own argument against them.

If the primary intention was to develop public services and not only private businesses, the government would welcome drawing comparisons between Bahrain and its neighboring Arab countries. I have encountered other Bahraini’s that made a similar argument and insisted that “there is no need for protests in Bahrain if we are not starving like the Egyptians.” I reply that the world would be a giant zoo if our only purpose was to end hunger.

During the Bahraini uprising, when the tents were set up around the Pearl Roundabout, Wa’ad (The National Democratic Action Society) gave a lecture on Constitutional Monarchies. This lecture was followed by a discussion where the participants could take part in accurately defining a constitutional monarchy and what they would like the structure of their country’s government to be. I witnessed that almost all participants agreed that Bahrain was, in fact, not a Constitutional Monarchy.  If we were able to participate in the political decision-making process of our affairs as Dr. Al-Zahyyan puts it, we would now be in the process of voting for a new prime minister and I would be able to publish what I am writing in one of our local newspapers without fear.

________________________________

[1] Al-Zuhayyan, Abdulrahman. “What the World Should Tell Bahraini Opposition Groups.” Equities.com-Global Financial Network. Al Bawaba Ltd, n.d. Web. 5 Aug. 2012. <http://www.equities.com/news/headline-story?dt=2012-08-04&val=345839&cat=energy>.

What the world should tell Bahraini opposition groups
by Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Zuhayyan – 4 August, 2012

History and geography determine the relationships between Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. The two countries are proximate to each other and many Saudis and Bahrainis have familial relations. It was and still normal to see Bahraini nationals living and working in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. This has become part of everyone’s history in this part of our country.

Bahrain has long been known among the Gulf’s inhabitants as a modern and liberal society, even way before the discovery of oil in the 1940s, and the subsequent boom in oil prices in the 1970s. Bahrain was a British colony and gained independence on Aug. 15, 1971. The British were practically running the civil services, including security and traffic systems. Subsequently the English language dominated the management system and the Bahraini social life. So, Bahrainis’ first exposure to Western lifestyle and the English language was through the British, and many of them spoke their language.

Those British traditions inherited by Bahrainis proved to be economically practical, specifically for Western companies, who were engaged in mega projects in the oil industry and the construction sectors, since early oil exploration in Saudi Arabia, and eventually in the rest of the Arab Gulf countries in the 1970s. Moreover, Bahrain has become a regional trade center, involving maritime agencies, offshore banks and other international trade business.
Over the years, Bahrain became a tourist attraction for Westerners and others from neighboring countries. Bahrain receives millions of visitors every year, and the total number of visitors reached eight million in 2008. Considering its small area — with a length of 34 miles and a width of 11 miles — and absence of natural resources or advanced industry, this island can be described as an economically thriving country that has a GDP of $ 31.101 billion and per capita income of $ 27.556.

However, many Saudis and Bahrainis sometimes wonder whether Bahrain is still nostalgically connected to their history or is drifting away. Since the outbreak of Iranian revolution, Bahrain has not been the same, specifically the Bahraini Shiites. Most Saudis did not distinguish between Bahraini Sunnis or Shiites, who were working in the Eastern Province. Both were considered as part of the local Saudi community.

Now, that affinity is not as strong as in the past. Bahraini Shiites are engaged in clamoring over victimization and presenting themselves to the world, particularly Westerners, as victims of allegedly oppressive political regime. They have succeeded. The characteristics of Bahrain as being an international trade center and a place of tourist attraction, provided Bahrainis with an opportunity to learn and speak the English language, exposed them to Western lifestyles and modes of interacting and communicating with Westerners. Their relatively less restrictive religious traditions also permitted male and female Shiites to socialize and communicate with Westerners. In addition to using those social skills, Shiites use their computer skills to convey their alleged grievances to Western journalists and human rights groups in English and give them their version of the story. Hence, communication with Westerners take both direct or indirect forms. The direct form is through establishing personal relationships with journalists covering events in the Gulf region while the indirect communication is via the Internet, including e-mails, Facebook, twitter, and other social media outlets.
[Read more →]

Ecuador urges Britain to retract embassy threat
22 August, 2012 – Al Akhbar

Ecuador on Tuesday called on Britain to retract a threat to arrest WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange at its embassy in London, adding that Quito remains open to dialogue.

Britain set off a diplomatic firestorm last week when it threatened to storm the Ecuadorian embassy to arrest the 41-year-old Australian, who is wanted in Sweden for questioning over allegations of rape and molestation.

Ecuador has granted Assange asylum, but Britain has refused to grant him safe passage out of the country.

Assange claims Sweden plans to hand him over to the United States, where he fears prosecution over WikiLeaks’s release of a vast cache of confidential US government files.

Speaking to reporters, President Rafael Correa said Britain must “withdraw the grave error it committed by threatening Ecuador to possibly raid its diplomatic mission to arrest Mr Julian Assange.”

However, “despite this impertinence, this rude and unacceptable threat, we remain open to dialogue,” he added.

Britain has angered Ecuador by suggesting it could invoke the Diplomatic and Consular Premises Act of 1987, which it says allows it to revoke the diplomatic immunity of an embassy on British soil and go in to arrest Assange. …more

Bahraini authorities sets checkpoints and roadblocks leading to Muharraq Funeral
22 August, 2012 – ABNA

(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) – The regime sets check points to prevent citizens from participating in an arranged visit to the 16-year-old martyr Al-Haddad’s grave marking the third day since he was killed by the regime forces’ bullets last Friday night.

The regime forces besieged Muharraq Island, east of Manama, on Tuesday 21st August, 2012 and set many checkpoints and barricades. They were reported to have deployed heavily in most of Muharraq neighborhoods. The check points are also reported to have caused a terrible traffic jam in one of the most important highways disrupting the peoples’ interests.

The regime forces have killed the child Hossam in a very cold-blooded way last Friday evening, on the eve of Eid Al-Fitr, Muslims feast that marks the end of Ramadan. The Martyr was killed by an internationally prohibited weapon that has been used heavily lately against citizens in Bahrain.

Eyewitness reports added that the martyr was abducted from where he was shot in the back by birdshot pellets and was then beaten to death.

Opposition declared a state of mourning for three days during Eid, as flags have been lowered to half-staff in respect of the Martyr Hossam Al-Haddad. Most citizens shared condolences instead of eid greetings and decided to abandon all joyful celebrations. …source

Bahraini regime forces arrest 8 mourners at funeral
Shia Post – 22 August, 2012

Bahraini Shia Muslim women mourn during the funeral of 16-year-old Husam al-Haddad in Muharraq, August 18, 2012.

Saudi-backed Bahraini regime forces have arrested at least eight people in an attack on a funeral ceremony in the country’s third largest city, Muharraq.

The people had gathered in the city on Tuesday to mourn the death of a young Bahraini man who was beaten to death by the regime forces.

Sixteen-year-old Husam al-Haddad was killed on August 17 during an attack by Bahraini forces on a peaceful demonstration in the city.

On Tuesday, the regime forces set several checkpoints on the roads leading to Muharraq and tried to prevent mourners from visiting Haddad’s grave.

They used tear gas to disperse the protesters and arrested a number of them.

Anti-regime protests continue in Bahrain despite heavy-handed crackdown by regime forces.

Scores of people have been killed by Bahraini regime forces since a popular uprising erupted against the ruling Al Khalifa family in February 2011.

The protesters hold King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa responsible for the deaths of demonstrators during the uprising.

Concerns grow over deteriorating health condition of Saudi Sheikh Nemr
22 August, 2012 – PressTV

A Saudi-based human rights group has warned against the deteriorating health condition of prominent Shia cleric Sheikh Nemr al-Nemr, who is being held in a jail in Saudi Arabia, Press TV reports.

The Asharq center for human rights said in a statement that Nemr, who has been on a hunger strike since mid-July, is now in declining health.

The human rights group went on to call on Riyadh to release the cleric immediately and without any preconditions.

It says the Saudi regime is responsible for any injury that is inflicted on Sheikh Nemr while in detention.

The Shia cleric was injured and arrested by Saudi forces while driving to his home on July 8. His family members say he has been badly tortured while in detention.

Sheikh Nemr’s arrest sparked massive protests, with angry demonstrators demanding his immediate release.

Since February 2011, protesters have held demonstrations on an almost regular basis in Saudi Arabia, mainly in the Qatif region and the town of Awamiyah in Eastern Province, primarily 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 protests against the repressive Al Saud regime, especially since November 2011, when Saudi security forces killed five protesters and injured many others in Eastern Province.

Similar demonstrations have also been held in the capital, Riyadh, and the holy city of Medina over the past weeks.

According to Human Rights Watch, the Saudi regime “routinely represses expression critical of the government.”
…source

US: Syria intervention would exacerbate crisis
22 August, 2012 – Al Akhbar

American officials on Tuesday said that the risk that US military intervention in Syria would simply exacerbate the problem limits its options to intervene in the country.

Officials explained to the newspaper New York Times that military operations against Syria would mean risk dragging in Syria’s “patrons”, in particular Iran and Russia, and allowing them to be involved more than they already are.

Military intervention could also allow President Bashar al-Assad to bolster popular anti-Western feeling, and push al-Qaeda and other terrorist groups fighting the Syrian regime to turn against the US to combat what could be seen as a new American “crusade” against the Arab world.

Officials from the Pentagon said that the worst case scenario would require hundreds of thousands of troops which would only ignite further problems in the already tense region.

The officials explained that some rebels had asked for portable rocket launchers known as Manpads which, according to experts, would make a huge difference when fighting against helicopter attacks.

However, the officials pointed out that in Afghanistan in the 1980s, the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) provided Stinger missiles to the mujahedeen fighting the Soviet Union, only to spend millions trying to track them down after the Soviets left and the opposition groups gave rise to the Taliban. …more

U.S. ‘significant’ in Iraq despite troop exit: Dempsey
22 August, 2012 – By Dan De Luce – Agence France Presse

BAGHDAD: Top U.S. military officer General Martin Dempsey insisted Tuesday during a quick trip to Iraq that Washington was still playing an important role there, eight months after the last American troops departed.

Dempsey met with Iraq’s Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki and army chief of staff Lieutenant General Babaker Zebari during a six-hour stop, becoming the highest-ranking American to visit Iraq since the December 2011 pullout.

The chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff said in an interview with AFP that Iraq was now a sovereign state, on an equal footing with the United States, a remark completely removed from the 2003 American-led invasion.

“We still retain significant investment and significant influence. But now it’s on the basis of a partnership and not on the basis of ownership,” Dempsey, who served in Iraq as a commander during the war that toppled Saddam Hussein, said before landing in Baghdad.

Clad in a formal military dress uniform instead of the combat fatigues worn during the war years, Dempsey stressed that he came to build a dialogue with his Iraqi counterparts and not to make demands.

After a 90-minute meeting with Maliki, Dempsey later told reporters the two discussed the conflict in neighbouring Syria, Iraq’s interest in expanding training with US forces and the purchase of American military hardware, including radar, air defence weaponry and equipment to bolster border security.

After flying over the bustling Iraqi capital by helicopter, Dempsey said he was struck by the air of “normalcy” compared to a few years ago when he served during a raging war with insurgents.

“Only eight months out, and it seems to me that they’ve gripped the opportunity for now that we hoped they would grip,” he said en route back to Washington.

Although Iraq still faced daunting challenges, Dempsey said the country could eventually serve as a democratic model for the rest of the Middle East, which has been shaken by popular uprisings since early 2011. …more

Open Letter to UK FCO Minister Lord Howell on Bahrain and the “Arab Spring”
18th August 2012 – Dr. Mike Diboll

Dear Lord Howell,

In the light of last week’s jailing of Bahraini human rights activist Nabeel Rajab, and last nights killing of 16 year-old protester Hussam Al Haddad, I write to you to request clarification of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office position on Bahrain the “Arab Spring”.

In particular, I request that make clear your position on the following statement attributed to you on the Bahrain News Agency website, dated 29th June, 2012:

“The Minister of State at Foreign & Commonwealth Office said that Bahrain was considered an example in the region and its situation should not be linked to the Arab Spring because the matters were completely different in this case, as the country had achieved remarkable reforms over more than ten years.”

http://www.iaa.bh/pressReleasedetails.aspx?id=243

The context is a meeting which took place in London that month between yourself and Bahrain Minister of Interior Lt-General Sheikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa.

According to the BNA, Mr. Rashid Al Khalifa also met with the Director General MI5 Jonathan Evans, Home Office Minister James Brokenshire, Northern Ireland Minister Hugo Swire and Attorney-General Dominic Grieve, and others.

Your words on the FCO website seem more guarded:

http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/news/latest-news/?view=News&id=781036282

I ask you plainly: Is is it or is it not HMG’s position that Bahrain is not part of, or “should not be linked to”, the “Arab Spring”? Is the BNA representing your position accurately?

Any objective analysis of the rhetoric, actions, goals and aspirations of the Bahrain opposition, the slogans, tactics, and attitudes of the protesters in Bahrain, and the often brutal and repressive actions of the current Bahrain government in response to the protests will show that Bahrain is indeed part of the “Arab Spring.”

Indeed, Bahrain has seen, as a percentage of population, the largest and most representative protests of all the countries that have undergone “revolutions of dignity” (as they are known in Arabic) since the current wave of protests began in December 2010.

Moreover, the things that the protesters are protesting about: the crisis of political legitimacy and representation in Bahrain, the lack of genuinely democratic and civil society institutions, and the Al Khalifa state’s institutionalised sectarianism, have direct parallels with the grievances of protesters and opposition movements in Egypt, Libya, Syria, Tunisia, the Yemen and elsewhere.

In their final crises the regimes headed by Assad, Gaddhafi, and Mubarak all claimed commitment to “reform” with Syria, for example, holding elections. In these instances the FCO rightly condemned such “reform” as a sham, yet, flying in the face of objective evidence and expert opinion, it is only too happy to take Bahrain’s claims to reform at face value.

I worked on one of the Crown Prince of Bahrain’s reform projects 2007-2011, was an eye-witness to the initial uprisings in the spring of 2011, have submitted substantial evidence to the BICI, and know first hand the deeply divided nature of the present regime and the hollow, “on-paper” nature of so many of its reforms, pre- and post-BICI.

It might seem — from the perspective of London — to be an adroit piece of positioning to isolate the “Arab Spring” as a phenomenon affecting only the historically anti-Western Arab republics, to pretend that the monarchical dictatorships of the GCC are immune from the uprisings, and to view the extension of GCC power beyond the Arabian Peninsula as an opportunity to consolidate Western interests in a rapidly changing region. …more

A Sad Eid Ul Fitr in Bahrain , 90 Children Behind Bars, Anti Regime Protest continues in Sitra and Nuwaidrat
22 August, 2012 – Jafia News

JNN 21 Aug 2012 Manama : Bahrain is living a sad atmosphere during this Eid. It is supposed to be one of the happiest Muslims occasions celebrated by Muslim communities around the world at the end of Ramadan. Whilst, Bahrainis celebrate it by mourning an innocent child who was brutally murdered by the regime forces. While 90 children , who are below the average legal age, have been kept behind bars treating them like adults by detaining them with accusation that do not go with their age.

The people of Bahrain live sad and grieving moments; mourning the child who was cold-bloodedly murdered by the regime forces after being shot in the back with the internationally-prohibited weapon; shotgun. He was then severely beaten to death in Muhrraq island last Friday night; during a frequent brutal suppression attack against peaceful pro-democracy protesters.

Mourning state is declared by the opposition around Bahrain for 3 consecutive days and flags are lowered to half-staff while no receptions are opened for Eid greetings during these sad days.

All kinds of joyful celebrations are absent in all villages and areas of Bahrain, as people share condolences instead of greetings.

The traffic and crowd jams are remarkably weak in some streets and places which are known to be crowded during such occasions. Places of entertainment seem abandoned in respect for the child martyr Hussam AlHaddaq (16 years).

The mourning state comes to reject the nonstop repressing and brutal approach which the regime undertakes when dealing with protesters. The regime forces loot and raid houses as per orders received from high ranked officials. The regime forces are a serious threat for peace and security of the people of Bahrain.

All the arrests of underage children , are related to freedom of expression as many human rights organizations demanded their immediate release as well as the release of all prisoners of conscience specially children.

The regime in Bahrain violates the basic children rights by assaulting and killing them having no regard to their age.

In Bahrain Children’s rights violations take many different forms. Children in Bahrain have been arrested, dismissed, injured, and tortured. They have had their fathers arrested, they have had their schools suppressed, they have had their play grounds repressed, they have had their houses raided, they have had their houses tear gassed, they have been deprived from the right of learning, in addition to a long list of basic rights violations.

The regime has gone farther than violating and arresting, the regime is now cold-bloodedly killing children. Husam Al-Haddad is the last victim murdered by the regime forces by shooting him in the back and them barbically assaulting him to death.

The regime has already murdered many children before. The martyr Sayed Ahmed Sayed Sahms, they murdered martyr Mohammed AbdulHussain Farhan, the martyr Ali Jawad Al-Shaikh, The martyr Ahmed Al-Qattan, the martyr Ali Baddah, the infant martyr Sajeda Faisal Jawad, they murdered martyr Sayed Hashim Saeed, the martyr Yaseen Al-Asfoor and the martyr Mohammed Ebrahim Ya’agoob.

The regime in Bahrain kills children in different forms. Some were killed due to firing tear gas at their houses while practicing the collective punishment against the villages and areas of protests. However many elderly people and children died due to inhaling lethal tear gas. Many were killed by shot guns pellets as part of the official violence committed against the freedom of expression. Many were killed as the regime forces were weaponising the tear gas canisters by firing them directly at citizens or by running the police cars over the protesters like what happened to Ali Baddah.

Some children have been killed during Eids like Ali Jawad Al-Shaikh or while they were playing near their homes like Sayed Ahmed Sayed Shams. They are all 15 years old and less than 18 years old.

The regime has formed BICI by his own will and endorsed all its results. Well, there were 189 children who had been arrested during preparation period of the report. Only 23 children had been taken to juvenile detention centers. Whilst, the remaining had been taken to general detention centers and treated as adults.

According to documented statistics, parents of only 12% of these children had been asked to attend to the detention centers and got notified about their children whereabouts. The remaining children were just arbitrarily arrested and their whereabouts had been hidden from their parents. It is simply the same arrogant behavior of the regime when treating most of other arrested adults; who are by some means forcibly kidnapped.

Official security supervision is applied on some children after the arrest. It is applied on the case of the child Ali Hasan (11-years) who was detained for more than a month.

The Rose Revolution; which has been sparked in Manama, February 14th 2011, might be the most painful revolution for childhood. The children of Bahrain suffer the suppression and mistreatment of the regime forces and its official directorates. Their childhood is not respected. Various types of violations have been committed against them; to the level of cruel and inhumane torture.

The regime in Bahrain perpetrates terrible violations against childhood. The local and international silence reveals the false slogans and principles which call for the protecting rights of children. …more

Former Chechen warlord’s son killed in Syria: report
22 August, 2012 – Agence France Presse

MOSCOW: The son of a late Chechen field commander who waged two post-Soviet wars against Russian forces has been killed while fighting with the rebels in Syria, a Russian Islamist website said Wednesday.

Rustam Gelayev, son of former warlord Ruslan Gelayev, “entered into a battle with superior forces of the Alawite regime in a Syrian district, presumably between August 11 and August 13,” the KavkazCenter website said.

“During the fighting, he was martyred,” said the website, which is regularly used by Russian-based Islamic militants to exchange information and has developed a history of providing accurate battlefield reports.

The elder Gelayev was one of the top commanders in Chechnya’s first war for independence that killed tens of thousands between 1994 and 1996 and ended with the region winning broader sovereignty within Russia.

The improvised region was then wrecked by infighting between the various field commanders and remained infested by violent organised crime until its more militant leaders challenged Russia again in 1999.

The elder Gelayev joined the second war as well, which continued to simmer for years after Russian troops claimed control over Chechnya’s main cities in 2000.

He was killed in 2004 while leading a group of gunmen in battle against Russian border guards in the neighbouring North Caucasus region of Dagestan.

KavkazCenter said the younger Gelayev was born in 1988 and had lived for a most of his life in Russia before receiving an Islamic education in an unnamed Middle East country.

He came to Syria in the summer, said the website, citing unnamed sources and members of the Chechen diaspora in Europe.

…more