Continuous Suppression of Protests and Detained Activists; What Direction is the Human Rights Situation in Bahrain Going?

Bern, Switzerland – 3rd November 2012 – Ahmed Al-haddad

On Friday, 2/November/2012 and after the decision issued by the Bahraini Ministry of Interior to prevent marches and any manifestations of protest, rallies in several different areas in Bahrain went out protesting the decision of the Ministry of Interior, and to demand the immediate release of Mr. Hassan Mushaima, a political activist sentenced to life of imprisonment and accused in the case known as the “Alliance for the Republic” and whom health was worsened recently because of the torture he suffered from and lack of necessary health care provided to him in prison. Especially that he was suffering from cancer, which now seems and as reported has returned to him after it was cured.

(Mr. Hassan Mushaima)

One of those protests went out in Diraz, western of the Bahraini capital Manama and it was attended by some human rights activists to monitor the course of its progress. It was only minutes until the protest was excessively suppressed by the Bahraini security forces of the Ministry of Interior, using shotguns and tear gas, resulting in several injuries of pro-democracy activists. As well as the arrest of Mr. Yousif Al Muhafda, the Head of Monitoring and Documentation of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights, who was present for the monitoring and documentation purposes on charges of illegal gathering in Diraz.

(The moment of arrest of Mr. Al Muhafda)

Mr. Al Muhafda was presented at the Public Prosecution today Saturday 3/November/2012 for interrogation after 7 hours of waiting. He was arrested for seven days pending for investigation and transferred to Hamad Town Police Station to be transferred on Sunday to Dry Dock Prison northern of Bahrain.

Another protest was organized in Bilad AlQadim western of the Bahraini capital Manama on Friday and it was also subjected to violent repression by security forces, and a serious head injury of a 12-year-old child was monitored and documented.

The security forces of the Bahraini Ministry of Interior continues to use excessive force in facing these peaceful protests which contains participants of all ages, men and women. These security forces are still deliberately directing their shootings of firearms at protesters toward the heads and sensitive areas of the body causing serious injuries without any consideration or proper justification.

The European-Bahraini Organisation for Human Rights EBOHR condemns the use of excessive violence in dealing with peaceful protesters demanding their legitimate rights, as it would not provide any solutions to the crisis taking place in the country, but will worsen it more and more. We also demand the Bahraini authorities to show restraint and to provide health care for the injured in pro-democracy rallies without any fear of arrest, torture or prosecution.

The EBOHR urges the Bahraini authorities for the immediate release of the Head Monitoring and Documentation at the Bahrain Human Rights Mr. Yousif Al Muhafda without any restrictions or conditions, and to stop harassing human rights activists who work in order to develop an integrated human rights culture in the country.

…source

Ahmed Al-haddad
Head of Information & Media Relations
European-Bahraini Organization for Human Rights (EBOHR)
www.ebohr.org – Twitter: @Diablohaddad