Obama’s Appalling Policy of Passive Support for Human Rights Abuse in Bahrain

Appalling Human Rights Abuses in Bahrain
17 October, 2013 – By Stephen Lendman – Media with Conscience

Rights Abuses in BahrainSince February 2011, Bahrainis challenged state terror policies heroically. Brutal crackdowns followed. They continue.

They include mass arrests, imprisonments, torture, kangaroo court trials, and overall ruthlessness.

Bahrain’s ruling Al Khalifa monarchy is a close US ally. Washington provides material support. It’s one of the world’s most despotic regimes. Ruthlessness defines its policies.

According to the State Department’s 2012 human rights report, serious human rights abuses persist.

They include “citizens inability to change their government peacefully; arrest and detention of protesters on vague charges, in some cases leading to their torture in detention; and lack of due process in trials of political and human rights activists, medical personnel, teachers, and students, with some resulting in harsh sentences.”

“Other significant human rights problems included arbitrary deprivation of life; arrest of individuals on charges relating to freedom of expression; reported violations of privacy; and restrictions on civil liberties, including freedom of speech, press, assembly, association, and some religious practices.”

“The government sometimes imposed and enforced travel bans on political activists.”

“Discrimination on the basis of gender, religion, nationality, and sect persisted, especially against the Shia population.”

“There were reports of domestic violence against women and children.”

“Trafficking in persons and restrictions on the rights of foreign workers continued to be significant problems.”

In more detail, the State Department cited:

– “Arbitrary or Unlawful Deprivation of Life;”

– “Disappearance(s)”

– “Torture and Other Cruel, Inhumane, or Degrading Treatment or Punishment;”

– Horrific prison and detention center conditions;

– “Arbitrary Arrest(s) (and) Detention(s);”

– Lawless arrest procedures and treatment;

– “Denial of Fair Public Trial(s);”

– Imprisonment for political reasons;

– Lawless civil judicial procedures and remedies;

– “Arbitrary Interference with Privacy, Family, Home, or Correspondence;”

– Speech, press and other civil liberties violations;

– Restricted Internet freedom;

– Restricted academic and cultural events freedom;

– Lack of freedom of assembly and association;

– Denial of free internal movement, foreign travel, emigration, repatriation and religion;

– Sham elections and other political irregularities;

– Corruption and lack of government transparency;

– Discrimination and other societal abuses;

– Violence based on sexual orientation and gender identity; and

– Greatly restricted labor rights.

The Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR) discusses ongoing human rights abuses regularly.

On September 29, it headlined “Bahrain Court Sentences 50 Defendants, Including Human Rights Defenders, Under Terrorism Law, and Reduces Sentence For Two Police Officers Convicted of Torturing Detainee to Death.”

They received a combined 430 years imprisonment. Their crime is wanting equity and justice. They want freedom from political persecution. They want what everyone deserves. They want what Bahrain denies.

At issue was the so-called “February 14 Coalition” case. Fifty Bahrainis were charged under the politically motivated terrorism law.

Trial proceedings excluded internationally recognized judicial standards. Fairness was entirely lacking.

Defendant testimonies revealed torture and other forms of abuse. The court ignored them.

On September 5, defense counsel requested a new judge. Conflict of interest was cited. It was denied.

The defense team withdrew from proceedings. It cited Bahrain’s Criminal Procedure Law, Article 211.

Defendants boycotted the trial. They cited a lack of judicial fairness.

Sham proceedings continued. On September 29, 16 defendants received 15 years imprisonment, four got 10 years, and 20 others got five years each.

BCHR’s Acting President Maryam Al-Khawaja responded as follows:

“There was no due process in the entirety of this case which is why the defendants and their lawyers decided to boycott.”

“From the time that the defendants were abducted, tortured and then sentences, nothing was done according to international standards of a fair trial.”

“If these fifty people were really guilty of a crime, why was the only evidence presented confessions extracted under torture?”

“This was a sham trial with a political verdict. They should be released immediately.”

On October 12, BCHR published messages from imprisoned and targeted human rights defenders. Said Yousif AlMuhafdah is Acting BCGR Vice President. He’s a wanted man.

He was arrested numerous times for doing the right thing. Bahrani justice calls right wrong. Said’s been “beaten, defamed, threatened and harassed” for his work.

He’s traveling abroad. Days earlier, his family said he received a summons for interrogation. It was for speaking openly about torture.

Human rights defender Naji Fateel is imprisoned. He’s serving 15 years for doing his job. He was severely tortured.

Human rights defender Abduljalil AlSingace is paralyzed. He was tortured anyway. He’s imprisoned for life.

Nabeel Rajab co-founded BCHR. He’s been arrested, brutally beaten, prosecuted and imprisoned for three years. It’s for defending human rights. He’s a political prisoner. He wrote supporters saying the following.
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