and political activists

2010/09/29

Vincent Forest, Head of the EU office of Front Line - the International Foundation for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders based in Dublin, Ireland - today completed a mission to Bahrain to assess the current situation for imprisoned human rights defenders and political activists in light of the recent clampdown.

In particular Mr Forest was following up on the case of imprisoned blogger and human rights defender Ali Abdulemam who had previously worked with Front Line in Dublin. Ali Abdulemam is the director of online news forum Bahrainonline.org.

September 29, 2010

(New York) - Bahrain should immediately rescind a travel ban against prominent human rights defenders whom authorities recently prevented from leaving the country, Human Rights Watch said today.

Nabeel Rajab, president of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR), an independent group whose legal standing the government does not recognize, was stopped at the border on September 27, 2010, and told by authorities that he would not be allowed to cross. He had been on his way to a meeting in Saudi Arabia. On September 26, authorities prevented Abd al-Hadi al-Khawaja, the former president of the BCHR and the current Middle East and North Africa director for the international human rights organization Frontline, from boarding a plane at Bahrain International Airport.

29 Sep 2010

The Arab Program for Human Rights Activists received this morning Monday 9/28/2010 with deep concern the news of the travel ban of the two promising human rights activists Mr. Nabeel Rajab, Chairman of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights, on his way to travel to Saudi Arabia, and Mr. Abdul Hadi al-Khawaga, Coordinator of Front Line International MENA for the defense of human rights, on his way to Europe. Meanwhile, the authorities has also banned the human rights activist Laila Dashti from traveling without giving any reasons in a clear violation of freedom of movement set forth in the text of Article (13 / 1) of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

BCHR president Nabeel Rajab is skyped into a Human Rights Council meeting on Bahrain, organised by CIHRS.

29 September 2010

Hundreds of Bahraini political activists, human rights defenders and Shiite religious figures have been arrested in recent months - many of them tortured in detention - in the worst crackdown on free expression the country has ever seen, report the Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR), the Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies (CIHRS), the Arab Network for Human Rights Information (ANHRI) and Human Rights Watch. Authorities have blocked numerous websites, shut down independent rights groups and threatened rights defenders who have criticised the torture of prominent activists.

“It seems that the National Security Apparatus is in a panic and has decided to misuse its influence to prevent human rights defenders from travelling assuming that this will hinder reporting human rights abuses, specially committed by the Apparatus itself, to international bodies.” - Mr. Abdulhadi Alkhawaja

To the left:Mr. Abdulhadi Alkhawaja and to the right:Mr. Nabeel Rajab. Bottom photos show marks of violence used By Bahraini riot police against the two human rights defenders during previous events

28 September 2010

The Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR) is concerned for the de-facto ban on travel against three human rights defenders namely; Ms. Layla Dashti, leading member of the Committee of Detainees, Mr. Abdulhadi Alkhawaja, the regional coordinator for Front Line, the international organization based in Dublin and Mr. Nabeel Rajab, the president of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights, member of the Advisory Committee of Human Rights Watch's Middle East division, Chairperson in CARAM Asia and Deputy Secretary General in FIDH.

Including Head of BCHR and HRW Advisory Committee member Nabeel Rajab

September 24, 2010

His Majesty Shaikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa
Office of H.M. the King
Rifa’a Palace
Kingdom of Bahrain

Via facsimile: +973-1-766-4587

Your Majesty,

We are writing as the officers of the Advisory Committee of Human Rights Watch’s Middle East and North Africa division to express our grave concern regarding the deteriorating human rights situation in Bahrain. We are concerned in particular by the apparent targeting of human rights activists, including our colleague Nabeel Rajab, who is the head of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights and a member of this Advisory Committee.

Blocked websites, banning of political publications, withdrawal of citizenship of religious figure, and attack on a mosque

22nd September 2010

The Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR), expresses deep concern about the immense and rapid deterioration in public freedom in Bahrain, specifically in the freedom of opinion and expression. In the past few days licenses of printed publications were withdrawn from two political organizations, more websites have been blocked, Sheikh AbdulJalil Almuqdad who holds anti-government views has been prevented from giving sermons, the citizenship of Sheikh Najati and his family has been revoked because of his political positions, moreover two groups who share national news on the blackberry and the web have been stopped. Most of these violations happened in the last 24 hours in a fierce attack that aims at silencing all those who oppose government policies.

• Changing the charges relating to communication with foreign bodies and organizations
• Increase in arrests, including arrest of young children
• Closure of more opposition websites
• Prevention of human rights activist from leaving the country to participate in the Bahrain event at the Human Rights Council in Geneva

19 September 2010

The Bahrain Center for Human Rights expresses its deep concern at the continuous and rapidly deteriorating human rights situation in Bahrain; with the increase in arbitrary arrests, including children aged no more than 10 years of age, and late night raids. Detainees continue to be held in secret and isolated locations and are still prohibited from seeing their families and lawyers. The BCHR believes that questions should be raised as to the intentions behind the changes in the phrasing of the charges put against the detained political and human rights activists, as well as the continued official global media campaign on the supposed ‘terrorist network’ as a means of justifying their repression against innocent civilians.
On Saturday the 18th of September 2010, Layla Dashti a human rights activist, was prevented from leaving the country whilst heading to Geneva to participate in meeting on the Bahraini situation in the United Nations Human Rights Council.

21 September 2010

The Bahrain Center for Human Rights expresses its concern at the Bahraini authorities’ continuing attempts to withhold information in order to manipulate public opinion by forging and distorting information. This has been noticed recently in the attempt of the Bahraini authorities to forge the statement of U.S. State Department spokesman Philip J. Crowley concerning the recent arrests of Bahraini opposition figures, and the attempt of the Bahraini authorities to make the criticism sound as commendation.

September 24 , 2010

By RANNIE AMIRI

The situation in Bahrain has deteriorated to such an extent that it can no longer be called a political crisis; it is now a human rights crisis. And the silence of those in the Middle East and West, particularly the United States, has been shameful.

September 21, 2010
By Habib Toumi

Bahrain’s authorities have ordered a BlackBerry news provider to stop his services, citing violations of the media laws.

“The owner of the Muhannad Group and Bahrain Breaking News has been told to put an end to the services he was providing,” Abdullah Yateem, the head of publications and printing, said. “The move to stop the unlicensed dissemination of news is in line with the keenness of the media authority to uphold laws and regulations,” he said in a statement carried by Bahrain News Agency (BNA).

Posted By Fahad Desmukh Tuesday, September 21

When there is breaking news in the tiny island state of Bahrain, you are not likely to hear about it on the local television or radio channels. Instead, the first place it is likely to be reported is on one of the scores of Internet discussion forums run by Bahrainis. This is just what happened earlier this month when someone posted a message on the popular forum BahrainOnline.org breaking the news that the site's founder, Ali Abdulemam, had been arrested by the National Security Agency.

Sun, 19 Sep 2010

Manama, Bahrain - Bahraini authorities announced on Sunday that they have revoked the nationality of leading Shiite scholar Ayatollah Sheikh Hussain al-Najati, his wife and three children.

The move comes just hours after the authorities in Manama banned another Shiite clergyman, Sheikh Abdul Jaleel al-Miqdad, from delivering Friday prayer sermons for two weeks.

20/09/10

Item

Tensions between the government and the Shiite community who form the majority of the population escalated. Protests were reported in villages against the detention of Shiite activists who have been held for over a month. Their families have complained they do not know of their whereabouts.

James Calderwood, Foreign Correspondent
Last Updated: September 18. 2010 9:59PM UAE

MANAMA // Opposition supporters in Bahrain are claiming that the government is bringing in Sunnis from outside the country and making them citizens so they can vote in next month’s elections.

Fri Sep 17, 2010 3:38PM

Bahrain's human rights watchdog has expressed concern and dismay over the Western media blockade on Manama's suppression of the country's Shia opposition.

Thu Sep 16, 2010 1:6AM

A Human rights group in Bahrain says Shias and pro-democracy activists are being arrested, tortured and sexually harassed by security forces.

Thu Sep 16, 2010 1:41AM

The Bahrain Center for Human Rights has accused Manama of "torture crimes and sexual harassment" against detainees currently held in Bahraini jails.

By Ben Birnbaum
The Washington Times

Eid ul-Fitr, the Muslim holiday marking the end of the fasting month of Ramadan, is supposed to be a joyous occasion. But in the U.S.-allied Persian Gulf nation of Bahrain, where the Sunni-dominated government has arrested scores of Shi'ite opposition activists in recent weeks, many celebrated in fear.

Fred Lawson September 15, 2010

Campaigning for elections in Bahrain is typically combative, but this year the circumstances leading up to the combined parliamentary and municipal elections scheduled for October 23 are nothing short of explosive. Amidst a major crackdown on opposition figures and organizations, most of which champion the interests of the disadvantaged Shi'i community, various political societies (Bahrain has no political parties) are scrambling to define their platforms.

Tue Sep 14, 2010 6:40PM

Amid increasing pressure on Shias in Bahrain, hundreds of people have staged a rally in Manama to protest Saudi Arabia's support for the latest crackdown on the majority group.

In a pro-democracy movement, protesters reportedly blocked a road connecting Bahrain to Saudi Arabia, stopping hundreds of cars by setting tires on fire on the King Fahd Bridge.

A crackdown on Shia opposition figures ahead of elections threatens the long-term stability of this western ally in the Gulf

Jon Marks
guardian.co.uk, Monday 13 September 2010

Talk of conspiracies by Shia opposition politicians, civil society activists and businessmen to overthrow the Sunni-dominated constitutional monarchy in Bahrain seems far-fetched, despite the vehemence of the authorities' claims. But a wave of arrests in the runup to parliamentary elections has exacerbated protests in the surprisingly poor villages where Shia communities live in this supposedly wealthy Gulf state, and provoked more demonstrations in the capital, Manama.

James Calderwood, Foreign Correspondent

September 13. 2010

MANAMA // The families of Shiites arrested for alleged involvement in a terrorist network continued a vigil yesterday to protest against their treatment.

“It’s been 25 days and we don’t know anything. I don’t know if he’s alive or dead,” said the wife of one detained man during the three-night protest where influential Bahrainis addressed families of the prisoners and the press at the home of a prominent Shiite politician in Nuwaidrat on Sunday evening. “We only want to see him for five minutes so we can know how he is doing.

By: The Economist
Posted: 14/09/2010

LIKE many island states, Bahrain is more complicated than its small size and population would suggest. Not as rich as the other Gulf monarchies, because it has little oil, the kingdom still prospers as a banking hub, touting itself as a regional haven of lower taxes, lower living costs and relative liberality. It also hosts America's Fifth Fleet, with its large base outside the capital, Manama.

Posted on 2010/09/23

Front Line is gravely concerned that the Prosecutor General of Bahrain has denied that a file has been opened regarding human rights defender Mr Ali Abdulemam, who has not been seen since his arrest on 4 September 2010.

alleged torture when they appeared separately and individually befThe denial follows an announcement by the Bahraini authorities on 22 September that detained human rights activists will for the first time be allowed to receive visits from their lawyers and families, who will also be informed of the detainees' whereabouts for the first time.

Political context

Despite the commitments taken by the authorities and the recommendations made by the Member States of the Human Rights Council during the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of Bahrain in April 2008, the year 2009 saw the adoption of none of the principal reforms expected to guarantee improved respect for citizens’ rights[1]. Bahrain civil society, heavily implicated in the fight against discrimination and corruption, continued to be subjected to the interference of an all-powerful executive body. In addition, the laws regulating freedoms of association[2], public Assembly[3], expression[4] and trade union freedom remained extremely restrictive.

A statement signed by 26 NGOs

22/09/2010

The undersigned organizations are deeply concerned about and harshly condemn the growing campaign of repression in Bahrain, which so far has entailed the arrest of hundreds of political activists, human rights defenders, and Shiite religious figures- many of whom have been tortured. We also condemn the ongoing campaign to smear political dissidents and human rights defenders as inciters of terrorism.

View Photos of the event

22/09/2010

Today, September 22nd, The Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies (CIHRS) and Human Rights Wath (HRW) held a Side Event entitled ’Crisis in Bahrain: Torture Revived, Crackdown on Human Rights Defenders’. The event was held parallel to the 15th Session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, and was also co-sponsored by the Bahraini Center for Human Rights (BCHR) and Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR).

22/09/2010

United Nations Human Rights Council: Session 15
Item 5 General Debate
Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies (CIHRS)
21 September, 2010
Delivered by: Laila Matar
Watch Video

Thank you Mr. President,

The Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies is deeply concerned about the escalation of reprisals in the Middle East against human rights defenders that engage with international mechanisms.

21/09/2010

Today, September 21st, a Side Event entitled "Reprisals against persons that have cooperated with the UN and its mechanisms and procedures in the field of human rights: Effective responses by the Human Rights Council" was held at the UN Human Rights Council’s headquarters in Geneva. The event was organized by Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies (CIHRS) in partnership with Amnesty International, Conectas Direitos Humanos, CIVICUS - World Alliance for Citizen Participation, International Federation for Human Rights, Forum Asia, Human Rights Watch, Human Rights House Foundation, and International Service for Human Rights.

During the event Nabeel Rajab, the President of the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights joined the discussion via Skype, a first for the Human Rights Council.

20/09/2010

United Nations Human Rights Council: 15th Session
Item 4: GD, Oral Intervention
Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies (CIHRS)
20 September, 2010
Delivered by: Ziad Abdel Tawab
Watch Video

Thank you Mr. President

The CIHRS would like to bring to the attention of the council the dire human rights situation in both Syria and Bahrain.

This very statement was supposed to have been delivered today by one of two Bahraini human rights defenders. However, one has been unable to engage with this Council due to imminent threats of reprisals, after he has been labeled a terrorist for his engagement at UN human rights bodies, and the second was stopped at the airport yesterday on her way to Geneva to participate at this Session.

Cairo September 18th ,2010

The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information denounced today the continued war waged by the Bahraini government on human rights defenders in the kingdom ,specifically defenders of Shiite’s rights. The minister of development and social solidarity issued a decree to dissolve the managing board of The Bahraini Association for Human Rights and replace the elected chairman by a government official alleging that the association serves one category of citizens in Bahrain.

• The Society is added to the List of Banned Human Rights Societies and Committees: No Independent Human Rights Society Left in Bahrain
• A Campaign of Arrests that Includes almost 240 People, Activists and Human Rights Defenders
• The Bahrain Center for Human Right Runs its Work Temporarily from Europe

13th September 2010

The Bahrain Center for Human Rights expresses its concern about the action carried out by the Minister of Development and Social Affairs, Fatima Al-Balushi, to dissolve the admin board of the Bahrain Human Rights Society (BHRS) and appoint a manager for the Society by the government. Dissolving the board comes after a series of continuous harassments to the Society since the beginning of the recent security campaign that targeted the religious and political figures and human rights defenders.

Sept 18, 2010

In an attempt to halt the freedom of expression and the freedom of the press, coupled with practicing more media blackout and prevention of accurate information publicity, Bahrain Information authority has censored the website of Al-Wefaq Society, the largest political Society in the country. This comes just a few weeks before the Society was to launch its campaign to participate in the parliamentary elections and concurrently with the firm security and media crackdown set to arrest tens of political activists, clergymen, and human rights defenders coupled with an official and programmed campaign to distort their reputations and incite the public against them.

Sun, 12 Sep 2010 13:39:47 GMT

The Bahraini government has suspended the board of the Bahrain Human Rights Society (BHRS) after the group accused Manama of violating human rights.

BHRS censured the Bahraini government earlier this month after it charged 23 Shia activists with forming a "terror network" with the goal of bringing down the Sunni-dominated government.

Amnesty International said activist/blogger Ali Abdulemam was arrested for allegedly spreading "false news."

Bahrain’s rulers are taking no chances against an uppity second-class majority

Sep 9th 2010

09/09/2010

Video

Ali Abdulemam, an extremely active blogger and cyber activist from Bahrain, was arrested and then imprisoned on the 4th September after being accused by the authorities of posting false information on the portal BarhainOnline.org, one of the Kingdom’s most popular sites, which incidentally has been inaccessible ever since. There has been huge reaction to his arrest on the web.

September 8, 2010

According to Reporters Without Borders, during the recent, systematic attacks on opposition activists in Bahrain, prominent blogger and activist Ali Abdulemam was arrested on the night of September 4th. Abdulemam received a summons to report to the national security department and was arrested on alleged charges of disseminating false information. Abdulemam created the democracy forum, BahrainOnline.org, which receives 100,000 visitors daily and is one of the first in Bahrain to use the Internet as a platform for activism. The website is blocked within Bahrain in violation of basic freedoms of expression.

Sohrab Ahmari
Iranian-American Writer and Activist
Posted: September 10, 2010 02:42 PM

Bahrain's sleek new tourism site boasts that the island nation is "one of the most modern countries in the GCC [Gulf Cooperation Council]." Tell that to Ali Abdulemam, the blogger and cyber-activist recently detained by Bahraini intelligence on the bogus charge of "spreading false information."

Posted By Steven Sotloff Friday, September 10, 2010

By KALINDI O’BRIEN / THE MEDIA LINE
09/09/2010 05:08

Human rights activists claim Gulf state's government arrests opposition figures, blocks Internet and censors Shiite mosque sermons.

With general elections scheduled for next month, the ruling government in Bahrain has been increasing its suppression of opponents, blocking Internet sites and taking over control of Shiite mosques, human rights activists have claimed.

(WASHINGTON DC -- September 16, 2010) The Islamic Information Center joins the statement by the Arab Program for Human Rights, and reiterates its support for the innocent and peaceful people of Bahrain, who are victims of violent and radical oppression by the Bahraini government. IIC and the Arab Program for Human Rights Activists follows with deep concern and disturbance the Bahraini authorities' torture of a number of activists, politicians, lawyers and some religious figures, on the backdrop of expressing their views in demanding political reform and defending human rights.

14/09/2010
United Nations Human Rights Council: Session 15
Item 2: High Commissioner’s Update- Oral Intervention
Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies (CIHRS)
13 September, 2010
Delivered by: Laila Matar
Recorded Video of the Speech

Thank you Mr. President,

CIHRS would like to express its sincere gratitude to the High Commissioner and her office for their dedicated and high-quality work on behalf of human rights.

As pointed out by the High Commissioner, attacks on human rights defenders is increasing in severity throughout the Arab region, including in Bahrain, Egypt and Sudan.

In a letter sent to the Independent, a UK daily newspaper, the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights has expressed its great concerns over the omission of the current sever crackdown on the basic human rights by Bahrain’s government against its own citizens, from an article published in the newspaper on September 12, 2010 entitled "Bridging the Gulf: Bahrain's big experiment with democracy" by Joan Smith.

The article has not mentioned any reference to the crackdown which started on Aug 13 in Bahrain

• Bringing the Rest of the Defendants to the Public Prosecution without informing their Lawyers to Conceal Effects of Torture
• Depriving Activists and Defenders from Jobs and Public Services
• An Incitement Campaign against the Detainees and their Religious Beliefs

10 September 2010

The Bahrain Center for Human Rights expresses its condemnation for the persistence of the constant campaign of suppressing public liberties, at a time where the country is living an undeclared state of emergency with the arrest of hundred of activists, human rights defenders and opposition religious figures, and the continuity of kidnappings of youth while physically abusing and sexually harassing them. The BCHR is continually receiving information about the increase of torture crimes and sexual harassment against detained Shiite clerics and stripping several detainees who are human right defenders off their clothes. The Authority is also carrying out collective punishment against the detainees and their families by announcing that they have been dismissed from their jobs and deprive them of the medical, educational and housing services provided by the State as part of its responsibility. The BCHR has also documented 240 arrests so far and it believes that there is approximately the same amount that have not yet been documented due to the suppressive campaign that targets anyone engaged in documenting these inhumane conditions. Many other dozens have been arrested and then released in a short period.

Cairo in 13/9/2010

The Arab Program for Human Rights Activists follows with deep concern and disturbance the Bahraini authorities' torture of a number of activists, politicians, lawyers and some religious figures on the back drop of expressing their views, demanding for political reform and defending human rights. The human rights activists namely Abdul Galil Sincece, Sheikh Mohammed Habib Mekdad, Shaikh Saeed Noori, Abdul Ghani Al Haggar as well as Dr. Mohamed Saeed, a member of Bahrain Center, were subjected to very cruel and degrading physical and mental torture

Paris-Geneva, September 10, 2010.
The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, a joint programme of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), denounces the suspension of the Board of Directors of the Bahrain Human Rights Society in the context of numerous attacks launched against human rights defenders in the run-up to the general elections.

Posted on 2010/09/10

The Bahrain Human Rights Society (BHRS) has learned that it has been made subject to an effective take-over by the Ministry of Social Development.

On 8 September 2010, the BHRS received a Ministerial Order demanding the dissolution of its Board of Directors and appointing a temporary administrator, who is an employee of the Ministry, with the mandate to manage BHRS' affairs, draw up financial and managerial reports, open membership to all categories of Bahraini society and call a General Assembly during which a new Board of Directors will be elected. The BHRS is an organisation licensed since August 2001 to promote human and civil rights in Bahrain. It was appointed by the government to monitor elections in 2006.

Political and human rights activists discussed the recent attacks by the Government of Bahrain on public liberties, the arrest of human rights activists, the resumption of torture at an unprecedented scale and the implementation of genocidal policies.

Video: PressTV
Photos: bahrainrights.org/flickr

Bahrain press conference 11.00 Tuesday September 7, 10.30 at Abbey Gardens

Quick Links:
- LORD AVEBURY Introductory remarks
- SAEED SHEHABI: Bahrain Freedom Movement
- MARYAM AL KHAWAJA, Bahrain Center for Human Rights
- PETER WEATHERBY, Bar Human Rights Committee
- HANEEFA SARWAR, Islamic Human Rights Commission

LORD AVEBURY, Vice-Chairman of the Parliamentary Human Rights Group:

We’re holding this press conference to highlight the sharp deterioration in human rights that has occurred in recent weeks on Bahrain, and particularly the torture being inflicted on detainees when they are held incommunicado for 15 days before they are allowed to see a lawyer. Some have then managed to speak about their treatment and it appears that most of the estimated 200 detainees are being subjected to torture and inhuman and degrading treatment.

Authorities Should Suspend Takeover of Bahrain Human Rights Society

September 9, 2010

(Washington, DC) - Bahrain should immediately revoke an order dissolving the Bahrain Human Rights Society's board of directors and assigning a government-appointed director to run the organization, Human Rights Watch said today.

9 September 2010

Amnesty International has called on the Bahraini government to reverse its decision to suspend the board of a prominent human rights organization, after it criticized alleged violations committed by the authorities against opposition and human rights activists within the Sh'ia community.

Published: September 8, 2010

English PEN is seriously concerned by the arrest of academic and human rights activist Dr Abdul-Jalil Alsingace, who has been held incommunicado since 13 August 2010. He is believed to be facing charges under national security and counter-terrorism laws, although it is widely believed that the charges are politically motivated and that he is targeted for his criticism of the Bahraini authorities.

Sep 9 2010, 2:25 PM ET

Wednesday, 08 September 2010 00:01
IHRC Trial Observer Abed Choudhury's latest report.

“Captain Al-Qattan stated that had he wanted to torture someone he would have done it in a way that would not have left any marks and not in a way that left visible marks like in the picture which to him appeared almost amateurish.”

08 September 2010

PRESS RELEASE: UK – IHRC demands that Foreign Office take up case of British citizen arrested and tortured in Bahrain

The Islamic Human Rights Commission has written to Secretary of State William Hague demanding that the Foreign Office take up the case of Jafferl Hasabi, a 39-year-old British national arrested in Bahrain last month and held incommunicado for over two weeks before being charged with attempting to overthrow the government.

By BRIAN MURPHY
The Associated Press
Sunday, September 5, 2010; 3:09 PM

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — What began last month with the arrest of an opposition leader in Bahrain has mushroomed into a full-blown political offensive in the tiny Gulf nation with big fault lines: U.S.-allied Sunni rulers against members of a Shiite majority being cast as coup plotters who could open the door to Iranian influence.

08 September 2010

The undersigned organizations strongly condemn the Bahraini authorities’ crackdown on human and political rights defenders and Shiite clerics. The campaign of repression began on August 13, 2010, and reached its peak when 23 Bahraini citizens were charged with joining a terrorist organization seeking the overthrow of the regime.

By MARGARET COKER

Bahrain accused 23 Shiite activists, including political leaders and prominent clerics, of promoting terrorism and plotting to overthrow the monarchy, a move expected to add to sectarian tensions ahead of elections in the small Gulf Arab nation.

In Sync with the campaign pursued by the security authorities of Bahrain

09 September 2010

The Bahrain Center for Human Rights express its deep concern on the Authority continued policy to restrict freedom of opinion and expression and the imposition of further restrictions on medium of information publication and means of expression, which has emerged recently in the decision of the Information Affairs Authority to suspend the audio reports broadcasted by the daily newspaper Al-Wasat on its website.

The country must address political instability fairly and decisively for assured economic growth

* By Joseph A. Kechichian, Special to Gulf News
* Published: 00:00 September 2, 2010

Although Moody's Investor Services' decision to downgrade the credit rating of Bahrain one notch was tied to deteriorating government finances, the island kingdom faced serious national security challenges that, left unattended, threatened to significantly erode its regional role. Ongoing riots, which resulted in arrests and injuries, do not bode well. Beyond urgent calls to restore a semblance of order, what are the consequences of these clashes?

Campaigners highlight plight of detainees, mostly arrested in clampdown on Shia groups before next month's elections

Britain has been urged to intervene with the government of Bahrain to demand an end to the alleged torture of 23 "terrorists" – one of them a UK citizen – who insist they are a legitimate opposition movement in the western-backed Gulf state.

VIDEO Report: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmYI5OHlW1U

In Bahrain, a government crackdown on opposition and human rights activists has escalated with a new round of arrests. Over the weekend, twenty-three people were detained on charges of plotting the violent overthrow of the Bahraini government. The suspects include prominent members of the Shia opposition as well as human rights activists. As many as 250 people have been arrested in the crackdown in less than a month. Speaking to Democracy Now!, Nabeel Rajab of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights said he is facing arrest after being publicly named a terrorist in the Bahraini media.

Written by Kalindi O'Brien
Published Tuesday, September 07, 2010

Government arrests opponents block Internet and censor mosque sermons

With general elections scheduled for next month, the ruling government in Bahrain has been increasing its suppression of opponents, blocking Internet sites and taking over control of Shiite mosques, human rights activists have claimed.

(Reuters) - The United Nations should help investigate allegations that opposition figures in Bahrain have been tortured in prison in the run-up to next month's elections, an Eric Lubbock said on Tuesday.

Lubbock, vice-chairman of a parliamentary human rights group, called for an urgent investigation into claims from opposition activists that they were tortured after being detained in a crackdown last month in the Gulf state.

Bahrain's Sunni government has arrested more than 20 Shi'ite opposition leaders, accusing them of plotting a coup and inciting "violence, rioting and terrorism."

By Bill Law Reporter, Crossing Continents

Posters of detainees with graffiti, "free the innocent people" on the streets of Malkiya village, Bahrain Prosecutors have accused 23 Shia activists of plotting against the Sunni-led government

A British citizen is among dozens of Shia activists who have been rounded up by the Bahraini authorities and tortured for their alleged role in campaigning against the ruling family of the Gulf Arab state, his lawyers tell the BBC.

British rights activists have criticized Bahrain for arresting opposition leaders, accusing the kingdom of violating human rights and oppressing the opposition.

Bahrain's Sunni government arrested more than 20 Shia opposition leaders in August, accusing them of plotting a coup and inciting "violence, rioting and terrorism."

Posted on » Wednesday, September 08, 2010

ON Sunday, the GDN published in good faith a panel of photographs identifying suspects in connection with a terrorism plot aimed at disrupting security in Bahrain.

The photographs and accompanying statement from the Public Prosecution were released through the official Bahrain News Agency (BNA), to coincide with a special television broadcast on Saturday night.

The material included a photograph of Nabeel Rajab, who we have since come to understand has neither been questioned nor charged in relation to any terrorist activity.

DUBAI | Wed Sep 8, 2010 12:20pm BST

DUBAI (Reuters) - Gulf Arab countries want Britain to deport two opposition figures accused by Bahrain over an alleged coup attempt and could make a formal request to London soon, Gulf Arab media reported on Wednesday.

Bahrain, home to the U.S. Fifth Fleet, on Saturday accused more than 20 Shi'ite opposition leaders arrested in a broad crackdown of plotting to overthrow the Sunni monarchy by promoting violent protests and acts of sabotage.

Paris-Geneva, September 8, 2010. The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, a joint programme of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), denounces the smear campaign against several human rights defenders and the arbitrary arrest of several other human rights defenders, orchestrated in the context of a broad wave of arrests targeting indiscriminately human rights defenders as well as political and religious activists who criticise the regime in the run-up to parliamentary elections.

Washington- September 7, 2010

Freedom House is deeply concerned about the ongoing crackdown against human rights activists, political opposition, and religious minorities in Bahrain leading up to the October parliamentary elections.

Yesterday’s arrest of leading pro-democracy blogger Ali Abdulemam comes amidst one of the harshest sectarian crackdowns by the Bahraini government in years. The repressive campaign has included censorship of the media, as well as the arrest and reported torture of political opposition and other human rights activists. Since early August, nearly 200 activists have been detained, many without access to family or legal counsel.

King Should Order Independent Investigation Into Torture Allegations

September 7, 2010

(Washington, DC) - Bahrain should stop threatening local rights defenders who have criticized the alleged torture of prominent opposition activists, Human Rights Watch said today.

In a letter to King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa on September 3, 2010, Human Rights Watch expressed grave concern after a pro-government newspaper linked Nabeel Rajab and Abd al-Hadi al-Khawaja, two prominent rights activists, to an alleged "terrorist network,"

New York, September 7, 2010--The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Bahraini authorities to release Ali Abdel Imam, a leading online journalist who was arrested Saturday on charges of spreading "false information." The arrest is the latest in the government's ongoing crackdown on dissent.

Published on 7 September 2010

Reporters Without Borders condemns the arrests of bloggers and other human rights activists in Bahrain, which is becoming systematic, and calls for their immediate and unconditional release.

The latest blogger to be detained is Ali Abdulemam, an online activist for the past 11 years and contributor to Global Voices Advocacy, who was arrested on the evening of 4 September after receiving a summons to report to the national security department. The authorities said he was arrested as he was trying to flee the country.

8 September 2010
RAN 46/10

International PEN's Writers in Prison Committee is seriously concerned by the arrest of academic and human rights activist Dr Abdul-Jalil Alsingace, who has been held incommunicado since 13 August 2010. He is believed to be facing charges under national security and counter-terrorism laws, although it is widely believed that the charges are politically motivated and that he is targeted for his criticism of the Bahraini authorities. His arrest appears to be part of a crackdown on Shia activists in the run up to the forthcoming parliamentary elections.

6 September 2010

Amnesty International has urged the Bahraini authorities to ensure a fair trial for 23 Shi'a Muslim activists accused of terrorism and plotting to overthrow the government.

All but two of the 23 were arrested as part of an increased clampdown by the authorities on Shi'a opposition and human rights activists in the run-up to next month's parliamentary elections.

Many of those detained have been held incommunicado amid reports of torture and other abuse.

IHRC appeals to UN Special Rapporteur on Torture to take up case of Bahraini human rights activists subjected to torture and other forms of abuse after being arrested during current crackdown on civil society activists and critics of the government.

6 September 2010.

The IHRC, which is an NGO in special consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council, has written an open letter to UN Special Rapporteur on Torture, Manfred Nowak, demanding that he look into the treatment of civil society activists recently arrested in Bahrain, and reportedly subjected to severe forms of torture and degrading treatment while being held incommunicado for over two weeks.

The Arabic Network Denounces Detaining The Blogger Ali Abdelemam. Security Crackdown on Bahraini Activists Steps Up

Cairo , September 6th , 2010

The Arabic Network for Human rights Information strongly denounced the escalated crackdown on political activists and human rights defenders in Bahrain in the past few days. Bahrain witnessed detentions ,torturing activists and blocking tens of websites reporting on these assaults , last of which was detaining the blogger and internet activist Ali Abdelemam and the prosecution decision to prohibit publishing on activists’ case.

In a new escalation by Authority after launching the security crackdown to arrest activists

An archived photo of Ali Abdulemam taken in his first arrest

06 September 2010

The Bahrain Center for Human Rights expresses its grave concern at the continued escalation and vicious attack on freedom of opinion and expression in Bahrain which synchronizes with a wave of arrests of activists and defenders of human rights, and the attack on public freedoms and the confiscation of the right of expression. This was represented recently in the arrest of Ali Abdulemam, a Bahraini blogger and a prominent online activist on "Global Voices" networks and the owner of the most popular online forum in Bahrain "Bahrain Online" bahrainonline.org. He was arrested on the evening of Saturday, September 4th, 2010, after being summoned for investigation by the National Security Apparatus (NSA), which then has charged him with "broadcasting false news, wrong and tendentious about the current situation in Bahrain." This was followed by the shutdown of the site in the afternoon of Sunday, September 5th, 2010, in what may be a result of the pressures suffered by Abdul-Imam to disclose the passwords of the website to the authority.

By Glen Carey - Mon Sep 06 09:32:49 GMT 2010

Bahrain, home to the U.S. Fifth Fleet, charged 23 opposition activists with terrorism crimes connected to an international network accused of aiming to subvert the Gulf kingdom’s Sunni Muslim monarchy.

Bahrain's human rights record came under fresh scrutiny on Tuesday after British peers linked the kingdom's arrest of two prominent opposition figures to their attendance of a seminar in the House of Lords.

By Adrian Blomfield, Middle East Correspondent
Published: 6:02PM BST 06 Sep 2010

Abduljalil al-Singace and Abdulghani al-Kanjar were seized by police at Bahrain's international airport as they walked off a flight from London in mid-August.

Critics of recent terrorism arrests accuse government of trying to silence opposition ahead of October elections.

Gregg Carlstrom Last Modified: 06 Sep 2010 19:18 GMT

Human rights groups and activists in Bahrain say the government's recent crackdown on opposition leaders is motivated by a desire to reassert itself ahead of parliamentary elections next month.

2010/09/06

Human rights defender and leading Bahraini blogger, Mr Ali Abdulemam was arrested on 4 September at 9 pm by Bahraini National Security Agency (NSA). Ali Abdulemam created and managed since 1999 a leading news website on Bahrain (ww.bahrainonline.org) as well as a blog. He has been active internationally raising attention to the situation of freedom of expression and the media environment in Bahrain.

State-run media report on an alleged foreign-backed plan to overthrow the country's Sunni Muslim monarchy. The accusations come as the Persian Gulf Arab kingdom gears up for parliamentary elections.

By Alexandra Sandels, Los Angeles Times
September 6, 2010|10:56 a.m.

Reporting from Beirut —
When Nabeel Rajab saw his picture splashed on the front pages of a state-run newspaper over the weekend as an alleged member of a terrorist network plotting to overthrow the government, he knew it was time to start packing. The prominent Bahraini human rights activist sent his children away and put toothpaste and shampoo into a small bag in anticipation of his arrest.

By THANASSIS CAMBANIS
Published: September 5, 2010

BEIRUT, Lebanon — Bahraini officials announced on Saturday that they were charging 23 people, most of them activists from the Shiite majority, with coordinating a violent campaign to overthrow the minority Sunni government.

3 September 2010

IFEX member Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR) is urgently calling on concerned individuals to write to the Bahrain government to end the systematic torture and imprisonment of those expressing their views, including political, religious and human rights activists. Abdul-Jalil Al-Singace, Sheikh Mohammed Habib Al-Muqdad, Sheikh Saeed Al-Nori, Abdul-Ghani Khanjjar and BCHR's Dr. Mohammed Saeed are among those who have endured brutal physical and mental torture.

03 September 2010
Islamic Human Rights Commission

Contents
1. Summary
2. Background
3. Action required
4. Sample letters

1. Summary

Dr Al-Singace was arrested at Manama Airport on the morning of 13 August, as he and his family returned to the country from London. He only had access to his lawyer after almost two weeks in incommunicado detention.

In Sync with the Security Crackdown Launched by the Bahraini Authorities against Political Activists, Religious Figures and Human Rights Defenders

4 September 2010

The Bahrain Center for Human Rights expresses its deep concerns regarding the Bahraini authorities’ continuous actions against freedom of opinion and expression by blocking web sites. This time the action consists of closing dozens of websites and online forums of an organized campaign aimed to consolidate media blackouts of internal security on political activists, religious figures, as well as defenders of human rights.

Terrifying Testimonies about Torture and Unethical Cover-Up from the Public Prosecution
The Public Prosecution is trying to justify the Torture Marks with the Detainees Attempt to Escape Prison

Archived photo of protests against torture in Bahrain

3 September 2010

The terrifying testimonies and horrific complaints filed by the victims of political activists, human rights defenders and clerics before the Public Prosecution, which were received by the Bahrain Center for Human Rights, warns of the beginning of a new era of deterioration of the conditions of human rights in Bahrain. As far as the nature of torture is concerned and the social symbolism of the groups targeted with this torture, there is a rapid growth of using groundless tactics of systematic persecution which the BCHR has never perceived before.

03 September 2010 21:43
Written by Rannie Amiri

“The way the ongoing security campaign has been handled and the rights violations that accompanied it have in one week destroyed 10 years of progress in this country.” – Sheikh Ali Salman, head of Bahrain’s main Shia opposition party, Al-Wefaq, 21 August 2010

MANAMA, Bahrain — The three women in head scarves and black abayas surged into the main atrium of the Seef Mall at 11 p.m. the other night, unfurling a banner outside the Next clothing boutique that read, “It is forbidden to arbitrarily arrest and detain people.”

3 September 2010

Amnesty International has urged the Bahraini government to set up a prompt, impartial and independent investigation into allegations that well-known members of the country’s Shi’a Muslim community arrested in recent weeks were tortured or otherwise ill-treated while being detained incommunicado.

Acts of physical and psychological torture perpetrated against Messrs. Abduljalil Al-Sengais and Abdulghani Ali Issa Al-Khanjar while in detention

1 September 2010

The Observatory has been informed by the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights (BCHR) about the acts of physical and psychological torture perpetrated against Messrs. Abduljalil Al-Sengais, Spokesperson and Director of the Human Rights Bureau of the Haq Movement for Civil Liberties and Democracy, and Abdulghani Ali Issa Al-Khanjar, Spokesperson of the National Committee for Martyrs and Victims of Torture (NCMVT), while in detention.

Counterterrorism Charges Against Activists Follow Weeks of Incommunicado Detention

September 1, 2010

"Bahraini authorities should immediately investigate these allegations of torture and guarantee the physical and psychological well-being of the four men. The attorney general has a legal obligation to throw out any coerced confessions and any evidence obtained by ill-treatment, including information that led to the men's indictments."
Joe Stork, deputy Middle East director at Human Rights Watch

(Washington, DC) - Bahraini authorities should immediately look into allegations of torture by four opposition activists who had been held in incommunicado detention for more than two weeks, Human Rights Watch said today. In their formal interrogation sessions with prosecutors, the four contended that their captors had subjected them to torture and degrading treatment.

in the Detention Centers of the National Security and in a Blatant Cover-up from the Public Prosecution.
• The Number of Detainees in the Protest Demands Exceed 200 Detainee, the Majority are Human Rights Activists and Defenders.
• It has become Vital for the Ruling Institutes to Embark on Radical Solutions to the Human Rights Issues rather than Resorting to Security Solutions.

31 August 2010

The growth of violations and deterioration of the security state in Bahrain is still ongoing. Further information was received about the mental and physical torture of detainees in the security campaign and especially the political, human rights activists and religious figures. This is a time where the country seems like a military barrack, and where the citizens are living in an unannounced state of emergency. An extensive and intensified media campaign is being organized, where the acts of the detainees and participants are being condemned and in preparation for further arrests. With this, the defendants, lawyers and those in solidarity with them are forbidden from freedom of expression, which comes with the ban on publication ordered by the public prosecution.

The BCHR received confirmed information that Sheikh Mohammed Habib Al-Muqdad, Sheikh Saeed Al-Nori and Mr. Abdul-Ghani Khanjjar are facing brutal physical and mental torture.

New York, August 31, 2010--Bahrainian prosecutors have banned journalists from reporting on the detentions of dozens of opposition activists, according to news accounts. The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on authorities to lift the censorship order immediately.