Bahrain: Crackdown Intensifies in Wake of F1 Race
23 April 2013
As the world's attention shifts away from Bahrain, the authorities have sharply intensified the crackdown on ordinary citizens. The Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights, and the Bahrain Center for Human Rights are both seriously concerned for the well being of Nafeesa Al-Asfoor (pictured above, left) and Rayhana Al-Mosawi (pictured above, right) who were arrested on April 20, 2013 after peacefully protesting at the F1 race with t-shirts and slogans that support the freedom of imprisoned human rights activist Zainab Al-Khawaja and imprisoned photographer Ahmed Humaidan. The husband to Rayhana Al-Mosawi was also arrested and interrogated, but has been released. Both women have been charged under the terrorism law for attempting to detonate a bomb at the F1 race, according to the defendants' lawyers. Both activists stand accused of:
(1) joining an illegal group aimed at disrupting the provisions of the Constitution, terrorism was among the means used to achieve or execute the objectives;
(2) awareness of a terrorist schema without informing the authorities.
The official Ministry of Interior statement about the arrest states that: "On the second day of the Grand Prix, police assigned to the BIC gate stopped two girls who were acting suspiciously. After searching them it was found that one of them was carrying a pillow stuffed under her dress. The girl told police she was testing the security procedures as part of a recce for a terrorist act. The girls were referred to the Public Prosecutor." (Link to the MOI statement: http://www.policemc.gov.bh/news_details.aspx?type=1&articleId=14173
The BCHR and the BYSHR believes that the decision to charge these women as terrorists under such outrageous charges is intended to send a clear message to other peaceful protesters that there will be severe consequences for speaking up for human rights. Their initial detention period will be for sixty days.
The BCHR has received reports that the women were forced to provide names of other individuals, and implicate them in illegal activities. The BCHR has documented a pattern of behavior by the authorities to use torture to extract false confession from human rights activists and pro-democracy protesters.
On the same day that the Bahraini authorities imprisoned these women on trumped-up charges, the U.N. Office of the Special Rapporteur on Torture or Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment announced that they would again delay their visit to Bahrain at the request of the Bahraini authorities. The Special Rapporteur, Professor Juan Mendez, was also denied access in March of 2012 when he was last scheduled to visit the country.
The Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights and the Bahrain Center for Human Rights demand that:
1. The immediate release of Nafeesa Al-Asfoor and Rayhana Al-Mosawi, and the dropping of all trumped-up charges against them.
2. The Special Rapportour on Torture be allowed to visit the country and speak with the dozens of prisoners and ordinary citizens who have reportedly been tortured by the authorities.
Bahrain F1: What happens when the cameras are gone?
MARYAM AL KHAWAJA Sunday 21 April 2013
Should it matter that two years later, despite ongoing, grave and widespread human rights violations, the Formula One is returning to Bahrain?
Should sports and human rights be interlinked? In February 2011, hundreds of thousands of people in Bahrain took to the streets to demand self-determination, rights, and dignity. Their basic demands were met by the regime’s horrifically violent crackdown, backed by its Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and international allies. Two years later, the most prominent human rights defenders in the country remain behind bars, some of them denied family, lawyer, and hospital visits for over a month. Today, jails contain hundreds of political prisoners, excessive use of force takes place against protesters on a daily basis, reports of torture persist, hospitals are still militarized, and the culture of impunity continues. But why is any of this relevant to the Grand Prix race?
It matters for two main reasons.
New REDRESS and IRCT report on Bahrain: fundamental reforms needed to combat torture
18-04-2013 The Government of Bahrain must take further measures to prevent torture and ill-treatment, to investigate and prosecute past offences and to ensure that all victims have effective access to redress including rehabilitation services, conclude REDRESS and the International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims (IRCT) in a new report released today, Bahrain: Fundamental reform or torture without end?
In 2011 the Bahrain International Commission of Inquiry (BICI) found that torture and ill-treatment had been used systematically to respond to protests in Bahrain. While the Government of Bahrain has taken some steps to implement the recommendations of the BICI, torture and ill-treatment continue and obligations towards victims have not been met.
REDRESS and IRCT have worked with many survivors of torture and ill-treatment from the country for over 15 years. The report draws on REDRESS and IRCT’s work in the country, a joint mission to Bahrain in April-May 2012 that included the medical documentation of cases of torture and ill-treatment, and detailed follow-up and casework since that time.
“Bahrain must address the legacy of torture and ill-treatment, as the practice continues to be documented in a number of different contexts, both in detention and by riot police who are ostensibly controlling protests,” said Lutz Oette, counsel at REDRESS. “Providing victims of torture and ill-treatment the reparation promised after the BICI report, and guaranteed to them under international law constitutes an overdue and important first step towards that end”.
The report shows that although recent reforms address some of the usual custodial safeguards, key gaps in protection remain. Traditional strategies to prevent torture must be matched by full participation of victims in processes to redress past violations and a sustained effort to address wider structural factors which have enabled torture and ill-treatment to persist.
In this context the organisations welcome the decision of the Government of Bahrain to invite the UN Special Rapporteur on torture, Juan Mendez, to visit the country and encourage all stakeholders to engage constructively with his visit. Mendez is the UN’s leading expert in redress and torture prevention and it is crucial that the Government of Bahrain make the best possible use of his expertise to follow up on and improve on reforms already undertaken.
REDRESS and IRCT will continue to make their expertise available to all national stakeholders implementing initiatives to end torture in Bahrain and to secure victims effective access to redress including rehabilitation services.
For further information, please contact Eva Sanchis, REDRESS’ Communications Officer, at eva@redress.org or +44 (0)20 7793 1777 or Asger Kjaerum, Head of IRCT Geneva Office, at akj@irct.org or +41 (0)76 221 5959.
US State Department 2012 Human Rights Report: Bahrain
19 Apr 2013
Bahrain is a monarchy. King Hamad Bin Isa Al-Khalifa, the head of state, appoints the cabinet consisting of 29 ministers; approximately half are members of the Sunni Al-Khalifa ruling family. The parliament consists of an appointed upper house, the Shura (Consultative) Council, and the elected Council of Representatives. Approximately 17 percent of eligible voters participated in parliamentary by-elections for 18 seats vacated in September 2011. Independent human rights organizations did not consider the elections free and fair. On May 19, the king ratified constitutional amendments broadening the powers of the elected chamber of parliament. Security forces reported to civilian authorities during the year.
The most serious human rights problems included 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. Some protesters engaged in lethal acts of violence against security forces, including the use of improvised explosive devices, Molotov cocktails, and other improvised weapons.
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.
Beginning in February 2011, the country experienced a sustained period of unrest including mass protests calling for political reform. In 2011, 52 persons died in incidents linked to the unrest, and hundreds more were injured or arrested. The government prosecuted some police personnel implicated in abuses committed during the year and in 2011. Courts convicted six individuals of crimes related to police abuse, resulting in prison sentences ranging from three months to seven years. It was unclear whether any of those convicted were in prison at year’s end. Many of the trials continued. In the pending cases, charges ranged from misdemeanor assault and battery to murder. The government took some steps to address the “culture of impunity,” which the 2011 Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI) report identified.
Bahrain: F1 Race Was Held Amid Severe Government Crackdown
The F1 race was held in Bahrain yesterday amid a sweeping government crackdown, including dozens of arrests and a large number of injuries. The BCHR is seriously concerned about the victims of these attacks from the security forces.
The BCHR has documented numerous cases of shotgun pellet injuries, as well as injuries sustained from direct hits from teargas canisters; many areas throughout Bahrain that have been indiscriminately blanketed with teargas as a form of collective punishment.
On the day of the race, the BCHR documented 16 arrests related to protests in the small town just of Jidhafs alone and and 10 house raids throughout the towns of Jidhafs, Sanabis and Aldaih. This repression was typical across the country, and the Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights reports that they documented a total of 96 arrests including 12 children, with 21 individuals later released for the period from April 18th - 21st. A link to the full BYSHR can be found here: http://byshr.org/wp-content/BYSHR-Report-F1.pdf
Two years ago, the F1 race was cancelled in Bahrain because of the violence surrounding the government's crackdown on the pro-democracy movement. Last year it went forward amid much criticism and a heavy security presence that led to one protester being shot and killed by the police. This year, the streets of Bahrain were filled with tens of thousands of peaceful protesters demanding the cancellation of the race.
A shotgun injury from the weekend in BahrainThe BCHR has received a large number of injury reports from across the country as a result of direct hits from tear gas canisters, shotgun pellets and tear gas inhalation. These individuals are forced to seek treatment in private homes out of fear of police brutality at the hospitals. As can be seen in the images above and blow, individuals injured by the police often choose to seek treatment in private homes. Jajjar Jassim, from Sitra, was arrested yesterday when he went to the Etihad hospital for treatment.
The BCHR recently released a report on the militarization of the Bahraini medical system - see: http://www.bahrainrights.org/en/node/5699 for more information.
The government crackdown also included the illegal and indiscriminate use of tear gas against ordinary citizens. In the video below, the security forces are seen firing tear gas canisters directly at three unarmed women walking down the street. The practice of firing canisters directly at individuals is illegal and has lead to several deaths in Bahrain since the pro-democracy movement started in 2011. The targeting of these women demonstrates the indiscriminate manner in which collective punishment is applied against ordinary citizens.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XgfZPG3L94w&feature=youtu.be
In an attempt to hide the above types of abuses, the government deported several foreign journalists who were covering protests in one of the villages. The British ITV team was on assignment with the proper visas in place, according to the network, when the were detained at a police station and then deported. See http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2013/apr/19/itv-news-forced-leave-bahrain for more information.
F1 racing CEO Bernie Ecclestone said over the weekend that Bahrain was 'stupid' to host the race. This letter from Americans for Democracy and Human Rights in Bahrain and other NGOs, and this letter from another group of NGOs including the Bahrain Center for Human Rights, explains in detail the reasons for opposition to the race, and calls for an end to the race in Bahrain as it represents a show of international support for a regime that continues to commit widespread human rights abuses.
The Bahrain Center for Human Rights demands:
-An immediate end to the government's repression and the excessive use of force that is being used against demonstrators.
-An investigation into the injuries suffered by protesters, and the demilitarisation of the medical system so that citizens can seek medical care without fear.
Bahrain: Urgent Appeal: Khalil AlShaikh Arrested and Mistreatment in Prison is Feared
Left: Khalil AlShaikh, Right: Ahmed AlShaikh21 April 2013
UPDATE: According to the family, the authorities stated that AlShaikh is not being held at a hospital. The family's fear is that he has been severely beaten or otherwise mistreated.
20 April 2013
The Bahrain Center for Human Rights expresses grave concern about the continuous targeting of relatives of victims of extra-judicial killings, especially those are were witnesses to the crime. There is grave concern for the safety and well-being of Khalil AlShaikh, who called his family at 4:00am to ask for clothing. His family reported that he sounded fatigued on the telephone. His family has not seen him, and they are concerned for his safety. Ill-treatment and torture often occur in Bahrain during times of enforced disappearance. Khalil Ali AlShaikh, 25 years old, was arrested yesterday after being wanted for two years. While having dinner with his friends at “Shams AlIraq” restaurant, intelligence officers surrounded the place and took him by force. Khalil is a photographer whose pictures have been used by several international media agencies. At the end of December 2011, Khalil was shot in the chest with a tear gas canister while filming attacks on a protest as can be seen in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibF6nc9P9Ys&feature=youtube_gdata_player.
Khalil’s brother, Ahmed Ali AlShaikh, 22 years old, was arrested on the 31st of December 2012 from Bahrain International Airport. Ahmed was charged under the terrorism law, and was kept under interrogation for 60 days, which was then extended another 45 days, and a further 60 days after that. He is currently being held at the Dry Docks Prison, block 10.
Both Ahmed and Khalil were eye-witnesses to the killing of their cousin, 14 year old Ali AlShaikh who was shot in the neck with a tear gas canister on the 31st of August 2011. The AlShaikh brothers have also been subject to arrests and prosecution in the past. Ahmed was also arrested from the airport in 2011 and has, due to these two arrests and ongoing detention, lost two years of his university studies. Khalil AlShaikh was first arrested on the 23rd of September 2011 when protesters attempted to return to what was the Pearl Square. He was detained for three months then released on bail.
The home of Ahmed and Khalil AlShaikh was raided 11 times as per the family, vandalized, property stolen. In their immediate family alone there have been seven arrests, and three of the victims of extra-judicial killins are related to them. Namely, Ali AlShaikh, Sayed Jawad Ahmed (36 years old) and Sayed Hashim Sayed Saeed (15 years old).
The Bahrain Center for Human Rights has issued several statements about the targeting of witnesses and relatives of victims of extra judicial killings. The authorities in Bahrain not only have created a culture of impunity for those committing crimes against civilians in Bahrain, but prosecutes those who witness the violations as well.
The BCHR calls on the US, the UK, the UN and all other close allies and international institutions to put pressure on the Government of Bahrain to:
1. Immediately release all political prisoners and drop politically motivated charges. 2. Immediately cease targeting families and witnesses of victims of extra-judicial killings, and allow them to come forward without fear of reprisals 3. Hold all officials responsible for human rights violations accountable, including those in high positions and members of the ruling family
Bahrain: 5 Year-Old Child Loses Eye From Police Gunfire; No Accountability
The Bahrain Center for Human Rights express grave concern over the loss of an eye from 5 year-old child Ahmed Al-Naham due to the excessive and arbitrary use of birdshots in residential areas by the security forces. 10 months after the attacks, no one has been held accountable.
On 12 April 2013, Ahmed Mansoor AlNaham underwent a surgery to remove his left eye at a hospital in Singapore after he was injured by police birdshots in June 2012. It was the last medical option suggested by doctors to save his other eye after failing to save his injured eye.
Ahmed was injured in his left eye on 14 June 2012, while he was helping his father Mansoor Al Naham run his fish stall in Al Dair village in Bahrain, when they were attacked and shot at twice by riot police despite his father warning to the police that he is accompanied by a child. Mansoor tried saving his child by shielding him with his body, however they were both shot at from a close range and they sustained injuries in multiple part of their bodies.
Ahmed received medical treatment in Bahrain at the Salmaniya Medical Complex and the military hospital at first, he was then taken to Saudi Arabia where he went through 2 surgeries to remove birdshots from his eye. He was then taken to Ireland and finally to Singapore hoping to find a medical solution so that his left eye can see again.
Ahmed’s sister said that he still has more than 150 birdshot pellets inside his body.
The Ministry of the Interior, which has taken such rapid action against human rights defenders, such as when they investigated, located, and arrested human rights defender Said Yousif Al-Muhafdha just 23 minutes after posting a tweet. However, in this case of investigation the responsible police officers, the Interior Ministry has not been able to find anyone accountable ten months after the incident.
Many individuals, protesters or otherwise, have lost their eyes due to the excessive use of force applied by the security forces. Asma AbdulJalil, a 7 year old girl was injured from a piece of glass when a rubber bullet broke the window of her mother’s car where she was sitting. No one was held accountable for this injuries.
Recently injured: 7 year-old Asma AbdulJalilThe Bahrain Center for Human Rights calls for: - A transparent and independent investigations into the attack on child Ahmed alNahama and those responsible must be brought to justice.
- An immediate stop to brutal attacks on peaceful protests, and the use of excessive force and the shotgun.
- All victims of riot police, including those with eye injuries, must be treated and compensated.
The BCHR calls on the international community and organizations to put pressure on the Bahraini regime to stop using such brutal force against pro-democracy protesters. We call on the US administration and other allies of the Bahraini government to take a stand against human rights abuses that continue in the country.
Ahmed Talking on Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCgpbKdAR8U
RSF: "DON’T LEAVE NEWS OUT OF THE RACE"
18 Apr 2013
Reporters Without Borders is launching a campaign entitled “Don’t leave news out of the race” for this weekend’s Formula One Grand Prix in Manama. The campaign visual shows an image of Bahrain’s uprising reflected in the helmet of a racing driver who is about to start the race. The aim of the campaign, which will be widely circulated on social networks, is to draw attention to the government policy of orchestrating disinformation about Bahrain’s street protests and the ensuing crackdown, and to the way news and information have been the crackdown’s collateral victims.
The Bahraini authorities have skilfully used double talk for more than two years with western governments that have supported democratic aspirations in other countries but have been reluctant to condemn the suppression of democracy in Bahrain, instead accepting its rulers’ insincere promises and superficial reforms.
On the eve of this world sports event, Reporters Without Borders wants to draw the international community’s attention to the continuing abuses in Bahrain. Ever since the start of the uprising in 2011, the government has clearly sought to impose the maximum restrictions possible on coverage of the demonstrations and the ensuing crackdown.
At the same time, it has mobilized an impressive public relations apparatus to defend its image, promising change, playing up the meagre progress that has been made and waging a disinformation campaign in constant in press releases.
The government boasts that, of the 176 recommendations by a working group during its Universal Periodic Review by the United Nations Human Rights Council in September 2012, it has accepted 145 fully and 13 partially. But these commitments are flouted as soon as the cameras leave. Journalists are still prevented from working freely.
Obstacles to freedom of information
The authorities have taken a number of measures to restrict journalists entering the country during the Formula One Grand Prix. Only those with “F1 visas” will be allowed entry from 7 to 21 April and they will be prohibited from “violating the security and national welfare of Bahrain.”
This will allow the government to arrest journalists who try to cover the human rights situation because it can claim that this violates the country’s “security and national welfare.” So, journalists will be restricted to covering the Formula One event and will be unable to report on any of the on-going political unrest.
A number of international media are meanwhile still awaiting visas for their photographers and cameramen. The authorities have already issued visas for the print media’s reporters but, careful as always of their image, are delaying the issuing of the precious visas for other categories.
On 14 April, a week before the Grand Prix, the government approved an amendment to article 214 of the penal code, increasing the penalties for defaming the king and insulting the national symbols (flag and coat of arms) to five years in prison and a fine of up to 10,000 dinars (20,000 euros).
If parliament passes the amendment, it will pose a major threat to freedom of expression and information, especially as the article is loosely worded and allows judges to interpret in an arbitrary manner.
News providers in prison
Ahmed Humaidan, a well-known photographer who has received 143 international awards for his photography, has been held since 29 December after months of continual harassment by the security forces. He is charged with attacking a police station in Sitra in April 2012, although he was there just to take photos of a protest.
Reporters Without Borders recently condemned the inhumane treatment he has received while in detention and called for the withdrawal of the charges. After repeated postponements, his trial is now supposed to take place on 15 May. A court decided in a hearing on 16 April to keep him in detention.
On 4 September 2012, the high court of appeal upheld the harsh sentences that a military tribunal had passed in June 2011 on 21 defendants accused of belonging to terrorist organizations and trying to overthrow the government.
On 7 January 2012, the court of cassation rejected the appeals filed by 13 human rights activists, including the blogger Abduljalil Al-Singace, spokesman and head of the human rights bureau of the Al-Haq Movement for Civil Liberties and Democracy. As a result, he was one of eight people to be sentenced to life imprisonment.
Ali Abdulemam, a fellow blogger and one of the Internet’s pioneers in Bahrain, was sentenced to 15 years in prison in absentia.
Although the publication of the findings of Cherif Bassiouni’s Independent Commission of Inquiry in November 2011, under international pressure, forced the Bahraini judicial authorities to order a new trial before a civilian court, the judges still imposed long jail terms on human right activists and news providers.
Lack of judicial independence
The next hearing in the appeal against police officer Sarah Al-Moosa’s acquittal on a charge of torturing a journalist is due to be heard on 12 May. A Manama court cleared her on 22 October (LINK) of torturing and mistreating Bahraini journalist Nazeeha Saeed at Rifaa police station on 22 May 2011.
Bahrain correspondent for France 24 and Radio Monte-Carlo Doualiya, Saeed filed a complaint against three of the police officers who were present while she was mistreated but only Moosa was prosecuted. Reporters Without Borders was shocked by her acquittal, and said it illustrated the judicial system’s lack of independence.
The prosecutor’s office decision to appeal against the acquittal was clearly motivated by concern for Bahrain’s image and a desire to show the international community that everything possible is being done to punish those responsible for human rights abuses.
But the appeal has repeatedly been postponed and there is only one defendant. The many other human rights violators will never be tried and punished.
Amnesty: Crackdown and hollow promises ahead of Bahrain Grand Prix
17 Apr 2013
As Bahrain steps into the global spotlight with the upcoming Formula One Grand Prix, there is a high risk that last year’s repressive tactics – when a protester was killed by the security forces – will be repeated or even increased by the authorities, Amnesty International said today. The intensity of protests is expected to top last year’s demonstrations around the Grand Prix during a week of planned protests organized by political groups. Clashes between protesters and security forces have been reported in the past two weeks and human rights activists claim dozens of protesters have already been arrested ahead of this year’s event.
“Instead of responding to the uprising of February 2011, the last two years have seen continued killings, arbitrary arrests and alleged torture in Bahrain. The authorities are trying to use the Grand Prix as a platform to show progress, with claims that the human rights situation has improved, whilst stepping up repression in order to ensure nothing disturbs their public image,” said Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui, Amnesty International’s Middle East and North Africa Programme Deputy Director.
“We are seeing nothing but crackdowns and token gestures to clean up the country’s image. Families wait for justice for their killed relatives, opposition leaders languish in jail, and children are detained and tried under the anti-terrorism law.” The majority of protests are banned and forcibly dispersed, often with reckless use of tear gas.
Activists are also reporting that a number of arrests by plain-clothed security officers have been carried out since protests began two weeks ago, resulting in at least 50 detentions. Among them is Hussain Abdul Amir, who was taken from his home at 2am in Dar Kulaib on 3 April. His family received news on 12 April that he is being held at Dry Dock Prison.
“The Bahraini government says the country is engaged in human rights reform. The onus is on them to demonstrate it. They should immediately release all prisoners of conscience, let demonstrators exercise their rights peacefully and allow unrestricted access to NGOs and journalists to monitor the situation around the Grand Prix.”
Additional Information
Of 96 official investigations of deaths in custody and during protests since 2011, 46 cases have been dismissed due to lack of evidence of a crime, or because the death was considered to have been caused by ‘an act of legitimate self defense’.
When the cases were dismissed, most of the victims’ families were not even told, nor were they given any adequate explanation of why the cases had been dismissed or details of the investigations. They have also not been told whether they can appeal against the decisions.
Two people died this February during demonstrations marking the second anniversary of the uprising after being shot by riot police.
On 14 April, the Ministry of Interior reported that protesters caused a car explosion using a gas cylinder – Bahraini media and activists claim this is the third in a series of similar incidents. So far, no casualties have been documented.
Al Wefaq National Islamic Society, the main opposition bloc, announced a week of protests on 11 April under the slogan ‘democracy is our right’. On 14 April, hundreds of people peacefully took to the streets as part of a series of week-long rallies. More demonstrations are scheduled for the rest of this week.
The family of the 36-year-old protester, Salah Abbas Habib Ahmad Mousa, shot dead by security forces during last year’s protests, only heard last week about what steps are being taken to bring the perpetrator to account. In a move to deflect criticism, a low-ranking policeman was charged with his killing on 8 April 2013; a hearing is due to begin on 6 May. The victim’s family and their lawyer have been denied access to the investigation.
HRW: Bahrain: F1 Ignores Rights Abuses Ahead of Race
18 April 2013
(Beirut) – International racing bodies responsible for scheduling the Bahrain Formula 1 Grand Prix from April 19 to 21, 2013, have taken no steps to address human rights abuses that appear to be directly linked to the event. Bahraini security forces killed a protester during the 2012 Grand Prix and have increased their repressive actions in the lead-up to the 2013 race. In recent weeks, security forces have conducted home raids in the vicinity of the race circuit and arbitrarily arrested and detained opposition figures. Protesters have indicated they will demonstrate against the Grand Prix, with the risk that the Bahraini authorities will use repressive measures to close down the protests.
“Bahrain is already tightening the lid on protest as the Formula 1 race grows near,” said Sarah Leah Whitson, Middle East director at Human Rights Watch. “The Formula 1 organizers apparently prefer to bury their heads in the sand, risking holding their race against repression it has provoked.”
Human Rights Watch said it was unaware of any public comment by Formula 1 organizers about the recent spate of security force abuses near the race site.
Race authorities also have failed to consider the impact of the event on Bahrain’s ongoing human rights violations, Human Rights Watch said. The Bahraini authorities regularly imprison peaceful demonstrators and human rights defenders, and security forces use excessive and at times deadly force against protesters. The authorities have failed to investigate and prosecute high-level officials responsible for serious human rights violations.
Since large-scale protests began in 2011, abuses by security forces have resulted in the death of scores of protesters and bystanders, serious injuries to hundreds of people, arrests of thousands more, and more than 300 formal allegations of torture and ill-treatment. In February, Human Rights Watch concluded, based on discussions with officials, that authorities have made no progress in investigating and prosecuting higher-level officials responsible for the worst abuses during the 2011 protests.
On May 26, 2011, Human Rights Watch wrote to the chairs of the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile and the Formula One Teams Association, Jean Todt and Martin Whitmarsh respectively, to urge that they and their member organizations take into account the severe human rights crisis in Bahrain and consult the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises. Human Rights Watch has not been able to determine that either body has taken any steps to assess the ramifications of their current involvement in Bahrain.
Responding to the news media about abuses by the government during the 2012 race, Todt said: “We know protests can have a negative result. We are a governing body running sport, you can have lots of protests and there can be consequences, and I am not sure the protests would not have happened if the Grand Prix would not have happened.”
During protests that took place on April 21 during the 2012 Grand Prix, Bahraini security forces killed Salah Abbas Habib, a protester, in the town of Shakhoura. A November 2012 report by the Bahrain Government on the anniversary of the 2011 Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry report concluded that Habib “was arrested and assaulted, and then shot with [a] shotgun” by security forces.
The chief prosecutor of Bahrain’s Special Investigations Unit announced on April 8 that his office had charged a police officer with wilful homicide in Habib's case, but the case exposes the dangers that protesters face in confrontations with security forces and criminal charges in cases such as these are the exception.
In stark contrast to impunity for security forces, Bahrain’s justice system has prosecuted peaceful protesters, Human Rights Watch said. On January 7, the Court of Cassation upheld the convictions and lengthy prison terms of 13 prominent dissidents, of whom seven were sentenced to life in prison, solely for exercising their rights to free expression and peaceful assembly in the 2011 protests.
Between April 1 and April 10, security forces conducted a series of home raids and arbitrarily detained opposition protestors in Dar Khulaib, Shahrakan, Madinat Hamad, and Karzakkan, towns close the Bahrain International Circuit. During the raids, plain-clothes, masked, and armed police officers arrested at least 20 people, some of them prominent and well-known anti-government protesters.
Human Rights Watch has received new reports of security forces shooting protesters in the head with tear gas canisters. In the most recent incident, on April 13 in Samaheej, local sources told Human Rights Watch, Sara Ismail, 18, required medical attention after security forces shot her in the head with a teargas canister.
“The inconvenient reality for Formula 1 organizers is that their event in Bahrain has become a focal point for popular discontent, with abuses against protesters ratcheting up in a country that has become notorious for them, and is unwilling or unable to implement meaningful reforms,” Whitson said. “And those who care about Formula 1 officials should care that human suffering and repression is tainting their sport.”