…from beneath the crooked bough, witness 230 years of brutal tyranny by the al Khalifas come to an end

BAHRAIN – FREE IMPRISONED HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDER ABDULHADI AL KHAWAJA SENTENCED TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT AFTER UNFAIR TRIAL

On 22 June Former President of the Bahrain Centre for Human rights and Front Line Protection Coordinator for the Middle East, Abdulhadi Al Khawaja was sentenced to life imprisonment after an unfair trial which which completely failed to meet international fair trial standards.

Front Line is calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Abdulhadi Al Khawaja and all other human rights defenders currently in detention in Bahrain and condemns in the strongest possible terms the lack of due process and the serious and credible allegations of torture which the court has consistently refused to investigate.

TAKE ACTION NOW!

SEND THIS URGENT APPEAL to the King of Bahrain demanding the immediate release of Abdulhadi Al Khawaja

Front Line believes that Abdulhadi Al Khawaja has been targeted because of exercising his legitimate right to freedom of expression and association in Bahrain. His trial to which international observers have been denied access, is ongoing.

Abdulhadi Al Khawaja is pictured here with the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders, Margaret Sekaggya. …more

To whom it may concern,

I, the undersigned, Abdulhadi Abdulla Alkhawaja, detained since 9/4/2011 in the crackdown following events of February 14th, send this letter regarding my health situation.

Due to the severe beating I received upon my arrest by security forces on the 9th of April I had to undergo surgeries in the Military Hospital (BDF). In which I had to have stitches for two wounds above my left eye and I had to have surgery for four
fractures in my cheek bone and jaw on the left side of my face. And now, 2 months and 10 days after the surgeries:

1- The wounds above my eye that were stitched have not healed yet, they are swollen and painful.

2- I still cannot use my jaw and mouth in a normal manner.

3- The numbness in my face continues and the pain that resulted from my operation remains the same in the left side of my face (specifically in the cheek, mouth, lips & chin). As a result, since the operation I have not been able to chew my food, or clean my teeth and I am constantly on painkillers.

The consultant doctor (who preformed the surgery) visited me (thankful to him for that) more than once in prison, the last visit was about a month ago. About three weeks ago an x-ray machine was brought to prison, and an x-ray was taken of the location of the surgery. But since then I have not been told of the result of those x-rays.

My current situation has not improved whatsoever. I have followed up on the issue with the prison administration, the emergency state court and the military prosecution with no result until this day.

I request that my family are given access to my medical files related to the surgery and the x-rays, so that my case is presented to another surgeon for a second opinion, because of lack of healing and to get medical advice on how to proceed.

Please take all the necessary action, and respond as soon as possible.

With all my appreciation and gratitude,
Abdulhadi Alkhawaja

…source
19/06/2011
Gurain Prison
(This letter is a translation, original and signed version is in Arabic)

Bahrain: Systematic Attacks on Activists’ Relatives to Pressure Them to Stop Their Activity
BCHR

Some relatives who have been arrested, from right to left: Hassan AlMahfoodh, Wafi AlMajid, Hussein Ahmed, Ghazi Farhan

June 15, 2011
The Bahrain Center for Human Rights is deeply concerned about the escalation of the fierce campaign against the political activists and the human rights defenders, which has reached a dangerous level. Family members and relatives have been assaulted, arrested and harassed in a desperate attempt from the regime to put pressure on the activists to stop their activities.

On June 8, 2011, airport authorities prevented the wife of human rights activist Abbas Al-Omran (member of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights who is residing abroad) from travelling with her children for summer vacation. The authorities did not give any justification for the ban and refused to inform her of the authority responsible. Mrs. Omran is a mother of three children and has no political activities, but the pace of harassment against her increased after her husband appeared in the media to talk about abuses occurring in Bahrain. She was dismissed from her position at Bapco in April, her house was raided at dawn on May 19, 2011 by the security forces, then she was summoned for interrogation for several hours at the criminal investigations department on May 20, 2011.

The family of detained human rights activist Abdul Hadi al-Khawaja, (former president of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights and former Director of the Middle East in the Front Line) was subjected to various types of harassment, which affected a number of family members. On June 2, 2011, his daughter Zainab Khawaja (27 years old, mother of a one year-old child) was summoned for interrogation for several hours at a police station in Hoora. AlKhawaja’s Family has already learned that the authorities have exercised strong pressure on Mr. Abdul Hadi, to force him to apologize to the king in front of the camera, threatening the arrest of his daughter Zainab and the rape of his other daughter, Maryam Al Khawaja, both human rights activists. In addition, his two sons-in-law, Wafi Al Majid and Hussein Ahmed, are detained in prison after being arrested with him on April 9, although they are not involved in any political or human rights activities. In addition, on May 2, 2011, his wife Khadija al-Musawi was dismissed from her work as director at the School of Kanoo at the request of the Ministry of Interior. …more

Bahrain: Human rights defenders from across the Middle East speak out on behalf of Abdulhadi Al Khawaja
Posted on 2011/06/22

In reaction to the trial and sentencing of human rights defenders and former Front Line Protection Coordinator for the Middle East, Abdulhadi al Khawaja, human rights defenders from across the Middle East have spoken out on his behalf.
Further Information

1. Waleed Sulais – Saudi Arabia

At an early age, Abdulhadi Al Khawaja became a human rights defender. His sole concern was that people live in freedom, justice and equality, within a legal framework that would protect them from unfairness and arbitrariness.

Al Khawaja worked with many rights defenders for over fifteen years. Until moments prior to his arrest, he still held that ultimate sacrifices are necessary for the welfare of millions of people.

Abdulhadi taught that human rights defenders ought to do good to those who do evil to them, and that rule of law should prevail.

Freedom for the human rights defender, Abdulhadi Al Khawaja.

2. Suad Al Gedsi – Yemen

I know Abdulhadi in person very well. He is an exceptional rights activist, working independent from any sect or political party. For many years, he was subjected to numerous violations, as result of his work defending the rights of others, whether that be in Bahrain or elsewhere in the Arab region or the entire world.

We are concerned for his health and the baseless charges against him. We urge the Bahraini monarch and government to ensure his immediate release, and to bring to justice those who tortured and ill-treated him.

3. Moataz Elfegiery – Egypt

Bahraini authorities have apparently not learned the lesson from other states as far as handling demands for reform and improving the human rights situation are concerned. This is particularly true given that this is not the first incident when Mr. Abdulhadi Al Khawaja faces persecution and trumped up trial.

Rather than responding in such a manner, Bahraini authorities should initiate without further delay a dialogue with democracy and rights activists, instead of carrying on with this security-based approach, which contravenes with the king’s rhetoric, and does not indicate his willingness to reform.

4. Khanim Rahim Latif – Iraq
Our brother, Mr. Abdulhadi Al Khawaja, is entirely dedicated for the cause of promoting human rights. His fault as I see it is that he fights for human dignity. He undoubtedly does not deserve this treatment by the Bahraini government. I appeal to all relevant parties to act on behalf of this noble person, and to make everything possible to ensure his release. I am willing, from Iraqi Kurdistan, to do anything that would enable him to regain his liberty. …more

WikiLeaks: Saudi crackdown on Shiites has echoes in Bahrain
By Daniel Lippman | McClatchy Newspapers

WASHINGTON — This year’s harsh crackdown on Shiite Muslims in Bahrain follows the playbook that Sunni Muslim-ruled Saudi Arabia used against Shiites in its own Eastern Province as recently as two years ago, secret State Department cables show.

Some of the officials named in the cables as responsible for the 2009 Eastern Province crackdown now are advising Bahrain’s leaders.

Among the topics the cables discuss are the arbitrary arrests of Shiite clerics and residents, the closing of Shiite mosques and the blocking of Shiites from an important religious site in the Muslim holy city of Medina.

The cables provide rare documentation of what human rights officials have long thought is a persistent campaign waged against Shiites in Saudi Arabia by their own government. Saudi Arabia strictly controls access by foreign journalists, and, the cables note, Saudi officials often take steps to discourage coverage of incidents by local news organizations.

The cables, most of them sent from the U.S. consulate in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, express concern that the Saudi actions are likely to fuel a sense of disaffection among Shiites, especially young people, and may make them feel less Saudi, a development that experts warn could fuel sympathy for Shiite-ruled Iran.

“Discriminatory measures such as the mosque closings . . . continue to be the modus operandi of elements of the (Saudi Arabian government) in their interactions with the Shia minority sect,” said one cable, dated Aug. 15, 2009.

Another cable, sent Sept. 16, 2009, said that “contacts” in the region were concerned that “the discrimination . . . is alienating the Shia community, particularly the youth, and is compromising their sense of Saudi ‘national identity.’ ”

The Saudi Embassy in Washington declined to comment. U.S. officials don’t respond to requests for comment about WikiLeaks cables.

In annual human rights reports, the State Department has expressed concern about anti-Shiite actions in Saudi Arabia but it’s unclear whether U.S. officials protest the actions in their private meetings with Saudi officials. ….more

Bahrain protests flare after activists sentenced
Published – Jun 22 2011 02:53PM EST
By BRIAN MURPHY – Associated Press

AP – DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Bahraini protesters poured back to the streets Wednesday after a security court sentenced eight Shiite activists to life in prison in the latest blow by the Western-backed kingdom to cripple the biggest Arab Spring opposition movement in the Gulf.

The fast and angry reaction to the verdicts _ the most significant display of unrest in weeks _ underscored the volatility in the island nation after four months of unrest and raised questions about whether any credible pro-reform leaders will heed calls by the Sunni monarchy to open talks next week.

In size, Bahrain is little more than a speck off the coast of Saudi Arabia. But it draws in some of the region’s major players: hosting the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet and serving as a growing point of friction between Gulf powers Saudi Arabia and Iran.

Security forces used tear gas to drive back hundreds of Shiite marchers trying to reach a central square in the capital Manama, which was once the hub of their protests for greater rights. In other Shiite areas, protesters gathered in the streets but were held back by riot police. No injuries were reported. …more

Obama Limits Criticism of Ongoing Arab Spring Violent Crackdowns in Syria, Bahrain

The Obama administration has issued minor criticism of human rights abuses against peaceful protests by President Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria and the monarchy in Bahrain. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton just recently said the conflict in Yemen would end only if President Ali Abdullah Saleh “steps down.” We speak with University of Michigan Professor Juan Cole about why the United States has not been more vocal in supporting these pro-democracy movements in a region of strategic importance. [includes rush transcript]
…source

Bahrain military court sentences Shia activists in unfair trial
‘Human Rights Defender Abdulhadi al-Khawaja is among those sentenced to life in prison
22 June 2011

A military court in Manama today sentenced a group of 21 prominent Shia activists who have advocated political reform.

The Bahrain News Agency reported that the opposition activists had been charged with “plotting to topple the government” during recent pro-reform protests. Eight received life sentences and the rest received jail sentences of up to 15 years. Seven people were tried in absentia.

Amnesty International believes that some of the defendants may be prisoners of conscience, detained solely for peacefully expressing their political beliefs and organizing pro-reform rallies early this year. Some of the defendants were reportedly tortured or ill-treated.

“These sentences are extremely harsh, and they appear to be politically motivated, since we have not seen any evidence that the activists used or advocated violence,” said Malcolm Smart, Director of Amnesty International’s Middle East and North Africa Programme.

“Civilians should not have been tried in a military court, and these trials have been patently unfair. In particular, the court failed to adequately investigate allegations that some of the defendants were tortured and made to sign false ‘confessions’ which seem to have been used as evidence against them.”

Those sentenced to life imprisonment include prominent opposition activists such as Hassan Mshaima’, ‘Abdelwahab Hussain, Dr. ‘Abdel-Jalil al-Singace and ‘Abdulhadi al-Khawaja.

The activists were given very little access to lawyers, and at least two of them, Ebrahim Sherif and ‘Abdulhadi al-Khawaja, were reportedly tortured. ‘Abdulhadi al-Khawaja’s daughter, Zaineb al-Khawaja, attended the trial and was forcibly removed from the court when she shouted “God is great” after the sentence was read out. She was arrested and held in a police station for a few hours before being released. …more

Bahrain Doesn’t Want Stability
Keeping the country off balance is good for royal business.
BY FAHAD DESMUKH | JUNE 22, 2011

A military tribunal in Bahrain has sentenced eight prominent opposition activists to life imprisonment and 13 others to lesser prison sentences, on charges of seeking to topple the monarchy and collaborating with a foreign terrorist group, among a host of other charges.

The group was arrested in March as part of the Saudi-backed security crackdown on pro-reform protesters who had occupied the Pearl Roundabout in the capital Manama. Most of those sentenced are leaders or sympathizers of a coalition formed during the uprising that advocated the establishment of a republic and an end to the 200-year-old Sunni monarchy.

One of the sentenced men is Ibrahim Sharif, the Sunni leader of the secular left-of-center Waad party, which never called for a republic but rather for a transition to a genuine constitutional monarchy.

The sentencing comes just a week before the launch of a “national dialogue” by the government to discuss reforms in the country.

Due to the closed nature of the military tribunal, it is not exactly clear what evidence was provided to prove that the men were guilty of the charges against them. There’s no doubt that all except Sharif openly called for the fall of the Al Khalifa regime. But there is no proof that they planned to use violence or that they were being aided by a foreign terrorist group (read Hezbollah and Iran).

If the government did have evidence to prove its claims, you can be sure that it would have already been broadcast on Bahrain’s state TV network during the televised witch trials that take place every night in parallel to the one in court. …more

[excerpt Guardian UK 22 June] She was in court when her father, Abdulhadi al-Khawaja, one of the country’s leading rights activists, was given a life sentence, her younger sister, Maryam, said.

“Right after they read out the verdicts my father shouted, ‘The struggle will continue,'” said Maryam, 23, who left Bahrain in March and has been protesting from overseas, tweeting as maryamalkhawaja. “He was beaten and forcefully removed from the court. My sister stood up and chanted, ‘Allahu akbar’ [God is great], and she was forcefully removed from the court and arrested. She was charged with contempt of court but then was made to sign a pledge not to speak in court again and then she was released.” …more

[CB Editor: so happy to see you free again Zainab!]

Recent Tweets
* RT @angryarabiya: I signed & was released. I left the police station, for the 3rd time in less than a month. That makes it three pledges that I have signed.
about 57 minutes ago

* RT @angryarabiya: I refused to sign that pledge & said I wud sign one that says I will show up to prosecution if called. Didn’t think it wud work, but it did.
about 57 minutes ago

* RT @angryarabiya: there were details, I will not participate in illegal gatherings (5 or more ppl) I wont do something to disrupt the peace… and so on
about 57 minutes ago

BACK GROUND on Zainab’s Father sentenced to life in prison today for seeking Human Rights and Democracy in Bahrain.

Bahraini Activist Abdul Hadi Al Khawaja Severely Wounded under Torture
Al-Manar | May 9, 2011

Bahraini human rights activist and former president of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights Abdul Hadi Al Khawaja was drastically beaten by the Bahraini authorities after being arrested in April.

“Al Khawaja’s jawbones were completely smashed and he is suffering from four fractures in his face; he is to undergo a very critical operation”, another Bahraini activist Nabil Rajab stated.

In an interview with Al Manar website, Rajab called upon “the Bahrainis all over the world, specifically those living in European countries, to proceed with the lawsuits and use all possible judicial methods against the Bahraini regime”.

Furthermore, the human rights activist clarified that “we are victims of our region, as sympathizing with any cause is influenced by the sectarian aspect… we are also victims of inconsistencies and interests of world powers that ally with Al khalifa (Bahrain) regime”.

This comes as the Bahraini regime has been executing brutal repressive policies against civilians since the protests began. The Bahraini security forces are breaking into houses, kidnapping young men and women, arresting humanitarian and political activists, as well as opposition figures, and are imprisoning and torturing most of them.

Four political prisoners have been tortured to death; the last was funder of Al Wasat Bahraini newspaper and prominent business man Karim Al Fakhrawi. …more

[CB Editor Note: While there seems to be a slight break in the silence by the USG, there has been no action in concrete terms, demanding real and immediate change from the al Khlifa regime toward an embrace of Human Rights, Freedom and Democracy. Reform a recurring term has become al Khalifa “new speak” for “business as usual” with al Khalifa as “power broker” to players of his choosing who posture and clamor in hopes gaining new access to power in a reformed government. This has become a political charade and cycle of misery that seems to repeat it’s self every few years in Bahrain politics. It is time for the US to become an Actor. It can no longer remain on the side lines as a commentator and spectator. When the USG can see fit to freeze the assets of the Syria and Libya and launch a proxy war against the Libyans, it seems totally disingenuous that the US as a matter of principal will not interfere in the internal affairs” of another government.

President Obama seems to have embraced the idiocy of his myopic administration with little on their agenda except his reelection. Obama never takes real risks, especially with historic allies. Obama’s inaction regarding al Khalifa is moving the situation in Bahrain toward irreparable damage. The people of Bahrain look to the US in their struggle for liberty which Obama preached in his bid to become president. He became the change they hoped for. He has become their peril though denial and silence.

The US must move from it’s perch on the sidelines with it’s rhetorical and empty posturing, denial and the fantasy of a repentant al Khalifa. As Obama continues his abandonment of the Bahraini people, he pushes them into a familiar and desperate place that the US last saw in 1979 with the Revolution in Iran, when the US puppet government headed by Mohammad Rezā Shāh Pahlavi tumbled down after decades of arguably the most brutal oppression at anytime in recent history. All funded, trained and equipped by the CIA. Sadly the US policy in the Middle East does not respect history but rather demonstrates a singularity of focus toward the next oil wealth driven election, as it looks the other way while “it’s friends” continue their systematic, brutal, hatred of democracy, freedom and human rights. All motivated by the US empire and it’s desperate grasp on it’s vanishing hegemony over Middle East Crude.]

WASHINGTON | Wed Jun 22, 2011 2:14pm EDT

(Reuters) – The United States on Wednesday expressed concern about the severity of the sentences given to opposition leaders in Bahrain related to protests in the Gulf state.

Bahrain sentenced eight prominent Shi’ite Muslim activists and opposition leaders to life in prison on charges of plotting a coup during protests earlier this year.

“We are concerned about the severity of the sentences handed down,” State Department spokesman Mark Toner said. “We’re also concerned about the use of military courts to try these civilians.”

Demonstrators have mounted scattered daily protests in the Gulf island kingdom since emergency law was lifted on June 1.

As the cases go through an appeals process, “we continue to urge the Bahraini government to abide by its commitment to transparent judicial proceedings conducted in full accordance with Bahrain’s international legal obligations,” Toner said. …more

[Editor Note: Zainab and Maryam, I know this is a devastating blow and I know that you also know this isn’t anywhere close to the end of this fight. Your father is fighting the good fight and there are many of us in the world who stand solidly by his side. Your are not alone. The labor for his release and the freedom of all detainees will not cease on this end until all are free. My thoughts, hopes and mediation are for your fathers freedom.]

Bahraini activist’s father jailed for life
Zainab al-Khawaja aka angryarabiya gained international attention after tweeting about human rights abuses in the country

Activist Zainab al-Khawaja
Zainab al-Khawaja’s father was jailed for life, her husband and brother-in-law are also in custody.

The Bahraini activist whose prolific tweeting has focused international attention on human rights abuses was briefly arrested during a court hearing at which her father was jailed for life and her uncle was also imprisoned, her sister said.

Zainab al-Khawaja, known on Twitter as angryarabiya, comes from one of Bahrain’s most conspicuous dissident families. Her husband and brother-in-law are also in custody but have yet to be charged. She came to prominence in April after staging a 10-day hunger strike to demand her relatives’ release.

She was in court when her father, Abdulhadi al-Khawaja, one of the country’s leading rights activists, was given a life sentence, her younger sister, Maryam, said.

“Right after they read out the verdicts my father shouted, ‘The struggle will continue,'” said Maryam, 23, who left Bahrain in March and has been protesting from overseas, tweeting as maryamalkhawaja. “He was beaten and forcefully removed from the court. My sister stood up and chanted, ‘Allahu akbar’ [God is great], and she was forcefully removed from the court and arrested. She was charged with contempt of court but then was made to sign a pledge not to speak in court again and then she was released.”

With official pressure building up on family members within Bahrain – Zainab was briefly arrested last week – it is now largely up to her younger sister, an activist with the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights, to sustain the pressure on authorities. …more

Updates: Harsh sentences to 21 prominent oppositional leaders and Human Rights defenders

Update – 22 June 2011

Today the martial court issues verdicts against 21 rights activists and political opposition leaders after months of detention.

Eight Bahraini rights activists have been given life sentences by a military court, which found them guilty of plotting a coup against the government during two months of unrest that rattled the country earlier this year.

Another 13 political and rights activists were given sentences of between two to 15 years, as the government attempts to crush dissent that has erupted in the tiny kingdom in February following popular uprisings elsewhere in the Arab world.

The verdicts were immediately condemned by rights groups who said all those found guilty had been campaigning to end discrimination at the hands of the Sunni dynasty. Almost all activists who took to the streets of Manama in February and March were Shia Muslims, who make up 70% of Bahrain’s population, but feel largely disenfranchised.

Rights groups have urged Bahrain to halt the special military court proceedings, with Human Rights Watch deeming them a violation of international law.

“Most defendants hauled before Bahrain’s special military court are facing blatantly political charges, and trials are unfair,” said Joe Stork, deputy Middle East director at Human Rights Watch.

In a meeting earlier this month with U.S. President Barack Obama last week, Bahrain’s Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad al-Khalifa pledged he is seeking national dialogue with the protesters. Bahrain’s crackdown contradicts statements the prince made, Human Rights Watch said.

Bahraini human rights activist Nabeel Rajab also said he disapproved of the trials.

“This court does not meet international standards for human rights and for fair trials. The people were sentenced for expressing their opinion and for opposing the government,” Rajab said. “This goes against the government saying it wants a dialogue.”

Bahrain’s ruling dynasty had instead claimed that the men were part of a “sedition ring”, backed by Iran and Hezbollah, who were trying to topple the regime.Among those given life sentences were leading members of opposition political groups. Leading rights activist Adbul Hadi al-Khawaja, whose daughters Zainab and Maryam are prominent members of the Bahrainhuman rights movement, was one of those condemned to life in prison. Zainab was reportedly removed from the courtroom after protesting against the sentence

Among those who received lesser sentences was Ibrahim Sharif, a secular leftist Sunni, who was accused by a state-run newspaper of having links to “a foreign country” – a veiled reference to Iran.

The Guardian spoke to Sharif at the former focal point of the rights demonstrations in Manama in February where he said he was the only prominent member of the Sunni community to be campaigning more openly for equal rights for the kingdom’s majority Shia base.

“Things have to change here, or else the country will suffer and the kingdom could be imperilled,” he said at the time, standing in Pearl roundabout, a landmark in the central city that was later demolished under government orders.

As verdicts were read in a military court this morning, members of the public gallery chanted “solidarity, solidarity, we shall overthrow the regime”. Bahraini security officers were congratulating each other inside the courthouse, according to bystanders present.

The trials were held despite the government pronouncing the end of three months of martial law earlier this month, which had given the exclusively Sunni security forces extra powers of detention and arrest.

Activists called for protesters to again take to the streets in Manama on Wednesday in defiance of the verdicts and the government, which has vowed to continue a crackdown on dissent. Up to 30 doctors and nurses from key city hospitals were last week also put on trial accused of subversion and if using government facilities for political purposes.

Details of the verdicts

In custody:

1- Abdulwahab Hussain Ali ( life sentence imprisonment) – arrested 16 Mar 2011
2- Hassan Ali Mushaima.( life sentence imprisonment) – arrested 16 Mar 2011
3- Mohammed Habib Al Safaf. ( Al Miqdad) ( life sentence imprisonment) – arrested 16 Mar 2011 [and was in prisone between Aug 2010- 28 Feb 2011]
4- Ebrahim Sharif Abdulraheem Mossa ( 5 Years imprisonment) – arrested 16 Mar 2011
5- Abduljalil Mansoor Makk. (Al Miqdad) ( life sentence imprisonment) arrested 27 Mar 2011
6- Abduljalil Abdullah Al Singace.( life sentence imprisonment) – arrested 16 Mar 2011 [and was in prisone between Aug 2010- 28 Feb 2011]
7- Saeed Mirza Ahmed. (AlNouri) ( life sentence imprisonment) – arrested 16 Mar 2011 [and was in prisone between Aug 2010- 28 Feb 2011]
8- Abdul Hadi Abdullah Mahdi Hassan (AlMukhodher) ( 15 years imprisonment) – arrested 16 Mar 2011 [and was in prisone between 13 Aug 2010- 28 Feb 2011]
9- Abdullah Isa Al Mahroos.( 15 years imprisonment) – arrested 16 Mar 2011 [and was in prisone between Aug 2010-28 Feb 2011]
10- Abdulhadi Al Khawaja ( life sentence imprisonment) – arrested 9 April 2011
11-Salah Hubail Al Khawaj.( 5 years imprisonment) – arrested 21 Mar 2011
12- Mohammed Hassan Jawad.( 15 years imprisonment) – arrested Mar 2011 [was arrested for few weeks last year]
13- Mohammed Ali Ismael. ( 15 years imprisonment) – arrested Mar 2011
14- Al Hurr Yousif Mohammed.( 2 Years imprisonment) – arrested Mar 2011 [and was in prisone between Aug 2010- 28 Feb 2011] …more

One blogger sentenced to life imprisonment, another to 15 years in jail
Published on Wednesday 22 June 2011.

Reporters Without Borders is shocked by the long jail sentences that a military court passed today on 21 activists accused of belonging to terrorist organizations and trying to overthrow the government. Eight of them, including human rights activist and blogger Abduljalil Al-Singace, got life sentences. Thirteen others received sentences ranging from two to 15 years in prison. Ali Abdulemam, a blogger who was tried in absentia, was given 15 years.

“The only crime committed by Abdulemam and Al-Singace was freely expressing opinions contrary to those of the government,” Reporters Without Borders said. “These sentences, handed down at the end of trail that flouted defence rights, are typical of the intransigence that the authorities have been showing towards those identified as government opponents, who have borne the full brunt of their repression. The international community must call the government to account on its strategy of stifling all dissent.”

The head of the pro-democracy and civil liberties movement Al Haq, Singace was rearrested on 16 March after being held from September to February. He was previously arrested in 2009 for allegedly trying to destabilize the government because he used his blog (http://alsingace.katib.org) to denounce the deplorable state of civil liberties and discrimination against Bahrain’s Shiite population.

Abdulemam is regarded by fellow Bahrainis as one of his country’s Internet pioneers and is an active member of Bahrain Online, a pro-democracy forum that gets more than 100,000 visitors a day despite being blocked within Bahrain. A contributor to the international bloggers network Global Voices, he has taken part in many international conferences at which he has denounced human rights violations in Bahrain. He was also detained from September to February but avoided being rearrested and has been in hiding for several months. …more

Swedish activist gets life sentence in Bahrain
Published: 22 Jun 11 12:12 CET

A Swedish citizen and democracy activist was sentenced to life imprisonment in Bahrain on Wednesday after being convicted of “terrorist activity”, according to the Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR).

The life sentence for Mohammed Habib al-Muqdad comes on top of a 20-year sentence he received in May for allegedly kidnapping a police officer.

According to Wednesday’s ruling, al-Muqdad was guilty of “terrorist activity” with the intention to overthrow the regime.

“Since he was last released from prison he has been fighting for democracy in Bahrain,” Mohammed Al-Maskati, chairman of BYSHR told The Local.

Al-Muqdad was previously incarcerated for what the regime sees as “oppositional activity” after being arrested in August 2010 when he was held isolated without being able to contact his family or lawyer.

Al-Muqdad, who has dual-citizenship, was then brought in again and convicted in May together with eight others to 20 years in prison after allegedly kidnapping a police officer.

He is in his fifties and is a Muslim scholar from central Sweden, who lived in the country for many years, only returning to Bahrain in the 2000s after there had been some reforms in the country.

Swedish authorities tried to get to see him in conjunction with his last sentence but have met with difficulty as Bahraini law does not recognize dual citizenship. …more

BAHRAIN: Heavy sentences for human rights and dissenting activities
22 June 2011

On June 22, 2011, the National Security Court of Bahrain has sentenced to life imprisonment 8 of the 21 human rights defenders and political activists whom have been brought to trial under charges linked to supposed “terrorist activities”. The 13 others were sentenced to two to fifteen years’ imprisonment.
The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) express their utmost concern regarding this decision, as they consider that the charges are politically motivated and the right to a fair trial has been disregarded. Accordingly, FIDH and OMCT call for the immediate and unconditional release of those detained.

The 21 defendants have been brought to trial and charged with ”organising and managing a terrorist organisation”, “attempt to overthrow the government by force and in liaison with a terrorist organisation working for a foreign country,” and the “collection of money for a terrorist group”. FIDH and OMCT have considered since the beginning of the trial that the proceedings against them actually aim at sanctioning their involvement in the peaceful protests demanding democracy, the respect for human rights and/or political changes in the country(1).

Out of the 21 individuals sentenced, seven persons have been tried in absentia. Among the 14 who are under detention, several reported that they had been kept in solitary confinement and subject to continuous torture. Mr. Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja, former Director of the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights (BCHR)(3), who has been sentenced to life imprisonment, has regularly declared that he has been subjected to torture and other threats and bore at several occasion visible signs of torture. Moreover, the trial was not held in public. On May 12, 2011, at the second hearing, international observers were prevented to access the Court. Since then, international observers – even journalists covering the events – have been quasi systematically banned from entering the country.

“The judiciary in Bahrain has failed to guarantee the most basics of fair trial. We fear that the Special Appeal Court, if referred to, will not be able to restore the confidence of the Bahraini people through achieving an independent justice” said Souhayr Belhassen, President of FIDH. …more

Bahrain protesters hit streets after life sentences for 8 Shiite activists
By Associated Press, Updated: Wednesday, June 22, 1:55 PM

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Bahraini protesters poured back to the streets Wednesday after a security court sentenced eight Shiite activists to life in prison in the latest blow by the Western-backed kingdom to cripple the biggest Arab Spring opposition movement in the Gulf.

The fast and angry reaction to the verdicts — the most significant display of unrest in weeks — underscored the volatility in the island nation after four months of unrest and raised questions about whether any credible pro-reform leaders will heed calls by the Sunni monarchy to open talks next week.

In size, Bahrain is little more than a speck off the coast of Saudi Arabia. But it draws in some of the region’s major players: hosting the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet and serving as a growing point of friction between Gulf powers Saudi Arabia and Iran.

Security forces used tear gas to drive back hundreds of Shiite marchers trying to reach a central square in the capital Manama, which was once the hub of their protests for greater rights. In other Shiite areas, protesters gathered in the streets but were held back by riot police. No injuries were reported.

Bahrain has allowed two major rallies this month by the main opposition party, but the confrontations Wednesday were among the biggest challenges to security forces since martial law-style rule was lifted June 1.

Shiites account for 70 percent of Bahrain’s population of some 525,000, but claim they face systematic discrimination such as being barred from top government and political posts.

The protests — claiming at least 31 lives since February — have put U.S. officials in the difficult position of both denouncing the violence and standing by Bahrain’s rulers and their call for dialogue. In response, opposition groups have increased demands that include an end to the political trials and withdrawal of a Saudi-led regional force helping prop up Bahrain’s ruling family. …more

Foreign Office Minister concerned about sentencing in Bahrain
22 June 2011

“It is deeply worrying that civilians are being tried before tribunals chaired by a military judge, with reports of abuse in detention, lack of access to legal counsel and coerced confessions.”
Foreign Office Minister Alistair Burt MP

Foreign Office Minister for the Middle East, Alistair Burt said:

“I am extremely concerned by the process surrounding today’s sentencing of 21 opposition members and the nature of many of the charges. One of those found guilty is Ibrahim Sharif, a prominent moderate politician who has been a constructive participant in Bahraini politics and represents a registered political party. He was sentenced to five years. It is deeply worrying that civilians are being tried before tribunals chaired by a military judge, with reports of abuse in detention, lack of access to legal counsel and coerced confessions.

The Bahraini Government has committed to a National Dialogue on 1st July, which must be supported with concrete actions to address the long-term challenges facing Bahrain. We will also expect any appeals process to thoroughly and transparently address the substantial concerns that have been raised in these tribunals.” …source

Bahrain rights activists jailed for life
Military court finds eight campaigners guilty of plotting coup during protests in Sunni-ruled kingdom

Bahraini Shia Muslims chant slogans to free prisoners during a sermon. Photograph: Hasan Jamali/AP

Eight Bahraini rights activists have been given life sentences by a military court, which found them guilty of plotting a coup against the government during two months of unrest that rattled the country earlier this year.

Another 13 demonstrators were given sentences of between two to 15 years, as the government attempts to crush dissent that has erupted in the tiny kingdom since February following popular uprisings elsewhere in the Arab world.

The verdicts were immediately condemned by rights groups who said all those found guilty had been campaigning to end discrimination at the hands of the Sunni dynasty. Almost all activists who took to the streets of Manama in February and March were Shia Muslims, who make up 70% of Bahrain’s population, but feel largely disenfranchised.

Bahrain’s ruling dynasty claimed that the men were part of a “sedition ring”, backed by Iran and Hezbollah, trying to topple the regime.

Among those given life sentences were leading members of opposition political groups. Leading rights activist Adbul Hadi al-Khawaja, whose daughters Zainab and Maryam are prominent members of the Bahrain human rights movement, was one of those condemned to life in prison. Zainab was reportedly removed from the courtroom after protesting against the sentence. …more

Show Trial Verdicts Further Stain Bahrain’s Reputation
For Immediate Release: June 22, 2011
Human Rights Defenders

Washington, D.C.—Today, verdicts of 21 defendants were pronounced in Bahrain’s large political show trial. The verdicts expose the travesty of Bahrain’s military courts, and make the prospects of reconciliation even more remote, said Human Rights First.

“This was not a fair or proper legal process by any standard—there was evidence of torture, denial of proper contact with lawyers and failure to provide basic legal safeguards. This was a sham trial, another stain on Bahrain’s already discredited human rights record,” said HRF’s Brian Dooley, who was refused entry to observe the court hearings on May 12.

Eight of the 21 defendants were sentenced to life in prison, including prominent human rights defender Abdulhadi Al Khawaja. The other 13 were given between two and 15 years imprisonment.

“The verdicts undermine the Bahraini authorities’ attempts to show that normalcy has been restored. They continue to commit serious human rights violations, including pronouncing people guilty after unfair trials,” added Dooley. …more

Bahrain Silences Student Voices
June 20th, 2011 at 7:33 pm

University of Bahrain students — who now face expulsion if they don’t sign a loyalty pledge to the embattled regime of King Hamed ibn Isa Khalif — are appealing to human rights groups to take up their cause.

Not only does the university require students to sign the pledge — which states “I acknowledge that not signing this document means I do not wish to continue my education in the University of Bahrain” — but the kingdom’s Education Ministry has also adopted a “zero-tolerance policy” to any sort of political discussion or activism at the school.

The crackdowns on freedom of expression and freedom of assembly on the campus come on the heels of ongoing anti-government protests in Bahrain as well as escalating tensions between the Gulf state’s Sunni and Shiite Muslim populations.

Described by Human Rights Watch in 2005 as “a poster child for political reform in the Middle East”, Bahrain has grown increasingly intolerant of dissent since the civil unrest began earlier this year. Newspapers and the Internet are now being routinely censored by the regime and since February more than 60 journalists have been arrested, threatened or fired because of their work.

The loyalty pledges and the ban on student activism were introduced following a violent campus altercation between Shiite protestors and Sunnis in March.

“Many friends of mine had to drop the school because they could not sign this pledge,” said a source familiar with the University of Bahrain who spoke with FrumForum on condition of anonymity.

One student said his family wants him to sign the pledge because “’there are no other universities who will accept me if they kick me out.”

He went on to describe the consequences for refusing to sign the pledge: “If we decide to not sign it, they call us to go to the police station and we can’t get out from there except if we sign it. That has happened to some other students — they were at the police station seven hours until they signed.” ..more

Doctors in Bahrain splashed patients with blood, military court told
22/06/2011 – 12:48 am – Hugh Tomlinson Manama – Last updated June 21 2011 12:01AM

Doctors splashed bags of blood over patients to exaggerate their wounds, it was claimed at the trial of 48 medics accused of plotting to overthrow the monarchy in Bahrain.
They were also said to have used Salmaniya hospital as a terrorist base, taking hostages, hoarding guns and commandeering ambulances to run weapons to Pearl Square, which was the hub of the protests against the ruling regime in the capital in February and March.

The trial has prompted an international outcry amid accusations that detainees have been tortured and forced to sign false confessions.
Bahrain has been accused of staging show trials to justify its violence against anti-government protesters, which left more than 30 people dead. About 500 people have been arrested since the regime moved to crush the unrest in March. Those charged are now on trial before a military court.

Seven prosecution witnesses appeared yesterday to describe a collapse of control at Salmaniya, which bore the brunt of casualties when government troops first attacked Pearl Square on February 17 in a pre-dawn raid that killed four people. The witnesses told that the court that with the foreign press swarming around the hospital, the doctors played to the cameras.
“One of the women [accused] handed out blood bags to soak the patients and make their wounds look worse,” a detective for the Interior Ministry told the court.
The only evidence of this came from confessions signed by the defendants, and the testimony of “confidential witnesses”.

The medics all claim that they have been tortured in custody and forced to sign papers while blindfolded. Human rights groups have received allegations that detainees have been beaten with rubber hoses and wooden boards studded with nails. One doctor described to The Times how he was made to stand hooded for hours in a cold room before being handed unseen documents to sign. …more

Type : Report
Title : Do No Harm: A Call for Bahrain to End Systematic Attacks on Doctors and Patients
Source : Physicians for Human Rights
Date Added: 21-Jun-2011
Publication Date : 1-Apr-2011

Thousands of protesters in the small island Kingdom of Bahrain in the Persian Gulf took to the streets calling for government reform in February and March 2011. The Government’s response was brutal and systematic: shoot civilian protesters, detain and torture them, and erase all evidence. On the frontline, treating hundreds of these wounded civilians, doctors had first-hand knowledge of government atrocities.

This report details systematic and targeted attacks against medical personnel, as a result of their efforts to provide unbiased care for wounded protestors. The assault on healthcare workers and their patients constitutes extreme violations of the principle of medical neutrality and are grave breaches of international law.

While in Bahrain, PHR investigators spoke with several eyewitnesses of abducted physicians, some of whom were ripped from their homes in the middle of the night by masked security forces. For each doctor, nurse, or medic that the government disappears, many more civilians’ lives are impacted as patients go untreated.

Physicians for Human Rights uncovered egregious abuses against patients and detainees including torture, beating, verbal abuse, humiliation, and threats of rape and killing. Our report also includes documentation of other violations of medical neutrality including the beating, abuse, and threatening of six Shi’a physicians at Salmaniya Hospital; government security forces stealing ambulances and posing as medics; the militarization of hospitals and clinics that obstruct medical care, and rampant fear that prevents patients from seeking urgent medical treatment. see report here

WASHINGTON, June 21 (UPI) — Mercenaries from Indonesia, Malaysia and Pakistan are being recruited by officials in Bahrain to help restore security to the country, a Saudi scholar claimed.

Bahrain is under increasing scrutiny for the response by the Sunni minority leadership to a Shiite uprising in the country. Doctors without Borders claimed that Bahraini security officials were using hospitals as torture chambers as part of a crackdown.

Ali al-Ahmad, director of the Institute for Gulf Affairs, told Radio Australia’s Contact Asia program that the royal family was recruiting mercenaries from Asia to help with its crackdown.
Ahmad said there were no Shiites in the national security forces. Given the fact that Sunnis are in the minority, he said, the country has a “need to import mercenaries” from other places. He claimed “the majority of them” are coming from Pakistan, though he said he’s seen reports of some from countries such as Somalia, Malaysia and Indonesia.

Washington was criticized for its support for Bahrain, which hosts the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet. Bahrain, however, was recently added to the country’s list of human rights abusers.
…more

Bahrain: A program on Bahrain TV presents confessions of prisoners and targets opposition political leaders and human rights activists.
June 21st, 2011 – BYSHR

Every Monday at 9:30 pm, Bahrain TV (the governmental channel) presents a program entitled “Dialogue with Saeed Al-Hamad”. The program focuses on presenting confessions of prisoners sentenced by the Military Court, or individuals that have spoken to the media during the protests in Bahrain since the 14th of February. The program also targets prominent human rights activists due to their work in exposing the human rights violations and political opposition figures. …more