Following an Arab League meeting in Cairo on September 1, it was announced that Bahrain would be host of the Arab Court of Human Rights when the court gets established. There is no word on what jurisdiction the court will have or when it might open, only that it will be based in Bahrain. The news was initially greeted with some surprise and skepticism by those who have followed the Kingdom's recent dismal performance on human rights. On reflection, though, there are several factors that make it an appropriate choice.

Below are the top six reasons it makes sense for Bahrain to host the Arab Court of Human Rights:

1. Many defendants will be in easy reach. So far, Bahrain has failed to convict any senior government official for the deaths, torture and other human rights violations that have taken place since 2011. Having the court based right where perpetrators live and work will save on transport costs to the court.
2. The Bahrain government has a stack of unused arrest warrants. Many of those who have been taken in dawn raids by Bahrain security forces have not been shown arrest warrants, meaning there must be a pile of unused ones in police stations across the country for the court to use.
3. Bahrain courts have shown themselves to be fast. There's often no messing about with lengthy legal proceedings -- some court cases only take a few minutes for the judge to realize the person is guilty of all charges. No need to waste time on a defense or to investigate the torture marks on prisoners.

Find the full article on http://www.huffingtonpost.com/brian-dooley/top-6-reasons-for-bahrain_b_3862317.html  

The Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR) expresses its grave concern in regards to the authorities’ continued use of arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances and torture as tools against civilians. Recently, the BCHR documented the arbitrary arrest of several people in Nuwaidrat village at dawn without warrants on the 26^th of August 2013. The BCHR expresses serious concern that these individuals might be subjected to torture and ill treatment in order to extract enforced confessions.

Ebrahim Ali Ahmed Ismaeel, 27 years old, was arrested on the 26^th of August 2013 at approximately 4 am when masked men in civilian clothing backed by security forces raided his home by kicking the front door repeatedly until the father opened the door. They asked about his sons, and he showed them their rooms. One masked man in civilian clothing went to the eldest son’s room, Abbas, and asked him to give his ID card, then asking him to about his brother’s location. When he pointed to Jassim's apartment which is located inside the house, they replied "leave Jassim for another time, we want Ebrahim". They then went to Ebrahim's apartment that is also located inside the house, his brother knocked the door, but there was no response. Abbas was escorted by two masked men in civilian clothing as he attempted to call his brother Ebrahim, but they broke down Ebrahim’s apartment door before he could reach him. Ebrahim’s wife added that during his arrest, they searched the apartment and confiscated his mobile phone.  Two days later, Ebrahim called from the Criminal Investigations Department, informing his brother that he is fine and that he will let him know if he is allowed visits. The family received news later that Ebrahim was admitted to the hospital for four days reportedly because of the torture he was subjected to during his stay at the CID.

Ahmed Hassan Yousif (18 years old), Hussain Hassan Yousif (18 years old) were arrested on the 27^th of August 2013 after masked men in civilian clothing backed by security forces raided their home at 3:40 am. After they spread inside the house, the brother, Yousif, asked them to not enter any room as there were women inside. Yousif took them to the rooms, and they Inspected Ahmed and Hussain's room. They then blindfolded both of them and took them to the security bus. They tried to go into other rooms, but the family refused to allow them, as there were women inside. The family added that everyone was frightened and the women were screaming during the house raid.

The family later inquired about their sons at the Sitra Police Station then Isa Town Police Station and the Criminal Investigation Department. They all denied having them in custody.

The first call from Ahmed and Hussain was on Thursday, 29^th of August 2013, during which they said that they were fine, and the line was cut. The family added that Ahmed got arrested the same day he completed his registration at the University as he got a scholarship from the ministry because he achieved high grades at school.

Ali Hassan Ahmad, 20 years old, was arrested on Monday 26^th of August 2013 at approximately 4:30 am after masked men in civilian clothing backed by security forces started beating on the door and air conditioner of the house forcing the father to open the door. They entered the home and headed to Ali's room where they arrested him after they asked for his ID card and confiscated his mobile phone.  When the father inquired about the reason of his arrest and if he is wanted, one replied, "yes he is".

The father attempted to stop the bus from leaving with his son, and he was pepper sprayed in the face and he and his wife were threatened that they would be shot with the pellet shotgun.

Three days later, on the 29th of August 2013, the family received a call from Ali who informed them that he is fine. The father informed the BCHR that Ali sounded fatigued and he fears that his son was subjected to torture. His father went to Sitra police station to ask about Ali, but they denied having him.

Based on the above, the Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR) demands the following:

• Immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners in Bahrain.
• Put an end to the use of torture to extract false confessions from detainees
• Put an end to illegal house raids, arbitrary arrests and detention without a court issued warrant

September 5: Fourth Criminal Court decided to postpone the hearing in the case of the “coalition of the February 14″ to 29 September, 2013 for sentencing.

All the defendants did not attend the hearing after they decided to boycott because of the lack of neutrality and judicial independence.The defense lawyers also boycotted.

Mr.Naji Fateel, said: ” I boycotted the court, I have been subjected to torture in criminal investigations building, but the public prosecutor and the court did not carry out a neutral and independent investigations regarding allegations of torture”.

Naji Fateel has been subjected to severe torture during interrogation in the notorious Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID). Among the allegations are that he has received electrical shocks to his genitals, left foot, and back, and been subjected to simulated drowning, severe beatings, threats to publish photographs of his wife (taken from her camera which was confiscated when security forces raided the family home), verbal abuse using uncivilized words, hanging by his hands from the ceiling, sexual harassment and threats to rape him, standing for long hours, and sleep deprivation. ( For more information see our appeal:http://byshr.org/?p=1381)

Mr.Naji Fateel: is a board member of the Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR) and blogger who has been active in reporting human rights violations in Bahrain.He used his account on Twitter for dissemination of human rights information. He was previously detained between Dec 2007 and April 2009, and has been reportedly tortured.His house was stormed in search for him several times last year following the crackdown on pro-democracy protesters.

http://byshr.org/?p=1493

URGENT ACTION

Child tortured in detention in Bahrain

Bahraini boy aged 14, Ali Hatem Ali Salman, was arrested on 26 August 2013 and reportedly tortured and otherwise ill-treated during interrogation to “confess” to rioting. On 3 September the Juvenile Prosecution extended his detention for another week.

Ali Hatem Ali Salman was arrested in a coffee shop in the neighbourhood of Sanad, south of Bahrain’s capital, Manama. Prior to the arrest a police patrol vehicle in the area was set alight with a Molotov cocktail. Ali Hatem Ali Salman was playing a board game with friends when police officers arrested him and five others. He was taken to a police station blindfolded. He reported to his family and lawyer that during his interrogation he was beaten and electrocuted in order to make him “confess” to rioting. He was brought before the Juvenile Prosecutor on 27 August where Ali Hatem Ali Salman denied the accusations and told of his torture and ill-treatment. The Juvenile Prosecutor ordered his detention for seven days pending an investigation. He was transferred to a Juvenile detention facility at 4am on 28 August.

On 3 September, in the presence of Ali Hatem Ali Salman’s father and lawyer, the Juvenile Prosecutor extended his detention order for a further seven days. Ali Hatem Ali Salman is facing charges of “illegal gathering” and “rioting”.

Ali Hatem Ali Salman’s family was allowed to visit him on 5 September for the first time.

Please write immediately in Arabic or English or your own language:

Urging the Bahraini authorities to protect him from torture and other ill-treatment;

Urging them to ensure that Ali Hatem Ali Salman is treated in accordance with the international standards of juvenile justice;

Calling for an impartial and independent investigation into the reported torture and other ill-treatment of Ali Hatem Ali Salman and bring those found responsible to account.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS BEFORE 18 OCTOBER 2013 TO:

King

Shaikh Hamad bin ‘Issa Al Khalifa

Office of His Majesty the King

P.O. Box 555

Rifa’a Palace, al-Manama,

Bahrain

Fax: +973 1766 4587

Salutation: Your Majesty

Minister of Interior

Shaikh Rashid bin ‘Abdullah Al Khalifa

Ministry of Interior

P.O. Box 13, al-Manama,

Bahrain

Fax: +973 1723 2661

Twitter: @moi_Bahrain

Salutation: Your Excellency

And copies to:

Minister of Justice and Islamic Affairs

Shaikh Khalid bin Ali Al Khalifa

Ministry of Justice and Islamic Affairs

P. O. Box 450, al-Manama,

Bahrain

Fax: +973 1753 1284

Email: minister@justice.gov.bh

Twitter: @Khaled_Bin_Ali

Salutation: Your Excellency

Also send copies to diplomatic representatives accredited to your country.

Please check with your section office if sending appeals after the above date.

URGENT ACTION

Child tortured in detention in Bahrain

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

In response to a recent increase in violence, and in anticipation of planned large demonstrations by the opposition, Bahrain’s parliament held an extraordinary session on 28 July at which it submitted 22 recommendations to the King, Shaikh Hamad Bin ‘Issa Al Khalifa; the recommendations toughen punishments laid out in the 2006 anti-terrorism law. The King welcomed the recommendations the next day, and ordered the Prime Minister to ensure that they were urgently implemented by the government. Bahrain’s Constitution (Article 38) gives the King the power to issue decrees that have the force of law when parliament is in recess. In these circumstances the government prepares the draft amendments and the King ratifies them.

The King issued two emergency decrees on 6 August. One amends the 1973 Law on Public Gatherings and Demonstrations, to ban demonstrations, sit-ins, marches and public gatherings in the capital, Manama. The 1976 juvenile law was also amended and now stipulates that if anyone under 16 years of age takes part in a demonstration, public gathering or sit-in, his or her parents will be warned in writing by the Ministry of Interior. If six months after the warning the child is found in a new demonstration his or her father could face jail, a fine or both. Amnesty International fears that these draconian measures will be used, as was the case on 14 August to crack down on anti-government protests.

Anti-government protests were organized in many Shi’a villages in Bahrain on 14 August. Protesters were planning to march to Manama but security forces prevented them by using tear gas and, in some instances, by erecting barbed wire around the villages. At least 18 people were arrested. The Tamarrud (rebellion) movement, made up of youth groups, chose 14 August to organize anti-government protests to denounce government repression and call for genuine political reforms. Mainstream opposition associations were also planning a large anti-government rally, but it was cancelled due to the heavy security forces presence in Manama.

Name: Ali Hatem Ali Salman

Gender m/f: m

UA: 239/13 Index: MDE 11/036/2013 Issue Date: 06 September 2013

http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/asset/MDE11/036/2013/en/8b8dd46b-8325-488b-9a9b-1520b4669c5d/mde110362013en.html

Leading Bahrain human rights organisations have supported a call by Ceartas – Irish Lawyers for Human Rights urging the International Association of Prosecutors (IAP) to expel Dr. Ali bin Fadhel Al-Buainain from its executive committee. In April 2013 a complaint was lodged by Ceartas detailing how Al-Buainain has overseen a systematic pattern of human rights abuses and breaches of basic judicial principles at a public prosecution level.

Bahrain’s state media recently announced that Bahrain’s Attorney General Dr. Al-Buainain was re-elected by his peers to the Executive Committee of the IAP. However, Ceartas has learned that Dr. Al-Buainain had yet to secure his position and was seeking re-election at the IAP’s 18th Annual General Meeting in Moscow, 11^th September 2013. Civil society groups from Bahrain have published an open letter, published below, urging all IAP delegates not to support Dr Al-Buainain’s re-election bid given the findings in the Ceartas complaint and the continuing human right infringements Bahraini citizens are facing through the judicial system.

Ceartas maintains that his position in the IAP is untenable given that the IAP objectives are to protect human rights, due process, fair procedures and pubic prosecution standards at an international level. Dr Al-Buainain’s election is proceeding despite the fact that IAP President and former director of public prosecutions in Ireland, Mr James Hamilton acknowledged receipt of the complaint and saying that it was “on the agenda”. 

The Ceartas report on  Dr. Al-Buainain received backing from numerous groups including the  Irish Congress of Trade Unions, Frontline Defenders, European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights,  Lawyers Rights Watch Canada, the Freedom of Expression Institute, the Gulf Center for Human Rights,  Canadian Journalists for Free Expression.

Open Letter to IAP

To: Mr John Hamilton, President of the International Association of Prosecutors.

In April of this year a complaint was lodged to your organisation based on a report by Ceartas – Irish Lawyers for Human Rights concerning the Bahraini representative on the Executive Committee of the IAP, Dr. Ali bin Fadhel Al- Buainain. The report details how Dr Al-Buainain as head of the Office of Public Prosecution in Bahrain has overseen a systematic pattern of human rights abuses and breaches of basic judicial principles at a public prosecution level. It maintains that his position in the IAP is untenable given that the IAP objectives are to protect human rights, due process, fair procedures and pubic prosecution standards at an international level.

While the complaint has been acknowledged by your offices Dr. Al-Buainain has nonetheless sought to be re-elected to the Executive Committee at your 18th Annual General Meeting in Moscow on the 11^th September. We would therefore urge you and all other delegates not to support Dr A-Buainain’s re-election bid given the bona fide and widely backed findings in the Ceartas report and the continuing human right infringements Bahraini citizens are facing through the judicial system.

We hope that you will take our views into consideration and act accordingly. 

Bahrain Center for Human Rights

Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights.

Bahrain Watch

Gulf Center for Human Rights

Americans for Democracy & Human Rights in Bahrain

http://www.ceartaslaw.org/blog/entry/bahrain-rights-groups-back-ceartas-call-not-to-re-elect-bahrain-s-attorney-general.html

The Bahrain Center for Human Rights welcomes the idea of establishing an Arab court to prosecute human right violators; however, the BCHR received the news of the Arab League Council's approval for Bahrain to host the permanent headquarters of the Arab Court with dismay regarding the seriousness of the objectives of establishing the court given the notorious record that the government of Bahrain and the members of the ruling family, including the top of the hierarchy the country’s King, have in the field of human rights and public liberties. These violations have been documented by leading human rights organizations. On the 8^th of February 2010, Human Rights Watch issued its well-known report on Bahrain: ‘Torture Redux’. The report is based on interviews with former detainees and on forensic reports and courts. The report concluded that since the end of 2007 officials resorted to repeating the practice of torture in what seems like an attempt to extract confessions from suspects in security cases. In March 2011, the regime put civilians on trial in military courts; which is another addition to the violations of the judiciary in Bahrain that is incompatible with the international standards of fair trials. International condemnations were issued against the severe sentences handed down by the military court, among them the statement of the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

• The High Commissioner for Human Rights says Bahrain trials bear marks of political persecution.
• The UN Secretary-General expresses his deep concern for the long prison sentences against the political and human rights activists in Bahrain.
• International human rights organizations condemn the severe sentences against the activists following unjust trials.
• Washington is ‘concerned’ about the life-imprisonment sentences against opposition in Bahrain.
• The British Foreign Office Minister for the Middle East is concerned about the verdicts in Bahrain.

On the 17^th of August, 2011, the BCHR released a report about citizens who were reportedly subjected to torture at the hands of members of the ruling family in Bahrain who beat and tortured political prisoners.

On the 4^th of May 2011, the BCHR released a report about the death of four citizens under torture in detention centers in Bahrain, among them a journalist and blogger.

The graveness of the brutal and systematic torture practiced by the authorities in Bahrain against political detainees and human rights activists in detention centers was evident in the documentation of four cases of death under torture that took place within nine days, amongst them one of the founders of Alwasat newspaper and an Internet activist.

The BCHR also released a number of reports that state that the authorities in Bahrain have adopted a policy of impunity. A video clip was recently spread on the internet showing Khalifa bin Salman Al-Khalifa, the longest standing unelected prime minister in the world of 43 years, visiting an officer who has been repeatedly pointed out as being involved in torture by victims but was acquitted in court, to thank him and to reassure that impunity exists.

On the 7^th of July, 2013, a pro-government account uploaded a video of the Prime Minister on Youtube during his visit to Officer Mubarak bin Huwail following his acquittal on 1 July 2013 from charges related to torturing medics in the detention center in 2011.

(For more information: http://bahrainrights.hopto.org/en/node/6205)

On the 26^th of July, 2013, Amnesty International released a report: ‘Still no justice for torture cases, the torture of Nazeeha Saeed’.

And on the 27^th of July, 2013, Frontline Defenders released: ‘Bahrain: Trial of Human Rights Defender Mr Naji Fateel Falls Short of International Standards’.

Naji Fateel is a member of the Board of Directors in the Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR), and an active human rights defender who documents and reports on human rights violations in Bahrain.

This is in addition to the violations of the government of Bahrain against freedom of press. Although Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa pledged to support freedom of the press and reform, however, the situation last year did not improve. Throughout the past year, several journalists and bloggers in Bahrain were subjected to harassments, assaults, arrests and torture due to their work. Journalists working near pro-democracy demonstrations were targeted in a systematic manner by the security forces.

Arrest and torture of journalists

Arrests and Trials of Internet Users

On the 9^th of July 2012, the President of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights and the former Director of the Gulf Center for Human Rights, Nabeel Rajab was sentenced to three months in prison and was arrested on the charge of ‘insulting the citizens of Muharraq through Twitter’ for information he published on Twitter demanding the Prime Minister to step down, and discussing his visit to the Island of Muharraq. Although he was acquitted of this charge in the Court of Appeal, he remains in prison serving another 2 year sentence on the charge of participating in demonstrations and calling for gatherings through social networks. On the 17^th of December 2012, Acting Vice-President and Head of Monitoring & Follow Up at BCHR Sayed Yousif Al-Muhafdah was arrested while monitoring a demonstration in the Manama and posting tweets on Twitter about the suppression of demonstrators and documenting the violations. He was accused of ‘spreading false news through Twitter’; he spent a month in detention. Despite being acquitted from the charges by the Court on the 11^th of March 2013, the Public Prosecution appealed against the acquittal sentence.

The prominent Bahraini blogger Ali Abdulemam was sentenced to 15 years in absentia by a military court on the 22^nd of June 2011 on the charge of ‘being part of a terrorist organization and the attempt of overthrowing the government’. Ali Abdulemam is the founder of Bahrain Online, a Bahraini electronic forum bahrainonline.org, where critical opinions of the government are published regularly, and where the first call for protests on 14 February 2011 appeared. He was also arrested from September 2010 to February 2011, and was subjected to torture during that period.

Denial of Access to the country

On the 14^th of July, 2012, Bahrain deported the American film director Jane Marlow, after she was arrested for a short while and questioned before being deported to Jordan. The authorities accused her of forging the visa application and filming a documentary without obtaining permission. Nick Kristof, who writes for the New York Times, was denied from entering the countries border’s on 20 December 2012 when he was informed that he was in the ‘black list’. The journalist, who is a two time Pulitzer Prize winner, strongly criticizes the Bahraini authorities in his reports. During his last visit to Bahrain in December 2011 he was subjected to an attack by the use of teargas and was arrested for a short while along with the cameraman accompanying him. Habiba Hamed stated that she was interrogated for 5 hours in Bahrain airport on the 11^th of February 2013, and then she was denied access, although she had not come to submit a report about the political situation. The authorities checked her Twitter account and found that it contained comments about Bahrain. They wanted her to apply for a visa through the Ministry of Information first, before coming to Bahrain. On the 19^th of April, 2013, the ITV News crew were held while they were filming in Bahrain and were then taken to the police station where they were asked to leave the country, although their visa was approved by the relevant ministry. The decision to deport them followed a report released the night before by the Channel in which it criticized the Bahrain government.

On the 9^th of August 2013, the BCHR released a report regarding the preventing of traveling for the Acting President of the BCHR and the Co-Director of the Gulf Center for Human Rights Ms Maryam Al-Khawaja to Bahrain on British Airways. Al-Khawaja was denied boarding by British Airways at the order of the government of Bahrain. Al-Khawaja had decided to visit Bahrain to monitor the situation before planned protests on the 14^th of August.

The Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies also released a report on the 14^th of March 2013 regarding the attack carried out by the GCC governments against human rights defenders because they deal with the UN, the report was titled, “Cut off from the World: Systematic Reprisals against Human Rights Defenders in the Gulf Region for Engaging with the United Nations”. The report addresses the governmental attacks, acts of threats and defamation carried out by the governments of some of the GCC countries such as Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Sultanate of Oman and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia against human rights defenders; as a result of their cooperation with the mechanisms of human rights affiliated with the UN during the last two years, and especially in the context of its 21^st session of the Human Rights Council that was held in September 2012.

The report presents an overview of the suppressive existing laws in these countries, which criminate work in the field of human rights, including working with international mechanisms of human rights.

The Bahrain Center for Human Rights asserts that the government of Bahrain is ineligible to host and establish an Arab court that attends to defending and reprising human rights violators and criminals. These type of courts require international standards and the involvement of the opinion of human rights organizations. The host country of such a court should be chosen on the basis of whether this country holds a respectable human rights record which Bahrain lacks; causing dozens of negative reactions from international organizations as well as media. Bahrain also lacks the presence of effective assurances to meet the aspirations of neutrality and justice.

The BCHR is concerned that due to the track record of human rights violations in Bahrain, that such a court will be used as a tool against civil society and independent human rights organizations; just as the local judiciary system has become a tool to target and imprison activists.

The European Parliament passed a resolution today condemning the ongoing human rights violations in Bahrain. The European Parliament found that "the human rights situation in Bahrain remains a matter of concern in the wake of the crackdown on pro-democracy protesters in 2011" and that "many recent actions of the Bahraini government continue to violate and restrict the rights and freedoms of segments of the Bahraini people, in particular the right of individuals to protest, freedom of expression and digital freedom. The resolution also finds that "the Bahraini authorities are continuing their crackdown on peaceful political protesters, including the disproportionate use of violence and torture by security and police forces."

The resolution can be found on the EU Parliament's website via the link here; the full text is below.

European Parliament resolution on the human rights situation in Bahrain (2013/2830(RSP))
The European Parliament, –   having regard to its previous resolutions on Bahrain of 27 October 2011, of 15 March 2012 and of 17 January 2013, –   having regard to the visit of a delegation of its Subcommittee on Human Rights to Bahrain on 19 and 20 December 2012 and to the press statement issued by that delegation, and having regard to the Arab Peninsula delegation visit from 27 to 30 April 2013 and its press statement, –   having regard to the statements by the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (VP/HR) on Bahrain, in particular her statements of 7 January, 11 February and 1 July 2013, –   having regard to the statements by the UN Secretary-General, in particular that of 8 January 2013, and to the statement of the spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights of 6 August 2013, –   having regard to the 23rd EU-GCC Joint Council and Ministerial Meeting, held in Manama, Bahrain, on 30 June 2013, –   having regard to the extraordinary meeting of Bahrain’s National Assembly, held on 28 July 2013, resulting in the emergency decrees issued by the King of Bahrain, Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifah, –   having regard to the 2006 Bahraini ‘Protecting Society from Terrorist Acts’ legislation, –   having regard to the decision of the Arab League’s Ministerial Council, meeting in Cairo on 1 September 2013, to set up a pan-Arab court of human rights in Bahrain’s capital Manama, –   having regard to the report released in November 2011 by the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI) and to its follow-up report of 21 November 2012, –   having regard to the 1966 International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, the Convention on the Rights of Child and the Arab Charter on Human Rights, to all of which Bahrain is a party, –   having regard to the EU Guidelines on Human Rights Defenders of 2004, as updated in 2008, –   having regard to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948, –   having regard to Rules 122(5) and 110(4) of its Rules of Procedure, A. whereas the human rights situation in Bahrain remains a matter of concern in the wake of the crackdown on pro-democracy protesters in 2011; whereas many recent actions of the Bahraini Government continue to violate and restrict the rights and freedoms of segments of the Bahraini people, in particular the right of individuals to peaceful protest, freedom of expression and digital freedom; whereas the Bahraini authorities are continuing their crackdown on peaceful political protesters, including the disproportionate use of violence and torture by security and police forces; B.  whereas human rights activists are facing ongoing systematic targeting, harassment and detention in Bahrain, some of them being condemned to life imprisonment; C. whereas on 1 August 2013, ahead of the peaceful protest planned in Manama on 14 August 2013, the King of Bahrain ordered the implementation of recommendations passed by the Parliament, which include the banning of all sit-ins, assemblies and protests in the capital Manama, further limitations on social media activities, an increase in the detention period and withdrawal of the citizenship of anyone found guilty of committing or inciting an act of terrorism; D. whereas the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has stated that, although it welcomes the National Assembly’s recommendation that ‘basic liberties, particularly freedom of opinion, should not be affected to maintain a balance between law enforcement and human rights protection’, it reiterates its concern about the restrictions on public demonstrations and other public gatherings; E.  whereas, following the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI) report, the Bahraini authorities committed themselves to undergoing reforms; whereas progress has been made in overhauling the legal and law enforcement systems, reinstating employees who were unfairly dismissed, and setting up a special prosecution unit to investigate abuse claims, as well as in carrying out reforms of the police; whereas, overall, the implementation of the BICI recommendations remains slow; F.  whereas an official delegation led by the Minister of Human Rights Affairs, Dr Salah bin Ali Abdulrahman, will attend the 24th session of the UN Human Rights Council from 7 to 27 September 2013, and will review, during its meetings, the implementation of the recommendations of the Human Rights Council and the recommendations of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry, as well as the recommendations of the National Assembly, which the Government of Bahrain has pledged to implement in accordance with a timetable and programme of action. G. whereas in Bahrain even children have been arrested and kept in adult detention unsuitable for minors, where they have reportedly been tortured and improperly treated; H. whereas on 24 April the government postponed for the second time – this time indefinitely – the visit of Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment and punishment; I.   whereas on 2 September 2013 Bahrain announced that it would host the permanent headquarters of the Arab Human Rights Court following its approval at an Arab League meeting in Cairo; J.   whereas the EU Special Representative for Human Rights, Stavros Lambrinidis, visited Bahrain in the scope of the EU-Gulf Cooperation Council Ministerial meeting in June 2013; 1.  Calls on the Bahraini authorities to respect human rights and fundamental freedoms, including freedom of expression, both online and offline, and freedom of assembly; deeply regrets the recent restrictive orders by the Parliament and the King of Bahrain, and calls for a lifting of the ban on the right to peaceful demonstrations and free assembly in the capital, Manama, and a repeal of the orders of the Minister of Justice of 3 September 2013, which are irreconcilable with the government’s commitment to launching reforms and will not help progress on national reconciliation or build trust among all parties; 2.  Urges that the legitimate right of Bahraini citizens to express their opinions freely, organise gatherings and demonstrate peacefully be respected; underlines the importance of free and pluralistic media; calls for full access to the country for international NGOs and journalists; 3.  Welcomes the steps taken by the Bahraini authorities to implement the recommendations by the Bahraini Independent Commission of Inquiry; recognises that some efforts have been undertaken in this respect, but stresses nevertheless that more must be done to improve the human rights situation in the country; calls on the Government of Bahrain to implement fully and swiftly the BICI and Universal Periodic Review recommendations; recommends that the UN Human Rights Council’s 24th Session set up a monitoring mechanism mandated to follow the implementation of the BICI recommendations and the overall resolution of the human rights situation in Bahrain; 4.  Calls on the Bahraini Government to implement the necessary democratic reforms and to encourage an inclusive and constructive national dialogue and reconciliation, including the release of dissidents; 5.  Calls on the Bahraini authorities to put an immediate end to all acts of repression, including judicial harassment, and calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all prisoners of conscience, political activists, journalists, bloggers, doctors and paramedics, human rights defenders and peaceful protesters, including Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja, Nabeel Rajab, Ibrahim Sharif, Naji Fateel, Zainab Al-Khawaja, Mohammed Al-Maskati, Mahdi’Issa Mahdi Abu Deeb and Jalila Al-Salman; 6.  Welcomes the fact that King Hamad Bin Isa al-Khalifa has set up an independent commission for the rights of prisoners and detainees, and calls on this commission to effectively monitor and improve the conditions and treatment of prisoners and detainees; 7.  Welcomes King Hamad Bin Isa al-Khalifa’s setting up of a Ministry for Human Rights and Social Development in Bahrain, and calls on that ministry to act in accordance with international human rights standards and obligations; notes in particular the progressive stance of Bahrain towards women in society; 8.  Notes the formal establishment of a Police Ombudsman by the Bahraini Interior Ministry in July 2013, and expresses the hope that this move will mean that the complaints and grievances of Bahraini citizens can be effectively looked into; 9.  Notes the Bahraini Government’s ongoing efforts to reform the penal code and legal procedures, and encourages this process to continue; calls on the Government of Bahrain to take all necessary steps to guarantee due process, and the independence and impartiality of the judiciary in Bahrain, and to ensure that it acts in full accordance with international human rights standards; 10. Urges that independent investigations be conducted into all allegations of torture and other ill- treatment, and that the results be made public; takes the view that accountability for past violations is a key element on the path towards justice and genuine reconciliation, which are necessary for social stability; 11. Urges the Bahraini authorities to respect the rights of juveniles, to refrain from detaining them in adult facilities, and to treat juveniles in accordance with the Convention on the Rights of the Child, to which Bahrain is a party; 12. Believes that arbitrary deprivation of nationality could lead to statelessness, with serious consequences for the protection of the human rights of the individuals concerned; notes that withdrawal of the citizenship of political opponents by the Bahraini authorities is contrary to international law; 13. Regrets the weak EU response to the ongoing situation in Bahrain and calls on the HR/VP to condemn the ongoing violations of basic human rights and fundamental freedoms, and to impose targeted restrictive measures (visa bans and asset freezes) against those individuals responsible for, and involved in, the human rights abuses (as documented by the BICI report); 14. Calls on the VP/HR and the Member States to work together to develop a clear strategy as to how the EU will, both publicly and privately, actively push for the release of prisoners of conscience, and calls on the VP/HR to work with the Member States to ensure the adoption of Foreign Affairs Council conclusions on the human rights situation in Bahrain, which should include a specific call for the immediate and unconditional release of those prisoners; 15. Expresses regret that the visit of the Special Rapporteur on torture was again postponed, and calls upon the Bahraini authorities to facilitate visits of the Special Rapporteurs on freedom of association and assembly and on the situation of human rights defenders; 16. Welcomes the decision by the Arab League to set up a Arab Human Rights Court in Manama and expresses its hope that it may act as a catalyst for human rights across the region; urges the Government of Bahrain, as well as its partners in the Arab League, to ensure the integrity, impartiality, efficiency and credibility of this Court; 17. Instructs its president to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Vice‑President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the government and parliaments of the Member States, and the Government and Parliament of the Kingdom of Bahrain.

We, as Arab rights organizations, express our full solidarity with the struggle of the Syrian people for freedom and human rights, including the right to self-determination through free and fair democratic processes.  The Syrian people have undergone deep suffering in pursuit of their rights and freedoms, and we recognize the profound sacrifices that they have made.

In this context, the undersigned Arab organizations state their severe concern over all military plans currently being discussed to launch a military strike against Syria in violation of the Charter of the United Nations. We warn that any such acts of aggression will only serve to exacerbate the armed conflict while

The situation in Syria is dominated by ongoing acts of killing and violence.  The country now ranks among the worst places in the world in terms of violations to the rights to life, to physical integrity, and to protection from enforced disappearance, as these and other crimes amounting to war crimes and crimes against humanity are carried out on a daily basis by the Syrian regime and affiliated militias.  It is increasingly feared that some factions affiliated with the armed opposition are also continuing to commit war crimes and crimes against humanity against the Syrian people.  Meanwhile, the international community – particularly Russia and China – continues to reject all proposals by Arab and international civil society to resolve to the crisis in Syria.doing nothing to resolve the humanitarian crises which have resulted from the crimes committed by the Assad regime against the people of Syria.  Indeed, those who bear the brunt of the violence and fighting in Syria are the Syrian people themselves. All Syrians – regardless of their ethnic, religious, ideological, cultural, and political affiliations and allegiances – deserve to live in a state that respects their rights and freedoms, yet they have been denied these rights and freedoms for the last 42 years under the regimes of Hafez and Bashar al-Assad, which has been responsible for the killings of over 100,000 civilians, among them 11,000 Syrian children, by Syrian security forces in the past two years, according to data provided by Syrian organizations.

Any resolution to the Syrian crisis must be based on an immediate cessation of all military and paramilitary operations both by forces loyal to the Bashar al-Assad regime and by the armed opposition.  A peaceful transition of power agreed to by all parties must be begun immediately under the auspices of the United Nations.  The situation in Syria must simultaneously be referred to the International Criminal Court to investigate allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by all parties to the Syrian conflict over the past three years, including criminal investigations into allegations of the use of chemical weapons by the government in Syria.

The repercussions of conducting acts of aggression against Syria – even if carried out on the most limited of scales as proposed by American President Barack Obama – will be catastrophic, as such acts will perpetuate the suffering of the region from political decisions made on the regional and international levels to prioritize military solutions over any political or legal solutions.  Even as discussions are held between the United States, Russia, and their respective allies regarding possibilities for national reconciliation in Syria in the frameworks of the first and second Geneva Conferences, all of these parties continue to provide unconditioned military support to the warring parties on the ground inside Syria.  Such an approach will result in the spread of armed violence over which it will be exceedingly difficult to regain control in the near future.

The undersigned organizations affirm that any unilateral military intervention without the approval of the United Nations constitutes a crime of aggression punishable under international criminal law.  We further assert that all states which are considering taking military action against Syria must realize that war crimes and crimes against humanity cannot be prevented or ended through the commission of additional international crimes.

This applies also to the intervention of other foreign parties in the Syrian conflict.  The involvement of members of Hezbollah and other external groups suspected of being affiliated with Al-Qaeda does not help either of the two sides to the armed conflict.  Rather, it may exacerbate the suffering of the Syrian people and place them at the mercy of brutal mercenaries who have no legal interest in the current conflict.  Indeed, the tolerance of the international community of this involvement of foreign mercenaries in the fighting between the two sides in Syria is pushing neighboring states towards a massive political crisis which will prove to be all but impossible to resolve.

The undersigned Arab organizations affirm their full solidarity with and respect for the will of the Syrian people, who have endured a brutal war against the Syrian regime.  At the same time, we insist that the aspirations of the Syrian people to establish justice, equality, and freedom will not be achieved through direct military strikes.  We further express our severe concern at the disregard of basic considerations of international humanitarian law displayed by some armed groups opposed to the al-Assad regime and their lack of respect for the very principles and values which they charge the Assad regime of violating – all of which bodes poorly for the future of post-Assad Syria.

Many states have referred to the use of chemical weapons in Syria as a “red line” and asserted that it is necessary to punish the Assad regime for such crimes.  In this context, the undersigned organizations emphasize that the use of chemical weapons by the forces of the Assad regime or by any other party constitutes an unpardonable crime which is not subject to a statute of limitations.  Yet in our view, the only “red line” is the lives of civilians, regardless of the type of weapons used to kill them or who is responsible for their deaths. The international community has failed to uphold this principle over the past three years, and no military strike such as the one announced by the United States will be able to ensure that it is upheld now.

The lack of political will both within Syria and among the international community to resolve the Syrian crisis in a manner based on international law exacerbates the suffering of tens of thousands of political prisoners in Assad’s detention centers who have been subjected to the most inhumane forms of torture and the worst degradation of human dignity, just as it adds to the ranks of the millions of displaced people whose homes have been destroyed and who have been forced to flee to refugee camps, where their fates are decided by the political battles playing out in neighboring countries.  The human conscience will not forget the sight of children being bombed and the thousands of women who faced collective punishment through rape, nor how the international community stood by while such horrific atrocities were committed.

Therefore, the undersigned Arab organizations stress the necessity of the following steps:

1. The League of Arab States should immediately adopt a ceasefire initiative, and its implementation should be strictly overseen by the United Nations Security Council.
2. All foreign militants must immediately leave Syrian territory and surrender their weapons to a UN-mandated  disarmament commission.
3. The Security Council must refer the situation in Syria to the International Criminal Court to investigate all crimes committed by all parties to the conflict since the beginning of the Syrian uprising, as recommended by the League of Arab States inResolution no. 7651.
4. All political prisoners held in detention centers and prisons in Syria must be immediately released, and this process should be overseen by the International Committee of the Red Cross.
5. The Security Council must adopt a resolution under Chapter 7 of the United Nations Charter imposing a ban on the sale, export, or provision of any form of weaponry or military supplies to any of the parties to the Syrian conflict.
6. The Security Council must see to it that the talks at the second Geneva Conference arrive at a political solution to the Syrian conflict.

Signatory organizations

1.     Cairo institute for Human Rights Studies
2.     Andalus Institute for Tolerance and Anti-Violence Studies
3.     Arab Network for Human Rights Information
4.     Arab penal reform organization
5.     Association for Freedom of Thought and Expression
6.     Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR(
7.     Center for Egyptian Women’s Legal Assistance
8.     Committee for the respect of liberties and human rights. 
9.     Egyptian foundation for Advancement of the Childhood Conditions
10. Egyptians Against Religious Discrimination 
11. Group for Human Rights Legal Assistance, Egypt.
12. Habi Center for Environmental Rights
13. Human Rights First Society, Saudi Arabia
14. Moroccan Instance of Human Rights
15. Palestinian Human Rights Organization (PHRO)
16. The Hesham Mobarak Law Center
17. The Human Rights Association for the Assistance of the Prisoners
18. Tunisian League for the Defense of Human Rights.
19. Yemen Organizations. For Defending Rights & Democratic Freedoms.
20. Yemeni Center for Transitional Justice

21. Bahrain Center for Human Rights 

9 September 2013

Mr. President,
Distinguished Members of the Human Rights Council,
Excellencies and Colleagues,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Thank you for this opportunity to address you.

(..)

I regret to report that the human rights situation in Bahrain remains an issue of serious concern: the deep polarization of society and the harsh clampdown on human rights defenders and peaceful protesters continue to make a durable solution more difficult to secure. I reiterate my call on Bahrain to fully comply with its international human rights commitments, including respect for the rights to freedoms of expression, peaceful assembly, and association. The cancellation of the scheduled visit of the Special Rapporteur on Torture is regrettable, and important recommendations made by the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry have still not been implemented. I also wish to express my disappointment that the cooperation with the Government of Bahrain, which started fruitfully with the deployment of an OHCHR team in December 2012, has not developed further and an OHCHR follow-up mission has been stalled since then.

..

Read the full statement on http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=13687&LangID=E

Switzerland read the following joint statement on the opening day of the 24th Session of the Human Rights Council on behalf of 47 co-sponsoring countries including the United States.

24th Session of the Human Rights Council
Item 2 – General Debate

Joint Statement on the OHCHR and the human rights situation in Bahrain
Geneva, 9 September 2013
Mr. President, I have the honour to make this statement on the OHCHR and the human rights situation in Bahrain on behalf of Albania, Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Ireland, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, the United States of America and Uruguay.

We take note of positive steps taken by the Government of Bahrain to implement the recommendations of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry in order to improve the human rights situation in Bahrain. In particular, we note with appreciation the creation of the Office of the Police Ombudsman for the Ministry of Interior in August 2012 and its official launch in July 2013. We also note the creation of the Special Investigation Unit in the Public Prosecution Office in February 2012. We urge these institutions to proactively fulfil their mandate and encourage the Government of Bahrain to uphold its commitment to these institutions and their independence. We commend the continuation of the National Consensus Dialogue in August 2013 and encourage all sides to participate in a constructive and genuine way. We encourage the Government of Bahrain to continue to work with all participants in the Dialogue towards an open, democratic and inclusive society with equal opportunities for all.

However, the human rights situation in Bahrain remains an issue of serious concern to us. In particular, we share the concerns expressed by the OHCHR regarding the 22 recommendations made by the National Assembly of Bahrain on 28 July 2013. Any new legislation to implement these recommendations must meet international standards and ensure human rights are protected. We are also particularly concerned by the ongoing violation of the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and association and the repression of demonstrations. We expect officials and protestors to refrain from any violence. Furthermore, we continue to be concerned about the continued harassment and imprisonment of persons exercising their rights to freedom of opinion and expression, including of human rights defenders. We are also concerned about the cases of revocation of nationality without due process, some of which might lead to statelessness. Lastly, we are concerned that those alleged to have committed human rights violations are often not held accountable.

We call upon the Government of Bahrain to address these concerns and expedite the implementation of the recommendations received from the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry and the recommendations Bahrain agreed to accept through the Universal Periodic Review. We urge the Government of Bahrain to enhance its cooperation with the OHCHR and allow for a fully comprehensive collaboration, including accepting an OHCHR follow-up mission. We also urge the Government of Bahrain to cooperate with the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council, in particular the Special Rapporteur on torture, the Special Rapporteur on the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association and the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, together with any other Special Procedures that request to visit Bahrain and reschedule previously planned visits. Lastly, we encourage the Government of Bahrain to fulfil its obligation to submit its outstanding reports to the treaty bodies of the human rights conventions it has ratified.

We will continue to follow closely the human rights situation in Bahrain and invite the OHCHR, Special Procedures and the Human Rights Council to do so. We also invite the Government of Bahrain to further engage with the Human Rights Council. Thank you Mr. President.

http://geneva.usmission.gov/2013/09/09/joint-statement-expresses-concern-about-human-rights-situation-in-bahrain/

The Bahrain Center for Human Rights condemns the continued attacks on the families of political dissidents, and the targeting of their relatives and children with arrests and trials as part of harassment campaign. The family of AlMoqdad has had eight of its members arrested so far, which started with the arrest of 2 prominent political leaders in 2011, and the last victims who are 15 and 16 year old boys arrested several days ago. A ninth member of the family is also on trial.

Jaffar Abduljalil AlMoqdad (15 years old) and his cousin Mohamed Ebrahim AlMoqdad(16 years old) along with seven other children and six adults were abducted by security men in civilian clothing accompanied by police vehicles at around 4am on the 5th of September 2013 from a swimming pool in Adari village.  A worker at the swimming pool witnessed the beating of the detainees at time of arrest, as they were taken away in their swimwear.

Despite inquiring about them in several police stations in the morning, their families were not able to get any information about the children’s whereabouts or wellbeing. It took over 48 hours to get to know that the two children from the AlMoqdad were moved to the Dry Docks detention center (adult’s prison).

The lawyer of Jaffar said that the public prosecution interrogated him in absence of his lawyer despite being informed of the lawyers contact. The prosecutor ordered the detention under interrogation of all the detainees, including Jaffar and the other children, for 60 days under the terrorism law.

On the 9th of September, Jaffar called his family to inform them that he is at the Dry Docks detention center (adult’s prison) and he has a visit the next day. He briefly informed them that he was subjected to torture and he said he would give the details during the visit. He also informed them that he was forced to confess and to sign papers at the public prosecution without being able to read it. However, when the family went to visit him on the 10th of September, they were denied the visit without any explanation.

Other young children have been tried under the terrorism law, the youngest child being Hussain AlDallal, 14 years old.

Murtadha AbdulJalil AlMoqdad, who is currently pending a verdict that could include imprisonment for “illegal gathering” said that the authorities are refusing to return the passport documents of the family, which were taken by the security forces at time of arresting his father in March 2011. Without passports the family members cannot travel or apply for jobs.

Sheikh Mohamed Habib AlMoqdad (50 years old)

Bahraini-Swedish citizen Sheikh Mohammed Habib Al-Moqdad, 50 years old, is an outspoken cleric and independent opposition activist who has been in detention since the 1st  of April 2011. He was tried in a military court and he is currently serving 68 years prison sentence in 12 cases[1] ranging between the charges of "inciting and seeking to overthrow the regime" and "incitement to the formation of gangs to attack foreigners or to kidnap security officers." He is also accused in the same case of the 13 human rights and political leaders known as the Bahrain13 serving sentences for “plotting to overthrow the regime[2]”.  He was subjected to psychological, sexual and physical torture following his arrest. During his testimony to the court of appeal on the 19th of June 2012, he told the court the names of six officials responsible for torturing him in custody, including the King’s son, Nasser Bin Hamad Alkhalifa.[3]

Sheikh Abdul Jalil Al Moqdad 

Sheikh Abdul Jalil Al Moqdad , an outspoken cleric and a political leader in the Alwafa opposition movement,  has been in detention since the 27th of March 2011. He was tried in a military court and is currently serving a 30 year prison sentences in multiple cases including a life sentence in the case of the 13 human rights and political leaders known as the Bahrain13 charged with “plotting to overthrow the regime[4]”.  He has been subjected to severe torture in detention and was beaten to force him to apologize on tape.[5] He is currently denied treatment for the pain in his back which he suffered from a slipped disc due to torture.

Mustafa Abdul Jalil Al Moqdad (17 years old):

Mustafa Al Moqdad, 17 years old, is the son of the political leader Sheikh Abdul Jalil Al Moqdad.  He was arrested on the 19th of May 2011 after a house raid at dawn. He was reportedly tortured for two weeks after his arrest. According to the testimony, he was beaten with a plastic cable, deprived from sleep for three days and was forced to stand for days. Mustafa was not allowed access to his family or legal representation until his first court hearing on the 21st of June 2011 at the military court. In October 2011, he was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment at the National Safety court (vis-à-vis the Military court) which was later reduced to three years (Read: www.bahrainrights.org/en/node/4845). On the 14th of May 2013, Mustafa was subjected to additional torture at the hands of prison guards at Jaw prison (adult prison)[6]. Mustafa was an academically excellent student who has now been deprived from his studies because of his imprisonment on trumped up charges and due to bad prison conditions. Mustafa is currently suffering from difficulties in breathing and is denied the medical treatment he needs.

Ebrahim Ahmed Radhi Al-Moqdad (17 years old)

Ebrahim Ahmed Al-Moqdad, was arrested when he was 16 on the 23rd of July 2012 during an anti-government protest in Bilad al-Qadeem. For nearly 48 hours after his arrest, he was not allowed to speak to his family and there was no lawyer present during his interrogation. Ebrahim told his family that he was beaten after his arrest, and that the policemen tried to get his clothes off to sexually assault him but he resisted. A gun was pointed at him and to further intimidate him, police put a gun parallel to his ear and pulled the trigger. He said that he was then taken to a burnt armoured vehicle where he was given a script and videotaped confessing to burning it. He was interrogated by infamous torturer, Isa Al Majali, who verbally abused him. He was blindfolded at all times, handcuffed and was made to lay on the ground and not allowed to move, sit or sleep[7].  On the 4th of April 2013 he was sentenced to 10 years in prison after being tried under the internationally criticized terrorism law on the charge of “burning an armored vehicle”. He is currently serving the sentence at Jaw prison (adults prison) where the prison authority had to make special uniforms to fit him because there were none available in his size.[8]

Yousif Radhi Mansoor AlMoqdad (35 years old)

Brother of political leader Sheikh Abdul Jalil Al Moqdad, has been in detention since the 27th of March 2011. He has been on trial at a military court along with his cousin the political leader Mohamed Habib AlMoqdad and the child Mustafa AlMoqdad for allegedly kidnapping and detaining a policeman in March 2011. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison. He was reportedly subjected to torture including electrical shocks and beatings with a plastic hose.

Hussain Ebrahim AlMoqdad (18 years old)

Hussain AlMoqdad has been in detention since the 6th of July 2012. He was reportedly subjected to torture to obtain confessions. He is currently serving a prison sentence of 10 years for allegedly blowing up a gas cylinder.

Murtadha AlMoqdad

Murtadha AlMoqdad, the other son of the political leader Abdul Jalil AlMoqdad has been arrested several times between 2011 to date and has been detained for several months. He is currently out of prison on bail while still on trial for multiple “illegal gathering” charges. He is expecting a verdict on the 18th of November 2013 and he may face a prison sentence. He is actively speaking up about the attacks on his family members and using social media outlets[9] to spread the word about the violations to their rights. AlMoqdad believes his trial is a form of retribution for his peaceful activism for rights and democracy.

The Bahrain Center for Human Rights believes the family of AlMoqdad has been targeted in revenge for the political activism of the two leaders who were detained in 2011, Sheikh Abdul Jalil Al Moqdad and Sheikh Mohamed Habib AlMoqdad, as well as for the continued peaceful activities of the family members to demand freedom and justice for their detained relatives.

Bahrain Center for Human Rights calls on the close allies, namely the United States and the United Kingdom, as well as relevant international institutions like the United Nations to pressure the Bahrain Government to:

- End all forms of targeting and prosecution of relatives of political and human rights activists in Bahrain

- Compensated all those subjected to harassment and/or torture.

- To cease all harassment and targeting of all political and human rights activists and their families.

- To release all political prisoners unconditionally, and provide full access to rights of free speech and peaceful assembly as guaranteed by international conventions.

In a Side Event at the United Nations Human Rights Council:

Repression and Impunity in Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen

Yesterday, 12 September 2013, the Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies (CIHRS), the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights (BCHR) and the Gulf Centre for Human Rights (GCHR) organized an event at the 24^th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council to highlight the ongoing crackdown on human rights defenders and lack of accountability for human rights violations within the Gulf region.

The speakers of the event included Ms. Maryam Al-Khawaja, acting director of BCHR and co-director of GCHR, Mr. Khalid Ibrahim, co-director of the GCHR, Melanie Gingell, a board member of the GCHR.  Mr. Jeremie Smith, director of the Geneva office of CIHRS, chaired the event.  The event was attended by state delegations, United Nations officials and civil society groups from around the world.

Mr. Ibrahim highlighted ongoing widespread attacks against human rights defenders in Saudi Arabia, Oman, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Yemen.  He then moved on to discuss the findings of the GCHR’s recent report on the role of human rights defenders within the transitional process in Yemen and ongoing attacks against these defenders. Mr. Ibrahim also pointed out the continued lack of accountability for human rights violations in Yemen, including the failure of the Yemeni government to appoint any members to the National Commission of Inquiry, created by the new president of Yemen more than a year ago, and called on the government ensure that these individuals are appointed and the commission is allowed to progress.  The UN Human Rights Council is due to adopt a resolution on Yemen this month concerning accountability and human rights within the country.

Ms. Gingell then discussed the UAE 94, a group of human rights defenders and reformists in the UAE that have been jailed and tortured for creating and signing a petition asking for democratic reforms.  Ms. Gingell spoke of her attempt to monitor the trial of the UAE 94.  These individuals have been imprisoned and tortured and their families threatened for their human rights and pro-democracy activities.  Despite the charges against them, the government has failed to provide any evidence to prove that they planned to overthrow the government or commit an act of treason.   Ms. Gingell highlighted that over the last two years there has been a crackdown in the country on all forms of expression advocating for democratic reform within the country.

Ms. Al-Khawaja discussed the ongoing repression of human rights defenders in Bahrain and use of excessive force against those participating in protests and demonstrations.  In particular, the BCHR has documented more than 1000 arrests of political activists since the beginning of 2013.   Political prisoners in the country continue to be subjected to ill-treatment and torture.  The government has failed to implement the recommendations of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry, which submitted its findings to the government almost two years ago.  Forty-seven states from around the world signed onto a joint declaration at the UN Human Rights Council on 10 September to call for a halt to human rights violations in Bahrain and for the government to implement the BICI recommendations.  This is the third such declaration by UN member states within the last year and half.  Ms. Al-Khawaja expressed her hope that if Bahrain continues to repress dissent and refuse to implement reform, stronger action will be taken by UN member states.

The Gulf Center for Human Rights (GCHR) and Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR) express their grave concern over the continued attacks and harassment, including arrests and ongoing detention, of human rights defenders in Bahrain.

On 6 September 2013, Hussain Ali Abdul Nabi (20 years old) – a member of the Documentation Team of the Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR) - was arrested from his friend's house. He was subject to enforced disappearance for several days. On 10 September, the public prosecution ordered the detention of Abdul Nabi for 45 days pending investigation on charges of "illegal gathering" and targeting policemen.

Abdul Nabi is not the only human rights defender facing criminal charges as part of a campaign that targets human rights defenders in Bahrain with defamation and fabricated charges in order to hinder their work. Naji Fateel, a board member BYHRS, remains detained since 2 May 2013 on charges of “establishing a terrorist group for the purpose of disturbing public security, disabling constitution and law, preventing public institution and authorities from performing their duties, attacking public and personal rights, and harming national unity,” under the internationally condemned Terrorism Law. On 23 May 2013, Fateel was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment for “illegal assembly”, while he is expecting a verdict on the other charges on 29 September 2013. In his first court hearing, which was held on 11 July 2013, Fateel talked publicly about the torture he was subjected to and took his shirt off to show the torture marks on his back. However, instead of  taking action to carry out an immediate, impartial and thorough investigation into the allegations of torture, the judge did not allow the defendants to complete their testimonies and refused to take note of their allegations. (For more information please see:  http://bahrainrights.org/en/node/6227).

In addition, the GCHR and BCHR are concerned about the health of human rights activist Zainab Al-Khawaja who is still being kept with criminal prisoners who have Hepatitis A and B. Her family visited her recently and they reported that she has lost a lot of weight and her face looked yellow. Hepatitis A and B are contagious diseases and authorities at the prison rejected many requests made by Al-Khawaja to get the vaccine which puts her at great risk of infection. Al-Khawaja is serving multiple prison sentences at Isa women’s prison, and expected to remain imprisoned until February 2014 on different charges including entering a restricted area (the Pearl Roundabout) and “illegal gathering”. It is important to note that all prisoners eat together from the same food, which puts them at higher risk of contagion. To add to that, Al-Khawaja has been prevented from going outdoors since March 2012, which increases risks of infection and puts her health at risk.

The GCHR and the BCHR call on the US administration, as well as other governments that have influence in Bahrain including the UK government, the EU and leading human rights organizations, to put pressure on the government of Bahrain to:

1- Immediately release detained human rights defenders  Hussain Ali Abdul Nabi, Naji Fateel and Zainab Al-Khawaja, as well as all other detained human rights defenders and prisoners of conscience in Bahrain;

2- Immediately remove Zainab Al-Khawaja from her cell and provide her with vaccination;

3- Guarantee the legal rights and due process of the prisoners of conscious and victims of torture;

4- Stop the ongoing daily human rights violations as well as the escalated attacks against human rights defenders;

5- Guarantee in all circumstances that human rights defenders in Bahrain are able to carry out their legitimate human rights activities without fear of reprisals, and free of all restrictions including judicial harassment;

The GCHR and BCHR remind the Bahraini government that the United Nations Declaration on the Right and Responsibility of Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognized Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, adopted by consensus by the UN General Assembly on 9 December 1998, recognizes the legitimacy of the activities of human rights defenders, their right to freedom of association and to carry out their activities without fear of reprisals. We would particularly draw your attention to Article 5 (b) “For the purpose of promoting and protecting human rights and fundamental freedoms, everyone has the right, individually and in association with others, at the national and international levels  (b)To form, join and participate in non-governmental organizations, associations or groups” and Article 12 (2) “The State shall take all necessary measures to ensure the protection by the competent authorities of everyone, individually and in association with others, against any violence, threats, retaliation, de facto or de jure adverse discrimination, pressure or any other arbitrary action as a consequence of his or her legitimate exercise of the rights referred to in the present Declaration.”

The arrest of the prominent opposition leader Khalil al-Marzouq in Bahrain last night is the authorities’ latest move to tighten the noose on political opposition in the country and silence anyone seen to be critical of the authorities, Amnesty International said.

“Khalil al-Marzouq is a prisoner of conscience, imprisoned only for of his vehement criticism of the government. He must be immediately and unconditionally released,” said Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui Middle East and North Africa Deputy Director at Amnesty International.

“His arrest is yet another blow to the National Dialogue which the Bahraini authorities have been flaunting as a reason to cancel the visit of the UN expert on torture to the country. However harsh his speech towards the authorities, he should not have been arrested for expressing his views.”

Khalil al-Marzouq, the Assistant Secretary General of al-Wefaq, the registered political association representing the majority Shi’a population in Bahrain, and former Head of the Legislative and Legal Committee in parliament, was arrested on 17 September.

He was interrogated by the Public Prosecutor in the presence of a lawyer for seven hours.

Khalil al-Marzouq has been charged with incitement to violence after he gave speech critical of the government on 6 September at a political rally attended by nearly 6,000 people near the village of Saar. During the speech a masked man passed near the podium and gave him a white flag which Khalil put aside. The flag allegedly symbolises the “14 February Movement”, a loose network of youth groups established in 2011 which has called for the end of the monarchy. Some of the movement’s members are on trial, accused of using violence.

Amnesty International has reviewed the video of the 6 September speech by Khalil al-Marzooq and the flag incident, but does not believe there is any incitement to violence in them.

The Public Prosecution ordered Khalil al-Marzouq’s detention for 30 days pending an investigation. If convicted he faces a lengthy jail sentence and the possibility of his nationality being revoked.

Khalil and al-Wefaq have repeatedly stated that they are against the use of violence and are committed to achieving change through peaceful means.

“Over recent months, the Bahraini government has increased its threats and attacks against political associations which are critical of the government, in particular al-Wefaq. This must stop and Bahrain’s allies can no longer hide behind the National Dialogue to mute their criticisms under the pretext that it could derail the process,” said Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui.

This latest arrest comes only days after a joint statement by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights on the human rights situation in Bahrain, signed by 47 countries, expressed concerns about the ongoing human rights violations in Bahrain.

As a response to Khalil al-Marzooq’s detention and other serious ongoing human rights violations the political opposition associations have today announced their decision to suspend their participation in the National Dialogue which had just resumed after two months of summer break.

In July the King issued several decrees which, among other things, banned demonstrations, sit-ins and public gatherings in Manama indefinitely and toughened punishments laid out in the 2006 anti-terrorism legislation. In early September the Minister of Justice issued a decree adding new restrictions on political associations. Political associations must now notify the Ministry of Justice three days before any meeting with a foreign diplomat and must take place in the presence of an official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

http://www.amnesty.org/en/news/bahrain-khalil-al-marzouq-arrested-2013-09-18