21 October 2012

The Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR) and the Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR) issue an urgent appeal regarding the siege which has been ongoing for more than 2 days now on the village of AlEker. President of BYSHR, Mohammed AlMaskati, was able to get into the village despite the siege at approximately 9 am local time. A gathering of more than 100 people outside the entrance of AlEker which included medics, members of political societies and activists was dispersed by excessive force using sonic bombs and teargas and another gathering of AlEker residents inside the village was also attacked with excessive use of tear gas. Human rights defenders Zainab Al Khawaja, BCHR’s Said Yousif AlMuhafdhah and BYSHR’s Naji Fateel were arrested after peacefully matching towards Al Eker holding symbolic amount of food and medical supply to break the siege. According to the lawyer they are being charged with obstructing traffic despite walking on the pavement. Please refer to the last BCHR urgent appeal about the situation in AlEker: http://bahrainrights.hopto.org/en/node/5486.

According to AlMaskati’s testimony of what he witnessed, all entrances to AlEker are blocked. When people are allowed to leave (only from the main entrance), they are harassed and verbally attacked, in addition to getting thoroughly searched. AlMaskati stated that during the past two days, security forces have imposed an ongoing curfew, informing residents through loud speakers that they are not allowed to leave their homes. Security forces also used loud speakers to threaten the residents and used insults and sectarian derogatory terms.

Photo: School closed, students and teachers were not allowed into.

Photo: Residents had to bring food into the village on foot

Security forces have reportedly forbidden mosque caretakers from opening mosques for prayers for the past two days, and in one instance they raided a mosque breaking furniture inside. In addition, the village’s elementary school was closed today (Sunday 21st October) and it was surrounded by security forces who refused to allow students into the school. The residents of AlEker are suffering from food shortage, as the usual food deliveries from outside the village were prohibited from entering. Some residents have been attempting to bring food into the village on foot from other areas.

Photo: Houses broken by riot police during raids

Residents of AlEker confirmed to AlMaskati that more than 36 their homes had been subject to arbitrary house raids without warrants. The raids were reportedly very violent, insides of their homes were broken and electronic belongings were confiscated. People inside the homes were subjected to physical and verbal assault demanding they disclose whereabouts of relatives.

The Residents who were in constant need of access to medical care were prohibited from exiting AlEker to go to the hospital. Ambulances have not been allowed into the area. Two people were arrested and later released after reported ill treatment and torture. Family of one of those arbitrarily arrested, namely Aqeel Hassan Jassim, informed AlMaskati that their son has Epilepsy and constantly needs medical care to avoid seizures.

The area claimed to be the “crime scene” by the ministry of interior is a deep area covered in water which has now been covered with sand. Many were arbitrarily arrested as part of the “AlEker case” and were reportedly brought to the “crime scene” and videotaped there according to local residents.

According to lawyer Manar Maki, a group of lawyers made a request to be present during the interrogations of those arbitrarily arrested in what is now being called “AlEker case”, but their request was rejected.

There were many attempts to break the siege on Al Eker village. A group of members of political societies, doctors and activists was dispersed with the use of excessive force this morning. Activists, Said Yousif, Zainab Al Khawaja and Naji Fateel walked to Al Eker holding only symbolic amount of food and medical supply, however, denied entry and arrested. According to witnesses Zainab Al Khawaja was beaten and dragged by male policemen and men in civilian clothing. The three activists are being charged with obstructing traffic. ( Video shows that they were peacefully walking not obstructing the traffic)

The Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR) and the Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR) calls on the international community to put pressure on the government of Bahrain to respect and guarantee human rights for all people under all conditions. It calls on the authorities to stop subjecting the citizens of Bahrain to acts of ill-treatment and collective punishment during the process of investigation of the death of the policeman. The BYSHR and the BCHR believe that an independent, fair and transparent investigation has to be carried out to look into the causes behind the death of the policeman as well as the death of dozens of civilians.

The Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR) expresses its deep concern regarding the besieged village of Elekr by Bahraini security forces.

The Security forces began their siege after a claim by the Bahraini Ministry of Interior that a policeman died because of a bomb in the village ( Thursday 18 October 2012)

The BYSHR has documented these violations – ongoing until now – and that violate the Universal Declaration of Human Rights:

1-The Security forces raided more than 30 house and also arrested 8 individuals.

2-The Security forces prevented the entry of the ambulance to provide healthcare to pregnant women.

3-The Security forces prevented some residents from entering the village and also prevent others from get out of the village.

4-The Security forces prevented the entry of activists and non-residents to the village.

5-The Security forces prevented buses transport students from entering the village.

6-The Security forces imposed a curfew sometimes.

The BYSHR will continue to document abuses in the village of Elekr.

The Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR) demands urgently to break the siege, allow the return of residents to their homes and allow medical supplies and food.

Note: A delegation of lawyers, human rights activists, journalists, doctors and political activists will try to break the siege (Sunday, October 21, 2012 – 10 am EST Bahrain)

The Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR) strongly denounce the arbitrary arrest, detention, and politically motivated charges brought against human rights defender Mr.Mohammed Al-Maskati “president of the BYSHR”

On 17 October 2012, Mr.Al-Maskati, appeared before Bahrain’s public prosecution on charges of participating in illegal protests. A day prior, he had been summoned to Al Hoora police station, where he was kept overnight before being referred to the prosecutor’s office. Although he has since been released, the prosecution may raise his case again at any time, which we view as a clear form of intimidation against the activist.

It is important to note that during his participation and oral intervention in the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) on Bahrain in Geneva, in the 21st session of the Human Rights Council Mr. Al-Maskati received continuous threats via anonymous phone calls due to his activism and participation at the Council ( http://byshr.org/?p=1178 ). He was threatened with death if “he smeared Bahrain’s reputation in Geneva”

The arrest of Mr. Al-Maskati and the charges leveled against him for taking part in “gathering and rioting ” and “Participating in an unauthorized march” are an attempt to intimidate and punish him for his engagement with the UN Human Rights Council, and, as such, constitute a reprisal for cooperating with the United Nations.

On 13 September, Mr.Al-Maskati delivered an oral intervention before the Geneva council, informing its members of the acts of reprisals to which he was subjected for his participation at the session. He stated, “I have received more than a dozen anonymous phone calls threatening my life and the safety of my family for my engagement here. Nonetheless, I have chosen to speak today because my case is not unique.”

Mr Al-Maskati is a renowned human rights defender, an advocate of non-violence and a trainer in Digital Security for activists.

We believe that the Bahraini government has been emboldened by international silence on its recent arrests and harassment of human rights defenders and may take inaction.

The BYSHR call on the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to urgently issue a press release condemning these acts and calling for all States to ensure that human rights defenders are able to cooperate safely with the UN human rights mechanisms. The Human Rights Council should also ensure that it raises these acts of reprisals with the State concerned in order to ensure accountability, non-recurrence, and full protection for the human rights defenders involved.

The Security forces have arrested five medics in a series of dawn raids on Tuesday ( October 2) morning, just one day after the highest court dismissed their appeals.

On Monday ( October 1) , The court of cassation has rejected the appeals and upheld the previous court’s convictions and sentences of the nine medics.

Medics who have been arrested:

1–Dr. Ali Al-Ekri ( 5 Years imprisonment)

2-Dr. Mahmoud Asghar ( 6 Months imprisonment)

3-Dr. Ghassan Dhaif ( 1 Year imprisonment)

4-Dheya Ibrahim AbuIdris ( 2 Months imprisonment)

5-Ibrahim Abdullah Ibrahim ( 3 Years imprisonment)

6- Dr. Saeed Al-Samahiji ( 1 Year imprisonment)

The Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR) demanded the immediate release of the doctors who treated the injured in peaceful protests last year (Feb 2011).

The Bahrain Youth Society for Human (BYSHR) Rights launched yesterday the website “Bahrain Hub ” which is a website that monitors the human rights conditions in Bahrain by using photos and videos, as well as monitoring the articles and news published about Bahrain in the international media.

The BYSHR said that, “the correspondents, journalists, those working in the media and citizens can send photos and videos about the daily events in the different areas and the human rights violations.”

Mr.Mohammed Al-Maskati – BYSHR president – confirmed that, “the website has been divided into three parts, and a number of volunteer photographers will contribute with the BYSHR by monitoring human rights violations and publishing them in Arabic and English.

Mr.Al-Maskati clarified that the “website has been divided according to the Bahraini villages and towns and this will facilitate the search for international organizations and media.”

The Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR) expresses it deep concern regarding the continuous threats against Mr. Mohammed Al-Maskati – president of the BYSHR, where the Bahraini Al-Watan newspaper – a pro-government newspaper – published a photo of Mr. Al-Maskati and the photos of other activists under the title “Al-Watan Reveals the Names of the Participants in Discrediting Bahrain in Geneva“.

Full article – here

On 23 September 2012, Al-Watan newspaper published a list of names of most of the participants in the human rights council during the Universal Periodic Review of Bahrain and it accused them of “discrediting Bahrain” and it also published their photos on the front cover with a “red circle” around it.

Mr. Mohammed Al-Maskati has been subjected to a two-week continuous campaign against him on social networks (twitter), and he received dozens of phone calls – during his presence in Geneva – threatening him with death if “he smeared Bahrain’s reputation in Geneva”.

listed below what the anonymous callers have told Mr.Al-Maskati:

1. Bastard and traitor to the country.
2. They have cited to me personal information that includes my home address, the number of the plate of my car. They have told me all this information.
3. They told me that I’m an Iranian agent.
4. They told that on my return from Geneva they will kill me.
5. They said if you talk in Geneva against the state then you will see some thing you have n’t seen before.
6. They also put some noisy voices during their calls.

On 17 of September 2012, one member of the Bahrain delegation, followed Mr.Al-Maskati taking pictures as he was engaged in meetings with various Human Rights Council officials.

The Al-Watan newspaper published a picture of Ms.Mariam ِAl-Khawaja ( Acting President of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights-BCHR).

The BYSHR considers that the continuous campaign against Mr. Al-Maskati is because of his cooperation with the mechanisms of the United Nations and considers what is happening to him as a revenge of this cooperation by the Bahraini Authorities.

The Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR) demands the Bahraini Authorities to stop the threats and organized campaigns to smear the reputation of the prominent activist Mr. Al-Maskati, and it demands as well investigating with the organizations that target the participants in the human rights council.

More information about threats Mr. Maskati :

1- End persecution of human rights defenders in Bahrain now, says international appeal to UNHRC ( http://www.ifex.org/bahrain/2012/09/17/end_persecution/ )

2- Bahrain/Geneva: Concerns on ongoing intimidation against human rights defender Mohammed Al-Maskati ( https://www.frontlinedefenders.org/node/19869)

The Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR) expresses its deep concern regarding the blocking of the UN (http://webtv.un.org) Website after the oral intervention given by Mr.Mohammed Al-Maskati-President of the Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights 0n 13 September 2012 at the Human Rights Council (Session 21) which was focused on reprisals.

Dozens of Bahraini citizens have informed the BYSHR that they could not enter the Web Site of the UN after the intervention of Mr. Maskati at the Human Rights Council. ( Mr.Al-Maskati intervention: http://byshr.org/?p=1168)

This blocking means that the people of Bahrain will not be able to lively follow up the UPR discussion on Bahrain scheduled on 19 September 2012.

Mr. Al-Maskati intervention at the Human Rights Council dealt with reprisals against human rights defenders in Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia. Mr. Al-Maskati also talked about the threats received by Mr. Al-Maskati during his intervention during the meetings of the Human Rights Council.

The Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights believes the blocking part of the on-going campaign of attacks directed toward human rights defenders in Bahrain including Mr. Maskati himself which aimed at preventing them from continuing their legitimate human rights work.

Mr. Mohammed Al-Maskati-President of the Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights – had intervention (on behalf of the Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies) in the Human Rights Council “session 21″ on reprisals against defenders of human rights in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.

(Go to 2:30:40)

Video – Panel Discussion on Intimidation & Reprisals, 9th Meeting

The Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR) expresses its deep concern for the threats received by Mr. Mohammed Al-Maskati – president of the BYSHR – during his participation in a workshop on the mechanisms of the UN with an international organization. Mr. Al-Maskati will also be participating in a human rights session on Bahrain among the mechanism of “Universal Periodic Review”.

The Vice-president of the BYSHR Mr. Nader Al-Salatna indicated that, Mr. Al-Maskati had tweeted his mobile number – a local number in Geneva – on his twitter account to maintain the communication between him and the victims in Bahrain. However, for Three continuous days (10 –11-12 September) he received anonymous calls threatening him with death because of his participation in Geneva, and he was threatened with assault upon his arrival in Bahrain. The callers also cursed him, and they also turned on disturbing sounds for long periods of time starting at one am.

Mr. Al-Salatna also confirmed that, “The BYSHR believes that whoever called Mr. Al-Maskati is connected to the local authorities in Bahrain in order to intimidate Mr. Al-Maskati from participating in the 21st session of Human Rights Council .”

Mr. Al-Maskati had participated in the 20th session of Human Rights Council and had met several diplomats and office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, in addition to international organizations; 27 states had issued a joint statement on Bahrain during the UN sessions.

During the past few weeks, slander campaign orchestrated against Mr. Al-Maskati on Twitter by unknown persons and pro-government pages due to the publish the names of the officers who are abusing prisoners.

The BYSHR demands providing the protection of human rights defenders who use the UN mechanisms, and who participate in the UN sessions, as they are subjected to revenge by the Bahraini Authorities. The BYSHR demands the protection of Mr. Mohammed Al-Maskati and that he is not targeted upon his return from Geneva to Bahrain.

The Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR) expresses its deep concern over the decision of the Court of Appeal because of its Upheld verdicts against 20 prominent activists and opposition leaders.

Appeal hearing was held this morning (September 4) and has been surrounded the building of the Ministry of Justice by the security forces to prevent demonstrators.

1-Abdulwahab Hussain Ali ( life sentence imprisonment)
2-Ibrahim Sharif Abdulraheem Mossa ( 5 Years imprisonment)
3-Hassan Ali Mushaima.( life sentence imprisonment)
4-Abdulhadi Al Khawaja ( life sentence imprisonment)
5-Abduljalil Abdullah Al Singace.( life sentence imprisonment)
6-Mohammed Habib Al Safaf. ( Mohammed Habib Miqdad) ( life sentence imprisonment)
7-Saeed Mirza Ahmed. ( Saeed AlNouri) ( life sentence imprisonment)
8-Abduljalil Mansoor Makk. (Abdul Jalil Miqdad) ( life sentence imprisonment)
9-Abdullah Isa Al Mahroos.( 5 years imprisonment)
10-Salah Hubail Al Khawaj.( 5 years imprisonment)
11-Mohammed Hassan Jawad.( 15 years imprisonment)
12-Mohammed Ali Ismael. ( 15 years imprisonment))
13-Abdul Hadi Abdullah Mahdi Hassan ( Abdulhadi AlMukhodher) ( 15 years imprisonment)

Defendants ( in Absentia) :

14-Akeel Ahmed Al Mafoodh.( 15 years imprisonment)
15-Ali Hassan Abdullah.( Ali Abdulemam) ( 15 years imprisonment)
16-Abdulghani Ali Khanjar.( 15 years imprisonment)
17-Saeed Abdulnabi Shehab.( life sentence imprisonment)
18-Abdulraoof Al Shayeb.( 15 years imprisonment)
19-Abbas Al Omran.( 15 years imprisonment)
20-Ali Hassan Mushaima.( 15 years imprisonment)