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Bahrain - Call to enforce Article 134 of Bahraini Penal Code threatens human rights defenders

Front Line is deeply concerned following reports received of a statement by the Bahraini Interior Minister, Shaikh Rashid Bin Abdalla Al-Khalifa, published in the local Arabic press on 6 November 2008, calling for the enforcement of Article 134 of the Bahraini Penal Code against any citizen who attends meetings, conferences or seminars abroad or meets with representative of foreign countries, organisations or bodies to discuss the internal affairs of Bahrain, without government authorization.  Read More

Bahrain: Trial of human rights defender, Mohamed Abdul Nabi Al-Maskati, adjourned until 15 January 2009

Update

The trial of Bahraini human rights defender Mohamed Abdul Nabi Al-Maskati for “running an unlicenced association” has been adjourned until 15 January 2009. Mohamed Abdul Nabi Al-Maskati is the founder of the Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR), which organises training workshops, monitors and documents human rights violations and participates in forming a regional network for young human rights activists in eight Arab countries. Front Line previously wrote to you on in relation with this case.  Read More

Bahrain - Ongoing governmental and media harassment against human rights defenders

Front Line is deeply concerned following reports received concerning the ongoing media harassment of human rights defenders Nabeel Ahmed Rajab, Abduljalil Alsingace and Maryam Alkhawaja, since 16 October 2008. Nabeel Ahmed Rajab is the founder and acting chairperson of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR), Abduljalil Alsingace is the head of Human Rights Unit of the Haq Movement of Liberties and Democracy in Bahrain, and Maryam Alkhawaja is a youth activist and former leader of the student organisation AIESEC-Bahrain.  Read More

Human rights defenders in Bahrain are facing increasing restrictions on their activities. The authorities have sought to close down independent human rights organizations including the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights and restrict human rights activities. Human Rights defenders have been subjected to arbitrary detentions, torture and ill-treatment, fabricated judicial proceedings, threats and harassment.

Despite provisions for basic rights in Bahraini law and in its adherence to a number of international human rights treaties, in practice these rights are substantially limited. The law prohibits unauthorised public gatherings of more than five persons and public gatherings need to be notified to the Ministry of Interior twenty four hours prior. There have been reports of the use of excessive force by security forces when dispersing demonstrations and evidence of human rights defenders facing various forms of harassment, including prosecution on false criminal charges, threats or assaults. New legislation, under the guise of counter-terrorism, has contributed to further infringements of fundamental freedoms.