All News items from Bahrain

Front Line is concerned following reports received of a travel ban imposed on human rights defender, Abdulghani Al-Khanjar who was refused entry to Qatar at Doha Airport on 2 December 2008.  

Since 1 July 2007, human rights defender and Vice-President of the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights (BCHR), Nabeel Ahmed Rajab has faced ongoing harassment and has been followed by civilian vehicles on a daily basis to and from his home  

Arab and Egyptian Human Rights Organizations condemn the prevention of Bahraini Human Rights Activist by Security Service from Entering Egypt

Cairo - 31 January 2007

The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information (HRinfo) and Arab Program for Human Rights Activists (APHRA) condemn the prevention of Mohamed Al-Maskati, human rights activist and Director of Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights (BYSHR) from entering Egypt today. The Cairo Airport Security Service held Al-Maskati in custody for more than 12 hours at the airport before he was deported back to Bahrain.

Al-Maskati (20 years-old) arrived at Cairo airport early this morning to participate in the seminar titled "The Role of Youth in Supporting Freedoms and Democracy" which is to be hold by BYSHR and APHRA today.  

2 August 2006

A new anti terror law that is awaiting final ratification by the king of Bahrain, King Sheikh Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifah, could place restrictions on the activities of human rights defenders in Bahrain, specifically their defense of the rights of freedom of expression and association.

The parliament of Bahrain has already approved the “protecting society from terrorists acts” bill and has so far ignored calls to review the law by Martin Scheinin, the UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism.

Director of Front Line, Mary Lawlor said: “it is worrying that Bahrain is disregarding international concerns about this proposed law especially since Bahrain is a member of the new UN Human Rights Council.”  

Front Line has renewed concerns for the physical and psychological safety of Abdul Hadi al-Khawaja, after sources reported that he may have been ill-treated while being forcibly carried into court on 7th November 2004. Observers have described Abdul Hadi as bare-chested and visibly bruised. Front Line calls on the Bahraini authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Abdul Hadi al-Khawaja as his detention is arbitrary.

Front Line is concerned that the situation for human rights defenders in Bahrain is deteriorating. From reports received approximately 30 people, including human rights defenders, have been arrested and charged under a number of articles of the penal code of 1976, a document which was widely condemned by the UN and human rights organisations throughout the 80s and 90s. Among those detained are Abdul-Raoof Al-Shayeb (Spokesperson) and Mahmood Ramadan (Board member) of the National Committee for Martyrs & Victims of Torture in Bahrain, and Jaffar Hassan Ahmed Isa.

Front Line is deeply concerned at the decision of the Labour and Social Affairs Minister Majid al-Alawi to dissolve the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights (BCHR). The BCHR was reportedly closed for “activities contravening the Associations Law of 1989”. This decision took effect as of 29 September 2004. A governmental order was delivered to the BCHR, which also named an official to audit its accounts and activities. The order prohibits the BCHR human rights defenders in resuming all activities and freezes all funds.

The BCHR is a leading human rights organisation in Bahrain and the Gulf region. It is one of the two human rights NGOs to have been authorised in Bahrain when King Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa gradually introduced political reforms after becoming ruler in 1999. One of BCHR’s major projects is “The Migrant Workers Group” which protects the rights and interests of its migrant workers, and was due to open a shelter for migrants who were victims of abuse, especially house maids.  

Abdul Raaof Al Shaieb a well known and respected human rights activist was arrested by the Bahraini authorities on Tuesday 30th 2004, March following his return from the UN Commission on Human Rights in Geneva. He had recently called for a demonstration on behalf of victims of torture to take place on the 4th of April at the time of the inaugural Bahrain Grand Prix. Front Line is concerned that Abdul Raaof Al Shaieb has been arrested to deny him his legal right to speak out about human rights violations in Bahrain.

“This is a shabby attempt by the Bahraini authorities to repress any discussion of their human rights record whilst the eyes of the world are upon them for the Grand Prix,” said Mary Lawlor, Front Line Director. “Abdul Raaof Al Shaieb should be released immediately.”  

Front Line received information from the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights that 16 Bahraini petitioners were released the 19th May 2004.

Front Line is concerned over reports that the Bahrain Human Rights Centre has received warnings from the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs that its licence would be withdrawn should it conduct any political activity. To date the Bahrain Human Rights Centre (BCHR) has received two formal warnings in the past seven months. Recently the BHCR has been active in a campaign trying to secure the release of 23 petitioners arrested 30th April and 5th May 2004. Front Line is very concerned that the BCHR will be denied the right to defend basic human rights such as the freedom of expression and of association in Bahrain, as is enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

To date the Bahrain Human Rights Centre (BCHR) has received two formal warnings in the past seven months. The first was sent the 20th October 2003 and the second was sent on the 16th May 2004. The second formal warning states that the BCHR political activities violate Article 18 of the Law on Societies issued by Decree No 21-1989 also the BCHR’s constitution.