Case History: Nazeeha Saeed
On 18 July 2017, the Bahraini appeal court upheld the verdict against journalist Nazeeha Saeed, accused of working without a license to pay 1000 BD fine.
On 17 July 2016, human rights defender Nazeeha Saeed was summoned to appear before the Prosecution Office in relation to a complaint filed by the Information Affairs Authority (IAA) against her. She was charged with practising journalism without prior official permission from the Ministry.
Nazeeha Saeed is a Bahraini human rights defender and journalist working with the French TV news channel France 24 and the international broadcaster Radio Monte Carlo Doualiya. She has been advocating for women rights and freedom of expression for the past ten years through articles and collaboration with different regional and international media outlets. Nazeeha is also the recipient of the Johann Philipp Palm Award for Freedom of Speech & Press 2014.
On 17 July 2016, human rights defender Nazeeha Saeed was summoned to appear before the Prosecution Office in relation to a complaint filed by the Information Affairs Authority (IAA) against her. She was charged with practising journalism without prior official permission from the Ministry according to Article 88 of Bahrain's Press Law 47/2002.
Prior to this, on 29 June, as Nazeeha planned to travel to Germany from Bahrain International Airport, airport security authorities informed her that a travel ban had been imposed on her, without providing any reason or additional information.
Nazeeha Saeed has previously been targeted by Bahraini authorities. In May 2011, the human rights defender was arrested after reporting on pro-democracy demonstrations and accused of broadcasting false news and attempting to overthrow the regime, which she denied. During the interrogation, police officers subjected her to severe abuse and torture.
Front Line Defenders expresses concern for the charge filed against Nazeeha Saeed and the travel ban imposed on her, and believes that it is solely motivated by her peaceful and legitimate activities in the defence of human rights in Bahrain.
On 29 June 2016, human rights defender Ms Nazeeha Saeed was prevented from traveling to Germany upon her arrival to Bahrain International Airport. She had not received any prior notification of the travel ban and security officers refused to provide her any reason.
Nazeeha Saeed is a Bahraini human rights defender and journalist working with the French TV news channel France 24 and the international broadcaster Radio Monte Carlo Doualiya. She has been advocating for women rights and freedom of expression for the past ten years through articles and collaboration with different regional and international media outlets. Nazeeha is also the recipient of the Johann Philipp Palm Award for Freedom of Speech & Press 2014.
On 29 June, while heading to Germany from Bahrain International Airport, airports authority officers informed Nazeeha Saeed that a travel ban had been imposed on her. She was told that she was not allowed to leave the country at the time but no reason or any additional information were provided.
Nazeeha Saeed has been targeted by Bahraini authorities before. In May 2011, the human rights defender was arrested after covering pro-democracy demonstrations and accused of broadcasting false news and attempting to overthrow the regime, which she denied. During the interrogation, she was subjected to severe abuse and torture by police officers.
In a recent escalation of its crackdown against civil society, Bahraini authorities have used travel ban orders to restrict the activities of human rights defenders. On 12 June 2016, as the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) convened, Bahraini security forces prevented three human rights defenders, Mr Hussain Radhi, Ms Ebtisam Al-Saegh and Mr Ibrahim Al-Demistani from travelling to Geneva from Bahrain International Airport to attend the UNHRC and to participate in a side event on the situation of human rights in Bahrain. On 20 June, human rights defender Abdulnabi Al-Ekry was prevented from traveling following an order from the public prosecution.
Front Line Defenders expresses concern for the travel ban imposed against Nazeeha Saeed and believes that it is solely motivated by his peaceful and legitimate activities in the defence of human rights in Bahrain.
Front Line Defenders urges the authorities in Bahrain to:
1. Immediately lift the travel ban against human rights defender Nazeeha Saeed;
2. Guarantee in all circumstances that all human rights defenders in Bahrain are able to carry out their legitimate human rights activities, nationally and internationally, without fear of reprisals and free of all restrictions including judicial harassment.
