Bahrain: Convictions Tainted by Claims of Abuse
Verdicts Follow Allegations of Torture, Coerced Confessions in Detention
(New York, July 16, 2008) – Repeated allegations that confessions were obtained by abuse cast doubt on sentences that a Bahraini court has handed down this week to opposition political activists over violent protests in 2007, Human Rights Watch said today. The convictions of the men rested in part on confessions obtained during their interrogation and detention.

Activist Sentenced to 7 years, Four Acquittals Remaining Between 1-5 Years

BCHR REF: 08071301

Amidst tight security measures and a thorough search of activist and members of the media, Bahraini 4th Higher Criminal Court Judge, Sheikh Mohammed Al-Khalifa sentenced today a group of activists on charges ranging from the stealing and illegal possession of a gun & the burning of a police jeep to illegal gathering and sabotage of public property and use of force against security officials. The sentences varied and included a large fine for one of the activists. Worth noting that 4 of those charged with harsh sentences are known activist who had been targeted by the government for their roles in their respective committees. Of them is Maytham Badr Al-Sheikh, who had alleged that he had been sexually assaulted while being interrogated. Another activist who received a large sentence and fine is Hassan Abdulnabi, an active member of the Unemployment Committee, long threatened of dire consequences should he continue in his active role with his committee.

Just over a month after the Bahrain government said it would eliminate prison sentences for journalists and lift some bans on censored publications, it has done a massive U-turn. Authorities in the country are cracking down on opposition journalists, websites and even mosque leaders for apparently stirring up sectarian tensions and threatening national security, reports the Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR).

Country/Topic: Bahrain
Date: 09 July 2008
Person(s): Adel Al Aaly, Mohammed al-Musawi, Sayed Tahir Asfour, Mohammad Noman, Ali Shihabi, Suhail al-Shihabi, Hussein Marzouq, Abdullah Bou-Hassan
Target(s): Internet/website(s) , journalist(s) , web dissident(s)
Type(s) of violation(s): assaulted , charged , detained , questioned , released
Urgency: Threat

(BCHR/IFEX) - The Bahrain Center for Human Rights expresses great concern over the arrest and interrogation of seven citizens by the national security service in Bahrain over their role in publishing the newsletter "Wifaq" and Awal news website.

22 Jun 2008 12:45:18 GMT
RIYADH, June 22 (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia has acknowledged it detained eight Bahrainis who local media had said were suspected of spying for Iran, according to a report on Sunday.

Saudi newspapers and news websites had said several Bahrainis were arrested in February near a desert military installation. They claimed to have lost their way.

"The issue is still at the accusation stage and the investigations will reveal the truth," Interior Minister Prince Nayef was quoted as telling reporters in al-Watan daily.

(BCHR/IFEX) - BCHR expresses its worry concerning the recent arrest of Abdullah Hassan Bu-Hassan, member of the Democratic National Action Society (WA'AD), after he expressed opinions concerning political decisions in the Kingdom of Bahrain, and also gave his opinion on a report issued by an ex-governmental consultant that revealed a reported government conspiracy to implement discriminatory policies. Bu-Hassan expressed his opinions in an article in "The Democrat", an official periodic publication of WA'AD. He had also recently displayed a political banner in his car.

The continued detention of eight Bahrainis in Saudi Arabia without charges
Fear to be victims of political conflicts and sectarian tension
Bahrain government is urged to do more to guarantee the rights and safety of its citizens

Bahrain Centre for Human Rights - May 26, 2008
The Bahrain Centre for Human Rights is highly concerned about eight Bahraini teachers who are still in detention for more than two months in solitary confinement in (Hayr Prison - Riyadh) which seems ad hoc to security issues, without any charges or the possibility to provide legal advice.

THE OBSERVATORY FOR THE PROTECTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS (FIDH-OMCT)

PRESS RELEASE

BAHRAIN: Hearing in the trial of seven human rights defenders

International Mission of Judicial Observation

Geneva-Paris, April 23, 2008. On April 16, 2008, the Observatory for the protection of human rights defenders, a joint programme of the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) and the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), sent an international mission of judicial observation in the framework of the trial of seven human rights defenders, which was held before the High Criminal Court of Bahrain.