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Amnesty is hailed
Published: 31 July 2008

MANAMA: His Majesty King Hamad's decision to pardon 225 convicts was yesterday hailed as a sign of strength and leadership. "The amnesty is also a testimony to the prevalence of security and stability across Bahrain," said Public Security chief Major General Abdullatif Al Zayani.

"It also reflects the core positive aspects embodied in the reform project initiated by His Majesty King Hamad."

NEWS
King of Bahrain must stand up for Human Rights - Avebury
28 July 2008

The King of Bahrain has been reported to the United Nations Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders following threats he made to human rights defenders in Bahrain.

Lord Eric Avebury, Liberal Democrat Foreign Affairs spokeperson and vice-chair of the UK Parliamentary Human Rights Group, has written to the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders, Ms Hina Jilani, about the threats made against pardoned former exiles in the country.

Commenting, Lord Avebury said,

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Funds drive for mum in custody battle
By GEOFFREY BEW
Published: 26th July 2008

A FUNDRAISING campaign to help a mother fight for custody of her five-year-old daughter has been officially backed by the Philippine Embassy. Lecita Flores was granted custody of the child during a Sharia Court hearing in March, but her ex-husband refused to hand the girl over - despite four court orders obliging him to do so.

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Online abuse alert
By REBECCA TORR
Published: 26th July 2008

A PROJECT to protect children and teenagers from abuse via the Internet and mobile phones has been launched by a local children's centre.

The Be Free Centre Anti Child Abuse and Neglect programme decided to take action following a four-year study into online child abuse.

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Warning to civil servants rapped
By GEOFFREY BEW
Published: 26th July 2008

A LEADING human rights activist has hit out at plans to sack government employees involved in violent demonstrations. Bahrain Human Rights Society (BHRS) assistant general-secretary Dr Abdulla Aldeerazi said the threat was against freedom of expression and broke at least two UN conventions on human rights.

110th CONGRESS

2d Session

S. RES. 619
Expressing support for a constructive dialogue on human rights issues between the United States and Bahrain.

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

July 22, 2008
Mr. SESSIONS (for himself and Mr. COLEMAN) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations

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RESOLUTION

Bargaining Economic and Social Services against Civil Rights!
Oppression and Restrictions is not the Right Solution for the Escalating Unrest
Bahrain Center for Human Rights

26 July 2008

The Bahrain Centre for Human Rights (BCHR) is highly alerted for the recent escalation in political and security tension leading to more restriction on basic freedoms and violations of civil, political, economic and social rights. Most restrictions and violations are directed against Shia individuals, groups and villages. The BCHR has occasionally warned that restrictive and sectarian policies would lead to more disturbance and unrest.

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Crackdown on saboteurs
Published: 25th July 2008

The Interior Ministry yesterday vowed to crack down on rioters and saboteurs, regardless of wrongdoers or their underlying motives. "Law breakers, saboteurs, rioters and instigators targeting people and private properties will be held accountable," Public Security chief Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani warned.

Fears for Safety of BCHR President

Bahrain Center for Human Rights

July 23rd, 2008

Hamad Bin Issa Alkhalifa, the King of Bahrain, warned Bahraini societies, associations or individuals against any external allegiances. Addressing editors-in-chief (of local newspapers) at Al Safriya Palace, the king said: "We will never be a vassal state, accepting foreign agendas,"..."Parties loyal to foreign agendas will be laid bare, sooner or later," he warned, stressing the need to learn from past mistakes. He rejected maneuvers by foreign countries to impose their agendas on Bahrain[i].

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.

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Free teenager call by society
By Cairen Harry
Published: 15th JULY 2008

HUMAN rights activists are demanding the release of a Bahraini teenager who was held overnight for questioning following clashes between riot police and protesters on Sunday.

The 13-year-old was being held along with at least five other people for their involvement in protests, according to Bahrain Human Rights Society secretary-general Dr Abdulla Al Durazi.

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Two Bahrainis in Saudi jails
By GEOFFREY BEW
Published: 16th July 2008

ONLY two Bahrainis are remaining in custody in Saudi Arabia, officials told the GDN.

They are Al Qaeda suspects Khalil Al Janahi and Abdulraheem Al Murbati. The two were never convicted or officially charged.

Al Adala (Justice) National Movement Society lawyer Abdulla Hashim does not believe there are any other prisoners whose cases remain unknown and is hopeful the last two will be released soon.

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Freedom joy for man jailed in terror case
By Geoffrey Bew
Published: 16th July 2008

A BAHRAINI man convicted of terrorism charges in Dubai was yesterday celebrating his first full day of freedom with his family after being released from prison.

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Riot case boy freed
By CAIREN HARRY
Published: 16th July 2008

A BAHRAINI teenager arrested during clashes between riot police and protesters on Sunday has been released from police custody.

The 13-year-old boy was arrested for allegedly setting an electric generator alight in Burhama on the night of the protests.

Bahrain Human Rights Society secretary-

Lord Avebury, the Vice-Chairman of the Parliamentary Human Rights Group

Cordially invites you to a seminar on

Bahrain; failed political experiment, serious HR violations

Speakers and commentators will present their views on the failed political programme, people’s demands and the regime’s inability to address the crisis

11.00 AM, Thursday 21st August 2008

1 Abbey Gardens (Annexe to The House of Lords), London SW1P

For further information please contact: Lord Avebury: 020 7274 4617, Email: ericavebury@gmail.com

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.

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Woman collapses after riots verdict
By RASHA AL QAHTANI
Published: 14th July 2008

A WOMAN had to be taken to hospital amid emotional scenes after 11 men were convicted of rioting and handed prison sentences of one to seven years yesterday. The unidentified woman collapsed after hearing the verdict in the High Criminal Court, which acquitted four of the 15 men standing trial.

All defendants had been charged with rioting during the Eid and National Day holidays last December.

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11 rioters jailed
Published: 14th July 2008

HAQ: Movement of Liberties and Democracy- Bahrain%D%A%D%A حق: حركة الحريات والدموقراطية- البحرين%D%A%D%Aالـحـقـوق للـجـمـيـع ..

03/07/2008 By Edward Burke

Bahrain’s top-down reforms, initiated by King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa in 2001, were a welcome respite for a population weary of the violence and state repression that characterised much of the preceding decade. King Hamad’s relatively benign treatment of CSOs and his tolerance for a wider degree of freedom of expression has won international praise, most effusively from the United States.

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.

Tuesday, July 8, 2008 Search
‘No one is ill-treated’
This place is home to all inmates: Lt Aleass
Ajit John
Chief Reporter

The women’s prison in Isa town is presently housing 39 runaways with over 249 having been sent back after completing their prison terms this year, this was revealed by Lieutenant Shamma M Aleass while speaking to the Tribune.
Last year they had 458 runaways who spent anywhere between ten days to a month in jail. She hoped there would be a drop in the number this year.

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Lawyers seeking arson farm visit
By RASHA AL QAHTANI
Published: 8th JULY 2008

DEFENCE lawyers yesterday demanded a warrant to visit the crime scene of an arson attack on a farm belonging to a senior member of the royal family.

They have also asked for a court order to halt any physical abuse of the suspects.

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Family in new bid to trace Qaeda suspect
Published: 8th JULY 2008

The family of a Bahraini man held without trial in Saudi Arabia for five years for suspected Al Qaeda links said yesterday they have lost track of him.

Abdurrahim Al Murbati was arrested in Riyadh in June 2003 and held in a prison in the Saudi capital, where he was allowed monthly family visits, his son, Osama, said.

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Agony for murdered policeman's family
By ANIQA HAIDER and GEOFFREY BEW
Published: 8th JULY 2008

A DEFENCE lawyer's plea to exhume the body of a murdered policeman is just a smokescreen to blur the trial of his alleged killers, it was claimed yesterday.

Sources close to the family of Pakistani policeman Majid Asghar Ali Kareem Baksh, 24, said his body had already been flown to Karachi and buried.

Reporters Without Borders -Press release- 3 July 2008 - BAHRAIN

Press law amendments hailed but journalists still face jail and websites risk closure

Reporters Without Borders has welcomed some amendments to the press law in Bahrain but voiced concern about some remaining failings that leave journalists and publications exposed to risk.

Published: 30 June 2008 06:42 GMT Author: Edmund O'Sullivan Last Updated: 30 June 2008 15:11

Link to original page

Bahrain is the only GCC state where nationality is readily given to Arabs with the right qualifications. But it may be time for the rest to follow suit.
A Palestinian friend who has lived in Manama for two decades finally resolved his nationality dilemma two years ago by giving up his Jordanian passport and taking Bahraini nationality.